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Graduate Certificate of Engineering (Microelectronic Engineering) 

A102     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Full-time
Part-time (day) 		Postgraduate 6 months full-time or 1 year part-time Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2)

The Graduate Certificate of Engineering (Microelectronic Engineering) forms the first stage in a four-stage nested program consisting of:
The major role of professional engineers in the Australian workforce is to act as agents for change through the development of technically sound, economically viable and socially acceptable solutions to complex and new technical problems. In this context, the microelectronics engineer today is faced with many challenges brought about by the rapid advances in computer, multimedia and telecommunication technology.
 
Microelectronic design stream addresses all aspects of this technology, from high level specification of microelectronic systems, through implementation alternatives, to realisation of integrated circuits. The course aims to produce engineers with the necessary skills and practical experience to satisfy the requirements of the microelectronics industry. An important feature of the program is the opportunity it provides for students to design their own integrated circuits.
 
(Students holding an international student visa are required to study full-time.)

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The general aims of the course are to provide graduates with:
  • High levels of both logical and lateral thinking development so that the graduates can lead constructive change through innovation
  • The ability to use a multi-disciplinary engineering philosophy towards the synthesis, design and integration of solutions
  • A level of professional development in confidence, judgment and experience such that the implementation of proposed solutions proceeds successfully

The specific aims of the course are to:

  • Develop integrated circuit design expertise in embedded system, digital, mixed signal and system-on-chip
  • Develop understanding of the device physics, fabrication process and testing needed by IC designers
  • Develop the advanced technical skills necessary to master state of the art microelectronic technology
  • Develop research skills necessary to obtain specialist knowledge of subjects pertinent to integrated circuit design
  • Cultivate logical and lateral thinking that leads to creation and innovation in the pursuit of solutions to engineering problems

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Swinburne's Microelectronic Engineering programs are a nested suite, offering students the opportunity to exit at the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master or Master (Honours) stage. 
 
The Graduate Certificate comprises four units (50 credit points).  Students may undertake any four units from the Microelectronics program with a maximum of one Management elective.
 
This program operates under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed equivalent to one hour of student work per week for one semester whether in contact with staff or in private study. Typically, four units of study are taken per semester, each unit having a value of 12.5 credit points. The typical student’s average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be 50 hours. Total student contact hours - including lectures, classes, tutorials, laboratory and field sessions - will be approximately 16 hours/week during academic semesters.
 
Preliminary Units of Study:
Students who lack the appropriate background may be required to do relevant undergraduate units of study before they commence postgraduate study in units that assume knowledge in specialist areas. The following units of study would provide the level of assumed knowledge for all the microelectronic engineering courses. These units are offered in the undergraduate program Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics and Computer Systems) (E051) and students can enrol in these units concurrently with other master degree units, which do not require the assumed knowledge provided in these units of study. 
 
(Students holding an international student visa are required to study full-time.)

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Management Elective (one only)
 
Recommended Study Sequence
HET6001 HDL and High Level Synthesis
 
Note
  • All units are 12.5 credit points (CP) unless noted otherwise
  • Onshore international students can undertake no more than 25% of their course by online or distance education and may not study exclusively online/distance in any compulsory study period in accordance with government regulation.

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Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.

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Career opportunities involve work in embedded system design, VLSI design, system on chip, chip design, design of DSP-based systems, in a wide range of industries including telecommunications, automotive, chip design and testing corporations (Motorolla, Intel, Bosch etc) and research organisations.

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Completion of this course may assist graduates in meeting eligibility criteria for membership to various levels of Engineers Australia. Refer to the Engineers Australia website for full details.

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The five Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
  • Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace, or community.
  • Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas.
  • Operate effectively in work and community situations.
  • Adaptable and manage change.
  • Aware of environments in which they will be contributing.

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Admission to the course normally requires a four year Bachelor of Engineering degree in electronic engineering, computer engineering or communication/telecommunication engineering or a four year Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in an appropriate field, or an equivalent qualification.

Applicants with a three year Bachelor of Science degree (in an appropriate field) or a Bachelor of Engineering degree in another field may also be considered for admission on the condition that they may be required to take up additional (preliminary) units that will strengthen their knowledge and skills in digital systems, analog electronics and microprocessor systems.

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Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the program with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. All applications for unit exemptions should be submitted on the appropriate form at the time of enrolment in the course.

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training.

Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.future.swinburne.edu.au/pathways/rpl/

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The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.

For information about Swinburne's fees visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
 

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Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad/apply/

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Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
 

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