2012/2013

MEngSc (MICROELECTRONIC DESIGN)

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

The MEngSc (Microelectronic Design) is a full-time programme running for 12 months or a part-time programme running for 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Entry Requirements
Candidates must have a BE (Hons) Degree in Electrical and/or Electronic Engineering, or equivalent engineering qualification, with a minimum grade 2H1. Decisions on eligibility will be taken by the Head of the School of Engineering, subject to the approval of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science.

Programme Requirements
Students take 90 credits as follows:

Full-time
In Part I students take six core modules from Group One (to the value of 30 credits), four optional modules from Group Two (to the value of 20 credits), and a Research Report (UE6019) to the value of 10 credits. Part II consists of a Research Project (UE6020) to the value of 30 credits, completed over the summer months.

The choice of modules is subject to the approval of the Director of the MEngSc (Microelectronic Design).

Part-time
The programme of study for part-time students must be approved in advance by the Director of the MEngSc (Microelectronic Design) programme.

Part I
Group One (core modules)
UE6006 Advanced Analog IC Design (5 credits)
UE6008 Microsystems Technology and Applications (5 credits)
UE6009 Data Converter IC Design (5 credits)
UE6010 System Level Design (5 credits)
UE6014 Design for Test (5 credits)
UE6015 Advanced Radio-Frequency IC Design (5 credits)

Group Two (elective modules)
Students select 20 credits from the following:
CS4617 Advanced Computer Architecture I (5 credits)
CS6311 Mobile Networks Protocols (5 credits)
CS6322 Optimization (5 credits)
EE4004 Telecommunications (5 credits)
EE4007 Optical Electronics (5 credits)
EE4008 Digital Signal Processing (5 credits)
EE4011 RF IC Design (5 credits)
EE4012 Biomedical Design (5 credits)
EE6006 VLSI Digital Signal Processing (5 credits)
EE6020 Optical Detectors (5 credits)
UE4001 Digital IC Design (5 credits)
UE4002 Analogue IC Design (5 credits)
UE4008 Processing of Integrated Circuits (5 credits)
UE6005 Nanoelectronics (5 credits)
UE6011 Frequency Synthesizer Design (5 credits)
UE6022 Packaging and Reliability (5 credits)

In addition, students take:
UE6019 Research Report (10 credits)

Part II
UE6020 Research Project (30 credits)

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules, 2012/2013.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2013 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2012/2013.

See also General Regulations for the Degree of Master.

Postgraduate Diploma in Microelectronic Design
Students who pass but fail to achieve the requisite grade of 50% across the taught modules and the Research Report will be eligible only for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Microelectronic Design. Candidates passing Part I of the programme who do not wish to proceed to Part II may opt to be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Microelectronic Design.

Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of device physics, fabrication process and testing needed by integrated circuit designers.
• Derive and apply integrated circuit design solutions from knowledge of sciences, technology and mathematics.
• Apply integrated circuit design expertise in analog, digital, mixed-signal and embedded systems.
• Display a mature computer literacy and use a full range of EDA tools associated with microelectronic circuit design.
• Demonstrate the ability to use logical and lateral thinking to provide creative and innovative solutions to microelectronic engineering problems.
• Organise and pursue a scientific/industrial research project and demonstrate advanced technical skills necessary to obtain specialist knowledge of subjects pertinent to integrated circuit design.
• Prepare and present seminars to a professional standard.
• Write reports and thesis to a professional standard.