This Master's program is organized in a work-friendly way and is therefore compatible with a professional career.

Integrated Systems and Circuits Design - Master's program

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 degree program ISCD - Integrated Systems and Circuits Design provides the necessary knowledge to master these challenges.

 

Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) has been an associate member of the European University ATHENA, an excellence program of the European Commission, since 1 January 2023.

Application deadline

Winterm 2023

Period I:   01.11.-15.03.2023
Period II:  16.03.-15.05.2023
Period III: 16.05.-15.07.2023
Period IV: 16.07.-30.09.2023*

For applicants from outside Europe applications are only accepted within Period I & II (due to Visa Processing)

*We reserve the right not to open the period or to close it early.

Study start

The semester starts on 1st October

Teaching time

Monday-Friday 16:00h - 19:20h.
If necessary, courses can also take place before 16h or in the morning; + 2-3 Saturdays per month possible; classroom teaching with online parts.

Events

Study Guidance
Book your personal appointmentright now.

You can find out more about our advisory services, events and fairs on our website.

Further information

Language of instruction: English

Study & Work

Study & Work - is that possible?

With over 80 Study & Work partner companies and organizations, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences offers first-year students of a bachelor's or master's degree program the opportunity to combine their studies with a career.

This attractive offer gives students the chance to immediately put theoretical knowledge into practice and gain professional experience in Carinthia's leading companies.

Information

Contact

If you have any questions feel free to ask:

Head of Degree Program

 

 

FH-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Johannes Sturm
Head of Degree Program Integrated Systems and Circuits Design, Professor of Microelectronics/Analog Design

+43 5 90500 2165
j.sturm[at]fh-kaernten[dot]at

 

 

 

 

Level of qualification
Master
ECTS credits
120
Tuition fees
€ 363.36 / semester
Qualification awarded
  • Master of Science in Engineering
Duration of study
4 semester
ÖH (Austrian Student Union) fee
€ 22.70 / semester
Language of instruction
Englisch
FH campus
  • Villach

General Study Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curriculum

Profile of the study program

Applied R&D and cooperations 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 degree program is emphasized by a project module, spanning semester 1 to 3. Students design an integrated circuit in small teams and implement a testchip. After fabrication, samples of the testchip 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.

Engineering & IT is an unbelievably fascinating field of applied sciences. This area is characterized mainly by creativity, innovation and design. Engineering & IT is furthermore a rapidly developing area, crucial for the economic development of a region.

The students of the School of Engineering & IT should demonstrate strengths in the following areas:

  • technical understanding,
  • reasoning power,
  • good English, mathematics and computer skills,
  • creativity,
  • enjoyment of innovative developments.

The Bachelor Degree Programs of the CUAS School of Engineering & IT can generally be sought without subject-specific educational background. Lots of interest, commitment and of course the possession of a general university entrance qualification are sufficient.

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

  • have broad knowledge in the design and modelling 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 testchip samples in the lab.

Current courses - Integrated Systems and Circuits Design

LectureTypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
Basics in Systems and Circuits Theory ILV 2,0 2,5 M-ISCD-1.06
Design of Analog Integrated Circuits ILV 5,0 7,5 M-ISCD-1.04
Design of Digital Integrated Circuits ILV 4,0 6,0 M-ISCD-1.02
Integrated Circuits Technology ILV 2,0 3,0 M-ISCD-1.03
Introduction to Computer Aided Design ILV 4,0 6,0 M-ISCD-1.01
Introduction to Project PT 2,0 3,0 M-ISCD-1.05
Compulsory optional subject: Foreign Language 1TypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
German 1 SE 2,0 2,0 M-ISCD-1.07c
LectureTypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
IC Evaluation PT 1,5 2,5 M-ISCD-3.02
System Modeling and Verification - Analog ILV 2,0 3,0 M-ISCD-3.07
Testing of Integrated Circuits ILV 3,5 4,5 M-ISCD-3.01
Compulsory optional subject: Elective Courses 1TypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
Analog and Mixed Signal ICs for Communication Systems ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.03
Integrated Data Converters ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.05
Special Topics in VLSI/SoC/SiP Design - 1 ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.06
System-on-Chip Architectures ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.04
Compulsory optional subject: Elective Courses 2TypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
Integrated Sensors for Automotive Applications ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.09
Special Topics in VLSI/SoC/SiP Design - 2 ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.11
LectureTypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
Advanced Topics in Analog Integrated Circuits ILV 5,0 7,5 M-ISCD-2.01
Computer Aided Design ILV 2,0 3,0 M-ISCD-2.03
Digital Design with HDL ILV 5,0 7,5 M-ISCD-2.04
IC Design and Implementation PT 4,0 5,5 M-ISCD-2.05
System Modeling and Verification - Digital ILV 3,0 4,5 M-ISCD-2.02
LectureTypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
Master Thesis MT 0,0 24,0 M-ISCD-4.01
Master Thesis - Seminar ILV 4,0 6,0 M-ISCD-4.02
LectureTypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
IC Evaluation PT 1,5 2,5 M-ISCD-3.02
System Modeling and Verification - Analog ILV 2,0 3,0 M-ISCD-3.07
Testing of Integrated Circuits ILV 3,5 4,5 M-ISCD-3.01
Compulsory optional subject: Elective Courses 1TypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
Analog and Mixed Signal ICs for Communication Systems ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.03
Integrated Data Converters ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.05
Special Topics in VLSI/SoC/SiP Design - 1 ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.06
System-on-Chip Architectures ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.04
Compulsory optional subject: Elective Courses 2TypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
Advanced Topics in Digital Integrated Circuits ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.08
Arithmetic Modules for VLSI/SoC Design ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.10
Integrated Sensors for Automotive Applications ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.09
Smart Power ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.12
Special Topics in VLSI/SoC/SiP Design - 2 ILV 3,5 5,0 M-ISCD-3.11
LectureTypeSPPSECTS-CreditsCourse number
Master Thesis MT 0,0 24,0 M-ISCD-4.01
Master Thesis - Seminar ILV 4,0 6,0 M-ISCD-4.02

Research in the study program

Research and development make an important contribution to transforming broad university knowledge into practical application solutions and to promoting cooperation between companies and universities.
 

More on ISCD

Providing future microchip design engineers with holistic problem-solving skills

Carinthia University of Applied Sciences uses Siemens EDA (electronic design automation) software, hardware, and services, to enable students to master complex semiconductor design.

“Our students create their own integrated circuit, performing all the required steps from requirement specification to design and verification to prototype chip production and test. This makes them knowl¬edgeable about all stages of IC design so they are less prone to fall into the traps.”, as of Johannes Sturm - Head of the Master Degree Program “Integrated Systems and Circuits Design” at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

Using Siemens EDA solutions for design verification during the integrated systems and circuits design master’s course makes it easier for CUAS students to master the rapidly increasing complexity of integrated circuitry.

HERE you can read the full report from SIEMENS.


CUAS is an active member of Accellera Systems Initiative – which is an independent, not-for profit organization dedicated to create, support, promote, and advance system-level design, modeling, and verification standards for use by the worldwide electronics industry. You will find an overview of the available education and university programs teaching SystemC here: systemc.org/resources/education/

Good to know

Are you interested in studying at the CUAS?

We give you tips for the perfect study entry and help you from your application through scholarships to housing search.

You need tips for everyday student life?

If you are already in the middle of studying, we would like to show you the student life on campus from its most beautiful side. Projects, FH events, Erasmus and ÖH-reports can also be found here.

As a graduate, enjoy the benefits of our alumni service

For graduates we have the latest news about job platforms, career fairs and all news about ALUMNI.

Job & Career

ICDS graduates can work as specialists for Austrian as well as international companies in the field of 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 the application support (e.g. PCB design), as well as test and product engineering.

Several companies working in the field of microelectronics are located in the south of Austria, in or within short distance of Villach. These are, in alphabetical order:

A microelectronic cluster provides a network of companies, r&d as well as educational organisations

The author of this page is not responsible for the contents of any links given here.

The successful completion of the master program in turn qualifies the graduate to undertake a doctorate.

alt text
Alumniprofile ISCD

Florida Dervishi

Florida Dervishi knew that she was going to be an engineer, so she decided to start master studies in Integrated Systems and Circuit Design (ISCD),…

Statements

“In the last decades several High Tech Companies did settle down in the South of Austria, in Carinthia. I started my career over here in the end Nineties.
In my former job, as Manager at INTEL Austria, and also now, as Site Manager of MaxLinear Austria, I appreciate a lot the excellent cooperation with Fachhochschule Kärnten, especially with the ISCD team. Learning at the ISCD gives the student the chance to get in touch with people from world class companies in the field of Semiconductor Design and Manufacturing. Graduating at ISCD does mean that you will be best prepared for an exciting and excellent paid job in the High Tech Semiconductor Industry. This statement does get underlined by the fact that several employees from MaxLinear Austria went this way – from ISCD Master Program directly to our team, working with us on leading edge Communication IC product development projects.”

Peter Pessl, Commercial Manager MaxLinear Austria GmbH
www.maxlinear.com

Faculty and Staff - Integrated Systems and Circuits Design

Head of Degree Program Integrated Systems and Circuits Design, Professor of Microelectronics/Analog Design

FH-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.

 Johannes Sturm
Student Support Services

Mag.a

 Elizabeth Maggauer-Hoffmann
Planning of Schedules and Rooms
 Carina Jellitsch
Professor of Interated Circuit Design
 Sahar Sarafi, Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Aided VLSI Designs

Dr.-Ing.

 Michael Köberle
Senior Researcher/Lecturer
 Vinayak Hande, Ph.D.
Professor

FH-Prof.in Mag.a

 Sabine Spanz
+43 (0)5 90500-4112
s.spanz[at]fh-kaernten[dot]at

Hauptplatz 12
9560 Feldkirchen in Kärnten
Professor of Slovenian

Mag.a

 Katarina Fürst
+43 (0)5 90500-4222
k.fuerst[at]fh-kaernten[dot]at

Hauptplatz 12
9560 Feldkirchen in Kärnten
Research Assistant
 Shilpa Shyam, M.Eng. B.E.
Project Staff
Project Assistant
 Jagadish VAIBHAV, MSc
Key Researcher
 Subrahmanyam BOYAPATI

DI (FH)

 Wolfgang Scherr

Dr.-Ing.

 Santiago Martin Sondón

Campus

Campus Villach

Europastraße 4
9524 Villach, Austria

+43 5 90500 7700 
villach[at]fh-kaernten[dot]at

Explore Campus Villach on a 360° Tour.

Make a virtual walk through the Science & Energy Labs – T10.