A new degree emerges for the next course with the intention of training future professionals in the technological field. It is a specialization in semiconductors and microelectronic design that aims to strengthen the sector to face the challenges of the future.
The master’s degree arises from the urgent need to train professionals in the field of electronics, as a consequence of the recent chip crisis. For this reason, it will be put into operation in September 2024, the next academic year, and will have an offer of 30 places. To this end, four Catalan universities will promote this university project coordinated by the Barcelona Higher Technical School of Telecommunications Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and in which the University of Barcelona, ??the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Rovira i Virgili University participate.
Semiconduction is an element used in the field of electricity and electronics that behaves either as an electrical conductor or as an insulator, depending on various factors such as the magnetic field, pressure, radiation that hits it or temperature. of the environment in which it is found. In fact, this material, so present in electronics, is credited with much of the responsibility for the global chip supply crisis. The lack of semiconductors has paralyzed production lines and generated delays in product launches and the availability of electronic devices and automobiles.
Added to this is the need for specialized engineers. For this reason, the rector of the UPC, Daniel Crespo, considers that “with this master’s degree in semiconductors and microelectronic design, universities lay the foundations so that Catalonia has professionals capable of creating a competitive, autonomous technological industry prepared to compete in the world.” of ICT”.
Just a few months ago, the Department of Research and Universities of the Generalitat of Catalonia highlighted “the urgent need to train professionals in this field.” For this reason, betting on this sector becomes a key element to attract investments, “promote the ecosystem in our country and be one of the reference poles in Europe,” explains the Minister of Business and Work, Roger, in the presentation. Torrent. In this sense, the industrial head of the Government believes that Catalonia must become a generator of talent, “because without talent there is no chip industry.”
For his part, the Minister of Research and Universities, Joaquim Nadal, highlights the effect of retaining and attracting scientific talent of the new master’s degree presented. “We are responding to a specific message to the Government from the companies and research and innovation agents involved in the Catalonia Semiconductor and Chip Alliance,” he adds.
The presentation was made in a very institutional framework where the Government’s Ministers for Business and Work and Research and Universities could not be missing; Roger Torrent and Joaquim Nadal, respectively. The top officials of the universities involved have also attended: Daniel Crespo, rector of the UPC; Joan Guàrdia, rector of the UB, Javier Lafuente, rector of the UAB and Josep Pallarés, rector of the URV.
The program offers two specialties. Semiconductor engineering, where students will be trained in the use of microelectronic chip technologies in different aspects, such as clean room manufacturing, encapsulation, characterization and reliability analysis, as well as the physical understanding of the phenomena that occur. in current and emerging semiconductor devices. The other specialty would be microelectronic design, which aims to train in the design of integrated, digital and analog microelectronic circuits and systems in advanced technologies.
The master’s degree will also offer opportunities for professional internships in technological companies, in order to complete the training and promote the job placement of students, and at the same time satisfy the demands of the microelectronics industry.
The master’s degree will start next September with an offer of 30 places, will have 60 ECTS credits and will be taught in English.
The master
The main objective of the master’s degree in Semiconductor Engineering and Microelectronic Design is to provide advanced and specialized scientific-technical training in the areas of design and manufacturing of integrated, digital and analog circuits, with emphasis on the application to memory systems, communication, control systems, computing systems, sensors and emerging devices, such as 2D and quantum. In this way, it is intended to cover the current deficit of professionals with this type of training, highly valued in the Spanish and European industry, and in research in semiconductor technologies.
The master’s degree offers comprehensive training, which combines the resources and academic excellence of the participating universities – with years of experience in training and research in semiconductor engineering and microelectronic design -, and the participation of the IMB-CNM of the CSIC, the center of reference in microelectronic technologies.
This interuniversity master’s degree is coordinated by the UPC with the participation of the University of Barcelona (UB), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the Rovira i Virgili University (URV), and has the strategic collaboration of the Barcelona Institute of Microelectronics (IMB-CNM) of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
