Course Overview
Silicon photonics, semiconductor chip manufacturing, and nanotechnology are transforming our daily lives in amazing ways—from powering smartphones and computers to advancing medical devices that make treatments less invasive and more effective. Through this course, students will explore the fascinating applications of these technologies, learning how nanotechnology helps create innovative products and how silicon photonics uses light to transmit information at incredible speeds. They will be introduced to the step-by-step processes used to manufacture semiconductor chips, with hands-on activities that mirror real industry practices such as the photolithography process and plasma creation. To bring the learning experience to life, students may also have the opportunity to visit a local semiconductor chip manufacturing facility on a field trip, providing an inspiring glimpse into real-world operations.
By the end of the course, students will understand how these technologies are shaping the future and preparing them for potential careers in a field booming with opportunities, especially due to the CHIPS Act, which has fueled job growth and demand for skilled workers in advanced technology and manufacturing sectors. This course is designed to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and equip students with the foundational knowledge they need to pursue further studies or careers in semiconductor chip design and manufacturing sectors.
All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University noncredit transcript.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the basic concepts and applications of nanotechnology and its impact on daily life.
- Explain the principles of silicon photonics and how it is used to transmit and process information.
- Give an overview of semiconductor chip manufacturing processes, including photolithography and cleanroom practices.
- Elaborate on the properties of nanomaterials and explain why they behave differently at the nanoscale.
- Identify the key steps involved in fabricating and characterizing nanomaterials.
- Apply hands-on practices that simulate semiconductor chip manufacturing industry techniques and processes.
- Demonstrate awareness of career pathways and industry opportunities in the semiconductor and photonics fields, particularly those created by the CHIPS Act.
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: TBD
Format: On Campus (at Syracuse University)
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior status – or a 2025 high school graduate.
Credit: Noncredit
Grading: Pass/Fail
Cost:
- Residential: $4,295
- Commuter: $3,318
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – On Campus: Experience what college is really like: take a college-level course, live in a residence hall, have meals with friends in a dining hall, and participate in activities and events on campus.
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College – On Campus | 2- Week Session I: Sunday, July 6 – Friday, July 18, 2025 | MTWThF 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Noncredit |
To see if this course is ‘open,’ refer to the full course catalog.
Course Requirements
Required Supplies
Please know that any supply purchases are not included in the overall tuition fee. Students will need to budget for additional course supplies, textbooks, supply kits, etc.
A laptop is required for this course.
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
AM Session (9:00 a.m. – Noon)
- 9 – 9:15 a.m.: Icebreaker activity such as “”Why are we learning about the photolithography””
- 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.: Experiment showcase/visual demonstrations such as “”Vaporizing wax under vacuum and transfer that wax through a shadow mask onto a substrate”” using a portable vacuum trainer.
- 10:15 – 10:30 a.m.: Break
- 10:30 a.m. – Noon: Guided lab activity: Students mimic the process of photolithography used for microscale and nanoscale pattern transfer, create their own photomasks and transfer patterns utilizing spin coated nail polish as photoresist.
(Noon – 1 p.m.: Lunch)
PM Session (1:00 PM – 4:00)
- 1 – 1:15 p.m.: Recap of the morning lab and discussion how is photolithography process used in semiconductor chip manufacturing.
- 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Interactive lecture about the photolithography process, materials and techniques used, and the role it plays in a broader context of semiconductor industry.
- 2:30 – 2:45 p.m.: Break
- 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.: Group activity such as “How will semiconductor chip manufacturing for AI applications impact our lives?”—students discuss and present potential impacts on different industries.
- 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.: Recap of key concepts learned throughout the day.
When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College – On Campus activities to meet and connect with other students! Check out our On Campus Experience page for more information!
Faculty Bio
Moamer Hasanovic
With over two decades of industry experience, Dr. Hasanovic has held key roles as a principal engineer in multiple organizations with research interests and expertise in RF component design and integration of RF and photonics for commercial, military, and space markets. He authored or co-authored over 30 conference and journal articles and three textbooks in electrical engineering. Dr. Hasanovic serves as the principal investigator on EdQuantum, an NSF-funded project whose goal is to develop and disseminate a three-course curriculum in quantum technologies and to raise public awareness about the transformative impact of quantum technologies on our daily lives, aiming to make this complex field more accessible to a broader audience including high school students.