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Program Description

Electronics, photonics and MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) are fundamental to the operation of most of today’s products and infrastructure. CNM’s Advanced Systems Technology program enables its students to succeed in all three technologies making its graduates well prepared to contribute to these high tech industries.

The Automation and Telecommunication concentration provides its students with the analog and digital theory and hands-on experience to get them started in the high tech career of industrial automation and control, and the fast growing telecommunications industry. Robotic automation, microcontroller, PLD programming and systems troubleshooting drive the hands-on experiments done in each of the courses taught in this program. The program provides the opportunity to obtain 6 Certifications in fields such as electronic assembly, PC maintenance, LabVIEW programming, and the numerous fields listed under the Electronics Technicians Association, as well as an Associate’s degree.

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment.

The Microsystems and Laser Optics Concentration provides its students the Laser, optics, and microsystems applications, fabrication and hands-on experiments to prepare its graduates for a successful career in contributing to high tech industry and laboratories. The program of study uses facilities containing modern equipment for testing, troubleshooting, calibrating, analyzing, designing and fabricating electronic and microsystems for processing wafers in both MEMS and SMT applications.

Microsystems lab classes are held at the University of New Mexico’s Manufacturing Training and Technology Center clean room which makes use of research grade fabrication processes and tools. Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)—Microsystems Technology (MST), also known as Micro-Machines, are an increasingly pervasive in our daily lives. Smartphones and tablets feature an array of MEMS, from auto focusing micro cameras, pico projection, motion and tilt sensors, to touch screens, microphones and speakers. MEMS are present in automotive crash and rollover safety, navigation, fuel economy and emissions control systems. Microsystems are also found in bio chemical and medical applications including chemical sensor arrays, pace-makers, pressure sensors, cochlear and artificial retina implants, microfluidic drug delivery systems and “chem lab on a chip” diagnostic application. These systems can sense, think and actuate! Many of these microsystems require not only an understanding of device fabrication and electronics but also photonics (optics). Additional laboratory facilities provide the ability to analyze and test various materials and components such as fiber optic cabling, alignment, and applications of optics in the laser industry. Students study the laser, both as an instrument and as an integral part of a system designed for industrial application and scientific research. The laser optics classes cover topics such as laser alignment, safety and the use of lasers in electronics production, testing and maintenance - students acquire a hands-on skills and knowledge of light, geometrical and physical optics, optical components and systems.

Career and Educational Opportunities

Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.

Certificate and Degree Options

• Advanced Systems Technology, Associate of Applied Science 

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