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CPE 151: CMOS and Digital VLSI Design

CHIPS Act related Career Readiness, National priority field, Semiconductors

Reflection on Instructional Change:

In this course, I implemented the technique of "Providing Clear Directions and Explanations" from ACUE's IIPLL Course. Particularly, in my CPE 151 Course, I provided detailed step-by-step instructions for using Cadence Virtuoso Software in Semiconductor Circuit Design. This is an industry standard tool used in designing integrated circuits. Students often struggle with learning the nuances of this complicated software.

By creating a detailed user manual showing the step-by-step directions, I implemented the ACUE technique of providing clear directions. Learning to use the Cadence software is an important career readiness related skill set for students as the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering has seen a recent dearth of trained professionals in this area. The nation navigated a semiconductor (chips) shortage due to global supply chain disruptions. In response, the CHIPS Act was passed by the US Congress to enhance the US' domestic capacity in Semiconductor field. By training students in this important industry standard tool, their career readiness in a field of strategic importance is enhanced.

The ACUE approach of providing step by step, detailed instructions is also implemented in my ENGR 17 course. Multiple micro-lectures have been created to show multiple worked out example problems for muddy points. Students find that the micro-lectures which provide clear instructions scaffold their learning process.

**Evidence of Instructional Change**
A full instruction manual in CPE 151 course, with 2 parts has been provided to students for help in learning the Cadence Virtuoso Tool.	In ENGR 17 course, multiple micro lectures with numerous worked out example problems have been created and uploaded to Youtube channel for this course.	The step-by step instructions provide detailed text instructions and also illustrated, annotated screenshots to navigate the software. Students submit a report to demonstrate their learning of the tool, which is important for career readiness in the semiconductor field.

Changes in Course Syllabus and Schedules:

N/A. The Cadence project is an important aspect of the course Post FLC in CPE 151 Course. In ENGR1 course, a canvas module, with detailed step by step example problems, micro lectures has been created.

**Faculty Bio**
	I am Praveen, an Associate Professor in EEE at Sacramento State. I received my PhD from Old Dominion University, VA and MS from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. I am passionate about teaching Electronics courses. I participated in multiple ACUE, QM Courses and ESCALA through CTL and learn quite a lot from these offerings!

**Program Sponsors**
	This work was supported by: US Department of Education Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions Project Degree with a Purpose P031S210061 US Department of Education Hispanic Serving Institution STEM Project STEM4Equity: P031C210012 National Science Foundation Hispanic Serving Institution Project STEMZone 1832335 *Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Department of Education or the National Science Foundation.