Title: Introduction to Very Large-Scale Integration Design

Location: US

Company: King's College London

About this course:
Integrated circuits (ICs) are at the heart of every electronic device we use today, from smartphones to spacecraft. But how are these tiny, powerful systems created?
Introduction to VLSI provides a comprehensive beginner-friendly look into the world of Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI). You’ll follow the entire chip design journey, starting with silicon purification and wafer creation, through to digital logic, chip packaging, and modern industry tools.
Explore the historical evolution of computing hardware, from vacuum tubes to transistors and Moore’s Law. Learn how modern chips are developed using Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, and discover how technologies like ASICs, FPGAs, CMOS, and MOSFETs power our digital lives.
Through engaging videos and clearly explained technical concepts, you’ll gain confidence with essential terminology such as ASICs, FPGAs, HDL, RTL, CMOS, MOSFETs, and GDSII files, and understand their real-world applications.
The course breaks down complex topics into intuitive, engaging explanations with real-world context. Whether you’re a student, engineer, or tech enthusiast, this course opens the gateway to chip design and the future of electronics.

Describe the silicon purification and wafer preparation process

Understand photolithography, doping, and IC packaging

Trace the evolution of computers and integrated circuits

Explain the role of transistors and Moore’s Law

Identify key stages in the VLSI design flow

Differentiate between front-end and back-end chip design

Use HDL and RTL terminology with confidence

Explain the role of GDSII files in fabrication

Recognize the functions of ASICs, FPGAs, CMOS, and MOSFETs

Understand how EDA tools automate chip design

From atoms to architecture - explore the world of Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI). A beginner’s course on how modern chips are designed, fabricated, and packaged.

Duration: 6 weeks

Skills:
- Autodesk Mechanical Desktop
- Chip Design
- Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)
- Digital Logic
- Electronic Design Automation
- Enterprise Desktop Administrator (Microsoft Certified IT Professional)
- Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
- Hardware Description Language (HDL)
- Packaging And Labeling
- Smartphone Operation
- Spacecraft
- Transistor
- Vacuum Tube
- Very-Large-Scale Integration

Curriculum:
- Describe the silicon purification and wafer preparation process
- Understand photolithography, doping, and IC packaging
- Trace the evolution of computers and integrated circuits
- Explain the role of transistors and Moore’s Law
- Identify key stages in the VLSI design flow
- Differentiate between front-end and back-end chip design
- Use HDL and RTL terminology with confidence
- Explain the role of GDSII files in fabrication
- Recognize the functions of ASICs, FPGAs, CMOS, and MOSFETs

- Understand how EDA tools automate chip design