Postgraduate Courses
MICS
Microelectronics
- MICS 5110Fundamentals of Optics and Photonics[2-1-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000DBackgroundUndergraduate physics course, such as general physics or college physics.DescriptionThis course is about fundamentals in optics and photonics. The “Optics” part includes ray optics, electromagnetic optics, plasmonics, coherence and polarization of light, etc. The “Photonics” part includes the science behind light generation (e.g. laser), manipulation (e.g. based on nonlinear optics) and photodetection (e.g. PN junction diodes).Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Realize the importance of optics and photonics in both research and daily life.
- 2.Identify and critically discuss the limits of validity and applicability of the different ray optics and wave optics equations.
- 3.Define and explain the propagation of light in various media.
- 4.Apply wave optics and understand the concept of polarization, coherence and interference.
- 5.Define and explain the physics underlying light generation, detection and light-matter interaction.
- 6.Choose, derive and apply suitable models to predict and analyze the response of basic photonic components.
- 7.Solve with the necessary literature practical and theoretical problems within the field of optics and photonics.
- 8.Use the tools, methodologies, conventions of physics to formulate explanations and validate their ideas.
- MICS 5210Semiconductor and Advanced Optoelectronic Devices[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000TDescriptionThis course is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the fundamental properties and physics of semiconductors, along with the principles and applications of optoelectronic devices. It encompasses a comprehensive exploration of general semiconductor characteristics, including crystal structures, the process of crystal growth, and the pivotal concepts of energy bands. It delves into the significance of dopants and defects, the mechanisms of generation and recombination processes, and the dynamics of carrier transport, with a special focus on the device structures. An emphasis will be placed on laser technologies and cutting-edge MicroLED technologies and the modulation techniques. Furthermore, the course will provide a holistic view of the fabrication processes involved in creating optoelectronic devices.
- MICS 5220Micro Fabrication of Advanced Optoelectronic Devices[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000ZDescriptionThis course explores the core principles of micro/nano processing technologies crucial for developing sophisticated optoelectronic devices. This course delves into the thermodynamics, kinetics of material growth, deposition methods, vacuum technology, cutting-edge deposition and characterization techniques, and advanced lithography. Students will learn to manipulate control parameters of these processes and understand their impact on optoelectronic device performance and applications. These devices are widely used in fields such as communications, transportation, environmental monitoring, aerospace applications, energy production, medical applications, and others.
- MICS 5410CMOS Analog Integrated Circuits Design[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000FDescriptionThis course guides the students through the fundamentals of analog integrated circuits design in CMOS technologies. Knowledge in analog design is essential for further research and study in the IC design tracks. This course will cover the operation of MOSFETs, basic concepts of analog circuits design, the implementation of basic analog circuits from MOSFETs, and the realization of more complex CMOS circuits using basic analog building blocks.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Have a deep understanding on the general concepts of analog circuit design.
- 2.Grasp the methods to analyze analog circuits.
- 3.Develop the capability to design the basic analog building blocks.
- 4.Benchmark the performance of various analog circuit topologies.
- 5.Understand the general considerations and approaches to complex analog design.
- 6.Present their design thinking scientifically in a circuit design project.
- MICS 5420Clock Generation Integrated Circuits[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000PDescriptionThis course introduces the design and analysis of clock generation integrated circuits. The covered topics include basic concepts, basic oscillator, oscillator analysis, advanced oscillator techniques, basic phase-locked loop architecture, integer-N PLLs, fractional-N PLLs, frequency dividers and multipliers, digital PLLs, advanced frequency synthesis and clock data recovery.
- MICS 5430Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits for Wireless Systems[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000GDescriptionThis is a foundation course in radio frequency integrated circuit design. The covered topics include basic concepts in RF design and wireless communication, transmission lines, passive devices, transceiver architectures, low noise amplifiers, mixers, baseband, phase-locked loops, power amplifier and transceiver SoC design.
- MICS 5440Photonic Integrated Circuits Design[2-1-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000ODescriptionThis course will lead students through the entire process of designing, fabricating, and measuring photonic integrated circuits, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in simulating, designing, and measuring photonic chips. By the end of the course, students will be required to finalize their own photonic integrated circuit design and acquire experimental results. The course content includes an introduction to integrated photonics, photonic integrated components, photonic integrated circuits, simulation and design techniques, layout and fabrication procedures, design review and rule check, device measurement, data analysis, as well as recent advancements and applications of photonic integrated circuits.
- MICS 5450High-Speed Integrated Circuits Design[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000SDescriptionThis course will focus on the circuits and architectures for high-speed wireline data communications. The topics that will be covered in this course include wireline data link systems, transmitters, receivers, equalizers, clock and data recovery, etc. Upon finishing this course, students are expected to understand the basic principles of modern high-speed data link systems and grasp the essentials to design the integrated circuits for such systems.
- MICS 5510Formal Methods and Testing for Electronic System Verification[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000ABackgroundGeneral understanding of digital IC logic design and basic programming skills.DescriptionThe course will discuss the application of automated reasoning techniques in the verification of software and hardware components in electronic systems. This course will cover basic knowledge of logic, satisfiability solvers, model checking and their applications. This course also includes topics on circuit testing, for example, automatic test pattern generation and design for testing.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Recognize the importance of IC verification.
- 2.Explain the verification methods and the good practice.
- 3.Assess the pros and cons of formal methods and testing.
- 4.Use Boolean satisfiability solvers and model checkers in verification tasks.
- 5.Apply the abstraction methods in formal verification and analyze their efficiency.
- 6.Use automatic test pattern generation and apply the principles of design-for-test.
- 7.Develop the suitable verification strategy for their own IC projects.
- MICS 5520Physical Design Automation of Digital Systems[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000IBackgroundStudents should have a general idea of integrated circuits, basic algorithms, and programming skills.DescriptionThis course introduces the foundations of modern VLSI electronic design automation (EDA), with a focus on optimization and algorithm foundations for VLSI physical design problems. We will introduce partitioning, floor planning, placement, routing, manufacturability optimization, and mask optimization. We will see a set of concrete applications of various conventional optimization techniques in VLSI design, e.g., graph theory, convex programming, numerical optimization, etc.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Gain the understanding of integrated circuits design flow.
- 2.Explain the purpose of each backend design step.
- 3.Abstract and formulate the problems in physical design tasks.
- 4.Illustrate a reasonable framework for a specific physical design problem.
- 5.Design algorithms to solve specialized physical design tasks.
- 6.Analyze the pros and cons of different algorithms in physical design problems.
- MICS 5710Computer Architecture[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000LBackgroundGeneral understanding of digital logic design, basic algorithms, and programming skills.DescriptionThis course aims to build a strong foundation and prepare students with modern computer architecture insights and techniques for future computer design. The course covers the fundamental and advanced concepts and principles in computer architecture, including processor, memory hierarchy, multicore, interconnection, and domain specialization.
- MICS 5720Photonics and Optical Interconnects[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000EDescriptionThis course aims to introduce photonics technology from devices to systems for high-capacity optical interconnects within the integrated circuit package. The course covers topics such as an introduction to optical interconnects, optical waveguides and fibers, attenuation and dispersion, fundamentals of key optoelectronic devices, high-speed optical transmitters and receivers, optical communication systems, advanced modulation formats and detection schemes, multiplexing techniques, as well as the latest trends and developments in optical interconnect technology.
- MICS 5910Embedded System Design[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MICS 6000KDescriptionThis course introduces the basic concepts of embedded system design. It covers the modeling and specification, hardware/software co-design, architectures, real-time operating systems, compression, compilation, and design space exploration. It will also cover other topics, such as security, verification, and validation. The goal of this course is to help students develop a comprehensive understanding of the technologies behind the embedded systems design.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Obtain a holistic view of embedded system design.
- 2.Describe the interactions between different components in embedded systems.
- 3.Apply common modeling approaches to describe a simple system.
- 4.Understand different techniques in embedded system design.
- 5.Evaluate different design choices on performance, cost, and power consumption.
- MICS 6000Special Topics in Microelectronics[1-4 credit(s)]DescriptionThe course covers special topics for graduate studies in different areas. The topics will be updated frequently to reflect latest interests and research development. May be graded by letter, P/F or PP for different offerings.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Recognize the current research trend in Microelectronics.
- 2.Explain the theories and applications in the chosen topics.
- 3.Apply the methodologies and techniques to real problems in the chosen topics.
- MICS 6090Independent Study[1-3 credit(s)]DescriptionAn independent study on selected topics carried out under the supervision of a faculty member.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills in the selected topics related to microelectronics.
- 2.Apply systematic research methodologies in the selected topics.
- 3.Communicate the problems and findings effectively in presentations and scientific writings.
- MICS 6990MPhil Thesis ResearchDescriptionMaster's thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify engineering significances in microelectronics.
- 2.Engage critical thinking skills that are essential for microelectronics research.
- 3.Advance technologies in microelectronics.
- 4.Demonstrate effective communication skills.
- MICS 7990Doctoral Thesis ResearchDescriptionOriginal and independent doctoral thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify scientific and engineering significances in microelectronics.
- 2.Engage critical thinking skills that are essential for microelectronics research.
- 3.Apply systematic research methodologies to advance theories, create methodologies, or innovate technologies in microelectronics.
- 4.Demonstrate effective communication skills in reporting scientific findings.
