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Course Overview

With Singapore being one of the most diverse semiconductor industries in the Asia Pacific, many of the world’s semiconductor MNCs such as Micron, SSMC and Global Foundries, have set up their operations here. Career prospects are bright as the demand for integrated circuits grows exponentially due to today’s widespread adoption of smart electronic devices, 5G mobile networks, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. It is projected that about 8,000 new jobs will be created in the next 3 to 5 years!

 

In this course, Polytechnic and University graduates will be equipped with specialised skills in the following core areas of semiconductor technology:

  • Wafer Fabrication Technology
  • Vacuum and Cleanroom Technology
  • IC Assembly, Test and Failure Analysis
  • IC Design

 

You will undergo rigorous skills-based and hands-on training at our clean room and laboratories that are well-equipped with key wafer fabrication, IC manufacturing and metrology machines. Equipped with these specialised skills, you can look forward to rewarding careers such as Equipment Engineers, Process Engineers, Facility Engineers and IC Test & Failure Analysis Engineers at advanced IC manufacturing plants.

 

 


All students are required to bring their own notebooks for lessons. You may refer to the required technical specifications for notebooks HERE.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

 

A Polytechnic Diploma or ITE Technical Diploma / Technical Engineer Diploma / Work-Learn Technical Diploma in Science, Technical, Engineering, Math (STEM) or equivalent

 

OR A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

 

OR A Post-Secondary Certificate with at least 3 Years of relevant working experience

Who Should Attend

Graduates or individuals who want to upgrade their knowledge in semiconductor technology or specialize in any particular branch of semiconductor industry.

What You'll Learn

To be awarded the Specialist Diploma, participants are required to complete a total of 2 Post-Diploma Certificates (PDCs). A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of each PDC.

Post-Diploma Certificate in IC Manufacturing

The certificate provides students with the knowledge of physics of semiconductors, the theory and the operations of some important semiconductor devices, IC packaging processes and testing techniques. Students will be given opportunities to work on various IC assembly equipment and failure analysis tools to enhance their understanding of the subject knowledge.

Subject Code Subject
EPEC001 IC Packaging and Electrical Testing (ICPET)

Gives an overall view of the complete IC manufacturing process, the related equipment and facility systems for crystal growth, wafer fabrication, IC assembly and electrical testing. Students will also discuss various manufacturing issues such as quality, safety, in-line process monitors, contamination, manufacturing errors and some aspects of IC failure analysis and reliability. Students will be taught test specifications, test generation and fault simulation, characterisation tests, tester interfaces and the modules of a typical test system. Students will also discuss the failure analysis of assembly defects and test fall-outs.

EPEC002 Semiconductor Devices and Integrated Circuits (SDIC)

Provides the basic concepts of semiconductor material, p-n junctions and electrical contacts. Covers structures and operational features such as logic and memory devices. Students will also learn the fundamental aspects of IC design layout and be familiar with the topographic view of an IC chip.

Post-Diploma Certificate in Wafer Processing Technology

The certificate provides students with the knowledge of various wafer fabrication processes and basic concepts of high vacuum technology. Students will be given opportunities to work on various clean room and vacuum equipment to enhance their understanding of the subject knowledge and acquire some equipment handling skill.

Subject Code Subject
EPEC003 Wafer Fabrication Technology (WFT)

Covers plasma techniques and fundamentals of CMOS process. Students will be taught the fundamental principles of various wafer fabrication processes, the fabrication-related causes of IC defects and the working principles of fabrication equipment. They will also use software tools for simulating the different wafer fabrication processes and work on the various wafer fabrication equipment in the cleanroom environment.

EPEC004 Cleanroom and Vacuum Technology (CVT)

This subject introduces the students to a broad knowledge of contamination control in a cleanroom environment. Wafer plant facilities and process equipment are discussed. Students will be given the opportunity to experience the environment in the cleanroom. The subject also introduces vacuum technology which is vastly applied in the semiconductor wafer processing industry today. Students will be trained to operate vacuum pumps and systems through laboratory sessions.

Modes of Assessment

 

  • Assignments
  • Practical Tests
  • Written Tests
  • Project

For more information on course fee / schedule, or to apply,

Career Opportunities

For graduates of this course who are already working in the semiconductor related field, they can expand their job scope or venture into other technology area according to their company needs. For new entrants, they can take up some entry point job roles as: Associate Engineer, Associate Process Engineer, Associate Quality Engineer, and Associate Equipment Engineer in the areas of design and development, technical support, manufacturing, service and maintenance in the semiconductor field.

FAQ

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

RPL refers to the recognition of learning and competencies acquired or currently held by individuals. The learning and competencies may be attained through formal and informal training, education or work experiences and recognition is given based on assessment of evidence submitted against endorsed industry or company competency standards.

Who can apply via RPL pathway?

Who can apply via RPL pathway?

RPL is for working adults who have significant work experience and prior learning to apply for admission to any participating RPL courses when they do not meet the minimum entry requirement and/or for purpose of subject exemption where applicable.

When can I submit the RPL application?

When can I submit the RPL application?

You can submit the RPL application at the same time when you apply to enroll into your preferred course provided it is a participating RPL course. Please refer to this flowchart.

What sort of supporting evidence do I need to provide during the RPL application?

What sort of supporting evidence do I need to provide during the RPL application?

When you approach the Polytechnic, you will be provided a list of appropriate evidence specific to the course. Some examples include the following:

  • Industry Certification (eg. CAAS, CISCO)
  • Certificates of Learning (eg. Company in-house training, ITE Certification, Poly CET module certification, WSQ Certification, MOOCs, Online modular assessments)
  • Employer References (eg. Letter of recommendation or sponsorship)
  • Interviews & Portfolio Examinations (eg. Proof of projects involvement) 

In some cases, you may be required to attend an interview or take an assessment test.  

Will there be fees chargeable in the RPL application?

Will there be fees chargeable in the RPL application?

An administrative fee may be chargeable for RPL applications and evaluation (eg. preliminary test for admission or required assessments for subject/module exemption). The fees chargeable will not be refundable to applicants upon payment made. The details for fees administration will be specified in the participating course webpage.

What is the possible outcome if my RPL application is successful?

What is the possible outcome if my RPL application is successful?

The successful RPL outcome will be one of the following:

  • Course admission
  • Course admission with subject/module exemption
  • Course admission with subject/module credit transfer

When will I be informed of the outcome of my RPL application?

When will I be informed of the outcome of my RPL application?

Applicants will be informed typically about 2 months after application closing deadline.

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Course Contact

  • Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
    Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm
     
    Closed during lunchtime, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
    and on weekends and public holidays.

  • https://www.tp.edu.sg/tsa
  • Temasek SkillsFuture Academy (TSA)
    Temasek Polytechnic
    East Wing, Block 1A, Level 3, Unit 109
    21 Tampines Ave 1
    Singapore 529757

  • Temasek Polytechnic reserves the right to alter the course, modify the scale of fee, amend any other information or cancel course with low enrolment.