Engineering

Work-Study Post-Diploma (Specialist Diploma in Semiconductor Manufacturing)

Open for Registration

Course Type

SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes

Specialist Diplomas

Engineering

Electronics

This Work-Study Programme (WSP) provides an avenue for fresh polytechnic graduates to deepen their skills and knowledge for a career in the semiconductor industry.

This course is open for registration. Apply here.

Two masked scientists in blue suits work on equipment with computer screens in a lab.

About course 

Course overview

Electronics manufacturing is a major industry underpinning Singapore’s economic growth and is an important contributor to Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product. With many of the world’s semiconductor MNCs, such as GlobalFoundries, Micron, SSMC, UMC, VIS, having set up and expanded their operations in Singapore, the career opportunities in this sector are excellent.

This Work-Study Programme (WSP) provides an avenue for fresh polytechnic graduates to deepen their skills and knowledge for a career in the semiconductor industry. Suitable candidates will be matched with a relevant job offered by a WSP partner company. Possible job roles include:

Assistant Equipment Engineer
Assistant Facilities Engineer
Assistant Integration Engineer
Assistant Process Engineer
Assistant Product Engineer
Assistant Quality Engineer

The Work-Study Post-Diploma aims to provide a pathway for career development and further education through two Post-Diploma Certificates (PDCs), equipping you with comprehensive knowledge and skills in the following core areas:

Integrated Circuit (IC) Design
Process integration
Product yield engineering
Quality assurance
IC packaging
Reliability and failure analysis

Eligible participants who complete the WSP will receive $5,000 incentive and be awarded a Specialist Diploma in Semiconductor Manufacturing.

Course objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of the functional domains within the spectrum of semiconductor manufacturing
Apply core knowledge of analogue and digital electronics in the design as well as layout of integrated circuits
Examine process integration schemes and advanced packaging techniques of various silicon-based devices
Illustrate various integrated circuit reliability and failure mechanisms in modern integrated circuits
Analyse and improve processes using control and risk management methodologies
Develop solutions to optimise the yield and reliability of wafer fabrication

Target audiences

Fresh polytechnic graduates who are working in, or keen on joining, the semiconductor industry.

Course structure

Specialist Diploma in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Post-Diploma Certificate in Semiconductor Design and Fabrication

Module name	Module synopsis
Integrated Analogue and Digital Circuit Design	This module provides students with a foundational understanding of both digital and analogue integrated circuit design principles. Within the digital domain, it covers areas such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverter, logic gates, and the application of these building blocks in sequential, static, and dynamic logic circuits, and digital system design. For analogue circuits, the module explores the design of devices in bipolar- and CMOS-based applications, encompassing current mirrors, operational amplifiers, and differential amplifiers.
Semiconductor Fabrication	This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the front-end of the Line and back-end of the line process integration flow of diverse silicon-based devices. These include field effect transistors, memories, photonics, and micro-electromechanical systems, alongside advanced packaging techniques employed in modern Integrated Circuits (ICs). Students will have the opportunity to enhance their comprehension of semiconductor fabrication and nanotechnology applications by exploring the utilisation of nanomaterials and nanofabrication techniques used in modern IC development.

Post-Diploma Certificate in Semiconductor Reliability and Risk Management

Module name	Module synopsis
Semiconductor Process Risk and Yield Management	In this module, students will learn the concept of process risk and its impact, enabling them to identify problems and apply root cause analysis methods. They will also understand the role of process optimisation and the design of experiments for systematic improvement, while gaining insights into key process parameters. Additionally, they will recognise the importance of yield modelling and strategies for yield improvement, and basic yield management techniques. They will comprehend the significance of statistical methods in process monitoring and control, providing them with a strong foundation to contribute effectively to semiconductor manufacturing processes, defect prevention, and yield improvement initiatives.
Semiconductor Reliability and Failure	This module offers insights into the broad spectrum of reliability concerns inherent in semiconductor integrated circuits, encompassing failure models and distribution. Students will delve into specific device-level and package-level failure mechanisms, including gate oxide breakdown, hot carrier degradation, time-dependent dielectric breakdown, electromigration, as well as die and wire bonding failure.
Project	This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an individual project to apply what they have learnt and deepen their understanding of topics related to semiconductor manufacturing. Students may choose to work on projects curated by their companies that are aligned closely with the course curriculum.

Entry requirements

WSP Eligibility

Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents who are:

within three years of graduation from the Polytechnics or the Operational Ready Date (ORD) for full-time National Servicemen, or
within five years of graduation from the Polytechnics, and if their employer is a participating company.

Course Entry Requirement

Applicants should preferably be a graduate of a feeder programme as listed here.

Admission will be reviewed and approved by the polytechnic on a case-by-case basis.

Conditional Offer

A graduating student (in their final academic year) from a local polytechnic may apply for the programme.

Click here [PDF, 163 KB] for more information on how to apply for the programme and receive a Conditional Offer.

Interested applicants may submit their interest via https://for.edu.sg/rp-wsp to be contacted for a job matching opportunity before applying for the course.

Course schedule

Course schedule information

Commencement Date	Duration	Mode and Venue	Schedule	Application Start and End Date
October	Work-study Programme sponsorship period: 1 year	Face-to-face at Republic Polytechnic / Online learning	2 or 3 weekdays (evening) depending on PDC	April intake: Early Jan Oct intake: Last week of May Application outcome will be released at least 3 weeks prior to course commencement

Note: RP reserves the right to reschedule/cancel any programme and amend information without prior notice.

Refer to the Academic Calendar on the Republic Polytechnic website or key dates and important information to help you plan your learning journey.

How to apply?

Click the Apply button to submit your application. You will receive a confirmation once it has been successfully submitted.
If you are unable to attend the current course dates, click Register Interest button to be notified of future intakes.
If the Apply button is not visible, it means applications are currently closed. You can still click Register Interest button to leave your details, and we’ll notify you when the next application window opens.

Company Sponsorship

If your company is sponsoring your course:

Ask your company’s course coordinator to log in to the STEP portal with Corp Pass and create a corporate application link for you.
Use this link to submit your application.
Need help? Check out our step-by-step guide for instructions on using the STEP portal.

Need more information?

Visit the Course Application page for full details on the application process.

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