WIP: Exploring the Interest in Microelectronics of Computer Science and Engineering Students through a Multidisciplinary Approach

This research-to-practice WIP paper reports on a study that explores the comparison between two different exposures to microelectronics in engineering and computer science classrooms. Career choices for the semiconductor sectors are critical, as there is a current shortage of a trained workforce, with legislation such as the CHIPS Act supporting this need. Microelectronics have been introduced to the classrooms with the objective of more hands-on experience, using the best instructional practices. However, using microelectronics in the classroom may affect students' learning outcomes and their career choices. Therefore, in this paper we use Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), to understand how exposure to microelectronics, and self-efficacy in computing tasks affects the interest of students in learning more about microelectronics. We found that longer exposure to microelectronics was correlated with a lower interest with microelectronics, potentially explained by the experiences of students with longer projects and troubleshooting. In addition, we found that most students felt comfortable solving computational problems, and that prior experience with microelectronics did not correlate with higher interest.