Course Information
Registration period
7 Apr 2022 (Thu) - 7 Apr 2026 (Tue)
Price
-
Study Mode
Duration
4 Year(s)
Language
English
Location
-
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Course Overview
Microelectronics is a cornerstone of the Information Age. It is concerned with studies in integrated electronic/photonic circuits, system architectures, and design automation. It integrates novel electronic and photonic devices into circuits; architects computing, networking, and sensing systems; and automates their design and optimization.
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs in Microelectronics aim to provide rigorous training in the fundamental theories, key technologies, and industrial practices of microelectronics. Students will be trained to investigate novel electronic and photonic devices for analog and digital circuits; explore advanced architecture for post-Moore's Law computing, networking, and sensing systems; and create intelligent design automation tools and methodologies. The programs will also offer modern pedagogical training to prepare research students with specialized and transferrable skills in post-Moore's Law integrated circuits and systems that serve the industries.
A candidate for an MPhil degree is expected to demonstrate knowledge in microelectronics research, synthesize and create new knowledge, and contribute to microelectronics technologies.
A candidate for a PhD degree is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in microelectronics research and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making an original and substantial contribution to microelectronics technologies.
What You’ll Learn
Minimum Credit Requirement
MPhil: 15 credits
PhD: 21 credits
Credit Transfer
Students who have taken equivalent courses at HKUST or other recognized universities may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of 3 credits for MPhil students, and 6 credits for PhD students.
Cross-disciplinary Core Courses
2 credits
IIMP 6010Cross-disciplinary Research Methods I2 Credit(s)
IIMP 6020Cross-disciplinary Research Methods II2 Credit(s)
IIMP 6030Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking I2 Credit(s)
IIMP 6040Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking II2 Credit(s)
All students are required to complete either IIMP 6010 or IIMP 6030. Students may complete the remaining courses as part of the credit requirements, as requested by the Program Planning Committee.
Hub Core Courses
4 Credits
Students are required to complete at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from the Function Hub and at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from other Hubs.
Function Hub Core Course
FUNH 5000Introduction to Function Hub for Sustainable Future2 Credit(s)
Other Hub Core Courses
INFH 5000Information Science and Technology: Essentials and Trends2 Credit(s)
SOCH 5000Technological Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship2 Credit(s)
SYSH 5000Model-Based Systems Engineering2 Credit(s)
Courses on Domain Knowledge
MPhil: minimum 9 credits of coursework
PhD: minimum 15 credits of coursework
Under this requirement, each student is required to take elective courses to form an individualized curriculum relevant to the cross-disciplinary thesis research. To ensure that students will take appropriate courses to equip them with needed domain knowledge, each student has a Program Planning Committee to approve the courses to be taken soonest after program commencement and no later than the end of the first year. Depending on the approved curriculum, individual students may be required to complete additional credits beyond the minimal credit requirements.
Sample Course List
To meet individual needs, students will be taking courses in different areas, which may include but not limited to courses and areas listed below.
MICS 5901Advanced Sensor Technologies3 Credit(s)
MICS 5902Introduction to Neuromorphic System3 Credit(s)
MICS 5903Introduction to Quantum Information Processing3 Credit(s)
COMP 5112Parallel Programming3 Credit(s)
COMP 5711Introduction to Advanced Algorithmic Techniques3 Credit(s)
COMP 5713Computational Geometry3 Credit(s)
ELEC 5040Advanced Analog IC Analysis and Design3 Credit(s)
ELEC 5050Advanced CMOS Devices3 Credit(s)
ELEC 5160Digital VLSI System Design and Design Automation3 Credit(s)
MATH 5311Advanced Numerical Methods I3 Credit(s)
MATH 5312Advanced Numerical Methods II3 Credit(s)
MATH 5380Combinatorics3 Credit(s)
MECH 5520Theories and Practice of CAD/CAM/CAE3 Credit(s)
MECH 5230Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer3 Credit(s)
MECH 5950Introduction to Microsystems: Technology and Devices3 Credit(s)
PHYS 5210Electromagnetic Waves, Maxwell Equations, and Relativity4 Credit(s)
PHYS 5260Advanced Quantum Mechanics4 Credit(s)
PHYS 5810Modern Semiconductor Physics3 Credit(s)
Additional Foundation Courses
Individual students may be required to take foundation courses to strengthen their academic background and research capacity in related areas, which will be specified by the Program Planning Committee. The credits earnedcannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Training
PDEV 6800Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education0 Credit(s)
All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Center for Education Innovation (CEI), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by CEI, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
Professional Development Course Requirement
PDEV 6770Professional Development for Research Postgraduate Students1 Credit(s)
Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning Committee.
FUNH 6770Professional Development for Function Hub1 Credit(s)
Students are required to complete FUNH 6770. The 1 credit earned from FUNH 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed FUNH 6770 or other similar professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking FUNH 6770, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning Committee.
English Language Requirement
LANG 5000Foundation in Listening & Speaking for Postgraduate Students1 Credit(s)
Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Center for Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
LANG 5001Postgraduate English for Engineering Research Studies1 Credit(s)
LANG 5002Postgraduate English for Business and Social Science Studies1 Credit(s)
LANG 5010Postgraduate English for Science Studies1 Credit(s)
Students are required to take one of the above three courses. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. Students can be exempted from taking this course with the approval of the Program Planning Committee.
Postgraduate Seminar
FUNH 6800Function Hub Seminar0 Credit(s)
MPhil:
Full-time students must take and pass FUNH 6800 in at least two terms.
PhD:
Full-time students must take and pass FUNH 6800 in at least four terms.
PhD Qualifying Examination
PhD students are required to pass a qualifying examination to obtain PhD candidacy following established policy.
Thesis Research
MICS 6990MPhil Thesis Research0 Credit(s)
MICS 7990Doctoral Thesis Research0 Credit(s)
MPhil:
Registration in MICS 6990; and
Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.
PhD:
Registration in MICS 7990; and
Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
