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Contact Us:
E-mail the department
course@unex.berkeley.edu


Department Contacts
Phone: (510) 642-4151
Fax: (510) 642-6027






Advisory Board

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

Chia Song Hwee
President & CEO, Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (Chartered)

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

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

John Hsuan
Vice Chairman Emeritus, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC)

Chenming Calvin Hu, Ph.D.
TSMC Distinguished Chair Professor, EECS, University of California, Berkeley

Tsu-Jae King Liu, Ph.D.
Professor, EECS, University of California, Berkeley

ONLINE COURSES AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques


Optional Mandarin Soundtrack

(EDP 302861)

Program Benefits | Language | Requirements | Prerequisites | Required Courses and Electives | Recommended Course Order | Course Substitutions | How to Enroll | How to Register for the Certificate | Cost | Online Instruction | Exams | Technical Issues | Additional Information

IC Design certificate brochureDownload brochure

For circuit designers to master state-of-the-art design, they need a comprehensive understanding of key semiconductor characteristics including how to model semiconductor devices and how to design analog, digital, and mixed-signal integrated circuits (IC). The Integrated Circuit Design and Techniques (ICDT) certificate program provides in-depth knowledge in an online format designed for working professionals. Those without experience in IC design can gain valuable knowledge to help them advance into this field and experienced designers can update their expertise and focus on the specific areas that they need.

An advisory board that includes UC Berkeley College of Engineering faculty and leaders of major semi-conductor companies in the Asia Pacific region and the United States, ensures that this program is both academically strong and professionally relevant.

Program Benefits

The certificate program requires completion of five to six courses totaling 10 semester units. It combines sets of knowledge and skills that reflect a complexity and integration beyond what normally would be covered in one course, and exposes students to multiple perspectives on the subject. Instruction places an emphasis on delivering an inspiring practical perspective involving physical concepts, operation principles, second-order effects, modeling, and simulation. With a UC Berkeley Extension certificate, you will add a valuable credential to your résumé and you will be ready for new opportunities and career growth in the semiconductor industry.

If you already have experience in this field, you may wish to choose the four-course accelerated studies track, which provides excellent professional preparation but does not result in a certificate.

You may take as many individual courses as you wish without enrolling in the full certificate program. All courses are self-paced and you can start a course at any time.

Language: Choose English or Mandarin Soundtracks

A significant trend in this field is the continued strength of China's leading role at all levels in the electronics industry, from raw semiconductor fabrication to finished end-user systems. This certificate addresses the expanding IC field with an innovative e-learning approach offering English and Mandarin soundtracks to accompany the English slides. Mandarin-speaking students with limited English may successfully complete either the individual courses or the entire certificate program.

Students need to have at least some English language proficiency to complete the courses and the program successfully. The enrollment materials, course slides, course projects, and exams are in English.

Requirements

To earn the certificate, students must complete the four required courses and at least two additional semester units of electives for a total of 10 academic semester units (150 hours of equivalent classroom time). Students must successfully pass the program with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, and earn no grade lower than a C in any course. All courses must be taken for academic credit and a letter grade. Students have up to three years to complete the certificate program from the original date of enrollment. Click here for details about academic credit, grades, transcripts, and the meaning of the course letters and numbers.

Prerequisites

Although there are no prerequisites or special admission requirements to register for this certificate program, here are suggested guidelines to insure you are adequately prepared for the course work:

Math: Students need a working knowledge of algebra II and pre-calculus. Having college-level math such as calculus, Fourier transforms, and differential equations will give students an advantage on higher-level courses such as data converters and semiconductor physics.
Science: Students need to have a working knowledge of physics and basic circuit theories at the high school level or higher such as Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, and Kirchhoff's Current Law.
English: Students must have minimal English skills in the fields of math, science, and electronics to be able to understand the technical terms and/or jargon in the course content. Examples of technical terms include amplifier, analog, digital, frequency, phase, complex number, semiconductor, and transistor.
Computer & Internet: Student must have basic computer skills including knowing how to manage the security options in the browser to allow pop-ups and install plug-ins.

Required Courses

Semiconductor Devices for Integrated Circuit Design X138 (2 semester units in EECS)

Advanced Analog Microelectronics X139 (2 semester units in EECS)

Fundamentals of Analog Integrated Circuit Design Techniques X140 (2 semester units in EECS)

Advanced Design Techniques for Analog Integrated Circuits X141 (2 semester units in EECS)

Elective Courses
  • Introduction to Microelectronic Theory and Applications X30 (1 semester unit in EECS)

  • Fundamentals of Integrated Circuit Design X31 (1 semester unit in EECS)

  • Introduction to Physics of Semiconductor Devices X32 (1 semester unit in EECS)

  • Fundamentals of Analog Microelectronic Techniques X33 (1 semester unit in EECS)

  • Digital Integrated Circuit Design X134 (2 semester units in EECS)

  • Effective SPICE Circuit Simulation Techniques X405 (1 semester unit in EECS)

  • Fundamentals of Modern Data Converter Design X236 (1 semester unit in EECS)*

  • Design Techniques of High Performance Data Converters X237 (1 semester unit in EECS)*
  • * These two 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. Contact schang@unex.berkeley.edu or course@unex.berkeley.edu for information about qualifying.

    Recommended Course Order

  • 6-course Certificate Program
  • 4-course Accelerated Studies (non-certificate)
  • Course Comparison Chart
  • Course Substitutions

    Up to two substitutions or waivers totaling no more than three academic semester units are allowed for this program. All substitutions and waivers must by approved by the department chair or directors. Contact jconnor@unex.berkeley.edu.

    How to Enroll in a Course

    You can begin a course at any time. To enroll, click on a course title from the list above. On the course description page scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Online, Enroll anytime." Then, in the box that appears, click "Enroll". Fill out the online enrollment form.

    The cost of a course is shown on each course description page. UC Berkeley Extension accepts payment of fees in U.S. dollars via check or credit card. The fee for a course must be paid at the time you enroll.

    You must complete a course within six months of your date of enrollment. Most students who have full-time jobs and who study part-time can finish an individual course within four months.

    If you complete all of the coursework and requirements for a course before the six months maximum time permitted, you can request an appointment to take a proctored final exam.

    How to Register for the Certificate

    You should register for the certificate before you complete your third course in the program. There is a nonrefundable fee to register for the certificate. Fill out and submit this Program Registration Form. Or, you can print and fill out the form at www.unex.berkeley.edu/cert/cert.pdf and send the form with the required fee.

    Once you have completed the coursework for the program successfully, you need to notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the program and request your certificate. Send an e-mail to course@unex.berkeley.edu or call 1 (510) 642-4151. After your records have been reviewed, verified, and approved, you are awarded a certificate of completion from UC Berkeley Extension and a certificate will be sent to you in the mail. The review of your records is usually completed within six to eight weeks after you request the certificate. If you complete the entire program with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, you will receive a Certificate with Distinction.

    Cost

    The certificate program cost is the sum of the costs of the courses, plus the certificate registration fee. You pay for each course when you enroll in it. To see the cost of a course, click on the course title that appears in the required and elective course lists higher on this page. Each course title links to a page with a course description that includes its cost. You are also responsible for purchasing any computer equipment or broadband connection needed to take these courses. You may be required to pay a fee when you take a final exam for each course. Fees are set by the testing center at which you schedule to take your proctored exams.

    Online Instruction

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

    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 via e-mail.

    Your instructor will be available via e-mail to respond to your questions. Unless there are unusual circumstances, all communication with your instructor will be through e-mail. Please do not expect your instructor to telephone you or meet with you in person. You also should use e-mail to submit the assignments you complete to your instructor because faxed and mailed assignments are not accepted.

    The course syllabus and the welcome e-mail message you receive after you enroll will specify when your instructor will be available to you. You also will be notified if your instructor will be away from the computer 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 are having a problem with your instructor, please contact schang@unex.berkeley.edu or course@unex.berkeley.edu for help.

    Exams

    Each course usually has only one exam, which is the final proctored exam. This exam cannot be completed online. Your final exam must be supervised by a proctor for you to receive credit for completing the course.

    If you fail a final exam, you may not take the exam again. If you do not complete a course with the required grade of C or higher, you will have to take the course again and receive a grade of C or higher if you want to earn the certificate in integrated circuit design and techniques.


    Scheduling a Final Exam

    When you have completed three-quarters of your course, you should complete an Exam Request Form 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.


    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. You can find a list of these centers at UC Berkeley Extension examination centers and other examination centers.

    On the Exam Request Form, 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. You may also refer to NCTA.

    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 any one of the following in your area:


    Items to Bring to a 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:

    Technical Issues


    Computer Requirements

    You will need a PC computer with sound, a color monitor with a resolution of at least 1024 x 768, a high-speed Internet connection, and several Adobe plug-ins that you can download at no cost. Using the Internet Explorer or Firefox browser is recommended. 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 workplace 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 communicate the specific issue to help us fix the problem as quickly as possible. A screen capture of the problem and your IP configuration settings are most 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 you cannot download the slides. You can view the course materials and listen to the soundtracks as many times as you like while you are enrolled in the course.

    Additional Information

    For additional information, see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

    You can also contact the program office by calling 1(510) 642-4151 or sending e-mail to course@unex.berkeley.edu.



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