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Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering, Major in Microelectronics and Semiconductors

Meet the Global Demand for Semiconductor & Microelectronics Engineers

Semiconductor chips form the backbone of the entire computing and electronic industry. Anything that plugs into a wall outlet requires at least one–if not many–semiconductor chips. As global demand for semiconductor chips and integrated circuits increases, engineering expertise in semiconductors and microelectronics will become an even more valuable credential. The semiconductor industry is expected to add 70,000 new jobs by 2026, and federal investments in semiconductors are growing substantially. 

Purdue’s Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering, with a major in Microelectronics and Semiconductors prepares professionals to become leaders in the microelectronics field and will help meet the growing demand for semiconductor engineers. Our program is the only degree focused entirely on semiconductors and microelectronics offered at an engineering college ranked in the top 10 nationally. Offered via online or hybrid modalities, this Master’s program is convenient to working professionals and gives students practical, focused training that can be immediately applied to the workforce. 

The major Microelectronics and Semiconductors will prepare you to: 

  • Demonstrate expertise in a subfield of study chosen from the fields of semiconductors and microelectronics; 
  • Identify and formulate advanced problems and apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve those problems;
  • Utilize current knowledge, technology, or techniques within their chosen subfield.

Jobs and Career Outlook for Semiconductor Engineers

The demand for semiconductor and circuit design engineers is projected to increase as global demand for semiconductor chips rises. Semiconductors are essential to the computer and electronic industry, and investments in semiconductors are increasing due to emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart hubs. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the semiconductor field will add 70,000 new direct jobs by 2026. 

Graduate degrees are also valuable within the semiconductor industry. 36% of semiconductor workers have graduate degrees, compared to an average of 14% for all other occupations. 

Common job titles in microelectronics and semiconductors field include:

Semiconductor engineer Field service engineer Facilities maintenance technician Preventative maintenance (PM) technician
Technical specialist Electronics engineer Electrical engineer Systems engineer
Computer engineer Controls engineer Software engineer Manufacturing engineer

Embedded systems engineer

Integrated circuit design engineer

 Microelectronics engineer Process engineer

    Curriculum and Courses in Semiconductor Engineering

    The interdisciplinary major in Microelectronics and Semiconductors consists of 30 credit hours and includes 1-, 2-, and 3-credit hour courses.

    Students can choose their courses from a wide suite of available course options in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Materials Engineering, and other schools in the College of Engineering related to microelectronics and semiconductors.

    Course options allow students to focus on one of several sub-fields of their interest, including but not limited to: semiconductor materials, advanced semiconductor device design and modeling, integrated circuit and system design, and advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration.

    The program enables you to learn about a wide variety of topics. Following is a list of courses that will build your knowledge and acumen in semiconductor engineering:

    CMOS VLSI Design Solid State Devices Computational Models and Methods System-on-Chip Design
    Digital Systems Design Automation Applied Analysis of Algorithms Fundamentals of the IoT: Embedded Systems Advanced VLSI Design
    High speed mixed-signal ICs CMOS Analog IC Design RF System Design Primer on RF Circuit Design
    Essentials of Transistors ASIC Design Lab Computer Design and Prototyping Computer Architecture
    Advanced Computer Systems: Parallel Computer Architecture Programmable Accelerator Architectures VLSI Testing and Verification RFICs

    Following is one example plan of study (among many possibilities). A total of 30 credit hours is required to earn the major.

    • MOS VLSI Design (3 credits, core)
    • Linear Algebra (3 credits, math requirement)
    • Solid State Devices (3 credits, technical depth)
    • System-on-Chip Design (3 credits, technical depth)
    • Embedded Systems (3 credits, technical depth)
    • Advanced VLSI Design (3 credits, technical depth)
    • VLSI Testing and Verification (3 credits, elective)
    • High-speed mixed signal ICs (3 credits, elective)
    • Introduction to Electronics Packaging and Heterogeneous Integration (3 credits, breadth requirement)
    • Communication for Engineering Leaders (1 credit, professional development)
    • Technology Realization Program/Commercialization/Entrepreneurship (2 credits, professional development)

    World-renowned faculty from the following schools and programs are teaching courses in Microelectronics and Semiconductors:

    • Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

    • School of Materials Engineering

    • School of Mechanical Engineering

    • Davidson School of Engineering

    • School of Industrial Engineering

    • Environmental and Ecological Engineering program