Microelectronics Option - Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science Degree

The microelectronics option pairs a highly regarded electrical engineering degree with specialized courses that position graduates for success in the thriving semiconductor industry.

Microelectronic BS vs. Microelectronics Option: How to Choose the Best Fit

The microelectronic engineering BS was created for students interested in the field of semiconductors and provides a greater understanding of the science and engineering of materials, processes, and devices involved in the fabrication of microchips. The curriculum for the microelectronic engineering BS includes a comprehensive collection of courses paired with hands-on laboratory instruction, including research and course work in RIT’s Semiconductor Nanofabrication Laboratory.   

The microelectronics option, which is part of the electrical engineering BS degree, provides flexibility for students to take advantage of semiconductor courses and hands-on cleanroom laboratory experience not found in most undergraduate electrical engineering programs. It provides a solid and well-rounded foundation in electronics, programming, and systems design as well as a set of advanced courses in microelectronics focused specifically on semiconductor processes and devices. Students gain an extensive education in all aspects of electrical engineering with tailored course work in microelectronics. 

Advanced Courses in Microelectronics

Students in the microelectronics option complete three required courses:

• Integrated Circuit Technology – Covers the details of silicon processing and the fabrication of microchips. The associated clean room laboratory provides a unique hands-on experience in the design, fabrication, and testing of resistors, PMOS (p-channel metal–oxide–-semiconductor) transistors, and logic gates on silicon wafers from start to finish. 
• Thin-Film Processes – Involves the deposition and etching of dielectric and metal films that are used extensively in the fabrication of microchips.  Several techniques are investigated in laboratory exercises, providing an in-depth understanding of the materials and equipment. 
• Microelectronics Manufacturing – Covers topics in CMOS (complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) manufacturing, such as tool cost of ownership, failure-mode effects analysis, statistical process control and process capability improvement.  The clean room laboratory is structured as a student-run CMOS factory, with several process lots managed through manufacturing execution systems application software.  

Multidisciplinary Senior Design 

A two-course sequence in your final year of study, Multidisciplinary Senior Design is a capstone learning experience that integrates engineering theory, principles, and processes in a collaborative team environment. Multidisciplinary student teams follow an engineering design process, which includes assessing customer needs, developing engineering specifications, generating and evaluating concepts, choosing an approach, completing systems and subsystems designs, and implementing the design to the extent feasible. For example, a student might elect to build and test a prototype or implement a chosen set of improvements to a process. You’ll apply the knowledge you have learned in the classroom and from your co-op experiences to this design project.