Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Main Menu

Session 2247

Delivery of a common microelectronics technology curriculum at several degree levels

John Robertson, Lakshmi Munukutla and Richard Newman College of Technology and Applied Sciences Arizona State University East Mesa, Arizona, 85212

Abstract

In an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing company, the workforce has many skill and education levels but everyone has to work together and communicate effectively on complex technology issues. The microelectronics technology curriculum at ASU has therefore taken on the same challenge - to present a common set of device and process concepts to classes at different educational levels in an integrated teaching factory environment.

This experiment in education delivery has the familiar broad range of parameters – students from diverse backgrounds, several degree levels and the gamut of content treatments that constitute technology. We present conclusions from many of the delivery combinations. Our experience is that we can indeed manage common concepts at many degree levels in an integrated environment. The biggest obstacles are concerned with student communication skills, their management of ambiguity, numerical fluency and troubleshooting.

1. Challenges

The microelectronics industry has grown to become a major force in the economy. For 30 years, revenues have increased at an average of 14% annually and semiconductor products have delivered productivity improvements at twice that rate. Success, however, brings its own new challenges and some of the most formidable are in the provision of education services to this sector.

The driver behind revenue growth is a technology solution that delivers a new operational “node” – with 4 times the number of transistors on a chip – every 2-3 years. This is Moore’s law 1 and we see the results in ubiquitous computing, both stand-alone and embedded. However, fast compound growth quickly transforms any environment, so the first challenge is to recognize that we are not preparing students for past career patt erns Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright Ó 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

Main Menu

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Newman, R., & Robertson, J., & Munukutla, L. (2002, June), Delivery Of A Common Microelectronics Technology Curriculum Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10627