According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, “Semiconductors are the brains of modern electronics,” and the electronics engineers are the brains who research, develop and design the integrated circuits that make 21st century life possible. The online Master of Science (M.S.) in Electronics Engineering with a track in Microelectronics and Photonics program offered by Norfolk State University is an ideal way to gain an advantage in the competition for leadership roles in this high-demand career.
Designed for innovative, technology-proficient professionals, this advanced program focuses on the fundamentals of semiconductors (also known as integrated circuits, microchips and chips). For example, the Semiconductor Processing and Technology (Micro and Nanofabrication) course enhances engineers’ essential understanding of the impact of semiconductors on the performance, speed and functionality of leading-edge electronics. Students explore crucial skills for creating microscopic structures on the materials used in microchip production and study methods for patterning, layering and manipulating atoms in semiconductors.
Why Earn a Master’s Electronics Engineering Degree?
Electronics engineers are key players in the semiconductor industry. More than that, however, they are innovators in every other sector of the global economy. Even unlikely verticals such as forestry and the fishing industry rely on the technology they design to collect and analyze data for resource growth, harvesting and replenishment. Regardless of the industry, electronics engineers and semiconductor professionals play complementary roles. Electronics engineers primarily design and develop electronic circuits and systems and typically use microchips in their designs. Chip designers, on the other hand, work at the nanoscale level to create faster, more efficient integrated circuits.
Consumer electronics is the most visible application of electronic engineering and integrated circuit evolution. Smartphones, tablets, smart home devices and wearable technology all rely on sophisticated circuit design, embedded systems and telecommunications capabilities. Engineers in this field must constantly innovate to meet consumer demands for smaller, faster and more energy-efficient devices. They work on improving display technologies, enhancing wireless connectivity and integrating advanced features like artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
Renewable energy is another field where electronics engineering and semiconductor expertise are vital. Engineers design and develop solar panels, wind turbines and energy storage systems. They create efficient power conversion circuits and control systems that maximize energy harvesting and optimize distribution. Their work contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions and helps address global environmental challenges.
Robotics have long been part of manufacturing. Industrial robots automate manufacturing processes, improving efficiency and precision in tasks like welding and assembly. However, electronics engineers are innovating ways to deploy robots in construction for welding and brick laying, energy for conducting remote site inspections and maintenance and mining for material extraction. Service robots assist in domestic and personal settings, such as vacuum cleaning and elderly care. Medical robots enhance surgical procedures and patient care. Agricultural robots equipped with advanced sensors can identify fruits and vegetables at the peak moment for picking while leaving unripe pieces on the plant to ripen.
Kickstart Your Career With Essential Skills at Norfolk State University
Although the semiconductors have been around for decades, The Economic Times calls the segment a “sunrise industry,” one that is on the cusp of a rapid boom. McKinsey & Company predicts the industry is poised for a decade of rapid expansion, growing at an aggregate rate of up to 8% to reach $1 trillion in sales by 2030.
Norfolk State’s online M.S. Electronics Engineering – Microelectronics & Photonics program curriculum sharpens students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills and their technical expertise. The Analog Integrated Circuits course covers feedback amplifier analysis and design, stability and compensation. The course also addresses layout and floor planning for mixed-signal IC design. Students learn about applications like A/D and D/A converters, amplifiers and current sources. Extensive use of CAD tools for design entry and simulation is emphasized.
The Communications Systems course explores the core principles of contemporary digital communication systems and methods for assessing their effectiveness. It begins with a concise overview of random processes theory, laying the groundwork for understanding system behavior. The curriculum then delves into optimal receiver design for discrete and continuous messages, emphasizing the importance of matched filters and correlation receivers in signal processing.
Graduates of this challenging, high-reward program possess the in-demand skills that drive innovation and solve complex technological challenges in industries that are shaping the future. The expertise and insights gained can open doors to a professionally and personally rewarding career as a contributor to groundbreaking technological advancements.
Learn more about Norfolk State University’s online M.S. in Electronics Engineering with a track in Microelectronics and Photonics program.