Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS)

M.Sc. Integrated Systems and Circuits Design

Reaching new application areas

For about five decades, integrated circuits (IC, microchips) have now been the key technologies for electronic systems in many application areas, ranging from data processing to telecommunication and automobile electronics. In this domain, an unprecedented development has taken place from the assembly of the first planar ICs with two transistors in the year 1961 to today’s integrated processor components with up to a billion transistors on a single chip.

New challenges in designing integrated systems and circuits

An ending of this development is not yet foreseeable and Very Deep Submicron (VDSM) fabrication technologies (with structure sizes that are smaller than 14 nm) will offer the possibility to integrate even more complex systems.

These developments are not merely the prerequisite for even more reliable and cost-efficient system solutions, yet they will also open up a lot of new application possibilities. Due to the new requirements and especially due to the enormous complexity of such solutions, not only new fabrication technologies have to be developed, but also new challenges in the design of integrated systems and circuits have to be faced. Among these challenges are modeling on different levels of abstraction, system-level verification, low-power design, circuit design in new technologies, high-frequency circuits, intelligent solutions for power electronics as well as an increase in design efficiency. The master's degree program ISCD - Integrated Systems and Circuits Design provides the necessary knowledge to master these challenges.

Profile

Applied R&D and cooperation with national and international academic and industrial partners guarantee, that education at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences is up to date and students will be well prepared for their career.

Semesters 1 - 3 offer 70 ECTS of mandatory courses in the fields of integrated systems design and modeling, design methodology, analog, and digital circuit design, integration and fabrication technology as well as a mixed-signal project. Semester 3 offers a selection of advanced courses from which 20 ECTS have to be selected. The practical aspect of this master's degree program is emphasized by a project module, spanning semester 1 to 3. Students design an integrated circuit in small teams and implement a test chip. After fabrication, samples of the test chip will be evaluated in the lab using state of the art test equipment.

The master thesis is done in cooperation with industry or at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences in semester 4. Work on the thesis is accompanied by regular thesis seminars.

Key learning outcomes

Graduates of the master degree program Integrated Systems and Circuits Design:

• Have broad knowledge in the design and modeling of highly complex integrated systems.
• Have detailed knowledge of the principle design methodologies for integrated circuits using modern CAD tools.
• Have special knowledge in circuit design of analog, digital, and mixed-signal integrated circuits using state of the art Very Deep Submicron (VDSM) CMOS fabrication technologies.
• Have knowledge in special elective topics in integrated systems and circuits like RF CMOS design, integrated sensors, smart power technologies, arithmetic circuits, or system on chip architectures.
• Have had practical experience in the IC development: all graduates have designed a mixed-signal IC from specification to evaluation of fabricated test chip samples in the lab.

Job & Career

ICDS graduates can work as specialists for Austrian as well as international companies in the field of the semiconductor industry (foundries, fabless foundries, and engineering companies) as well as for businesses providing system solutions whose products contain highly integrated electronic components.

Their fields of activities include the:

• Design
• Modeling
• Verification
• Implementation
• Testing and
• Technical support

of analog, digital, and mixed-signal integrated circuits. Their activities also include application support (e.g. PCB design), as well as test and product engineering.

Access to further studies

The successful completion of the Master’s degree program in turn qualifies the graduate to undertake a doctorate according to § 6 FHStG (4) (FHStG stands for Fachhochschul Studies Act).


Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS)
private non-profit foundation

Since its inception, the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) has developed into a unique educational institution in Carinthia. Due to the constant further development of the study programs of Carinthia University of Applied Sciences and intensive cooperation with industry and science, CUAS students are sure to have a future-oriented education.

CUAS lives the model of immediate practical relevance. Principal and part-time employees, as well as guest lecturers from industry, ensure interdisciplinary, internationally oriented university education. Currently 36 degree programs are offered in the fields of technology, health, and social affairs, as well as economics.


7 Reasons to Study at CUAS

Face to face

We are known for our open and family atmosphere. At our university, great importance is attached to the personal coexistence of students, employees, and professors. Small working groups enable individual support.

Internationality

We are a university with an international orientation. CUAS cooperates with more than 160 universities worldwide. Infinitely cosmopolitan, located at the intersection of three cultures in the Alps-Adriatic region, very close to Italy and Slovenia, it offers local and international students excellent conditions for multilingual studies.

Practical orientation

The combination of study and practice ensures the quality of teaching and research, our many international guests and part-time teachers from industry and business provide this. Cooperation’s with regional and foreign companies not only ensure a practice-oriented range of courses but also guarantee scientific knowledge.

Future orientation and sustainability

Innovative courses of study at the cutting edge make CUAS a showcase for sustainable research and development. Promising topics in all areas of study play an important role.

Unique nature, culture, and way of life

Studying in Carinthia is fun! The university is immersed in idyllic mountains, valleys, and lakes. There is a vast selection of sports and leisure opportunities at any time of the year. The picturesque Carinthia landscape ensures a unique quality of life around your studies.

Creative, young, and dynamic atmosphere

In addition to their studies, young, dynamic networks provide perfect opportunities to gain a foothold in the start-up sector. Think-centers, incubators, attractive innovation workshops, and many events bring together students from CUAS and entrepreneurs from the region and enable them to get to know each other at an early stage for future joint projects.

The combination makes it

Where and above all, what you want to study wants to be well thought out. CUAS makes a choice very easy: Here, you will find the unique combination of a wide range of exciting and practice-oriented studies and a quality of life that is unparalleled.


In-service studies

In-service training is the key to personal career planning. As a student at CUAS your curriculum is organized in such a way that you can reconcile your studies and jobs.

Model

CUAS is a dynamic and dialogue-oriented university with regional roots and international orientation. It works in the fields of health and social affairs, technology, and economics. Its core tasks are in the areas of study and teaching, applied for research, knowledge transfer, and further education.

Vision

"We want to position ourselves as a university in teaching and applied research in our core areas of technology, business, health, and social issues at the top of Austrian universities!"

Charter of diversity

The Charter of Diversity is an initiative to promote appreciation of all members of society - regardless of gender, age, race and color, sexual orientation, religion and belief, and physical or mental disability. The Charter of Diversity is a public, voluntary commitment. It is based on the recognition that diversity is an essential feature of Europe - its history as well as its society. It sees and appreciates the benefits and opportunities that diversity offers.

University administration

CUAS was founded in 1995 in the legal form of an association as a carrier of the University of Applied Sciences study programs in Carinthia. The seat of the association was in Spittal an der Drau. Since the beginning of 2002, the University of Carinthia - Charitable Private Foundation has been the sponsor and maintainer of the University of Applied Sciences degree programs.

The private foundation is financed by contributions from the federal government, the state of Carinthia, and the communities of Villach, Spittal / Drau, Klagenfurt, and Feldkirchen. In addition, the membership fees of the association, which has become one of the 15 founders, as well as donations and proceeds from events, contribute to the financing of the operation of the organization.

The link between employee and employer

We are not only responsible for our actions, but also for what we do not do. (Moliere)

The works council is the link between the employees and the employer. The task is to act as a mediator, but also to act as a one-stop-shop. The current works council team harmonizes complements itself well and is eager to implement the concerns for all colleagues positively.

An elected works council can - based on the solidarity within the workforce - actively and consistently address and represent the concerns of its colleagues. In addition to the "core business," the representation of the staff towards the employer CUAS, the works council, also takes care of the promotion of the economic, social, health, and cultural interests of the employees.