Joint International Master in Semiconductor Chips Integration and Innovation

Description

The future is being built on semiconductors.

Semiconductor Chips Integration and Innovation (SSI²) is a Joint International Master’s programme, offered by three European Universities: University of South-Eastern Norway, Aalto University, and Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

Aligned with the objectives established in the European Chips Act, this programme aims to cultivate global talent in semiconductor research, design and production engineering, focusing on electronic systems integration and innovation. It addresses semiconductor chips design and manufacturing, spanning several technology platforms. The programme is application-centric, meaning you will learn how market need calls for different kinds of components, and how sensors and actuators are integrated into functional devices and systems.

The main learning outcomes of SSI² are:

• advanced knowledge in the field of semiconductor chips: their functionality as sensors, actuators, and transducers; analogue and mixed signal processing; related digital microelectronics;
• practical knowledge in design, modelling, fabrication, testing and reliability of semiconductor chips and integrated systems; integration of semiconductor chips into larger systems for application in all sectors of society, to include healthcare, power, transport, communication, security, and environment surveillance;
• expertise in state-of-the-art research to push existing frontiers in the field;
• skills to perform critical assessment and choice of required analysing tools, methods, models and calculations;
• transferable skills, e.g. entrepreneurship, scientific writing, communication, collaboration and leadership in inter-disciplinary, multicultural and international teams.

Language of Instruction

In the Master’s Programme in Semiconductor Chips Integration and Innovation, the language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The SSI² programme has a joint participation fee and a generous scholarship scheme funded by the European Commission (Erasmus Mundus).

For non-scholarship holding students, the joint programme fee is:

• 4000 € for students from EU or Third Countries associated to the Programme
• 8000 € for students from Third countries not associated to the Programme

Structure of studies

The 120 ECTS SSI² MSc Programme is studied over four semesters. You will spend one semester at each of the three universities. The first three semesters are dedicated to taught courses, including an 18-month hands-on industry-relevant innovation project, embodying a "learning by doing" philosophy. In the fourth semester, you will undertake a research project for your master's thesis.

Entrepreneurship, internships, and employable skills training are integrated throughout the programme. Courses in culture, society, and language foster an appreciation for EU values. A detailed description of the programme tracks and modules is available in the programme web page.

You will acquire a fundamental understanding of both component-level engineering and system-level implementation. The degree programme will further train the graduates with specialised knowledge and skills related to Multiphysics modelling, AI-enabled design methodologies, and biomedical applications. Entrepreneurial skills, including knowledge of the market and user requirements as well as product manufacturing will be developed through formal teaching and industrial talks and visits.

Specialisations

During the programme, you can tailor your studies by selecting one of the three available elective study paths: Sustainable electronics and chip design, Heterogeneous integration, or BioMEMS and medical devices.

Internationalisation

The programme is a joint degree programme. This means that you will study at three universities and in three different countries. The study environment in the programme is strongly international, and studies are conducted in multicultural groups.

Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad every year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies but also via multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Active tutoring programmes and support services work tirelessly to help international students integrate into Nordic culture and to make you feel at home in Finland.

Further study opportunities

The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).

Career opportunities

Programme graduates enjoy excellent career opportunities in the public and private sectors, especially in a future full of autonomous systems and technological advancement. Thanks to the tight-knit connections to the industry, the chances to land a job through course projects, internships, research or thesis work are high. Further, graduates have all the necessary entrepreneurial skills to found and build their own companies as well.

Aalto University has well-established career services that will support you during career planning and the job search, no matter whether you are staying within Finland or headed abroad. Aalto students tend to find good positions with ease upon their graduation. An active entrepreneurship community is also present at Aalto, which can help as a springboard for founding your company. Finally, if an academic career is of interest, the SSI² programme is a great foundation for doctoral studies and post-doc positions.

Research focus

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation offers excellent education and top-quality research conditions, where scientists and engineers together develop new methods, devices, and systems in the fields of Power Systems and Energy Conversion, Control, Robotics and Autonomous Systems and Health Technology.

Co-operation with other parties

Aalto University is among the top-ranked universities in the world related to industry collaboration. As a graduate, you can leverage on our connections. Aalto Industrial Internet Campus offers you the possibility to network with students from other engineering disciplines and prestigious industrial partners.

Contact information

For inquiries regarding the application process, general application documents and language tests, please see the programme website or contact the University of South-Eastern Norway. 

For inquiries regarding the content of programme and the studies at the School of Electrical Engineering, please contact masters-elec@aalto.fi.