TxACE Summer Institute 2020

Integrated circuit (IC) or microchip design is a fascinating field of electronics engineering. The University of Texas at Dallas is pleased to offer the Integrated Circuit Design Institute for high school juniors. Students will apply scientific and economic knowledge to solve problems, design and program neural network systems, and create their own microchips. The summer institute combines a college level class and lab curriculum with field trips, guest lectures and hands-on activities.

Location: SPN 1.115 and SPN 1.121
Dates: June 1 – 19, 2020 and July 27 – Aug. 7, 2020
Classes will be held Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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Morning Session (Classroom)

Morning sessions consist of lectures and field trips. This broad classroom experience is designed to explore the practicalities of IC design.

Afternoon Session (Lab)

Throughout the first three weeks, students will work in small groups during the afternoons to solve real-world problems. Each team will design, simulate and lay out their microchip.

Field Trips

University research wafer fabrication
Texas Instruments wafer fabrication
University research laboratory (TxACE)

During the mid-summer break, these designs will be processed into silicon ICs that the students will evaluate and field test during the two-weeks concluding the summer. Students will be evaluated on the operation of their project and on the final report of their design.

Lecture Topics

  • Introduction to Integrated Circuits
  • Ethics and Engineering
  • Digital Logic Design
  • Analog IC Design
  • Memory IC Design
  • Neural Networks
  • IC Layout
  • Test
  • Arduino Programming

Program Fees

The 2020 program fee is $5,000, including integrated circuit materials and lunch. Need-based assistance is available.

If you are applying for a scholarship, you must complete the online financial aid form with supporting documents, typically 1040 and W2 tax forms, which can be uploaded as part of the online application or mailed to [Address here].

Eligibility

To be eligible for this institute, students should:

  • Be a current junior in high school (graduating in 2021)
  • Have an academic average of B+ (3.3/4.0) or better, with As or Bs in high school math and science
  • Successfully complete Algebra II and a lab science course in Physics
  • Successfully complete a course with trigonometric functions. Students must be able to use trigonometric functions and apply the laws of sines and cosines to non-right angle triangles.

In order to apply to the Summer Institute, students must complete an online application and submit the following supplemental information:

  • Essay
  • Transcript
  • Test Scores
  • Teacher Recommendation

Insurance Requirements

All students must have valid health insurance coverage in the United States and must be able to provide proof of insurance upon enrollment in the program.