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Substitutions, Waivers and Transfer Credit

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Withdrawals and Cancellations

Curriculum and Completion Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

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Paul Emery

Paul Emery
Director
Engineering and Technology

What Industry
Leaders Say

“This program will challenge you to reach a higher level of professional proficiency and give you a competitive advantage.”

Dr. Richard Ru Giu Chang President and CEO Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation China

 

“This program reaches out to practitioners in the United States, Taiwan and China with an innovative, online English and Mandarin format.”

Dr. F.C. Tseng
Vice Chairman
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
Taiwan

 

“This unique semiconductor IC design program sets the standard for professional online education.”

John Hsuan
Vice Chairman Emeritus
United Microelectronics Corporation
Taiwan

What Students Say

“The classes are challenging and comprehensive, and the skills I've learned are applicable to my job.”

David Pritchard
Semiconductor/
Solar Industry Engineer
Germany

 

“I really appreciate the instructor's support. He helped me a lot in understanding semiconductor device physics. The lecture materials fulfill my needs and match my job quite well.”

Arrow
Semiconductor Industry
CAD Engineer
USA

Your Lead Instructor

Vincent Chang

Vincent Chang, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Knowledge Master, Inc.

For 10 years, he was an associate professor of electrical engineering in Taiwan.

Having more than 20 years of experience teaching microelectronics and IC design, Chang has taught over 30,000 students and professional engineers in Taiwan and the United States.

In addition to having three patents, he has published 14 textbooks and 40 international journal articles and conference papers.

Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques

print brochure View the Brochure

(Online only)

EDP 302861

Disambiguation Notice: In addition to this online certificate program offered by UC Berkeley Extension that delivers individual courses for working professionals, UC Berkeley College of Engineering (EECS) also offers a fully online, part-time Master of Advanced Study in Integrated Circuits (MAS-IC) as a specialized degree program in the domain of integrated circuit design. To learn more about the MAS-IC program, visit www.eecs.berkeley.edu/MASIC.

Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques in Chinese

Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques in Chinese

The online Certificate Program in Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques provides in-depth knowledge in a convenient online format designed for working professionals. Develop an understanding of key concepts in state-of-the-art design, including semiconductor characteristics; semiconductor device modeling; and analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) design. Instruction emphasizes a practical perspective involving physical concepts, operation principles, second-order effects, modeling and simulation. By choosing UC Berkeley Extension, you benefit from an association with a university known worldwide for engineering excellence. An advisory board consisting of UC Berkeley College of Engineering faculty and industry leaders of major semiconductor companies in the Asia/Pacific region and the United States ensures that the program is academically strong and professionally relevant. Course slides and exams are in English; however, most of the program courses have English and Mandarin soundtracks that accompany the majority of slides. If you speak Mandarin, you need some proficiency in English. Join our email list to stay informed about this certificate.

Courses

The table contains the required courses for the Online Certificate Program in Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques, as well as the terms they are typically available for enrollment.

4 Required Courses, 30 hours (2 Semester Units) of Electives
10 Semester Units (150 Hours of Instruction)

Required Courses Course Number Units/ CEU Online
Semiconductor Devices for Integrated Circuit Design X138 2 Fall
Spring
Summer
Fundamentals of Analog Integrated Circuit Design Techniques X140 2 Fall
Spring
Summer
Advanced Design Techniques for Analog Integrated Circuits X141 2 Fall
Spring
Summer
Advanced Analog Microelectronics X139 2 Fall
Spring
Summer
Electives Course Number Units/ CEU Online
Design Techniques of High-Performance Data Converters* X237 1 Fall
Spring
Summer
Digital Integrated Circuit Design X134 2 Fall
Spring
Summer
Effective SPICE Circuit Simulation Techniques X405 1 Fall
Spring
Summer
Fundamentals of Analog Microelectronic Techniques X33 1 Fall
Spring
Summer
Fundamentals of Integrated Circuit Design X31 1 Fall
Spring
Summer
Fundamentals of Modern Data Converter Design* X236 1 Fall
Spring
Summer
Introduction to Microelectronic Theory and Applications X30 1 Fall
Spring
Summer
Introduction to Physics of Semiconductor Devices X32 1 Fall
Spring
Summer

Course availability is subject to change.

To enroll, click on a course title above and choose a section.

You may enroll in individual courses without registering for the Certificate Program in Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques.

*These electives are graduate-level courses. A bachelor's degree in a related field such as electrical engineering or physics is a prerequisite for taking either of these two courses. Email course@unex.berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-4151 for information about qualifying.

If you are not sure about a study plan or which course to take first, please consult the following documents:

Who Will Benefit

If you are new to IC design, you can gain the knowledge you need for a career in this field. If you are an experienced IC designer, you can update your skills in specific areas by choosing the accelerated studies track rather than completing the certificate. With this certificate, you add a valuable credential to your résumé, and you are ready for new opportunities and career growth in the semiconductor industry.

Prerequisites for Admission

Although there are no prerequisites or special admission requirements to register for the Certificate Program in Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques, you should be adequately prepared for the coursework. Suggested guidelines for preparation include the following:

Math: You need a working knowledge of second-year algebra and precalculus. Having college-level math such as calculus, Fourier transforms and differential equations will give you an advantage on higher-level courses such as data converters and semiconductor physics.

Science: You need to have a working knowledge of physics and basic circuit theories—such as Thévenin and Norton equivalent circuits, Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) and Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)—at the high school level or higher.

English: You need to have at least some English-language proficiency in the fields of math, science and electronics to be able to understand the technical terms and jargon in the course content. Examples of technical terms include amplifier, diode, analog, digital, frequency, phase, complex number, semiconductor and transistor. The enrollment materials, course slides, course projects and exams are in English.

Computer and Internet: You must have basic computer skills, including knowing how to manage the security options in the browser to allow pop-ups and install plug-ins.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum comprises 4 required courses and 1–2 electives for a total of 10 semester units (150 hours of instruction). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable certificate registration fee.

All coursework must be completed within three years of registering for the certificate. However, requirements may be updated based on new developments in the field of study; we recommend completing the curriculum in a timely fashion. For more information, please see the completion requirements and the substitutions, waivers and transfer credit policies.

All courses are self-paced, and you can start a course at any time. These courses are designed to let you learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. Lecture slides are accompanied by English and Mandarin soundtracks. For every hour you spend on the lecture slides, you should expect at least three hours of additional study time. The time required for each course will vary from student to student. You are expected to submit your homework assignments and research projects to the instructor via email.

How to Register for This Professional Certificate

By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register for the Certificate Program in Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques, submit the online registration form with your credit card information or complete the mail-in registration form. The registration fee is nonrefundable.

You should register for the certificate before you complete your first course in the curriculum.

Online Course Materials

You will receive a welcome letter via email about three to five business days after you enroll in a course. The email will contain the password and URL you need to access the course delivery website. The message will also include contact information for the instructor.

Estimated Cost

Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The certificate has an estimated cost of $2,575 (not including course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.

Contact Information

Please also refer to our Frequently Asked Questions. To contact the department office, email course@unex.berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-4151.

Additional Information

Unless there are unusual circumstances, all communication with your instructor will be through email. Please do not expect your instructor to telephone you or meet with you in person. You should also use email to submit completed assignments to your instructor; faxed and mailed assignments are not accepted.

The course syllabus and the welcome email you receive after you enroll will specify when your instructor will be available. You also will be notified if your instructor will not have access to email for an extended period of time. Please note that holidays, time zones and even the day of the week may differ between your location and your instructor's location. If you need additional assistance, please contact course@unex.berkeley.edu.

Computer Requirements

You will need a PC computer with audio; a color monitor with a resolution of at least 1024x768; a high-speed Internet connection; and several free Adobe plug-ins that you can download. Internet Explorer and Firefox are the recommended browsers. Your browser must be set to allow Adobe plug-ins and cookies. Some companies have security policies that may restrict your access. Please check with your company before you try to access your course from your work computer.

Technical Problems

If you have a technical problem that affects your access and online learning, please refer to the technical contact person listed in your welcome letter. Please describe the specific issue so that the problem can be fixed as quickly as possible. A screen capture of the problem and your IP configuration settings are helpful.

Restrictions

You cannot share your login information with anyone else. When you enroll in a course, you are the only person licensed to view the course material. All courses are delivered using streaming media, which means the course materials cannot be saved to your hard drive and the slides cannot be downloaded. However, you can view the course materials and listen to the soundtracks as many times as you like while you are enrolled in the course.

Scheduling a Final Exam

Each course usually has only one exam, which is the final proctored exam. This exam cannot be completed online. To receive credit for completing the course, your final exam must be supervised by a proctor at a testing center.

When you have completed three-quarters of your course, you should complete an Exam Request Form (PDF) to schedule a time, place and proctor for your final exam. You must schedule your final exam on a date that is no more than two weeks after you complete the course. If you fail a final exam, you may not take the exam again.

Final Exams in California

If you are a student in California, you may select proctors from a list of authorized examination centers located throughout the state. On the Exam Request Form (PDF), enter the name and address of the proctor and the examination center you want to use.

Final Exams in Other U.S. States

There are a number of authorized proctor centers outside California. Select a proctoring center for your area.

It also is possible to have your exams proctored by any one of the following in your area:

Final Exams in Taiwan

Tze-Chiang Foundation of Science and Technology is an authorized proctoring center with multiple locations in Taiwan. You also may take your final exam at the American Institute in Taipei (AIT).

Final Exams in China and Other Countries

You should have your exams proctored by one of the following in your area:

Items to Bring to the Final Exam

You should bring the following items with you when you take your final exam:

You cannot bring the following items with you when you take your final exam:

Advisory Board

Richard Chang, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SEMI)

John Hsuan
Vice Chairman Emeritus
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC)

Chenming Calvin Hu, Ph.D.
TSMC Distinguished Chair Professor, EECS
UC Berkeley

Chia Song Hwee
President and CEO
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (Chartered)

Hsin-I Lin
Chairman
Industry Technology Research Institute (ITRI)

Tsu-Jae King Liu, Ph.D.
Professor, EECS
UC Berkeley

F.C. Tseng, Ph.D.
Vice Chairman
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)