Enhancement of competence in microelectronics technology through incorporation of VLSI design and fabrication courses in engineering curriculum

The offering of state-of-the-art courses in VLSI design and fabrication, especially at the undergraduate level, at ULowell (University of Lowell) is discussed. ULowell recognizes the multidisciplinary nature of this field, and thereby encourages its professors to take courses in semiconductor and VLSI-related fields, and to send them to participate in appropriate workshops, seminars, and conferences through professional development support. Although ULowell puts adequate emphasis on material innovation and semiconductor device development, it is recognized that the real challenge is in system design, making use of the most modern devices. It is with this view that system integration, design, and fabrication are taught in great detail, so that the challenge of enhancing the national competence in chip production and manufacturing of all sorts of systems could be met. In order to meet R&D challenges of VLSI technology, a VLSI design course, an advanced VLSI design course, and a VLSI fabrication course were also initiated at the graduate level