Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering

Semiconductor Materials & Manufacturing Graduate Certificate Curriculum Packet

The Semiconductor Materials and Manufacturing Graduate Certificate (SMMGC) provides advanced training in semiconductor materials and manufacturing technologies. Developed with industry needs in mind, the program focuses on how semiconductor materials are made, how their properties are characterized, how the materials’ failures are identified and analyzed, and how the correlations between the processing conditions and the material properties are established. This program is designed for working professionals and traditional graduate students alike. MSME, MSMSE, or PhD students can earn this certificate simultaneously and the credits can be applied towards both the degree and certificate.

Semiconductor Materials & Manufacturing Graduate Certificate (SMMGC)

Students pursuing the SMMGC must complete a minimum of 16 credit hours of program-approved* graduate-level coursework in semiconductor materials, manufacturing processes, materials characterization, and failure analysis techniques.

Certificate Requirements - AY 2021-2022

  Course Credits
ME 577 Introduction to Semiconductor Manufacturing 4 credit hours
ME 5XX SMMCG Electives* 12 credit hours
  Total 16 credit hours

SMMGC Electives*

  Course Credits
ME 513 Engineering Material Science 4 credit hours
ME 527 Phase Transformations and Kinetics in Materials 4 credit hours
ME 528 Scanning Electron Microscopy for Materials and Device Characterization 4 credit hours
ME 529 Transmission Electron Microscopy and Chemical Analysis of Materials 4 credit hours
ME 547 Transfer and Rate Processes 4 credit hours
ME 576 Materials Failure Analysis 4 credit hours
ME 578 Introduction to Electronic Packaging 4 credit hours
MSE 547 Diffusion 4 credit hours

Students enrolled in the MSME, MSMSE, or PhD program can earn this certificate simultaneously and the credits can be applied towards both the degree and certificate.

Only courses with a grade of B- or higher will be applied to the certificate.

*ME 510 courses can be applied to the graduate certificate electives with graduate program chair approval. For further details on ME 510 courses that could be applied to the electives, please see the Semiconductor Materials & Manufacturing Focus Area.

Fillable Curriculum Plan

Certificate

  Courses Prereqs* Credits Terms Grade**
16 Credits ME 577 - Introduction to Semiconductor Manufacturing  

4

    
Three of: ME 513 - Engineering Material Science   4    
ME 527 - Phase Transformations and Kinetics in Materials   4    
ME 528 - Scanning Electron Microscopy for Materials and Device Characterization   4    
ME 529 - Transmission Electron Microscopy and Chemical Analysis of Materials   4    
ME 547 - Transfer and Rate Processes   4    
ME 576 - Materials Failure Analysis   4    
ME 578 - Introduction to Electronic Packaging   4    
MSE 547 - Diffusion   4    
Total Credits  

*Please check prerequisites in the bulletin for approved electives
**Only courses with a grade of B- or higher will be applied to the degree

Satisfactory Academic Progress & Dismissal Policy

All MME graduate students must maintain satisfactory academic progress during the course of their graduate program as outlined in the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Dismissal Policy.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

  • All admitted graduate students must enroll and complete at least one credit per term*. Students who wish to take time away from their studies must complete a Graduate Leave of Absence Request and adhere to the Leave of Absence Policy outlined by the Graduate School (GS).
  • A student’s Permanent Advisor will determine if satisfactory progress has been made each term*, especially in regards to dissertation, project or thesis credits and research. If the student is within their first two terms and a Permanent Advisor has not been established, satisfactory progress will be determined by term GPA and credits completed. Students without Permanent Advisors must earn a B- or higher in each course and a term GPA of 3.0.
  • In addition, conditionally admitted students must complete all conditions within one year of admission as outlined in the admission letter; and
  • PhD students must meet the program’s comprehensive exam timeline and criteria as well as the University’s prospectus and dissertation timelines.

Probation

  • An admitted graduate student will be placed on SAP probation if:
    • the student does not register for at least one credit and does not have an approved Graduate Leave of Absence Request for the term;
    • if the student receives a grade of I, X, W or AU for all credits attempted; or
    • the Permanent Advisor determines that satisfactory progress has not been made, or, for a student without a Permanent Advisor, term grades and GPA do not meet SAP guidelines.
  • A student who is placed on SAP probation will be ineligible to hold a GA (TA or RA) or hourly position.
  • A student will be removed from SAP probation if the student:
    • registers and satisfactorily completes at least one credit in the term after beginning probation status; and
    • the Permanent Advisor determines that satisfactory progress has been made in the term after beginning probation status. A student who does not have a Permanent Advisor must meet the grade and GPA requirement in the term after beginning probation status.

Dismissal

  • Dismissal occurs if:
    • the student fails to register and complete at least one credit in the term* after beginning probation status;
    • the student fails to make satisfactory progress in the term* after beginning probation status; or
    • the student becomes subject to a SAP probation a second time within their degree program
    • In addition, conditionally admitted students will be dismissed if all conditions are not completed within one year of admission; and
    • PhD students will be dismissed if: the program’s comprehensive exam timeline and criteria are not met; the University’s prospectus timeline is not met; or the University’s dissertation timeline is not met.
  • Students who are dismissed may not: register for graduate credits; perform research within an MME lab; or hold a GA (TA or RA) or hourly position.

*Excluding summer

MME Student Resources

Manufacturing Lab

  • Provides support for various faculty research, student projects and academic courses.
  • All Students must complete the MME Machine Shop Safety Class & complete the online Machine Shop Waiver and Policy Form to gain access.
  • The Machine Shop Safety Class is not required for students who have successfully completed ME 240L at PSU.
  • Sign up for safety class at PSU via pdx.edu/mechanical-materials-engineering/shop-safety-access
  • In order to have weekend access, students must complete Weekend/Holiday Access request form
  • Additional information can be found at pdx.edu/mechanical-materials-engineering/mme-machine-shop

MELT (Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Team)

  • A group of MME students create a mutually beneficial collaboration between students and the MME faculty and staff responsible for operation of the MME shop and MME instructional and research laboratories.
  • Students can request assistance from MELT technicians to support students for various course-related projects/prototypes. Students must complete the Machine Shop Safety Class. Fees may apply.
  • Learn to use equipment such as the 3D printer, Laser Cutter, CNC (or Conventional) Mill or Lathe, Welding, etc.
  • Addition information can be found at http://psumelt.blogspot.com/

Materials Store

  • Contains a supply of materials, such as Multipurpose Aluminum (various thickness /width /length), etc., that are not tied to a specific class & students may purchase for use.
  • Be sure to connect with Mike Chuning at chuning@pdx.edu prior to purchase, to ensure the requested materials are in stock.
  • Materials can be purchased through cashnet via https://commerce.cashnet.com/cashnetk/selfserve/BrowseCatalog.aspx

Important Things To Know

MME Course Override Form

  • Fill out the form if you need an override for any ME course.
  • Course Override Request Form located at https://pdx.edu/mechanical-materials-engineering/student-forms-resources.
  • Please note that if you are receiving a closed-course error for a split 400/500 level course, you will need to check both the 400 and 500 level registration counts because seats are split between the two sections. Any open seats you see in the 400 level course option are taken by students registered in the 500 level option, and vice versa.

Transitioning To Master's Program

Courses completed for a graduate certificate can be applied to the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) or the Master of Science in Material Science & Engineering (MSMSE) degrees

How To Apply For Graduation

Visit https://www.pdx.edu/gradschool/graduate-candidate-deadlines for graduate candidate deadlines.

Please contact the Graduate School at 503.725.8410 or grad@pdx.edu or visit 184 Parkmill for more information.