Why take ECE 344?

Understand transistors.
Think of better ways to make circuits smaller, cheaper, faster, etc.
Design circuits better due to an understanding of the compromises involved in the fabrication of the circuits and/or components.
Contribute more effectively to the supporting technologies for IC fab (Chem Es, MATSEs, Physics, Comp Es, CS,...).
Understand where the computer (SPICE) models for devices really come from.
Get a job.

A common misconception is that the ECE 344 lab experience is or should be equivalent to experience in an industrial IC fab facility.

Summer internships and Co-Ops are available for gaining industrial experience.
ECE 344 students get a sense of understanding of the basic devices by making and testing them entirely by themselves and without losing sight of them.
Industrial fab tools are often "operated" by placing a cassette of wafers inside and pressing "GO". They're hardly educational.
ECE 344 removes much of the mystery transistors hold for students. Equipment with "black-box" qualities is specifically avoided so the wafers don't become black-boxes for the students.

This screen was created by Mike Fitzimmons - U of Illinois ECE Dept. - mikef@uiuc.edu,

and is maintained by Kevin Beernink - U of Illinois ECE Dept. - beernink@uiuc.edu

E-mail comments and suggestions to ece344@uiuc.edu or use the FEEDBACK FORM.