Become a trainee
Gain key expertise from industry experts to help accelerate your career
100% online
Watch Instructors at your own pace, and join interactive workshops from anywhere
6–12 months
Flexible learning built to fit around on-the-job training, and programs of study
Practical insights
Learn from leading experts and connect with the most established network of UPW professionals.
UPW Fundamentals
Build foundational knowledge in ultrapure water
This comprehensive course is carefully tailored for new entrants to the microelectronics industry who specialise in ultrapure water – such as facility engineers, technicians, or service providers. Developed in direct collaboration with semiconductor manufacturing facilities, the UPW Fundamentals course gives you the understanding you need to get from classroom to clean-room.
As a trainee you’ll get the opportunity to:
through supportive, on-demand learning materials which complement on-the-job training
with easily-digestible and carefully tailored lessons that address the day-to-day realities of facility operational roles
getting practical insights from leading UPW professionals and partners in the supply chain across interactive sessions
What does the course entail?
The UPW Fundamentals Course is made up of 11 modules, culminating in a capstone project. Developed in partnership with semiconductor manufacturing facilities and industry experts, each module addresses a core requirement for excellence in UPW facility operational roles.
Each course is run by an instructor, a leading global expert in their field. Through their on-demand lectures, you’ll gain the insights that will form the core of your understanding. You’ll have the opportunity to interact further with industry experts through the mentor program. Here, you’ll leverage the support of other experienced professionals to boost your understanding and apply your knowledge across interactive workshops and top-quality supporting materials.
Each module provides:
Expert-led on-demand lecture covering fundamentals
Preparatory assignments, quizzes & reading materials
Interactive workshop covering practical applications
Feedback and discussion with industry experts
The full breakdown
25 hours of lectures
36 hours of interactive workshops
22 hours of exercises
11 Modules
Industry overview and manufacturing process fundamentals
Specialist insight into the basics of current and future semiconductor technology device drivers which impact contamination control for UPW engineers, including:
- Sources of contamination and the cost of excursions
- Fundamentals of lithography, surface chemistry, and corrosion science
- Selective wet etch formulations
Quality specification and yield enhancement
An introduction to critical contaminants in UPW systems, and their importance in relation to wafer yield and metrology capabilities. Subjects include:
- Understanding the risk of each contaminant type for yield, reliability and sustainability
- Quality requirements from IRDS, and standards as described by SEMI and ASTM
- Applying standards in UPW system design, operation and proactive particle control
UPW system design
An expert primer in UPW system design principles, applicable standards, and process configurations including:
- Typical system layout for pre-treatment, primary and polish systems
- Key design considerations for different UPW purification steps
- Additional considerations, including monitoring, proactive control measures, and system materials
UPW distribution systems
Detailed insights into the design criteria and best-known operational methods for UPW distribution systems, including:
- The criticality of the distribution system for meeting tool requirements
- Distribution loop configurations
- Pressure control trade-offs and synergies
Role of the UPW engineer
Contextual insights into the importance of the day-to-day activities of the UPW engineer, including:
- The importance of owning systems, managing capacity, performance, reliability and troubleshooting
- Controlling costs, energy and managing data
- The criticality of change management
UPW analytical methods
An introduction into UPW metrology capabilities and limits including:
- Inline and offline contamination metrologies
- Contamination specifications according to SEMI
- Emerging, cutting-edge contamination control metrologies
UPW process performance management
A detailed instruction into necessary approaches for ensuring good performance for the entire UPW system, including:
- The meaning of performance in the context of quality, capacity, reliability, cost, safety.
- Expected performance of unit operations and influencing factors.
- Best-in-class methods to understand and control performance
UPW system capacity management
Detailed insights into importance of modelling and managing UPW capacity, including:
- Determining critical inputs for capacity modelling
- Evaluating capacity utilization, including the identification of bottlenecks and possible scenarios
- Implementing solutions for capacity busts
Considerations of environmental sustainability in UPW system design
Background into recent expert perspectives relating to environmental sustainability and implications for the UPW system, including:
- Industry roadmap for environmental sustainability
- Important trade-offs relating to chemical use and water efficiency
- Operational expenditure and impact on design layout.
UPW system maintenance
Practical perspectives for maintaining UPW systems and asset management, including:
- Implications for final UPW quality
- Maintenance considerations for individual pieces of equipment
- Examples and risks associated with neglecting maintenance
Statistical Process Control; Continuous Improvement and Risk and Failure Analysis
Fundamentals for securing the continuous improvement and reliability of UPW systems including:
- Measurement capability and data management methods
- Response methods for flagged issues in processes
- Using FMEA and response flows when risk is identified
1 Capstone Project
Cross-industry collaboration and supply chain engagement
Earn your Certificate of Completion in UPW Fundamentals
Upon completion of the course, you’ll have demonstrated:
- Knowledge of the fundamentals of UPW
- Ability to practically apply fundamentals in facility contexts
- Capability to benchmark solutions and engage the supply chain
Course start September 2023
How long will the course take?
80+ hours of work to study your way for up to 12 months
The UPW Fundamentals Course has been built to fit around those undertaking existing work, on-the-job training, and programs of study. The majority of the course can be completed at your own pace, with on-demand lectures and supporting materials available completely online.
We recommend trainees aim to complete the course in 6 to 12 months – the ideal amount of time to get the maximal value from completing all lectures, assignments, and interactive sessions.
What makes UPM University courses different?
At the UPM University, training doesn’t end with certification. In the fast-moving technical environment of microelectronics, learning is continuous. That why trainees get supported access the UPM Membership Platform and the UPM annual conference, some of the most powerful tools used by experts from across the supply chain to achieve professional growth.
Get supported access to:
UPM Technical Resources Hub
the single largest online body of advanced UPW and water and wastewater research
Visit Technical Resources Hub →
UPM Community
the most-established network of experienced industry practitioners
UPM Annual Conference
the premiere event driving technical knowledge-exchange and networking in semiconductor manufacturing
Want to know more about UPM University? Contact Guillaume Crompton-Roberts at g.cromptonroberts@globalwaterintel.com or reserve your space by booking a meeting