Industrial Management in Microelectronics (M. Sc.) - part time
Build a rock‑solid foundation in semiconductor technology – on‑the‑job learning.
The production of micro‑ and nano‑electronic circuits and devices is a fast‑moving, high‑growth sector with an ever‑steepening innovation curve. In Europe, regions such as Dresden’s “Silicon Saxony” have become internationally recognized hubs, home to a dense cluster of global semiconductor companies that are actively looking for well‑educated talent with deep technical know‑how and strong managerial skills.
The biggest challenges today are staying abreast of the latest semiconductor‑technology breakthroughs while orchestrating the logistics of a rapidly evolving production environment—delivering cost‑efficient manufacturing without compromising yield or quality.
Please note:
This page provides all the information about the part‑time Master’s program “Industrial Management in Microelectronics (M.Sc.).” At DIU, you also have the option to pursue this Master’s program full‑time.
Our continuing Education Program is aimed at:
- Working professionals in microelectronics
- Female engineers and graduates in economics who want to pursue further academic qualifications alongside their jobs
- Employees in semiconductor, manufacturing, development, & logistics roles who are looking to deepen their management and technology expertise
What Participants will gain:
- Foundational knowledge of modern processor architectures, advanced packaging, microsystems, and sensor technologies.
- Core concepts in operations, logistics, and project management specifically tailored to the semiconductor industry and its adjacent supply‑chain sectors (see detailed module descriptions).
- Small‑group learning that enables focused, personalized instruction, reinforced by intensive faculty mentorship in both theory and hands‑on labs.
- International and intercultural exposure, preparing graduates to thrive in globally distributed teams.
Career outcomes:
Graduates leave the program ready to launch or accelerate careers across the European microelectronics landscape, including positions in:
- Micro‑ and nano‑electronics manufacturing
- Microsystem and sensor‑technology firms
- Supply‑chain and logistics operations supporting the broader semiconductor ecosystem
By combining cutting‑edge technical training with strong managerial development, the program equips working professionals to become the next generation of leaders driving Europe’s semiconductor future.
Admission Requirements:
To be admitted to the master’s program, applicants must:
- Hold a recognized college or university degree equivalent to 210 ECTS credits (or equivalent), recognized in the applicant’s country of origin, and
- Provide proof of at least one year of professional experience and solid knowledge in one of the following fields:
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics
- Microelectronics
- Information Technology
- Information Systems Technology
- Mechatronics
- Technical Physics / Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Automation
- Demonstrate advanced English proficiency, e.g.:
- TOEFL 570 (paper-based) / TOEFL iBT 79, or
- IELTS 6.0, or equivalent
- Because part‑time students might already have these qualifications, the 14‑ECTS “Module 0.1 Study General” can be fully or partially credited, dropping the workload from 90 ECTS to 76 ECTS.
If the prerequisites aren’t met, the required modules must be taken, increasing the workload and possibly extending the study period.We’ll be happy to help you.
Additional Requirements for the Part-Time Study Option:
Applicants to the part-time study model must also demonstrate:
- Solid project management knowledge, preferably in the area of sustainability
- Experience working in an intercultural environment
- Basic German proficiency (at least A1)
If you do not yet meet these additional requirements, you can acquire the necessary qualifications by successfully completing Module 0.1 “Studium Generale.”
In this case, the study period may be extended accordingly.
Applicants with Fewer Than 210 ECTS
Applicants who have fewer than 210 ECTS may be able to make up missing credits by completing additional modules (AddM), such as:
- Practical Semester
- Module Analysis
This may extend the duration of study.
Selection Process
Applicants are generally assessed through an individual formal review of their submitted documents.
If needed, the program management may invite applicants to an admissions interview to assess motivation and personal suitability. The interview may be waived if the written application materials already clearly demonstrate suitability (or a lack thereof).
If you have any questions, we’ll be happy to help you.

Early Bird Advantage
- Apply by 30.06.2026 and get one month instalment for free for the fall start 2026.
- Save € 895 with an early application.
- We will be happy to advise you in a personal meeting.
- All requirements can be found here.

"Bring a Friend!" Advantage: Studying together is more fun!
- As a DIU student, recruit a friend as a fellow student.
- As a referring DIU student, we will give you one free monthly instalment.
- All requirements can be found here.
Advantages:
Module Overview:
Module 0.1 - Studium generale (14 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Gerald Gerlach
This module brings together important subject areas that will help students 'arrive' in their new environment, bring them together and give them an insight into new cultures.
German class - part 1
A short test is taken at the beginning of the course to determine your level. On this basis, students learn the most important vocabulary and phrases to enable them to cope in everyday life. At the same time, students are familiarised with German culture.
German class - part 2
This part of the course focuses on language and professional work. Preparation of job applications plays an important role. Students also learn how to conduct job interviews and simulate interviews with companies.
Cultural and team competences
This course helps students to get to know and understand their fellow students and their cultures better. At the same time, students learn about team composition and the different roles in a team and their benefits and strengths. By solving creative tasks, students practise these roles and acquire important skills for leading teams in their future careers.
Sustainability project
After an intensive workshop in which the students receive the most important knowledge on the topic of sustainability, they work on a project of their own choice in which they put the theory they have learnt into practice and write it up.
Module 0.2 - Scientific Working (10 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Rainer Lasch
Scientific Working - Part 1
This part serves to bring all students to a common level on the topic of ‘scientific working’. Students have knowledge of
- Purpose and Principles of Scientific Work
- Planning, Developing and Managing a thesis
- Developing a Topic, Cooperation with the supervisor
- Working with Literature/ Sources
- Writing a scientific Paper or Thesis
- Defence of the thesis
Scientific Working - part 2
The bootcamp is a training workshop, where students receive further training on the topic of “scientific working”, which enables them to
- write an individual term paper on a topic of their choice in accordance with the requirements of academic writing
- present the most important results of the written work in a concise manner within a given time frame
Scientific Working - part 3
This part serves to develop overarching competences in preparation for the master's thesis by deepening students' scientific working and writing skills in a targeted manner.
Students can:
- derive and formulate research questions, cite correctly and write an abstract independently
- conduct literature research and collect research-relevant data
- apply the basic scientific rules that must be observed when writing the master's thesis in a targeted manner - applying their knowledge from the previous modules
Module 1 - Circuits and Devices (5 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Bahr
Electronic circuits and devices:
- Analog basic circuits
- Differential amplifiers
- Power amplifiers
- Operational amplifiers and their applications
- Power supply circuits and digital basic circuits
- Combinatorial and sequential circuits
Module 2 - Semiconductor Technology I / II (10 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Stefan Mannsfeld
Fabrication technology of semiconductor device
- Semiconductor basics
- IC device and design
- Semiconductor manufacturing processes
- Basic principles of fabrication and miniaturization
- thermal processes and lithography
- Interaction between physical fundamentals and function principles
Module 3 - Packaging in Microelectronics I / II (8 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Thomas Zerna
- Trends in electronic packaging
- Packaging technologies for semiconductor devices and systems
- Thin-film & Thick-film technologies
- Printed circuit board (PCB) and interposer technologies
- Surface technologies for electronic components
Module 4 - Operations & Logistics Management I/II (8 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Rainer Lasch
- Logistics subsystem
- Aspects of process modelling and process
- performance
- Concepts to improve business processes
- Supply Chain Management
- Material requirement planning
Module 5 - Microsystems and Sensor Technology (5 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Gerald Gerlach
- Microsystem technology
- Sensor technology
Module 6 - Project Management (5 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schmid
- Introduction to project fundamentals
- Industrial environment analysis
- Methods for job & project design
- Applicable to all project types
Module 7 - Investment and Financing (5 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Mario Straßberger
- Investment appraisal: techniques to assess investment attractiveness
- Business case focus: justify costs by valuing benefits
Corporate finance: optimal financial decision-making
Master Thesis (20 ECTS)
- Thesis
- Kolloquium
Additonal Modul 1 - Practical Semester (30 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Rainer Lasch
Completion of a concrete task within a professional environment.
Discussion of strategy development.
Additonal Modul 2 - Module Analysis (15 ECTS)
Prof. Dr. Rainer Lasch
A comprehensive self-study regarding the specific content of a module, their distinctions, and their relation to one another.
Scientific Directors:
Prof. Dr. Rainer Lasch
Chair of Business Management, esp. Logistics, Technische Universität Dresden (TUD)
Prof. Dr. Gerald Gerlach
Institute of Solid-State Electronics, Technische Universität Dresden (TUD)
Lecturers (Extract)
- Prof. Dr. Rainer Lasch
Chair of Business Management, esp. Logistics, Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) - Prof. Dr. Gerald Gerlach
Institute of Solid-State Electronics, Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) - Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schmidt
Chair of Material Handling, Technische Universität Dresden (TUD - Prof. Dr. Stefan Mannsfeld
Chair of Organic Devices, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) - Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Thomas Zerna
Director of the Centre for Microtechnical Production, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) - Prof. Dr. Mario Straßberger
University of Applied Sciences Zittau-Görlitz
Overview
Degree:
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Place of study:
Dresden
Start of study:
01. October 2026
Duration:
4 semesters (24 months),
including Master’s thesis
Credit points:
75 ECTS / 90 ECTS
(see Admission Requirements)program type:
part time
Tuition fee:
895 € per month
Scholarship Database:
Here you can find information on various kinds of DAAD funding for foreign students, graduates and postdocs as well as on funding offered by other selected organisations.
Personal advice:
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Scan or click on the QR code!
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flexible learning
The lectures take place for the most part in presence and online. Study materials are made available to students to enable asynchronous self-organized learning.
Lecture-free period phases during the summer and Christmas periods.
in-depth expert knowledge
The team of lecturers in the program includes both top-class scientists and experienced practitioners. In this way, well-founded information from science and research is combined with a high degree of practical relevance.
extensive exchange
Participants in this course come from a wide variety of fields and can greatly benefit from diverse learning groups, to expand their horizon. We offer interdisciplinary exchange in a relaxed atmosphere.
FAQ
Who is the program intended for?
Working professionals in Europe who are already employed in micro‑electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, logistics, or related engineering/economic roles and want to deepen both technical and managerial competencies.
How is the part‑time schedule organized?
Courses run in evenings and/or weekends, allowing you to keep your current job. Typical study load is 8–10 credits per semester, with the full degree completed in 3 years (or 4 years if you take a lighter load).
What core topics are covered?
Modern processor and packaging technology, microsystems and sensor tech, semiconductor operations, supply‑chain logistics, project & technology management, and strategic innovation in the micro‑electronics industry.
What are the admission requirements?
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, natural sciences, economics or a related field.
• Minimum GPA ≈ 2.5 / 4.0 (or equivalent).
• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS ≥ 6.5 or TOEFL ≥ 80).
• Relevant work experience (preferred but not mandatory).
Can I receive financial support?
Yes. Eligible students may apply for EU‑wide scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement, or DIU’s part‑time tuition‑fee plan (installments per semester). Specific amounts vary by funding source.
What career paths does the degree open?
Graduates move into senior roles such as Technology Manager, Production Planning Lead, Supply‑Chain Director, R&D Project Manager, or Consultant within semiconductor manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and related service firms across Europe.
Is there an international component?
The program includes a short, intensive exchange week (online or on‑site) with partner universities in Silicon Saxony and other European micro‑electronics clusters, providing intercultural teamwork experience and networking opportunities.
Do I receive a recognized qualification?
Upon successful completion you earn an accredited M.Sc. in Industrial Management in Microelectronics issued by DIU, recognized throughout the EU and listed in the European Qualifications Framework.










