Semiconductor Memory 101
Welcome to Semiconductor Memory 101! We are excited to have you join this foundational course designed to introduce you to the fascinating world of memory technologies — the backbone of modern computing systems.
This course will help you build a solid understanding of memory principles, from DRAM and SRAM architectures to Flash and emerging memories. You will explore how memory hierarchies shape computing performance, how NAND and NOR Flash are scaled and integrated, and how reliability, packaging, and system-level management enable everything from smartphones to data centers.
By the end of this course, you will gain both historical context and forward-looking insights, equipping you with the knowledge and perspective needed to understand, evaluate, and contribute to the rapidly evolving semiconductor memory industry.
Course Description
Semiconductor Memory 101 is a pioneering online course collaboratively developed by Prof. Muhammad Mustafa Hussain of Purdue University with distinguished academic contributions from Prof. Sanjay Banerjee of UT Austin, Prof. Suman Datta of Georgia Tech, Prof. Jaydeep Kulkarni of UT Austin, Prof. Subhashish Mitra of Stanford University, and Prof. Shimeng Yu of Georgia Tech, alongside industry expertise from veterans of SanDisk and Dr. Sayeed Badrudduza of NXP Semiconductors.
Building on the global success of Semiconductor Fabrication 101 and Semiconductor Design 101, this 20-hour curriculum explores the breadth and depth of semiconductor memory, including DRAM history, architecture, scaling, and reliability; SRAM architecture, design, and device/process fundamentals; memory hierarchy, NOR Flash, and process integration; as well as NAND and emerging memories covering SCM, in-chip computing, 2D/3D NAND, scaling, packaging, reliability, manufacturing flows, and system management.
Designed for accessibility and impact, the course offers joint certification from Purdue University and SanDisk, equipping learners with the skills, insights, and recognition needed to thrive in the fast-evolving memory industry.
Purdue lecturers from SanDisk:
- Deepanshu Dutta | Vice President, Flash Memory Technology
- Ken Oowada | Distinguished Engineer, Technology Development Engineering
- Yosuke Kato | Director, VLSI Design Engineering, Memory Technology
- James Kai | Distinguished Engineer, Advanced Technology Group
- Jerry Barkley | Distinguished Engineer, Memory Product Solutions
- Nagesh Vodrahalli, Ph.D. | Fellow, 3D Memory – Integration Technologies
- Grishma Shah | Distinguished Engineer, Systems Design Engineering and Product Management
- Christopher Petti | Distinguished Engineer, Advanced Memory Development