Master's Degree in Electronics and Applied Digital Technology (METDA)

Presentation

The Master's Degree in Electronics and Applied Digital Technology (METDA), with a research and professional orientation, offers advanced training in microelectronics, integrated circuit design, reconfigurable computer systems, state-of-the-art wireless communications and production and testing of electronic systems.

These are postgraduate studies in Dual training, organised as a 60-credit course in two semesters. The first semester is oriented towards basic training and the second semester towards specialisation, which for students following dual training will be carried out in the company environment with a training contract.

The training offered includes subjects with important tools and techniques related to:

• Research Methods, including Computational Statistics and Machine Learning (ML), Optimización, Diseño de experimentos, Modelado y ajuste de datos experimentales, Big-Data, ciencia, minería y analítica de datos, Modelado y simulación, Clasificación y diagnóstico por imagen, y Aceleradores de técnicas de IA.
• Design of complex electronic systems, including the design of Integrated Circuits, Systems-on-Chip (SoC), Electronic Systems Design for applications in Industrial Electronics and Computer Electronics, Communications Electronics, Electronics for Sensors, and Embedded Systems and Digital Systems for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Who is this for?

METDA is designed for professionals with a background in engineering, especially in the fields of industrial electronics and telecommunications, although it is open to other related degrees. It therefore includes graduates or engineers with a degree in

• Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering,
• Engineering in Telecommunications Technology,
• Computer Engineering,
• Biomedical Engineering,
• Electronic Physics,
• Other degrees related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

• More information: Master's Degree in Electronics and Applied Digital Technology (METDA).

Career opportunities

METDA provides training to access jobs related to innovation, research and development in the fields of, among others:

• IC Design Engineer (ASIC/SoC)
• Specialist in diagnostic imaging and classification systems, and in applied AI accelerators.
• Developer of hardware and software for FPGA/MPSoC and embedded systems.
• Investigador/a en microelectrónica, nanoelectrónica y tecnología digital, en empresas y centros de investigación o tecnológicos.
• Specialists in radio frequency systems, internet of things and 5G/6G communications.
• Consultant in electronic testing and certification.
• Technology-based entrepreneurship (start-ups).
• Public administration, in positions related to innovation processes.

You will also have the possibility of continuing your training in a doctoral programme to access a research or teaching career. In this sense, the METDA gives direct access to the PhD programme in Telecommunication Technologies and Computational Engineering (T2IC).

Through the ULPGC's Employment Guidance Service it is possible to access personalised information. More information at https://empresayempleo.ulpgc.es/emplea/bolsa-de-empleo-emplea/

Faculty

The teaching staff teaching METDA is linked to the University Institute of Applied Microelectronics (IUMA). This teaching team is made up of PhDs from the departments of Electronic and Automatic Engineering and Telematics Engineering, with extensive experience in European projects and business collaboration.

Training Activities

This is a classroom-based degree. The learning process is organised into different training activities, which include theory classes in which student participation is prioritised, practicals in the IUMA laboratories, seminars, supervised work and assessment activities. The autonomous work of each student is supported by the teaching staff through face-to-face and/or virtual tutorials.

Mentions

METDA is organised in two mentions:

• General Itinerary (25 places offered) and
• Dual Mention (5 places).

In the General Itinerary, the student, in addition to the compulsory training, will take four optional subjects chosen from the annual offer of the Master's taught by specialists in the field and will carry out their TFM in the research groups of the IUMA.

In the Dual Mention, the knowledge acquired in the classroom is directly applied in real working environments, combining theoretical classes with paid internships in companies in the sector. Half of the course load is developed in the collaborating entity and the Master's Thesis is carried out there.

Training complements

Complementary courses are offered so that students coming from degrees less related to METDA can successfully complete their postgraduate studies. The training complements to be taken will be indicated individually to each student, depending on the entrance training. The training complements will be taken intensively at the beginning of the course, before the start of the master's degree.

Teaching resources

In the ULPGC Virtual Campus teaching material is available and has the necessary facilities for sending assignments, requesting virtual tutorials, downloading syllabus or participating in forums, among other functions.

The ULPGC University Library provides on-site and virtual access to the information necessary for the development of the master's degree, including specialised journals, books and other teaching and research materials.

Syllabus

• Total number of credits: 60
• Itinerary: General (G) and Dual Mention (D)
• No. of elective credits: 18. 4 subjects to choose (G)
• No. of credits Master's Thesis: 12

Subjects

Semester 2
General Itinerary
Subjects	Credits	Year in which offered
Electives (choose 4 subjects from among those offered)
Hardware Acceleration of AI Algorithms	4.5	2025/2026
Cybersecurity in Networks	4.5	2025/2026
Design of RFIC for Telecommunications	4.5	2025/2026
Digital Image Processing Systems	4.5	2025/2026
Intelligent Embedded Systems	4.5	2025/2026
Advanced Techniques for VLSI Design	4.5	2025/2026
Semiconductor Devices: Characterisation, Modelling and Simulation	4.5	2026/2027
Compulsory
Master's Final Project	12

Semester 2
Dual Mention
Subjects	Credits
External Training in Electronics/Microelectronics I	9
External Training in Electronics/Microelectronics II	9
Master's Final Project	12

International curriculum

The ULPGC facilitates participation in international programmes that will improve your training, facilitating language learning. More information at

• https://internacional.ulpgc.es
• http://auladeidiomas.ulpgc.es
• https://craal.ulpgc.es

Academic itinerary

Once the METDA has been completed, it is possible to access the ULPGC PhD programme in Telecommunication Technologies and Computational Engineering (T2IC). The deadlines for completion of the master's degree and pre-registration in the doctoral programme facilitate the continuity of training towards the title of Doctor by the ULPGC. More information at https://escueladoctorado.ulpgc.es/estudios-oficiales/doctorado-en-las-tecnologias-de-telecomunicacion-e-ingenieria-computacional-ttic/

Access

Pre-registration normally takes place in June or in the first week of September, and enrolment takes place once the process of allocating places has been completed. The administrative deadlines and the link for pre-enrolment are available at https://www.ulpgc.es/masteres-administracion This link also will give access to the lists of places allocated.

From September onwards, it is possible to apply for a place through the ULPGC Electronic Headquarters using the following link https://administracion.ulpgc.es

Requirements

They will depend on the group to which you belong:

• Students from the ULPGC or another Spanish university,
• Persons with a university degree from another European country or from another European country
• People with qualifications from outside the EU.

In any case, you must have a B1 level of English.

In addition, students entering the Master's programme must possess the following competences:

• Knowledge of algorithms and programming. Programming in C and Python. Basic concepts of software engineering softwareObject-oriented programming concepts.
• Knowledge of electronic design. Classification, technological and market aspects of integrated circuits. Basics of digital design. FPGA devices: programming devices and basic blocks. Description language hardware at RTL level. Design methodology with FPGA devices.
• Knowledge of electronics. Knowledge and design of amplifiers, operational amplifiers, passive and active filters, A/D and D/A converters.

If this is not the case, they will have to take the additional training courses indicated above.

What the IUMA offers

Our master's programmes are designed to realise your potential and achieve a degree that reflects your dedication and effort. The University Institute of Applied Microelectronics (IUMA), with state-of-the-art micro- and nanoelectronics laboratories, is a centre of competence in chip technologies in the European Union. The IUMA is integrated in the network of microelectronics design centres in Europe (EUROPRACTICE), which gives it access to the main tools for electronic design and foundries (integrated circuit factories) in the world. The Institute has been training specialists and participating in projects with industry for more than 25 years. In the Canary Islands, the IUMA is leading the ecosystem Canarychip Canarias.

The Dual Mention provides comprehensive academic training, adapted to the labour market and in direct connection with the industrial sector. In conjunction with companies that develop advanced technologies in the sector and are based in the Canary Islands Aerolaser System, Arquimea Research Center and Wimmic Celestia an in-company training plan is developed that allows students to have direct contact with the developing industry in the sector.

The quality of our teaching at the ULPGC is externally evaluated and accredited. We are the university with the most quality seals in the Canary Islands and among the best in Spain. We are also in the top 25% of the best young universities in the world in teaching and research (Times Higher Education, 2024).

The ULPGC offers a wide range of services (extracurricular training, sports, culture, languages, library, international mobility, mentoring, accommodation, wifi connection on campus, computer rooms, etc.) that will help provide you with a comprehensive university education.