Semiconductor Processing Certificate

At Central State University, we are dedicated to making your education in semiconductor processing financially achievable. We proudly offer a 100% textbook-free program through the use of open educational resources. For those who meet the requirements, financial aid options are available. Our financial aid advisors are ready to guide you through the process and answer any queries you may have.

Admission to the semiconductor processing program requires applicants to have a high school GPA of 2.2 or higher, or a cumulative college-level GPA of 2.2 or above from an accredited institution.

Mandatory courses (9 credits): 

INT2210: Semiconductor Device Physics: This course covers the fundamental concepts of electronic devices, including semiconductor materials, p/n junctions, Schottky barriers, and various types of transistors, such as bipolar junction transistors and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. Additionally, it covers other topics like light emitters, photodetectors, and solar cells. This course provides students with a broad understanding of advanced electronics, photonics, and integrated circuit design.

INT2220: Statistical Process Control for Semiconductors: This course introduces the subject of statistical process control for semiconductors manufacturing. The course includes important qualitative definitions and quantitative procedures for process improvements, quality assurance, and quality control within the context of the semiconductors industry. The course covers the fundamentals of statistical process control methods, such as probability and statistical process modeling, designing and using process control charts for offline and online quality control, experimental design, acceptance sampling methods, and process standardizations. 

INT2230: Robotics and Automation: This course provides students with basic terminology, theory, and the application of automation, robotics systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Topics covered will include the selection, construction, and classification of robots and automation equipment, as well as safety considerations, artificial intelligence, and vision systems. 

Elective courses (21 credits) 

CPS2271: Data Structures: This course introduces students to data structures, including topics on linked lists, doubly linked lists, circular lists, stacks, queues, search strategies, hashing, internal sorting algorithms, external sort/merge algorithms, binary trees, B-trees, B+- trees, sequential files, random access files, file update algorithms, bit maps, and memory management algorithms. 

CPS3200: Computer Algorithms: This course covers the modern theory of algorithms, common algorithmic paradigms, the relationship between algorithms and programming, basic performance measures, and analysis techniques for real-world problems. The course goal is to provide a solid background in algorithms for computer science students in preparation either for a job in the industry or for more advanced courses at the graduate level.

CPS3340: Computer Architecture: The goal of this course is to give students a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts of CPU, memory systems, and I/O system design and to expose them to a number of more advanced topics in these areas. Instruction set architecture, memory subsystem organization, interfacing concepts, and issues arising in managing communication with the processor.

CPS4210: Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to concepts, principles, challenges, and research in major areas of technical AI research. Areas of discussion include natural language and vision processing, machine learning, machine logic and reasoning, expert systems, and robotics.

INT2311: Circuit Analysis I: Basic circuit and troubleshooting techniques for DC circuits with an emphasis on industrial applications. Topics include the concepts of resistance, inductance, capacitance, power, nodal and mesh analysis, network theorem, RL, RC, and RCL analyses, and applications of operational amplifiers. Conventional and computer analysis techniques are utilized. Two lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week.

INT2420: Indust. Instr. and Process Control: A study of industrial control systems as applied to process control and positioning systems. Application of transducers in mechanical, fluid, and electrical measurements. Study of 237 transducers, recorders, indicators, controllers, and statistical analysis of data. Control topics include the application of sensors, actuators, and servo controllers in industrial processes. Two lectures and two laboratory periods per week.

INT2430: Electronic Devices & Circuits: A study of semiconductor properties, transistor, and analog integrated circuit-based circuits analysis and design. Topics include concepts of semiconductors, BJT, FET, and JFET. CMOS-based circuits, negative and positive feedback, and applications. Thyristors and power supplies and applications of commercially available analog integrated circuits. Digital circuits are introduced. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week. 

INT3520: Digital Systems: An introductory course on the basic tools for the analysis and troubleshooting of combinational and sequential logic as employed in digital computers and control systems. Topics include number systems, Boolean algebra, logic gates, combinational elements and circuits, synchronous sequential circuits, memory and storage devices, and programmable logic devices. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week.

MFE4710: Measurements and Instrumentation: Preparation for diverse measurements required for research or production. Techniques for obtaining reliable and cost-effective measurements, including the proper selection and use of instruments and interpretation of measured data. Consideration of accuracy, precision, and statistical analysis of error in measurements. Topics covered include sensors and transducers, digital instruments, frequency response, loading effects, noise, digital sampling rates, uncertainty, and statistical data analysis. Two lectures and two laboratories/recitations per week.

INT4220: VLSI Design and Fabrication: VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated) Systems Design and Fabrication (1, II, III, on-demand; 3) enables the design and analysis of full custom integrated digital systems, incorporated into a VLSI chip deploying design strategies for low power and high performance; in the context of the small group design team. Students will design and create components packaged into a full custom chip implemented in a clean room class of 1000 or 100 particles per cubic meter environment. Hands-on experience in the operation of a microfabrication laboratory will be provided. Encapsulation of design experience will be assessed through a detailed report and a short presentation to the class.