BEng Microelectronics Engineering

We live in an increasingly connected and smart world – the main driver for this growth is innovations in microelectronics engineering that produce high-performance and low-energy integrated circuits (IC) and sensing devices. ICs are found in every aspect of our daily lives starting from mobile phones and computers to automobiles and refrigerators. Many novel applications get enabled by ICs such as smart medical devices like pacemakers for the heart or deep brain stimulators for Parkinson’s disease or graphics processing units to drive a revolution in artificial intelligence research. If you are excited by these topics and want to learn about cutting-edge IC technologies, then you are at the right place!

The aim of the Microelectronics engineering major is to provide students with sound knowledge of the fundamental principles involved in the design and fabrication of integrated circuits (ICs), and a comprehensive understanding of electronics and information technologies. The curriculum includes application-specific IC (ASIC) design for novel applications, nanotechnologies for high-performance devices and microsystems, new designs and materials for ICs, wireless and optical communications, and embedded system design.

Upon completion of the major, students will be sufficiently prepared for employment in various sectors of the electronics industry, and well equipped with fundamental knowledge for pursuing postgraduate studies. In Hong Kong, companies headquartered in Hong Kong Science Park including Huawei, AMASIC, UMEC, REDISH, Infineon, and Solomon Systech have hired many engineers in different areas of microelectronics. There is also a huge demand for engineers skilled in all aspects of semiconductors in the Greater Bay Area as well as globally making this major very timely.

Entrance Requirements for Direct/Non-JUPAS Applicants

To be considered for admission, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements and have studied an engineering-related or a science-related discipline at a high school or post-secondary institution.

For details of the programme curriculum structure, please visit the ‘Undergraduate Catalogue’.

The aim of this major is to provide students with sound knowledge of the fundamental principles involved in the design and fabrication of integrated circuits (ICs), and a comprehensive understanding of electronics and information technologies. The curriculum includes application specific IC (ASIC) design for novel applications, nanotechnologies for high-performance devices and microsystems, new designs and materials for ICs, digital processor, system-on-chip, wireless and optical communications, and embedded system design. Upon completion of the major, students will be sufficiently prepared for employment in various sectors of the microelectronics and electronics industry, and well equipped with fundamental knowledge for pursuing postgraduate studies.

微電子工程學工學士課程為學生提供有關集成電路（IC）設計和製造的基本原理，以及對電子和信息技術的全面理解。課程包括特定應用積體電路(ASIC) 設計、用於高性能設備和微系統的納米技術、用於IC的新設計和材料、數字電路處理器、單晶片系統、無線及光學通訊，以及嵌入式系統設計。完成專業後，學生將為微電子和電子行業各個領域的就業做好充分的準備，並具備攻讀研究生的基礎知識。

The first year of this major includes basic courses in mathematics, physics, electronics, and computing, with hands-on experience in electronics circuits and computer programming.

Core subjects include Engineering Mathematics, Computer Programming, Logic Circuit Design, Electronic Devices and Circuits, Microcomputer Systems, Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Applied Electromagnetics, Embedded System Design, Applied Optoelectronic Devices, VLSI Circuit Design, and Microsystems and Nanotechnology.

The technical electives in the final stage of the major cover specialized subject areas, such as integrated photonics, microelectronics manufacturing, real-time embedded systems, and advanced ICs.

The job opportunity for IC engineers will be strong and will be on a steady growth. Artificial intelligence and 5G technology promise to deliver some of the most exciting challenges on engineering opportunities since the past two decades. Sophisticated and versatile ICs have made commercialization of these technologies possible. The industries have experienced a strong demand on IC design/manufacturing engineers in recent years. But companies globally and locally in Hong Kong are struggling to find enough talent. Locally in Hong Kong, the talent shortfall stems from the severe shortage in training IC engineers in the undergraduate level.

In Hong Kong, companies headquartered in Hong Kong Science Park including Huawei, AMASIC, UMEC, REDISH, Infineon, and Solomon Systech are the major players of IC design and technology. They all together have hired over one thousand IC engineers focusing on different areas. Jobs and demands from these international players are increasing because of the strong global market and the technological hub in the Greater Bay area. Across the border in Shenzhen, there are also huge demand on well-trained IC engineers. 

Placement Schemes

In collaboration with industry, the Department aims to equip students early with real work experience before graduation through different placement schemes. We have Industrial Attachment Scheme (IAS) and Overseas Internship Scheme (OIS), which offer local and overseas summer placement opportunities; and Professional Internship Programme of different durations: 4 months / 8 months / 12 months, providing flexibilities to suit the different needs of students and companies.   
 

International Exchange and Summer Exchange Programme

Uplifting students' global outreach and international competitiveness through student exchange is one of the Department's goals. Since 2015, more than 360 students have been sent out to top universities in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Japan, Korea, mainland China, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK and the USA for semester-long exchange and summer exchange. Unfortunately, due to COVID, the exchange programmes have been affected for years.   
 

Student Learning Support Scheme

Student learning is always the Department's top priority, facilitated by the long-established Student Tutoring Scheme. The scheme aims to nurture good learning skills in our students, particularly during their first and second year with EE. Outstanding senior year students are selected to coach students in their studies through regular meetings and out-of-classroom time. The Scheme has successfully created a positive learning ambience among peers and has been well received among students.  

Each year, approximately 60 scholarships worth over HK$1 million are granted to students in the Department of Electrical Engineering.

Over the years, CityU Electrical Engineering students have won many top prizes in various international, regional and local competitions and award schemes. Click here for more information.

This Department offers four majors in Computer and Data Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Information Engineering, and Microelectronics Engineering. All the long-established majors have been accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), while the design of Microelectronics Engineering curriculum is intended to obtain accreditation by HKIE. Based on the Washington Accord, graduates will receive reciprocal recognition from equivalent bodies in Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Costa Rica, Hong Kong-China, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the UK and the US.

Largest EE department among local universities with 47 professors.

Ranked 20th worldwide and 1st in Hong Kong by subject in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings 2023); 16th worldwide and 1st in Hong Kong by subject in Electrical Engineering (Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities, National Taiwan University Ranking 2022).

Six EE professors have been awarded the Teaching Excellence Award for eight times by the University.

A caring department emphasizing students' well-roundedness apart from their technical know-how through ample co-curricular activities.

Offering four undergraduate programmes, two taught master's programmes and two research degree programmes (currently around 1,400 students in total).

With the support from the Ministry of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves established in 2008 is the first such laboratory in engineering discipline in Hong Kong.

Laboratory space about 5,000 sq. meters.

Undergraduate Catalogue
Department of Electrical Engineering (EE)
College of Engineering
Graduate Employment Statistics
EE Student Achievements
Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
Washington Accord