Semiconductors
Circuitry Architects
Situated at the intersection of chemistry, physics and chemical engineering, the semiconductor (microelectronics) industry enables a greener, smarter, and more connected economy. The field has significant implications in society’s ability to support technology innovations and address the global energy crisis through applications in microprocessors, photovoltaics, LEDs and power transistors.
Why semiconductors?
For students who love to stay connected, semiconductor technology has driven advancements in the internet, 5G and IoT (Internet of Things). And for the tech geeks who love smart technology – iPhone, Fitbit, self-driving cars- this field is ripe with opportunities. The continued success of this vast, interdisciplinary, and sophisticated yet innovative industry is deemed critical to long term US national competitiveness, which translates into impactful and well-paid job opportunities for those who choose to join this sector.
What are semiconductors?
Semiconductors are the essential building blocks that make up all modern electronic devices, enabling advances in communications, computing, healthcare, military systems, transportation, clean energy, and countless other applications. This fast-paced, multidisciplinary field combines chemistry, physics, material science and engineering, chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and computer science. Students in the semiconductor track learn the fundamental concepts that drive device physics and semiconductor processing and apply that knowledge to design and fabricate devices.
Possible Career Paths
Students who complete the semiconductors track work in a wide variety of engineering roles within the life science, semiconductor, and defense sectors, as well as peripheral sectors such as next-gen computing and autonomous vehicles. Alumni from this track develop skills which have been successfully transferred to a wide variety of engineering and management roles in manufacturing, hardware development, materials research, analytics, software development and research and development.
- Consumer electronics
- Computing
- Clean energy (solar, batteries, electric cars, energy grid)
- Communications
- Embedded systems (GPS, fitness trackers)
- Healthcare
- Defense/aerospace
- Transportation
- Lighting (LED, laser diodes)
- Emerging technologies (AI, quantum computing, advanced wireless networks)
Example Positions and Job Titles
Process Engineer
- Own and optimize a manufacturing process or toolset to improve yield, throughput, uptime, and process stability.
- Design and run experiments (DOE) to troubleshoot defects and improve process performance using data-driven methods.
- Work closely with equipment, maintenance, and manufacturing teams to resolve process excursions and production issues.
Yield / Quality Engineer
- Analyze manufacturing and test data to identify yield losses, defect trends, and quality issues across the production flow.
- Partner with process engineers and cross-functional teams to determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Use statistical analysis, SPC, and failure analysis techniques to improve product reliability and manufacturing consistency.
Product Engineer
- Develop and improve next-generation products by translating customer or market needs into technical designs and specifications.
- Coordinate across R&D, process, manufacturing, and reliability teams to ensure successful product development and release.
- Analyze product performance, validate new designs, and drive improvements in functionality, manufacturability, and cost.
Application Development Engineer
- Develop, test, and optimize advanced process recipes or application methods for emerging industry challenges and new technologies.
- Collaborate directly with customers, R&D teams, and equipment engineers to demonstrate technical feasibility and performance.
- Conduct experiments and characterize results to improve process capability for cutting-edge applications.
Course Sequence: Timeline
First 6 months: Coursework at the Knight Campus
Summer, Fall
Students complete core coursework and optional electives.
Students will attend information sessions with corporate and national labs to learn about opportunities, network, and interview with partners to line-up internships.
Second 9 months: Internship with External Partner
Winter, Spring, Summer
Students fulfill their internship requirement through employment with internship partners beginning in January and ending in September.
The majority of students complete their master's degree in 15 months.
To learn about how students fund the program, visit the Scholarships and Funding Opportunities page.
Curriculum at a Glance
Course schedule
SUMMER | FALL | WINTER | SPRING |
|---|---|---|---|
Semiconductor Device Physics | Device Integration and Characterization Lab II | ||
SUMMER Year Two: Internship |
Full Course Descriptions
Semiconductors
Course | Credits | Term | Instructors | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Summer | Mark Lonergan | In this course students will learn what "motivates" electrons to move around in solids and across interfaces. Application of that knowledge is used to predict and control the flow of electrons in semiconductor devices, enabling technical feats such as converting sunlight into electricity, producing powerful lasers, and performing lightning-fast calculations and data transmissions. |
CH 678M / PHYS 678M: Semiconductor Processing Technologies | 4 | Summer | Don Clayton, Tori Sorg | Through the application of both physics and chemistry concepts, students learn how to build billions of nanometer-scale devices on a silicon wafer using versatile processes such as etching, doping, thin film deposition, and photolithography. The technology also enables the fabrication of advanced MEMS, photonics, and microfluidic devices. |
CH 610 / PHYS 610: Introduction to Semiconductor Processing Lab | 4 | Summer | Mark Lonergan, Tori Sorg, Maryam Jahangiri | In this project-based course, students integrate and apply their learnings from previous coursework to projects where they design and carry out complete process flows to build functional solar cells and transistors from a piece of bare silicon. Some projects such as laser diode fabrication and characterization involve collaboration with other tracks (optical materials & devices). Additionally, experts in the industry will give guest talks that connect what students are learning to what they may be doing in future careers. |
CH 610: Professional Communication in Science | 1 | Summer | Stacey York | Students learn and apply foundational skills critical for career progression of scientists and engineers. Core elements include: composing a competitive resume; sharing impactful answers during behavioral and technical interviews; and building a strong professional network. |
CH 679M / PHYS 679M: Device Integration and Characterization Lab II | 4 | Fall | Tori Sorg, Maryam Jahangiri | This project-based course is a continuation of the Device Integration and Characterization Lab I course. Students integrate and apply their learnings from previous coursework to projects where they design and carry out complete process flows to build functional solar cells and transistors from a piece of bare silicon. Some projects such as laser diode fabrication and characterization involve collaboration with other tracks (optical materials & devices). Additionally, experts in the industry will give guest talks that connect what students are learning to what they may be doing in future careers. |
| 8 | Fall | Varies | Students further specialize or broaden their knowledge through 8 credits of elective coursework. Popular electives amongst semiconductor students include: Electron Microscopy, Introduction to Surface Analysis, Semiconductor Special Projects, and Electron Probe Microanalysis. |
CH 601: Research Internship | 10 per term, 30 total | Winter, Spring, Summer | Tori Sorg | Within an academic, clinical, industrial, or national lab setting, students gain hands-on experience in the application of their knowledge. Each term, students write a review paper to demonstrate advancement of technical knowledge and development of written communication skills. Learn more about the internships. |
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Applications for Summer 2026 are now open. Join the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program and transform your career.