Bachelor of Science in Microelectronic Engineering

• Microelectronic engineering is an RIT New Economy Major. This collection of degree programs is forward-thinking and future-forming, and helps prepare you to excel in the multidisciplinary nature of our modern, dynamic economy.
• Exceptional employment outcomes (100%) due to semiconductor industry growth and the prevalence of integrated circuits embedded in everything from gaming systems, computing, automobiles, aviation, data science, and encryption to autonomous technologies, advanced computing technologies, and artificial intelligence.
• Semiconductor industry leaders are top employers of microelectronic engineering grads, including Onsemi, Intel, Micron, Global Foundries, Texas Instruments, Northrop Grumman, and Cree.
• Hands-on learning in an exclusive, state-of-the-art micro- and nano-fabrication facility with equipment rarely found in a university setting.
• A world leader in the education of semiconductor process engineers and the only accredited BS degree of its kind in the U.S.
• Advanced professional electives are offered in high-demand, high-impact areas such as micro-electro-mechanical systems and sensors, photovoltaics, advanced semiconductor devices, and photonics.
• Personalized, high-touch mentoring by dedicated faculty members who know their students and offer individual course, career, and professional advising.

Semiconductor and photonic devices impact virtually every aspect of human life, from communication, entertainment, and transportation, to health, solid-state lighting, and solar cells. There is an ever increasing need for talented engineers that not only understand the design of these amazing devices but can direct and optimize their fabrication. Microelectronic engineering is at the cutting edge of science education. Integrated nanoelectronic and microelectronic circuits and sensors drive our global economy, increase our productivity, and help improve our quality of life. RIT’s microelectronic engineering degree is the only accredited bachelor of science degree of its kind in the U.S. and is considered a world leader in the education of semiconductor process engineers.

RIT's Microelectronic Engineering Degree

The worldwide semiconductor industry growing at an astounding pace. RIT’s microelectronic engineering degree offers you an unparalleled opportunity to prepare for professional challenges and success in a leading, high-growth area of engineering.

Your curriculum begins with introductory courses in microelectronic engineering and nanolithography (nanopatterning) for integrated circuits. In the first year, you’ll build a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and courses will cover important issues such as technology development, ethics, societal impact, and global perspectives. The fundamentals of statistics and their application in the design of experiments, semiconductor device physics and operation, and integrated circuit technology are covered in the second year.

The third year comprises the electrical engineering course work necessary for understanding semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. The fourth and fifth years are dedicated to optics, nanolithography systems and materials, semiconductor processing, professional electives, and a two-course capstone senior project.

Modern, Hands-On Labs: You will gain hands-on experience in the design, fabrication, and testing of the integrated circuits (microchips), the vital component in almost every advanced electronic product manufactured today. RIT's undergraduate microelectronics engineering laboratories, which include modern integrated circuit fabrication (clean room) and test facilities, are among the best in the nation. At present, the major is supported by a 150mm complementary metal oxide semiconductor line equipped with diffusion; ion implantation, plasma, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes; chemical mechanical planarization; and device design, modeling, and test laboratories. The microlithography facilities include a ASML i-line and GCA g-line wafer steppers, and both optical and electron beam mask writers.

Professional Electives: A choice of professional electives and the senior project offer you an opportunity to build a concentration in areas such as advanced CMOS, VLSI chip design, analog circuit design, electronic materials science, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), or nanotechnology. Free elective courses allow you to develop an expertise in a related discipline.

Senior Capstone Project: In the capstone course, you’ll propose and conduct individual research/design projects and present your work at the Annual Microelectronic Engineering Conference, which is organized by the department of electrical and microelectronic engineering and is well-attended by industrial representatives.

World-Class Faculty: Faculty committed to quality engineering educations, state-of-the-art laboratories, strong industrial support, co-op opportunities with national companies, and smaller class sizes make this one of the most value-added programs in the nation.

Learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes and Program Educational Objectives for the microelectronic engineering BS degree.

Semiconductor Jobs

One of the great challenges in integrated circuit manufacturing is the need to draw on scientific principles and engineering developments from such an extraordinarily wide range of disciplines. The design of microelectronic circuits requires a sound knowledge of electronics and circuit analysis. Optical lithography tools, which print microscopic patterns on wafers, represent one of the most advanced applications of the principles of Fourier optics. Plasma etching involves some of the most complex chemistry used in manufacturing today. Ion implantation draws upon understanding from research in high-energy physics. Thin films on semiconductor surfaces exhibit complex mechanical and electrical behavior that stretches our understanding of basic materials properties.

Scientists and engineers who work in the semiconductor field need a broad understanding of and the ability to seek out, integrate, and use ideas from many disciplines. The major provides the broad interdisciplinary background in electrical and computer engineering, solid-state electronics, physics, chemistry, materials science, optics, and applied math and statistics necessary for success in the semiconductor industry.

Engineering vs. Engineering Technology

Two dynamic areas of study, both with outstanding outcomes rates. Which do you choose?

What’s the difference between engineering and engineering technology? It’s a question we’re asked all the time. While there are subtle differences in the course work between the two, choosing a major in engineering vs. engineering technology is more about identifying what you like to do and how you like to do it.

https://www.rit.edu/study/microelectronic-engineering-bs