VLSI design within an integrated engineering course

An important and increasing number of students remain either broad based across all disciplines, or straddle a selection of disciplines. Some years ago these students would have been typified by course choices which included mechanical and electrical, or electrical and electronic subjects. A recent development is an increase in those who wish to pursue mechanical and electronic engineering, the so called `mechatronics´ subjects. Subdividing even further, interest is being shown in plastics processing and electronics (with the VLSI option). The latter students have indicated that their intended occupation is within the plastics industry. It is within such an environment that the teaching of VLSI design will be described. A course in VLSI was added to the list of optional courses available to final year students in 1986, and has been running since then. Total numbers of students taking the course have been in the range 30 to 40 each year