Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Coursework programs

Master of Microelectronic Engineering – Melbourne (Bundoora) (SMME)

The microelectronics engineer today is faced with many challenges brought about by the rapid advances in computer, multimedia, and telecommunication technology. The Master of Microelectronic Engineering program addresses all aspects of this technology, from the high-level specification of microelectronic systems, through implementation alternatives to the realisation of integrated circuits. The course aims to produce engineers with the necessary skills and practical experiences to satisfy the requirements of the microelectronics industry. An important feature of the course is the opportunity it provides for students to design their own integrated circuits.

Admission requirements

Applicants to the course normally require a four year Bachelor of Engineering degree in electronic engineering, or computer engineering, or communication/telecommunication engineering, or a four year Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in an appropriate field, or an equivalent qualification. Candidates who do not strictly meet the above requirements may be considered for admission following the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Electronic Engineering. Students may enter the Masters course in either the first or the second semester.

Advanced standing

Applications for advanced standing will be considered in accordance with University policy. Students with an appropriate background that includes the material covered by the fundamental subjects may be granted up to one semester advanced standing, shortening the course to 18 months. Alternatively, individual fundamental subjects can be replaced with further electives where a student has demonstrated knowledge of the material covered. The program chosen must consist of a minimum of 120 credit points of fifth year level subjects.

Course structure

The Master of Microelectronic Engineering course is a two-year full time program (or its part-time equivalent) requiring the successful completion of 135 credit points of core subjects, either a major project (60 credit points) or minor project (30 credit points) and elective subjects, for a total of 240 credit points. Electives can be selected from studies in microelectronics or allied disciplines, which include the pool of fourth and fifth year subjects offered by the Department of Electronic Engineering. Subject to approval by the course coordinator, students may enrol in up to three relevant subjects to the value of 45 credit points from other areas of the University.

Note: not all the subjects listed below are available in both semesters.

Core subjects (135 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 Embedded Processors ELE3EMB 15
TE-SEM-1 Advanced Digital Systems Design ELE4ADD 15
TE-SEM-1 Semiconductor Materials and Devices ELE5SDP 15
TE-SEM-1 Digital System Design ELE5DSD 15
TE-SEM-1 or
TE-SEM-2
Engineering Practice ELE5PRA 15
TE-SEM-2 Electronic Design Automation-Tools and Technique ELE3DDE 15
TE-SEM-1 Integrated Circuit Design ELE5ICD 15
TE-SEM-2 Test and Verification ELE5TAV 15
TE-SEM-2 Design for Mass Production ELE5DES 15
Project subjects (30 or 60 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 or
TE-SEM-2
Microelectronic Minor Project1 ELE5MIP 30
TE-SEM-1 or
TE-SEM-2
Microelectronic Major Project1, 2 ELE5MAP* 60
Elective subjects (60 or 30 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 C Programming for Engineers and Scientists CSE1CES 15
TE-SEM-1 Advanced Signal Processing ELE4ASP 15
TE-SEM-1 Applied Management for Engineers ELE4EMT 15
TE-SEM-1 or
TE-SEM-2
Special Elective in Microelectronic Engineering 2 ELE5SEL 15
TE-SEM-2 Object Oriented Programming Using C++ CSE1CPP 15
TE-SEM-2 Design for Mass Production ELE5DES 15
TE-SEM-2 Digital Signal Processing ELE3SIP 15
TE-SEM-2 Emerging Topics in IC Design ELE5ETD 15

Subjects selected may include other approved fourth and fifth year subjects offered by the Department of Electronic Engineering, or areas of the University (such as computer science and computer engineering, mathematics, physics or statistics) or other universities offering specialised microelectronic engineering subjects.

Key: 1 Students complete one of these two subjects.

2 Enrolment subject to approval from the course coordinator.

*Not offered in 2010.