Master of Science in Semiconductor Engineering

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Master of Science in Semiconductor Engineering

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Overview

The Master of Science in Semiconductor Engineering is an interdisciplinary, cutting-edge program offered by the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation, College of Engineering, and D’Amore-McKim School of Business. The program prepares students through interdisciplinary knowledge and experimental tools to meet the new needs of semiconductor companies to fill the talent gap for careers in this rapidly evolving in-demand industry.

The talent profile of semiconductor companies has changed and conventional single-discipline degrees are not sufficient to support these new needs. There is an industry need for skilled engineers to design chips, discover new materials and manufacturing methods, develop software tools for the design and operation of new chips, and to design advanced manufacturing tools to make these chips.

Program Details Degree Requirements Admissions Information Tuition & Financial Aid

Innovative Curriculum

Students take core courses in semiconductor devices and systems, materials, manufacturing, and innovation. They also select a concentration in NanoSystems or in Materials and Manufacturing. Through a variety of electives across electrical and computer engineering, mechanical and industrial engineering, chemical engineering, and business, students can focus the program to meet their career interests. Students select coursework, project, or thesis program options.

Additionally, through the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation (NanoSI), students have the opportunity to engage in pioneering research, learn from leading experts in the field, and prepare for impactful careers in the ever-evolving landscape of semiconductor engineering. With Northeastern’s leading cooperative education program, students have the opportunity to gain up to eight months of professional experience as part of the academic curriculum.

Unique Features

  • First and only MS in Semiconductor Engineering in the country
  • Interdisciplinary program offered by the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation, Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and the D’Amore-McKim School of Business
  • Choice of two concentrations: NanoSystems or in Materials and Manufacturing
  • Outstanding research opportunities through the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation in Boston, Massachusetts, and in Oakland, California, providing direct access to the most vibrant communities and the hottest hiring areas for semiconductors in the country
  • Leverages NanoSI entrepreneurial ecosystem, including partnerships with the largest semiconductor-based incubator programs in the country and several semiconductor-focused startups in Boston, Burlington, and the San Francisco Bay Area
  • Thesis, project-based, or course-only options
  • Top-ranked cooperative education program giving students the opportunity to gain up to eight months of professional experience as part of the academic curriculum
  • Understand the state-of-the-art solutions relating to the building blocks of the semiconductor industry, from materials and manufacturing processes, through device and system design, to entrepreneurship and product development.
  • Design and implement semiconductors and micro/nanosystems chips, utilizing theoretical, numerical, and experimental tools.
  • Anticipate and adapt to new material, structure and device requirements, system architectures and manufacturing techniques.

Designed with the future in mind, this program aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications. With Northeastern an R1 research institution and the program offered as part of the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation (NanoSI), students have the opportunity to engage in pioneering research, learn from leading experts in the field, and prepare for impactful careers in the ever-evolving landscape of semiconductor engineering.

NanoSI is a world-leading global institute focused on semiconductor research, education, and entrepreneurship. It is at the forefront of semiconductors and NanoSystems research, including next-generation chip-scale electronics, sensors, and RF—mmWave devices and systems, photonics, MEMS, packaging, heterogeneous integration, and micro/nano manufacturing.

Over 15 graduate certificates are available to provide students the opportunity to develop a specialization in an area of their choice. Certificates can be taken in addition to or in combination with a master’s degree, or provide a pathway to a master’s degree in Northeastern’s College of Engineering. Master’s programs can also be combined with a Gordon Engineering Leadership certificate. Students should consult with their faculty advisor regarding these options.

Department Websites

Concentrations

Students in the MS in Semiconductor Engineering program select a concentration of study.

Experiential Learning

Northeastern is ranked No. 1 in internships/co-ops by U.S. News and World Report. Graduate students have the opportunity to participating in the cooperative education program, gaining up to eight months of professional experience in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum. NanoSI activities are supported by a vibrant consortium of industrial partners including several of the largest world-leading semiconductor companies. Our engineering departments have also established partnerships with semiconductor companies. Recent co-op positions at companies with semiconductor missions include Allegro Microsystems, AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), Analog Devices, Applied Materials, Arm, Inc., Broadcom, Infineon Technologies, Intel, Micron Technologies, Microsemi, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Samsung, Skyworks, ST Microelectronics, TSMC, and Zepsor Technologies.

Additionally, with Northeastern an R1 research institution and the program offered as part of the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation (NanoSI), students have the opportunity to engage in pioneering research, learn from leading experts in the field, and prepare for impactful careers in the ever-evolving landscape of semiconductor engineering.

Program Goals

Career Outlook

Given the landmark CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, a significant share of new chip manufacturing capacity and R&D is expected to be located in the U.S.  The Semiconductor Industry Association projects that the semiconductor industry’s workforce will grow by nearly 115,000 jobs by 2030, from approximately 345,000 jobs in 2024 to approximately 460,000 jobs by the end of the decade, representing 33% growth. 80% of projected new technical jobs risk going unfilled at current degree completion rates. Of the unfilled jobs, 35% will be engineers or computer scientists with four-year degrees; and 26% will be engineers at the master’s or PhD level. Source: SIA

    "The AI arms race is driving massive growth in the semiconductor industry. But we also need to drive semiconductor innovation in low-power devices, power electronics, and green energy generation and storage if we’re going to build a sustainable AI infrastructure." David Horsley, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Deputy Directory of the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation
    "The United States currently makes about 10% of all chips and aspires to 30% share by 2030… and we will need more people in more locations to make a trillion dollars’ worth of chips." Deloitte, “The Global Semiconductor Talent Shortage"
    "Research into new materials (such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride), advanced packaging, specialized ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) applications, and the increased importance of embedded software have changed the talent profile for semiconductor companies." McKinsey, “Strategies To Lead in the Semiconductor World”

    Academic Advising

    The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.

    Admissions & Aid

    Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.