April 30, 2004
A: FROM MENTOR KRIS MOODY IN NH
Semiconductor technology is a broad subject with a lot of different
ways a person could go. There is the Integrated Circuit (IC) Design
Engineer, who designs the actual circuits. The IC designer needs to
understand circuit design, to understand semiconductor physics, have
advanced math skills and basic computer skills. Then there is the Layout
Designer, who takes the schematics created by the Designer and draws the
geometric shapes that will determine the physical transistors and other
components on the semiconductor wafers. The best Layout Designers
understand circuits too, and have good computer skills too. Their task is
creative in a different way than the circuit designers. The layout
challenge is to fit specific geometries into small spaces, and do if
fast. Then there is the Process Engineer. These engineers actually work
at the chemical level, designing and testing new ways to improve the
chemical process that wafers undergo in order for the circuits to be made
on them. They are responsible for chips getting smaller and smaller and
smaller. These engineers need to have a very strong chemical engineering
and physics background. I should also note that the Design Engineer needs
to have this knowledge too, if the best circuits are to be designed. There
are also Test Engineers who work in the Semiconductor Industry, and they
develop large complex test systems that are both electrical and mechanical,
to test wafers and chips after they are manufactured. So you can see,
there is a huge variety of jobs and skills in Semiconductor Technology. I
would suggest a few things. I would suggest that you look into visiting a
semiconductor company if you can. Call them up and ask if you can
visit. They can give you a tour and you can talk with engineers and get a
better picture of all the different jobs. When you visit colleges, I would
suggest that you talk with the professors in the engineering department,
and tell them you are interested in semiconductor technology, and see what
they have to say. It is always interesting to get different information
from a lot of different sources. As for courses, in high school I would
suggest working your way through all of the math courses that you can, as
far as you can. You will continue with even more advanced math once your
in college. Also, take physics and chemistry. Those are both good. I
personally think physics and the math are the key. In college I would
suggest that you get a good, solid foundation in electrical engineering and
math. Study basic circuits and electronics. But also look for courses
that are specifically about semiconductor physics and IC design.