Understanding the Semiconductor Supply Chain: from Materials to Applications

You may be eligible for a fully funded place on this course. For further details please see 'funding' section.

This introductory course will provide you with an overview of the semiconductor industry, covering the entire supply chain from raw materials to final applications. You will learn about current and emerging trends within the industry, the semiconductor manufacturing process, and the semiconductor devices that enable the high performance of our phones and EVs etc.

This is an online course that you can undertake in your own time. The training will take approximately 3 hours to complete.

Delivery will be via a variety of online and interactive activities such as short videos and test-your-knowledge exercises.

Please note: We are only able to accept payment by credit card for this course. You will receive access to the course materials no later than 1 week after making payment. You will have access for 4 months from the date you first access the learning materials.

Who it’s for

Anyone interested in a holistic view and understanding of the semiconductor supply chain.

This course could be ideal for:

• those working in the semiconductor sector who would benefit from a broader perspective of the industry
• those supporting the semiconductor industry, such as careers advisors, teachers, or those working in local and national government
• anyone considering a change of career into this growing industry

Funding

You can qualify for a fully funded place on this course if you are 18 or older and either live or work in the UK. For more information and to apply please complete this form.

What level is the course pitched at?

Please note that no prior knowledge of the sector is required. This course is also suitable for those both with and without a technical background.

What you’ll learn

By the end of this course you will have gained an understanding of:

• how semiconductors shape the technologies we use every day, such as our smartphones, AI and machine learning, health and wellbeing sensors, and connected infrastructure
• the emerging technologies and future trends in this industry
• the global semiconductor supply chain, from research and design to fabrication and packaging
• semiconductor devices – what they are, how they’re made, and how they’re used

Topics covered

Advanced semiconductor applications, emerging technologies and future trends, including:

• AI and machine learning
• biomedical applications
• photonics
• RF devices
• quantum technologies

The global semiconductor supply chain, including:

• research and development
• chip design
• wafer fabrication
• assembly test and packaging
• semiconductor manufacturing equipment supply
• systems integration

Semiconductor devices, specifically:

• logic and memory chips
• power management chips
• communication chips
• transistors
• integrated systems
• OLEDs and microLEDs
• laser diodes
• VCSELs sensors and MEMS

Inspections and metrology, including:

• identifying defects
• monitoring performance
• ensuring reliability

Delivery

This is an e-learning course that can be accessed remotely in your own time. It is approx. 3 hours of online materials which are structured into sections consisting of multiple short videos and some test-your-knowledge activities.

Teaching and useful information

This course is designed for you to complete in your own time and at your own pace. There is no live element but you will have the opportunity to contact the lead tutor. The course will be delivered via the University's virtual learning platform, Learning Central. Your individual login details will be emailed to you a few days before your course access begins.

You will have access to the course materials for four months.

A CPD Certificate of Completion will be issued to learners who achieve 70% or more in the end of course test.

Course leads

• Howard Rupprecht, CSconnected Ltd
• Leonie White, CSA Catapult
• Professor Owen Guy, Swansea University

Benefits

This course has been designed in collaboration with industry partners from the CSconnected cluster, the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster based in and around South Wales in the United Kingdom, and using funding provided by UKRI’s Strength in Places Fund.

It refers to the semiconductor industries operating across the South Wales regions, as well as offering a global perspective.