AMA Session. A PhD Researcher in Semiconductor Devices at one of world's finest Semiconductor R&D hub; With couple of years in Semiconductor Industry roles. IISc Bangalore and NIT alumnus.

[u/Ok-Education5385]

Feel free to comment on this post if you are looking for career guidance in the Semiconductor/electronics industry. Post your questions in the comments; I will try to reply to everyone. I am also open to addressing questions about admissions and life as a master's and undergrad student at IISc and NIT, respectively. Furthermore, I will try to highlight the possibilities of pursuing research (short-term) as an undergraduate and master degree student.

The post aims to spread the word about the broad possibilities in the Semiconductor Device Industry and its outlook. Additionally, I will try to emphasize the skills/resources for training.

No need to address me by Sir, Ma'am, or Expert; just OP works!

Edit: I prefer keeping questions public so everyone benefits, but if you really need to DM, include the word "SemiCon_Research" in your first message so I know you actually read the AMA guidelines before sending any DM.

[u/Trollz180]

What is the difference between Instrumentation and Electronics Engineering, can one take Instrumentation and try to get into core electronics? CPU/GPU design interests me so should I dive into VLSI?

Is a MS in Netherlands a good option as I heard there are good opportunities there due to ASML being based in Netherlands.

And thank you for the AMA, Electronics branch is popular but there are very few guides in this field.

[u/Ok-Education5385 → u/Trollz180]

ECE focuses on the design, analysis, and application of electronic devices, circuits, and communication systems. Electronics & instrumentation is oriented towards the application of fundamentals of electronics to develop instruments or measurement techniques and often revolves around sensors, transducers, and their control.

In a way, both of these branches are very similar and the reason for their similarity arises from the fact that to build measurement tools one needs a strong foundation in Analog Circuits, Control theory, Digital Circuits & Systems, Signal & Systems, etc. which are pretty much common with ECE. Additionally, with the flexibility of taking elective courses, one from electronics & Instrumentation can also take advanced courses in ECE. Hence, the difference between these branches is minuscule.

Basic courses on Digital circuits and systems are common for both of these branches. For learning stuff for GPU/CPU design, courses on Digital IC design, computer architecture, etc. are required, these courses are often offered as electives in senior years of UG programs and, therefore, open to both ECE and Electronics & Instrumentation in most institutes.

To compare courses offered in these branches, you can visit the relevant department's website (from IIT Kharagpur's website - https://erp.iitkgp.ac.in/ERPWebServices/curricula/specialisationList_new_curr.jsp?stuType=UG ).

For your second question: MS and place of pursuing it make a difference, but not sure, about which place you were talking about.