Building the internet of things
9 - 12 months
6172493
This Program is Perfect For
- Hardware and IoT engineers seeking industry-grade design and prototyping skills
- Technologists aiming to understand both hardware and software in embedded environments
- Flexible learners pursuing a career-relevant credential with workforce or international approval
Build your knowledge of universal connectivity
The UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Embedded Systems professional certificate program prepares students with the core design skills needed to work at some of the top companies in the Valley.
Our hardware professional students learn to design function-specific computer and communication systems, including:
- mobile devices,
- the Internet of Things,
- networking equipment,
- industrial controllers, and
- consumer and automotive electronics.
Learn on industry-standard hardware
Students get invaluable hands-on experience with quick prototyping using FGPAs from Xilinx. Learn to design and test hardware and software innovations of the future as you prepare for high-paying jobs in the industry. Electives are offered in two areas of study: embedded hardware and embedded software.
Certificate program objectives
- Design, debug, and synthesize digital logic for ASICs, PGAs, and IP cores
- Understand the basics of embedded software and hardware design
- Decode IO technologies, including PCI Express, Ethernet, and Fibre Channel
- Design and implement prototypes using FPGA
Courses
Program Requirements
Take 5–6 courses (14 quarter units).
- 3 required courses (8 quarter units)
- 2–3 elective credit courses (6 quarter units)
- End with certificate review.
1. Required Course(s):
EMBD.X415
$820
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Apr. 6 - Jun. 15, Mon, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
EMBD.X415.(17)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 04-06-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 04-13-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 04-20-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 04-27-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 05-04-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 05-11-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 05-18-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 06-01-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 06-08-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 06-15-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
3/30/26: Course postponed by one week. See full schedule for details.
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
No meeting May 25, 2026. To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials: None
Recommended Tools & Materials:
Embedded Systems Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide for Engineers and Programmers, 2nd Edition, Noergaard, Tammy, Newnes, 2012, ISBN: 978-0123821966.
|| Skills Needed:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Spring
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
2. Electives: Embedded Software
EMBD.X420
$750
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Apr. 10 - Jun. 12, Fri, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
EMBD.X420.(4)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 04-10-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 04-17-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 04-24-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 05-01-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 05-08-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 05-15-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 05-22-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 05-29-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 06-05-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Fri, 06-12-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools and Materials: Students are expected to install or have access to Linux Operating System version 7, or higher (version 9 is preferred) on their home computers.
Options include VMWare, VirtualBox, LiveCD, disk partition or separate drive or an embedded Linux system such as a Raspberry Pi.
|| Skills Needed:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Spring
EMBD.X424
$740
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Apr. 9 - Jun. 4, Thu, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
EMBD.X424.(4)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, 04-09-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 04-16-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 04-23-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 04-30-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 05-07-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 05-14-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 05-21-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 05-28-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 06-04-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
One "no meeting" TBA. To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Note: Students will need to purchase a development board for coursework. Below is a list of examples, approximate cost $100:
- https://www.seeedstudio.com/SenseCAP-Watcher-W1-A-p-5979.html
- https://store-usa.arduino.cc/products/nicla-vision
- https://www.amazon.com/Arduino-Nicla-Vision-ABX00051/dp/B0B979238K
- https://www.sparkfun.com/nicla-vision.html
|| Skills Needed:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Spring
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Spring
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Spring
3. Electives: Embedded Hardware
EMBD.X400
$980
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Jun. 25 - Aug. 27, Thu, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Live-Online Attend via Zoom at scheduled times.
EMBD.X400.(17)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, 06-25-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 07-02-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 07-09-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 07-16-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 07-23-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 07-30-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 08-06-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 08-13-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 08-20-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 08-27-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
This class is offered in an online synchronous format. Students are expected to log into this course via Canvas at the start time of scheduled meetings and participate via Zoom, for the duration of each scheduled class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials: None
Recommended Tools & Materials:
Advanced Signal Integrity for High-Speed Digital Designs, Stephen H. Hall and Howard L. Heck, John Wiley & Sons, 2011, ISBN: 9781118210680.
Principles of Power Integrity for PDN Design - Simplified, Larry D. Smith and Eric Bogatin, Prentice Hall, 2017, ISBN: 9780132735629.
|| Prerequisites: Skills Needed:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Summer
EMBD.X408
$910
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Jun. 15 - Aug. 17, Mon, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
EMBD.X408.(17)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 06-15-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 06-22-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 06-29-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-06-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-13-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-20-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-27-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-03-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-10-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-17-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials:
VHDL for Logic Synthesis, Authors: Andrew Rushton, Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Publication Date: 2011-04-25, ISBN: 9780470688472
Students are required to purchase a Zynq-based board for their project (approximately $100, not included in the tuition). Detailed board information and instruction will be provided on the first night of class.
Recommended Texts:
The Verilog(R) Hardware Description Language, Authors: Donald Thomas, Philip Moorby, Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media, Publication Date: 2008-09-11, ISBN: 9780387853444
The Design Warrior's Guide to FPGAs, Authors: Clive Maxfield, Publisher: Elsevier, Publication Date: 2004-06-16, ISBN: 9780080477138
|| Skills Needed:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Summer
EMBD.X409
$580
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Apr. 16 - May. 14, Thu, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Live-Online Attend via Zoom at scheduled times.
EMBD.X409.(15)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, 04-16-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 04-23-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 04-30-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 05-07-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
| Thu, 05-14-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Live-Online | REMOTE |
3/11/26: Course dates change. See full schedule for details.
This class is offered in an online synchronous format. Students are expected to log into this course via Canvas at the start time of scheduled meetings and participate via Zoom, for the duration of each scheduled class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials: None
Recommended Tools & Materials: Bogatin's Practical Guide to Transmission Line Design and Characterization for Signal Integrity; Bogatin, Eric, Artech House, 2020. ISBN: 978-1-63081-851-7.
EMC and the Printed Circuit Board: Design, Theory, and Layout Made Simple, Montrose, Mark, Wiley/IEEE Press, 2004, ISBN: 978-0780347038.
|| Skills Needed:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Spring
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Fall
4. Also of Interest
EMBD.800
$775
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Jun. 22 - Aug. 31, Mon, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
EMBD.800.(3)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 06-22-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 06-29-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-06-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-13-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-20-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-27-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-03-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-10-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-17-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-24-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-31-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
One “no meeting” date TBA. To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials:
To participate in this class, you must have access to a computer (either a laptop or desktop) with the following system requirements:
Recommended System Requirements
Windows 11 (64-bit only) or Windows 10 (64-bit only)
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 processor or equivalent
16GB RAM
10GB hard disk space (Install + User Files)
SSD
Adobe(R) Reader(R) (version XI or later for 3D PDF viewing)
Internet Connection
Web browser, which is up to date
Recommended Tools & Materials:
PCB Foundations, Paul B. Taubman and Sean Kelly, 2022, ISBN: 978-0998367095.
Practical PCB Design: A Hands-On Guide to Developing Printed Circuit Boards, Michael D. Smith, 2026, ISBN: 9781718504042.
Recommended System Requirements
Windows 11 (64-bit only) or Windows 10 (64-bit only)
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 processor or equivalent
16GB RAM
10GB hard disk space (Install + User Files)
SSD
Adobe(R) Reader(R) (version XI or later for 3D PDF viewing)
Internet Connection
Web browser, which is up to date.
Summer
5. Completion Review:
O-CE0071
$95
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Schedule
Please enroll in the Embedded Systems Certificate Completion Fee only when all of the certificate requirements have been met and your final grades are posted.
Recommended course sequence
Requisite knowledge
You need a degree in a technical field or equivalent knowledge acquired through training and experience in system design and development. We recommended you have experience in C programming.
Please review course descriptions. Make sure you have taken the necessary prerequisites or meet the requirements through job experience or previous education before registering for a course.
Getting started
We suggest students begin with Embedded System Hardware Architectures, Introduction.
The remaining courses may be taken in any order provided prerequisites are met.
Substitutions & shared credits
Some technology courses may be listed in more than one program. However, only one course may be shared between two certificate programs unless otherwise noted.
Completion your certificate
Grade requirements
Please note that only letter grades of C or higher may be applied to a certificate, and in some programs, students may have more stringent requirements. Students in most employer- and government-sponsored payment programs, such as workforce development, as well as international students on F-1 visas, need to maintain a B average to meet their requirements.
See Grading and Credits Policy for further information.
Establish Candidacy
Instructors
Program Chair
Michael Wang
Director of Business Development, ISSI Integrated Silicon Solution Inc.
MICHAEL A. WANG, M.S., M.B.A., is director of business development at Silicon Motion Technology Corp. He has held various technical and management roles at startups and multinationals in Silicon Valley, such as Infineon Technologies, ISSI Integrated Silicon Solution Inc., and Micron Technology. He was also the owner of an IT servicing company in Santa Cruz, Calif. for over six years. Wang has served as a senior member of IEEE and the chair for the IEEE Silicon Valley Consumer Electronics Society, as well as a past member of the Board of Directors for the Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association. He has taught at UCSC Extension since 2006 and served as chair of the Embedded Systems certificate program since 2023.
Certificate Program Advisory Board
ALFREDO ALBA, MS
Senior Technical Staff Member, Intelligence Augmentation Department, IBM Almaden Research Center
ABDO BABUKR, MSEE
Consultant, Embedded Computing, Wave Spectrum, Inc.
SAM HUYNH, Ph.D.
Principal member of technical staff and a senior manager, AMD
Y.C. WANG, BSEE
Director, Global Academic Program at Digi-Key Electronics
Instructor, Embedded Systems Certificate Program, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension
MICHAEL A. WANG, M.S., M.B.A.
Director, Business Development, Silicon Motion Technology Corp.
Program Chair | Instructor, Embedded Systems Certificate Program, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension
