Program Overview

Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineering

The semiconductor manufacturing engineering co-major focuses on the design, development, and innovation of the processes used to produce the chips that power virtually all modern electronics. With the skills and knowledge gained in this program, students will be prepared to continue their education in an electro-optics and photonics graduate program or start working directly in industry.

Program Overview

The University of Dayton (UD) is home to one of three cleanroom labs in Ohio and has a strong connection with industry professionals at the Air Force Research Laboratory. UD's Department of Electro-Optics and Photonics faculty members have strong expertise in the industry, providing focused and individualized support to their students. As a student in this program, you will be able to learn directly in a cleanroom lab, which provides hands-on experiences creating and testing semiconductors.

Hands-On Research and Training

The University of Dayton and IBM announced a new partnership to jointly research and develop next-generation semiconductor technologies and materials that will power the future of AI. As part of the agreement, IBM will provide state-of-the-art semiconductor equipment for a new on-campus nanofabrication facility, scheduled for completion in early 2027. Through this collaboration, students can receive valuable hands-on, lab-to-fab experience, working side-by-side with industry and academic experts.

Co-Major Information

About the Program

The semiconductor manufacturing engineering co-major focuses on the design, development, and innovation of the processes used to produce the chips that power virtually all modern electronics. With the skills and knowledge gained in this program, students will be prepared to continue their education in an electro-optics and photonics graduate program or start working directly in industry.

Primary Major Options

• Electronic Engineering Technology (B.S.T.)
• Computer Engineering (B.S.C.)
• Electrical Engineering (B.E.E.)

Why a Co-Major?

Having a semiconductor manufacturing engineering specialization in addition to a primary engineering field provides depth and differentiation to technical qualifications, providing a competitive advantage for post-graduate employment or graduate school.

Declaring the Co-Major

Students can apply to the semiconductor manufacturing engineering co-major on the admission application. Because co-majors must be paired with a primary major, students who apply to semiconductor manufacturing engineering will be placed in the Discover Engineering program as their primary major. Admitted students can change their primary major by contacting the Office of Recruitment and Admission, or enrolled students can meet with their advisor to declare either computer engineering, electrical engineering, or electronic engineering technology as their primary major.

Additional Information

With appropriate academic planning, students can complete a co-major within the standard eight semesters even with the additional credits it requires. Students and their holistic academic advisors can work together to plan their degree path.

Courses

Examples of courses offered in the co-major include:

• Electronic Devices
• Introduction to Semiconductor Engineering or Introduction to Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Semiconductor Device Fabrication Lab
• Digital Integrated Circuit Design
• Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing

Related Degrees and Programs

Additional Engineering Management, Systems and Technology Programs

• Electronic Engineering Technology (B.S.T.)
• Industrial Engineering Technology (B.S.T.)
• Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.T.)
• Mechatronics Systems Automation (Co-Major)
• Automotive Systems Design (Minor)
• Engineering Management (Minor)
• Human Factors (Minor)
• Industrial Automation and Applied Robotic Systems (Minor)
• Quality and Lean Six Sigma (Minor)
• Engineering Management (M.S.)
• Foundations of Engineering Management (Graduate Certificate)

Additional Electro-Optics and Photonics Programs

• Electro-Optics and Photonics (Minor)
• Semiconductor Manufacturing (Minor)
• Electro-Optics (M.S.)
• Electro-Optics (Ph.D.)

Additional Electrical and Computer Engineering Programs

• Computer Engineering (B.S.C.)
• Computer Engineering: Robotics (B.S.C.)
• Electrical Engineering (B.E.E.)
• Electrical Engineering: Robotics (B.E.E.)
• Computer Engineering (Minor)
• Electrical Engineering (Minor)
• Computer Engineering (M.S.C.P.E.)
• Electrical Engineering (M.S.)
• Electrical Engineering (D.E., Ph.D.)
• Aerospace Electronic Systems (Graduate Certificate)
• Radar Systems (Graduate Certificate)

Success After Graduation

The School of Engineering has a high success rate, with an average starting salary of $74,225 for majors and a 98% success rate after graduation. The university's strong connections with industry professionals and its focus on hands-on learning provide students with a competitive edge in the job market.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. A variety of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time work-study are available to help students cover their costs. The university also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving students more flexibility to add a double major or minor or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.