Is a class in VLSI worth it?

[Jassi]

I am doing my Masters and hopefully my PhD in Micro-Fabrication and MEMS. Is it useful in getting co-ops (I didn't do any in my Bachelors so I could graduate fast, I had a couple of chances) with big time companies such as AMD, Intel etc.

Keep in mind my focus will be fabrication techniques but I have taken classes in Computer Architecture as part of my undergrad.

Edit - I kept it out of OT because I dread the "R" and I want to have a frank and knowledgeable discussion since my academic advisor is out of town. I don't have anyone to discuss this with.

 

[TuxDave]

I would categorize it as 'good to know' class. For everyone who focused in VLSI I still believe some courses in fabrication and devices is good to know. I hope the advice still applies for people who study fabrication and devices it would be good to know some VLSI so you are aware of what is desirable and undesirable.

 

[Loki726]

It all depends on what you are giving up to take the class. If you have some free electives then go for it, but if you have to choose between VLSI and something that is more important to your major, definitely stick with your major.

As for being useful for getting coop, most of my friends who do coop usually get jobs doing programming, installation, maintenance, repair, etc rather than design. I'm not sure if it is different for graduate coop, but while it might look good on a resume, I wouldn't count on actually using it during your coop.

 

[f95toli]

Wheter or not is usefull depends on what you will be working on.
If you by "focus on fabrication techniques" mean that you are going to spend your time in a cleanroom actually fabricatiing devices then no, a VLSI course won't help.

Cleanroom work is a craft, it is impossible to learn in a course unless you are actually allowed to do some real work (I was involved in a project-based course in microfabrication a few years ago, the results were very good but it was too expensive).

The only way to learn fabriction techniques is to spend many hours in a cleanroom and work with someone who understand the process and all the equipment.

It also depends on if you are going to work on single devices or integrated circuits (if you can use that term for MEMS). If the plan is to make circuits a VLSI class might be helpfull but otherwise don't bother.

You also need to keep in mind that the Si based semiconductor process used in mass production is very different from the technology used in a university cleanroom.
I have many friends who are experts in fabricating mesoscopic structures, making III-V
transitors etc, but I seriously doubt any of them knows how to make a CMOS circuit; it is a very different process.

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: f95toli
Wheter or not is usefull depends on what you will be working on.
If you by "focus on fabrication techniques" mean that you are going to spend your time in a cleanroom actually fabricatiing devices then no, a VLSI course won't help.

Cleanroom work is a craft, it is impossible to learn in a course unless you are actually allowed to do some real work (I was involved in a project-based course in microfabrication a few years ago, the results were very good but it was too expensive).

The only way to learn fabriction techniques is to spend many hours in a cleanroom and work with someone who understand the process and all the equipment.

It also depends on if you are going to work on single devices or integrated circuits (if you can use that term for MEMS). If the plan is to make circuits a VLSI class might be helpfull but otherwise don't bother.

You also need to keep in mind that the Si based semiconductor process used in mass production is very different from the technology used in a university cleanroom.
I have many friends who are experts in fabricating mesoscopic structures, making III-V
transitors etc, but I seriously doubt any of them knows how to make a CMOS circuit; it is a very different process.

Thanks. I think I will take a class in CMOS circuits instead of VLSI for now and see what the future has in store.