Session 12b5 0-7803-5643-8/99/$10.00 © 1999 IEEE November 10 - 13, 1999 San Juan, Puerto Rico 29 th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference 12b5-6 An Innovative Industry-Sponsored “Semiconductor Initiative’” Behbood Zoghi, Robert Bolton, Kamran Eftekhari, Magda Lagoudas Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution Department Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77843 zoghi@tamu.edu Abstract –This paper discusses an innovative curriculum impact by the semiconductor industries on the curriculum, applied research and future direction of the Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution Department at Texas A&M University. Semiconductor industries are growing at a rate higher than can be implemented by the current industrial work force. There exists a growing need for individuals who can deliver new technologies to increase the competitiveness of the industries in the State. High quality application engineers properly trained in this area are one of the key assets required in maintaining this competitiveness. To address these requirements, multiple educational grants have been funded to implement a new program emphasis in Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineering Technology (SMET) within the Department of Engineering Technology in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. The evolution and widespread development of high technology semiconductor equipment and processes require an increased attention to the areas of engineering support. Among these, but not all-inclusive are: field service equipment engineering, test engineering, software engineering, and wafer- fab engineering. This proposed program in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University would represent the only program at a major university for educating personnel for this distinctive career path. Because of the growing importance of semiconductor equipment manufacturers and high-tech electronics in Texas, such a development has the potential to make the College of Engineering an exemplary benefactor for the state of Texas and the nation. Introduction The Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution (ETID) Department at Texas A&M University is one of the ten departments within the Dwight Look College of Engineering. Owing to this and the unique structure of the Engineering Program within the Texas A&M University System, the ETID Department and its programs have a definite mission which includes not only the offering of high quality engineering technology curricula, but also to engage in funded, applied research and to interact closely with industry. The ETID has five academic disciplines programs, Electronics Engineering Technology/Telecommunication Engineering Technology (EET/TET), Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET), Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MFT), and Industrial Distribution (ID). Most of the technical specialty courses develop the ability to apply scientific and engineering knowledge and methods as well as technical skills by emphasizing applied knowledge with copious, high-grade, hands- on laboratory experience using state-of-art equipment commensurate with that found in modern industries. For the first time in the history of the department, faculty from the four technical departmental programs joined together with industrial sponsors to develop a true interdisciplinary initiative, Semiconductor Manufacturing. Graduates of the program will be positioned for entry level test, process, field service, software and product support engineers. Most course development and industrial sponsors funded the supporting interdisciplinary laboratory shown in Figure 1. Applied Materials has been the industry champion by providing long-term educational grants and state-of-art technology equipment. The interdisciplinary nature of Semiconductor Manufacturing also allowed the department to develop and/or enhance specific courses in semiconductor process technology, vacuum technology, design of experiments and statistical process control, electromechanical systems and real-time control. Figure 1. Interdisciplinary laboratory