Dr. Rubin has just published a book, "Computer Aids for VLSI Design", which will be the basis for a course of instruction with the express purpose of preparing university faculty members to teach a course in VLSI design and tools. The setting for the course will be Stanford University, where the students can visit a forefront VLSI research center, the Center for Integrated Systems. Dr. Rubin is exceptionally well qualified to teach the course because of his accomplishments in both research and teaching of CAD topics. VLSI (very large scale integration) is a recent field that explores how to design highly complex integrated circuits and related electronic systems. The need for this field of study is clear from trends in current technology. Development of the field is important to the nation's competitive lead in electronics. There are instructional materials at the level of detailed circuit design; but until now, there have been no instructional materials dealing with the scope and use of computer-aided design (CAD) tools necessary for VLSI design development. A new textbook which fills this gap in VLSI education has been written by the principal investigator and recently published. This book, "Computer Aids for VLSI Design", presents a broad view of the tools necessary for modern VLSI design systems. The instruction proposed by the principal investigator will educate a core of instructors who can return to their institutions with an in-depth knowledge of VLSI design tools and prepare courses on their use.
