NYCU and TSMC Collaborative Semiconductor Program
Allowing Students to Ride the Fast Track to Semiconductor Research and Development!
The "Semiconductor - Process/Module" Program, jointly created by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NYCU and TSMC, guarantees an interview!
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Partners with TSMC to Cultivate Semiconductor Talent
Reporter: Pan Tao-Yu, March 30, 2020
TSMC has always been a dream company for many graduates, and the semiconductor program jointly offered by National Chiao Tung University and TSMC undoubtedly provides students with a great internship opportunity, while also guaranteeing an interview after graduation, serving as a "fast track" to the workforce.
This program mainly offers two major tracks: "Semiconductor - Devices/Integration" and "Semiconductor - Process/Module," aimed at cultivating industry professionals with practical process experience and employment competitiveness. Due to its focus on core courses and the achievable credit requirements, the program has attracted many students interested in the semiconductor industry. Students who complete the required courses in the program will receive a completion certificate jointly signed and issued by the department and TSMC. NYCU Acting President, Dr. Chen Hsin-Hong, stated that this collaboration with TSMC creates the best platform for integrating theory and practice, allowing students to gain solid semiconductor expertise and practical training, thus reducing the gap between education and employment. He looks forward to further collaborations with TSMC to drive the development of industry-academia partnerships in Taiwan.
Process/Module Program
The "Process/Module Program" is led by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, jointly developed with TSMC. The curriculum covers a wide range of courses related to materials, chemistry, physics, electronics, and mechanical engineering. The elective courses are also quite diverse, with highlights including topics such as microstructure and surface analysis, More than Moore devices, and advanced semiconductor and display technologies.
The program was designed by TSMC's Technology Committee Director, Chen Chao-Cheng, who stated, "For example, when encountering process imaging defects in work, it's not just about relying on material knowledge to solve the problem. One also needs to understand the principles of physical and chemical reactions, integrating and applying knowledge from various fields to solve the problem." Therefore, the talent required by the industry is multifaceted. The semiconductor program's curriculum provides an exemplary reference, enabling students to plan their course paths early. At the same time, he hopes for more opportunities for close collaboration and interaction between schools and businesses, continuing to work towards reducing the gap between academic training and industry needs.
Devices/Integration Program
The "Devices/Integration Program" is jointly planned by the Department of Electrical Engineering, the Institute of Electronics, and TSMC. The curriculum covers aspects such as device development, advanced process integration, and materials analysis techniques. In addition to emphasizing practical courses, the program also includes specialized courses such as extreme ultraviolet lithography technology, new memory types, and neuromorphic computing. TSMC's Technology Committee Director, Zhang Ze-En, shared that he himself has a professional background. After earning his Ph.D. at NYCU, he entered the industry and deeply felt the gap between academia and industry. The most noticeable issue he observed was that the rapid pace of technological advancements in high-tech fields often leaves textbooks behind, making it difficult for students to keep up with cutting-edge industry developments. As a result, students graduate with a wealth of theoretical knowledge but lack practical application skills. Moreover, the challenges faced in the workplace are often complex and multifaceted, and single-discipline knowledge is insufficient to tackle them. To address this, he and the professors spent a considerable amount of time discussing and refining the program's design.
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