Department

The Department of Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design and Technology), abbreviated as EE (VLSI D&T), was founded in 2024 at RMK College of Engineering and Technology, located in Puduvoyal, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

This department is committed to advancing the VLSI domain through thorough education, innovative research, and strong industry connections. This specialized new department focuses on the design, verification and testing aspects of VLSI systems that are crucial for developing sophisticated integrated circuits used in various modern electronic devices.

The department’s primary objective is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of VLSI technologies, encompassing the entire lifecycle from conceptual design to final testing. This includes the development of digital and analog integrated circuits, system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and the latest advancements in semiconductor technology.

The B.E. in Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design & Technology) program is designed to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed in the semiconductor industry. It features an industry-oriented curriculum and state-of-the-art laboratories that cover electronics fundamentals, advanced VLSI design methods, and current testing techniques. Students will use industry-standard Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and tackle real-world design and testing challenges.

Additionally, the department emphasizes the development of problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and professional ethics, preparing students for challenging careers in VLSI design and testing. By providing the necessary skills and knowledge, our department is pivotal in shaping the future of Electronics Engineering in VLSI Design and Technology.

Vision

To promote global excellence and innovation in Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design and Technology) to succeed in the semiconductor sector through innovative research, industry collaborations, multidisciplinary education and an ethical approach.

Mission

• To furnish high-caliber education and training, preparing students to adeptly innovate in the field of Electronics Engineering.
• To engage in state-of-the-art electronics research, making significant global contributions to innovation, and building solid partnerships with semiconductor industries.
• To establish a conducive environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, empowering students to address real-world challenges effectively.
• To nurture culturally aware and socially responsible Electronics Engineers dedicated to lifelong learning.

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

PEOs for the B.E. in Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design and Technology) aim to provide students with a multifaceted education in VLSI Design and Technology, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in Electronics Engineering. Upon completion, students will meet the following objectives:

1. PEO 1 — Foundational Knowledge and Technical Skills: Graduates will develop a strong theoretical foundation and gain hands-on experience in designing and testing both analog and digital VLSI circuits.
2. PEO 2 — Advanced Design and Testing Proficiency: Graduates will utilize advanced tools to design and test VLSI systems, and create high-performance solutions that meet industry standards.
3. PEO 3 — Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Graduates will apply innovative problem-solving skills and critical thinking to address design challenges and stay updated with the latest VLSI technology trends.
4. PEO 4 — Professionalism and Collaboration: Graduates will demonstrate ethical awareness and social responsibility as VLSI professionals, enhancing skills and knowledge through collaborative projects and professional development.

Program Outcomes (POs)

Graduates of the B.E. Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design and Technology) program will be able to:

1. Engineering Knowledge: Apply the fundamentals of mathematics, science, and core electronics engineering to analyze and solve complex problems in VLSI design and semiconductor systems.
2. Problem Analysis: Identify, formulate, and analyze complex VLSI and electronic system problems using principles of electronics, device physics, and circuit theory.
3. Design/Development of Solutions: Design analog, digital, and mixed-signal VLSI systems and components that meet specified requirements considering functionality, power, area, cost, speed and reliability.
4. Conduct Investigations of Complex Problems: Conduct experiments and apply modern research methods in circuit simulation, layout design, signal integrity analysis, and verification to derive valid outcomes.
5. Modern Tool Usage: Use industry-standard EDA tools (like Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor Graphics) and computing platforms for design entry, synthesis, simulation, verification, layout, and testing of VLSI systems.
6. The Engineer and Society: Apply contextual knowledge to assess the societal, legal, and ethical implications of VLSI products and technologies, especially in safety-critical contexts.
7. Environment and Sustainability: Understand the environmental impact of semiconductor manufacturing and electronics waste, promoting energy-efficient and sustainable VLSI design solutions.
8. Ethics: Commit to ethical practices and professional responsibilities in the VLSI and electronics engineering domains, including IP rights, data confidentiality, and responsible innovation.
9. Individual and Team Work: Work effectively as an individual and in interdisciplinary teams to deliver complex VLSI and embedded system solutions.
10. Communication: Communicate technical concepts effectively through verbal, visual, and written means to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.
11. Project Management and Finance: Demonstrate project planning, budgeting, and resource management skills in the execution of VLSI and embedded system projects in industrial or research settings.
12. Life-Long Learning: Engage in independent and lifelong learning in emerging semiconductor technologies, verification methodologies, hardware-software co-design, and AI-driven hardware design.

Program Specific Outcomes (PSOs)

1. VLSI Design Proficiency: Apply fundamental and advanced concepts to design, simulate, and implement digital and analog VLSI circuits using industry-standard tools.
2. Embedded and System Integration Skills: Develop integrated hardware-software solutions involving microcontrollers, FPGAs, and ASICs for real-world electronic applications.
3. Industry-Readiness and Innovation: Demonstrate the ability to solve semiconductor industry challenges through project-based learning, research aptitude, and collaboration with industry partners like Tech Mahindra.
4. Ethical Engineering and Lifelong Learning: Demonstrate commitment to ethical engineering practices, professional responsibility, and continuous learning by engaging in interdisciplinary projects, industry collaborations, and adapting to emerging trends in semiconductor and VLSI domains.

Why Choose B.E. in Electronics Engineering (VLSI D&T)?

1. High Demand, Global Careers: VLSI professionals are in high demand globally with companies like Intel, Qualcomm, AMD, NVIDIA, and Samsung hiring engineers for chip design, verification, and semiconductor development.
2. National Growth & Government Support: India’s semiconductor mission, backed by initiatives like Semicon India and Make in India, is opening doors to jobs in chip design, manufacturing, and electronics innovation.
3. Competitive Salaries & Career Advancement: Technical expertise in VLSI leads to lucrative roles and rapid career growth in areas like AI hardware, 5G chipsets, and autonomous electronics.
4. Diverse Career Opportunities: Graduates can pursue core VLSI roles, fabrication/device roles, testing & reliability, research & innovation, and techno-managerial positions across MNCs, startups, and design houses.

Why EE (VLSI D&T) at RMK College of Engineering and Technology?

• State-of-the-art Infrastructure: Well-equipped laboratories tailored for VLSI design, simulation, and verification. Access to world-class EDA tools (Cadence, Synopsys, Xilinx, Ansys, Silvaco, Siemens, Keysight) facilitated by the Chips to Startup (C2S) initiative by MeitY, Government of India.
• Expert Faculty and Mentors: A dedicated faculty team combining academic excellence with practical industry exposure. 40% of the curriculum is delivered by industry professionals, providing real-world insights and hands-on projects.
• Strategic Industry Collaborations: Partnerships with semiconductor and EDA companies for guest lectures, mentorships, and collaborative projects that bridge classroom learning and industry requirements.
• AI-Powered Learning Platforms: Integration of AI-enabled tools and coding platforms to enhance learning, continuous assessment, and personalized learning paths.
• Entrepreneurial Support & Innovation Culture: Students are encouraged to pursue innovation, IP creation and entrepreneurship with support from the C2S initiative for mentoring, prototyping and funding opportunities.