Chip Fabrication and Nano Characterization Certificate Program
Chip Fabrication & Nano Characterization Certificate
Master the science of advanced
semiconductor manufacturing
The VAST Semiconductor Chip Fabrication and Nano Characterization Certificate Program prepares students for semiconductor, nanotechnology, and microelectronics industry careers.
Transform raw materials into advanced semiconductor devices. Learn the same processes used by leading manufacturers through training with state-of-the-art equipment at Virginia's premier university facilities. The program includes equipment maintenance training, equipping students with basic skills to maintain and troubleshoot fabrication tools and systems. Students will learn about the principles and processes used by large semiconductor manufacturers as well as semiconductor startups.
Choose Your Learning Path:
- Path A: Hands-on training with lab experience (100 hours total)
- Path B: Comprehensive theory lectures only (40 hours total)
- Path C: Hands-on training only - requires Path B completion (60 hours total)
Registration is now open for the Fall 2025 Session:
SEPTEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 21, 2025
Our Certificates Are Now Backed by
IEEE Microcredentials
NEW! We are proud to announce our first ever online only version of the FTSC Program (Lectures Only - Path B). With this program, students who are not available to take in-person classes during the session can take the first half of the certificate program remotely. A full certification will require in-person, hands-on lab only portion, which is also available now. See below tab for more details.
**REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 1st
Choose the Right Path for Your Goals
| Path A: Lectures + Labs | Path B: Lectures Only | Path C: Labs Only | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Hours | 100 hours (40 lectures + 60 labs) | 40 hours (lectures only) | 60 hours (labs only) |
| Lab Access | ✅ State-of-the-art equipment training | ❌ No hands-on component | ✅ Extensive hands-on training |
| Prerequisites | High School Diploma | High School Diploma | Successful completion of Path B |
| Career Focus | Entry-level technician and engineering roles | Research, support, and theoretical roles | Entry-level technician and engineering roles |
| Tuition | $5,000 ($600 military, $2,000 students/teachers) | $2,000 ($100 military, $700 students/teachers) | $3,000 ($450 military, $1,500 students/teachers) |
Students will learn how to design, fabricate, and test advanced semiconductor chips through extensive hands-on training. Students will learn about the principles and processes used by large semiconductor manufacturers as well as semiconductor startups.
FALL 2025 SESSION: SEPT 8 - NOV 21, 2025
10-Week Curriculum:
- Semiconductor fabrication cleanroom orientation and safety
- Metrology
- Lithography
- Thin film deposition
- Etching techniques
- High-temperature processing
- Wafer bonding
- Integrated processes
- Advanced characterization techniques
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
Having completed this program, students will be able to:
- Safely work in a semiconductor fabrication cleanroom
- Design parts of the semiconductor fabrication process flow
- Understand the different types of vacuum technologies
- Transfer a pattern from a mask to a wafer using photolithography
- Carryout thin-film deposition
- Perform basic thin-film analysis such as thickness and optical properties measurements
- Learn and perform basic etching techniques
- Analyze the semiconductor product through advanced imaging techniques
- Perform basic maintenance and calibration of semiconductor fabrication equipment
- Troubleshoot common equipment issues and understand preventive maintenance protocols
- Interpret equipment logs and diagnostics to ensure optimal tool performance
The courses will consist of two asynchronous lectures and one in-person lab per week.
Lab Locations:
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Lab Option 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-11am
Lap Option 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Lab Option 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-11am
Lap Option 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Lab Option 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm
Lab Option 2: Tuesdays and Thusdays 2pm-5pm
Old Dominion University, Norfolk
Lab Option: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
George Mason University, Manassas
Lab Option: Mondays 9am-1pm and Wednesday 10am-12pm
Questions? Please contact us at info@vast-alliance.org
FALL 2025 SESSION: SEPT 8 - NOV 21, 2025
Upon completion of this program, students will have gained knowledge and understanding of semiconductor chip fabrication, including the following:
- The principles and safety procedures involved in semiconductor fabrication cleanrooms
- The design and processes involved in the semiconductor fabrication process flow
- The different types of vacuum technologies used in the semiconductor industry
- The process of transferring patterns from masks to wafers using photolithography
- The fundamentals of thin-film deposition
- Basic principles of thin-film analysis, such as thickness and optical properties measurements
- Theoretical understanding of etching techniques used in semiconductor production
- Advanced imaging techniques used for semiconductor product analysis
The courses will consist of two to three asynchronous lectures and one virtual lab demonstration per week.
Lectures: Asynchronous, requiring completion of specific modules every week.
Questions? Please contact us at info@vast-alliance.org
The semiconductor Chip Fabrication and Nano Characterization certificate program - Path C prepares students for semiconductor, nanotechnology, and electronics industry careers through extensive hands-on training on state-of-the-art techniques used to develop today’s most advanced semiconductor chips. The program includes equipment maintenance training, equipping students with basic skills to maintain and troubleshoot fabrication tools and systems. This path is only available for students who have successfully completed Path B.
FALL 2025 SESSION: SEPT 8 - NOV 21, 2025
Outcomes
Students will learn how to design, fabricate, and test advanced semiconductor chips through extensive hands-on training. Students will learn about the principles and processes used by large semiconductor manufacturers as well as semiconductor startups.
Having completed this program, students will be able to:
- Safely work in a semiconductor fabrication cleanroom
- Design parts of the semiconductor fabrication process flow
- Understand the different types of vacuum technologies
- Transfer a pattern from a mask to a wafer using photolithography
- Carryout thin-film deposition
- Perform basic thin-film analysis such as thickness and optical properties measurements
- Learn and perform basic etching techniques
- Analyze the semiconductor product through advanced imaging techniques
- Perform basic maintenance and calibration of semiconductor fabrication equipment
- Troubleshoot common equipment issues and understand preventive maintenance protocols
- Interpret equipment logs and diagnostics to ensure optimal tool performance
Agenda/Schedule
The certificate program will be 10 weeks and will include up to 60 hours of hands-on, in-person lab training. The course consists of 10 modules:
- Semiconductor fabrication cleanroom orientation and safety
- Metrology
- Lithography
- Thin film deposition
- Etching techniques
- High-temperature processing
- Wafer bonding
- Integrated Processes
- Advanced characterization techniques
- Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Labs will be held in person at multiple locations in Virginia. Labs may also be available multiple times. Choose one lab option during registration.
Lab Locations:
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Lab Option 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-11am
Lap Option 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Lab Option 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-11am
Lap Option 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Lab Option 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm
Lab Option 2: Tuesdays and Thusdays 2pm-5pm
Old Dominion University, Norfolk
Lab Option: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
George Mason University, Manassas
Lab Option: Mondays 9am-1pm and Wednesday 10am-12pm
Questions? Please contact us at info@vast-alliance.org
Discounts Offered
We are proud to serve our Virginia community and are extending a few discount options for the following:
**NOTE: Codes are Case Sensitive
Lectures & Labs:
Discount code: VSCFfc25st
This 60% discount code is for: Highschool graduates, Community college students, Bachelors level students, Masters level students, PhD students, and Teachers. Limited to Virginia Residents.
Discount code: VSCFfc25mil
This 88% discount code is for: Active duty military, Veterans, Military Reserve, Military spouse and immediate family. Limited to Virginia Residents.
Lectures Only:
Discount code: VSCFle25st
This 65% discount code is for: Highschool graduates, Community college students, Bachelors level students, Masters level students, PhD students, and Teachers. Limited to Virginia Residents.
Discount code: VSCFle25mil
This 95% discount code is for: Active duty military, Veterans, Military Reserve, Military spouse and immediate family. Limited to Virginia Residents.
*May be required to show a valid ID with your status as student, teacher or military connected for all discounts.
Roles You’ll Be Ready For
Participants who have successfully completed the full certification will be ready for entry-level engineering and technician positions in the semiconductor, nanotechnology and microelectronics industry after the program is completed.
Those who have only completed Path B will be prepared for roles that require a theoretical understanding of semiconductor fabrication, including positions in semiconductor manufacturing, research, and support roles.
REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE
Lab training for this cohort will be available at:
