B. Tech. VLSI Design and Technology

Program Details

The B.Tech. VLSI Design and Technology program at the UPES School of Advanced Engineering is tailored to provide students with a strong foundation in microelectronics, focusing on the design and fabrication of next-generation integrated circuits and chips. With a core emphasis on low-power chip design, the program addresses the growing need for high-performance, energy-efficient, and memory-optimised devices in today’s tech-driven world.

Students will gain in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge methodologies, including Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing processes. These techniques empower them to design, simulate, and synthesise chips that are ‘ready-to-manufacture.’ By immersing themselves in these advanced practices, students will develop expertise in every stage of chip fabrication, from concept to production, through hands-on experience and practical learning.

Upon completing the BTech VLSI program, graduates will be equipped to excel in the semiconductor industry, tackling challenges in the design of energy-efficient chips for sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and more. This program prepares students to drive innovation in microelectronics and contribute to the development of transformative technologies shaping the future.

Program Highlights

Ideal for Aspiring Engineers: Designed for students passionate about microelectronics, semiconductor devices, and circuit design, BTech in VLSI program lays the groundwork for a successful career in the growing chip design and manufacturing industries.

Industry-Focused Tools: Gain hands-on experience with leading VLSI design tools like Xilinx, AMD, Cadence, Synopsys, and Mentor Graphics to prepare for professional practice.

Collaborations with Industry: Engage in internships, industrial visits, and partnerships with global semiconductor companies, providing real-world exposure.

Comprehensive Curriculum:

VLSI Design curriculum covers topics ranging from basic circuit design to advanced areas like VLSI fabrication, testing, and System-on-Chip (SoC) integration.
Includes exposure to emerging technologies such as 5G/6G, IoT, AI, and low-power embedded design.

Skill Development:

Technical Skills: Master critical skills like circuit design, layout, and simulation.
Soft Skills: Develop communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities for all-rounded professional growth.

Strategic Alignment: The curriculum is aligned with the India Semiconductor Mission and addresses global placement demands in semiconductor industries and core electronics chip manufacturing.

Future Scope / Industry Trends

The B.Tech VLSI Design and Technology program offers immense potential across both electronics-based hardware and computer-based software industries. The program’s versatility makes it evergreen, catering to the growing demand in service-based sectors spanning microelectronics and software development. Graduates also enjoy the flexibility of pursuing higher studies in either of these two domains.

Upon completing the B. Tech. VLSI Design and Technology program at UPES School of Advanced Engineering, graduates unlock a plethora of promising career paths. Armed with a profound grasp of electrical systems, renewable energy, power electronics, and automation, they are well-prepared for roles across various industries. Lucrative opportunities await in power generation and distribution companies, electrical design and consultancy firms, manufacturing units, automation companies, and research institutions. The program's focus on cutting-edge technologies also equips graduates for roles in renewable energy, smart grid development, electric vehicles, and telecommunications. With a solid foundation and practical experience, UPES graduates are primed to excel in the dynamic field of electrical engineering.

Career Opportunities:

This program equips students for roles in industries such as:

Semiconductors and Microchip Design
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Applications
Telecommunications
Embedded Systems
Software Development
Network Engineering
IT-Enabled Services (ITES)

Emerging Trends:

Graduates will be well-prepared to contribute to cutting-edge advancements, including:

Nanoscale Transistor Design
Multidimensional Integrated Circuits (ICs) and Chip Stacking
Low-Power VLSI Design
AI Accelerators and Hardware Development
AI-Driven Custom Embedded Chips
Chips for Autonomous Vehicles
High-End Communication and IoT Device Design
Automotive VLSI Design and Applications
Photonic Integrated Circuits
Quantum Computing Chips

Career Opportunities

The VLSI Design course equips students for a wide range of specialised roles in the VLSI and semiconductor industries, as well as related fields. Graduates can pursue careers in positions such as:

IC Design Engineer
Verification Engineer
Physical Design Engineer
Application Engineer
CAD Engineer
Analog Design Engineer
Design for Testability (DFT) Engineer
RF Engineer
VLSI Industry Specialist
Analog Design Specialist
FPGA Frontend Designer
Software Developer
Product Engineer
RTL (Register Transfer Level) Design Engineer
Memory Designer
IC Fabrication Engineer
ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) and SoC (System-on-Chip) Design Engineer
Layout Designer

Fee Structure

Click here for detailed Fee Structure.

Eligibility

Students who are interested must fulfill the prescribed minimum eligibility requirements for B. Tech. VLSI Design and Technology Program: Minimum 50% marks in Classes X and XII. with 50% in PCM (Physics/Chemistry and Mathematics) in Class XII.

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria for students who wish to pursue the B. Tech. VLSI Design and Technology program at UPES, depend on the individual's performance in UPESEAT / JEE Mains/ Board Merit / SAT/ CUET.

Further Information

Enquiry Form

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VLSI Design and Technology Engineering?

VLSI (Very Large-Scale Integration) design and technology engineering involves designing and fabricating integrated circuits (ICs) containing millions to billions of transistors on a single chip. It covers digital and analog circuit design, semiconductor technology, and chip fabrication.

Who is eligible to become a VLSI Engineer?

To become a VLSI Engineer, you typically need a B.Tech. or M.Tech. degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Science (CS), or VLSI Design. Strong knowledge of digital electronics, semiconductor physics, and hardware programming (Verilog, VHDL, Python, Tcl) is essential.

Fresh graduates or professionals with experience in semiconductor design, verification, or fabrication can enter this field. If you're interested in pursuing a B.Tech. in VLSI Design and Technology Engineering at UPES, you can apply through UPESEAT (UPES Engineering Aptitude Test) or via JEE Mains scores. UPES also offers direct admission for top-performing students based on 12th board marks with minimum 50% in PCM.

What is the basic salary of a VLSI Engineer?

The salary of a VLSI Engineer in India depends on experience, skills, and the organisation he/she is working with. The salaries offerered for Entry-level (0-2 years): ₹5-10 LPA, Mid-level (3-7 years): ₹10-20 LPA, and Senior/Expert (8+ years): ₹15-30 LPA or more in top semiconductor companies like Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments.

High-demand skills like ASIC/FPGA design, verification, RTL coding (Verilog/VHDL), and semiconductor fabrication can significantly boost salary packages.

Which VLSI field is best?

The best VLSI field depends on individual interest and industry demand. Some of the most popular fields include digital design, physical design, verification, FPGA design, and semiconductor fabrication.
Digital design focuses on creating logic circuits and microarchitectures, while physical design deals with converting RTL code into a manufacturable layout, making it one of the highest-paying roles. Verification ensures chip functionality using advanced techniques like UVM and SystemVerilog, and it is in high demand due to the increasing complexity of modern chips. FPGA design involves developing reconfigurable hardware solutions, while semiconductor fabrication focuses on IC manufacturing and process technology. Among these, verification and physical design are considered the most lucrative and in-demand domains in the semiconductor industry.

Can I learn VLSI on my own?

Yes, you can learn VLSI partially but not completely through online courses, textbooks, and hands-on projects using tools like Verilog, VHDL, and Cadence. You can grasp theoretical concepts, digital design fundamentals, and basic programming, but practical exposure to industry-standard EDA tools and real-world fabrication processes is essential. Without access to advanced tools like Synopsys, Mentor Graphics, and Cadence, mastering the full VLSI development cycle—especially physical design and verification—can be challenging. To gain complete expertise, hands-on training, internships, or formal education in semiconductor design is highly recommended.

Does VLSI need coding?

Yes, VLSI involves coding, primarily in hardware description languages (HDLs) like Verilog and VHDL for designing and simulating digital circuits. Additionally, scripting languages such as Python, Tcl, and Perl are widely used for automation, testing, and design verification. While VLSI is more about hardware design, strong coding skills are essential, especially in areas like RTL design, verification, and physical design automation.

Does VLSI have Maths?

Yes, VLSI requires a strong foundation in mathematics, especially in Boolean algebra, linear algebra, calculus, probability, and optimization techniques. Boolean algebra is essential for logic design, linear algebra is used in signal processing and machine learning applications in VLSI, and calculus plays a role in transistor modeling and circuit analysis. Probability and statistics are crucial for error analysis, yield estimation, and testing, while optimization techniques help in power, performance, and area (PPA) trade-offs in chip design.

Is VLSI a good career?

Yes, VLSI is a lucrative and stable career with a growing demand in the semiconductor, AI hardware, and embedded systems industries. With the rise of advanced processors, AI chips, and IoT devices, the need for skilled VLSI engineers continues to increase. It offers high salaries, strong career growth, and global opportunities in top companies like Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, AMD, and Texas Instruments.