2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Bridging the Gap: Exploring Semiconductors Exposure and Motivation among Multidisciplinary Engineering Students

Presented at Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Engineering Education Across Diverse Learning Environments

Several educational initiatives are currently underway to address workforce challenges in the semiconductors industry. Assessing students’ exposure to and motivation for semiconductors-related topics is an essential initial step toward recognizing areas where primary efforts should be concentrated. The primary objective of this study is to assess students' awareness and motivation concerning semiconductors in the context of a multidisciplinary introduction to electrical engineering course. Through quantitative analysis and the administration of an existing validated survey instrument, we aim to explore students' exposure to semiconductors-related topics and potential correlations between awareness, motivation, and demographic variables, including gender and class standing.
The instrument was administered to a cohort of 255 students enrolled in a multidisciplinary course covering the fundamentals of electrical engineering. Preliminary data indicates that only 9% of the students in this cohort haven taken a class about semiconductors and only 3% have some interest in pursuing a career in the semiconductors field. The results of this analysis hold several significant implications for engineering education and the semiconductor industry. Firstly, the limited exposure to and interest in semiconductors among engineering students suggest the need for curriculum alignment with the demands of the semiconductor industry and interdisciplinary education. By doing so, we empower students from diverse disciplines to contribute to technological advancements, innovation, and problem-solving fostering a more inclusive, diverse, and well-rounded workforce within the semiconductor sector.

Authors

Dr. Lilianny Virgüez University of Florida [biography]

Lilianny Virgüez is an Instructional Associate Professor within the Engineering Education Department at the University of Florida. With a background in the telecommunications industry, Dr. Virgüez brings valuable practical experience to her academic role. She earned her Ph.D. in Engineering Education and a Master's degree in Management Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech, complementing her Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering.
Dr. Debarati Basu http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6205-8510 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University [biography]

Dr. Debarati Basu is an Assistant Professor in the Engineering Fundamentals Department in the College of Engineering at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the Daytona Beach campus. She earned her Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech (VT). She received her bachelor's and masters in Computer Science and Engineering. Her research is at the intersection of Engineering Education (EE) and Computing Education Research (CER) to advance personalized learning, specifically within the context of online learning and engagement, educational technologies, curriculum design which includes innovative and equitable pedagogical approaches, and support programs that boost the academic success of different groups of students. She teaches in active learning environments and strives to bring EE and CER into practice.
Gloria J. Kim University of Florida [biography]

Dr. Gloria Kim is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at the University of Florida (UF). She is also an affiliate faculty in UF's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She received her B.S. in chemistry from Seoul National University, M.S. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. As an instructional associate professor, she was awarded several grants from the National Science Foundation (IUSE Level 1, IRES Track 1, I-Corps, and I-Corps for Learning) as principal investigator. She transitioned to tenure track in Fall 2022 to pursue her research interests in convergence in engineering education, global engineering education, and social issues in STEM research and practice. Recently, she has taken on new NSF projects to broaden participation in quantum engineering (IUSE Level 3), research abroad (IRES Track 1), and use-inspired research (Convergence Accelerator Track I). Having grown up in Australia, Canada, Korea, and Germany, she speaks three languages. Leveraging her international connections, she has served in leadership positions in the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA, Vice President), Korean Society for Engineering Education (KSEE, International Relations Board Member), and the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES, Executive Committee Member).
Dr. Sreyoshi Bhaduri ThatStatsGirl [biography]

Dr. Sreyoshi Bhaduri is an Engineering Educator and People Research Scientist. She employs innovative and ethical mixed-methods research approaches to uncover insights about the 21st century workforce. Sreyoshi has a doctorate in Engineering Education, and Masters degrees in Applied Statistics (M.A.) and Mechanical Engineering (M.S.), from Virginia Tech. She earned her Bachelors degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Manipal University in India. Sreyoshi has been recognized as a Graduate Academy for Teaching Excellence (VTGrATE) Fellow, a Global Perspectives Program (GPP) Fellow, a Diversity scholar, and was inducted in the Bouchet Honor Society in 2017.
Sreyoshi is passionate about improving belonging among women in Engineering. She serves as Senator at SWE (Society of Women Engineers) - the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology with over 42,000 global members. She also champions and serves as advisor at Sisters in STEM - a not-for-profit led by school students, aimed at increasing interest, engagement, and allyship in STEM. Learn more about her work at - www.ThatStatsGirl.com. This work was carried out independent of author's current employment at Amazon. Views expressed in this paper are the author's own and do not represent those of the organization she works at.

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