Major: Micro- and Nanoelectronics (MINA)

 

General information on Master Degree Program

Read the information regarding the course of studies and a possible curriculum.

 

Program requirements: Major Micro- and Nanoelectronics (MINA)

The domain and subject-specific skills and competences attained at the Master’s level in Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Engineering build upon the skills and competences at Bachelor’s level. Within the field of Micro- and Nanoelectronics, graduate coursework provides a high level of specialisation, a research-related training and in-depth domain-specific knowledge at a professional level. Micro- and Nanoelectronics explicitly is a cross discipline covering fields of knowledge from other specializations such as Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, as well as Electrical Power Engineering and their interactions with the following topics specific to Micro- and Nanoelectronics:

• Devices, sensors, actuators, measurement instrumentation, and technology for fabrication
• Analogue, mixed-signal, high frequency, and digital circuit design
• Architectures, systems, and selected applications of VLSI systems

In many aspects, Micro- and Nanoelectronics is a system science. Graduates will be able

• to apply theoretical concepts of system identification, modelling and optimisation.
• to take technical-scientific questions from practice, understand the problems, formulate them and then communicate them to others in an appropriate way.
• to analyse engineering and technology questions and formulate a solution.
• to understand the impact of design activities on the life cycle of products.
• to adequately report, both written and verbally in current technical language and terminology over results and work practices to persuade others about the benefits of new ideas and inventions.
• to communicate adequately in their native language and in English.

In order to achieve these goals, the Master Programme utilizes the following basic teaching forms:

• Lectures – a serial presentation of material including the treatment of specific methodologies
• Tutorials – the solidifying and deepening of expert knowledge and capabilities by solving problems associated with lecture material
• Seminar work – the elaboration of complex questions and scientific knowledge. Basic knowledge is presupposed. Students give oral presentations in the seminar
• Intensive Courses – compact intensive courses composed of lectures and tutorials.
• Important additional options for gaining technical competence are available such as
• Term and master projects in small groups and as individuals
• Excursions – expert guided tours of technical installations and facilities outside the university
• Practical (e.g. laboratory) work directly related to lectures
• Industrial experience and practice of 18 weeks minimum

Finally, the master thesis demonstrates the capability of the individual to work at a professional level contributing to research projects, i.e. to plan, conduct and report a programme of original research.

The Master Programme is mainly consisting of electives, which allow students to specialize in Micro- and Nanoelectronics. The knowledge acquired in lectures and tutorials is normally tested in written (occasionally oral) examinations, while students achieve accreditation for seminars, projects and laboratory exercises. Group work in projects and presentation in seminars is also intended to enhance their interdisciplinary and social skills. Students must independently complete a master’s thesis (six months); these are normally in an area of specialization and often part of a larger research project.

 

The major Micro- and Nanoelectronics comprises three semesters of lectures, tutorials and lab courses, along with an industrial internship of at least 18 weeks. A final master thesis is to be written in the fourth semester. In total, the program amounts to 120 ECTS credits.

The major is mainly built up of two module groups, each containing a list of required elective courses: catalogue CORE focuses on Design, Technology, Neuromorphic Hardware, Optoelectronics and Quantum Technology, whereas the modules of catalogue ELECTIVE only concentrate on one or more of the above-mentioned study profiles.

Study profiles show you a useful combination of modules. They are intended as proposals. However, other combinations within the respective major are possible.

The curriculum is complemented by a broad offer of laboratories, project works and seminars. In addition, there is an area of eligible courses which comprises the full master degree program of the faculty, hence including courses from all majors. Finally, there is an area of free elective courses from the entire RWTH course program, including language courses, courses in economy, law or soft-skill courses and block lectures.

 

Study Plan (recommended)

Master of Science in "Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Engineering"; Major Micro- and Nanoelectronics (English-taught):

1. Semester

Modules	Credits	Total
5 compulsory elective modules from catalogue CORE or ELECTIVE of the major Micro- and Nanoelectronics (MINA)	20	32
1 elective module from catalogue GENERAL from the entire offer of the faculty	4
LABORATORY or PROJECT from the catalogue of the major Micro- and Nanoelectronics (MINA)	4
SEMINAR (offered by the faculty)	4
Module Scientific Integrity	0

2. Semester

5 compulsory elective modules from catalogue CORE or ELECTIVE of the major Micro- and Nanoelectronics (MINA)	20	32
1 elective module from catalogue GENERAL from the entire offer of the faculty	4
2 modules from catalogue ADDITIONAL	8

3. Semester

Industrial internship (18 weeks)	18	26
Seminar relating to the internship	4
1 module from catalogue ADDITIONAL	4

4. Semester

Master thesis incl. master colloquium	30 120
Total