The semiconductor field is of immense importance to today’s society and the Nation’s economic well-being and security. In addition, this field has significant and historical relevance to the economy of Vermont and neighboring states. With the recent passage of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, career opportunities in this field in the United States are expected to grow.
UVM offers both undergraduate and graduate certificate programs, which give students a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and hands-on understanding of this vital technology. UVM graduates have gone to work at industry leaders such as GlobalFoundries, Analog Devices, IBM, and Marvell.
Undergraduate Certificate in Semiconductor Engineering and Physics (UCSEP)
Undergraduate Certificate in Semiconductor Engineering and Physics (UCSEP)
This 17-credit certificate program is accessible to students majoring in electrical engineering, physics, or other STEM majors. Students will:
- Receive specific instruction and gain experience in semiconductor engineering and/or physics.
- Complement coursework in the areas of semiconductor device physics, design, processes, and/or metrology with a significant experiential learning experience.
- Complete the program poised to be recruited by both industry leaders and/or graduate programs.
The certificate’s coursework nominally takes three to four semesters to complete. UCSEP students are encouraged to work with their certificate advisor to create a plan of study.
Undergraduate Certificate in Semiconductor Engineering and Physics (UCSEP)
Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Engineering and Physics (CGS-SEP)
Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Engineering and Physics (CGS-SEP)
This 13-credit certificate program is targeted for full-time MS/PhD students as well as practitioners from the semiconductor field who are studying part-time. Students receive specific instruction and gain hands-on experience in semiconductor device physics, design, processes, and/or metrology.
All existing UVM graduate students with a 3.0 or above GPA who have successfully completed the prerequisites for the two required certificate courses will be admitted into the program. These students need to enroll in the CGS-SEP no later than having finished their first course that will count toward the program.
Interested students should notify the Program Coordinator at the time of application. Students must also submit a program plan to the Program Coordinator upon enrollment to the CGS-SEP and must submit a Program Completion form to the Graduate College to initiate awarding of the credential. After a student is enrolled, they will be assigned a participating faculty member as their certificate advisor by the Program Coordinator.
How to Apply for a Certificate as a Current Graduate Student (PDF)
Graduate Certificate Required Core Coursework
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| EE 5440 / PHYS 5675 | Semiconductor Materials & Devices | 4 |
Graduate Certificate Preapproved electives
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| EE 5410 | Digital VLSI Design | 3 |
| EE 5420 | Analog VLSI Design | 3 |
| EE 5430 | RF Circuit Design | 3 |
| EE 5425 | Physical Layout of Microcircuits | 3 |
| EE 5460 | Microelectronic Circuit Fabrication | 4 |
| EE 5810 | Digital Computer Design I | 3 |
| ME 5370 / EE 5990 | Micro and Nano Systems | 3 |
| PHYS 5185 | Nano-analysis of Materials | 1 |
Other courses applicable with advisor approval.
Certificate of Graduate Study in Semiconductor Engineering and Physics (CGS-SEP)
UCSEP Program Coordinators:
Professor, Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering
jfrolik@uvm.eduWireless Communications, Sensor Networks, and Distributed Control Algorithms.
Professor, Department of Physics • Department Chair
rheadrick@uvm.eduExperimental studies of condensed matter physics & Materials Science