State of PCB Design Education with Zachariah Peterson

Judy Warner

| Created: September 7, 2021 | Updated: November 29, 2023

State of PCB Design Education

In this episode, Altium’s Technical Consultant, Zach Peterson will share his insights about the availability and accessibility of education related to PCB design for high school and university students.

Zach will also talk about the inspiration behind “Design Secrets,” his new series available on Altium Academy Youtube Channel.

Listen to the Podcast:

Download this episode (right click and save)

Watch the video:

Show Highlights:

Introduction, from academia and Ph.D. in Physics, how did he land in the world of PCB?
On Altium Academy YouTube channel, Zach offers basic PCB design courses. that are not frequently available, even to professionals.
Zach’s experience in university: Observations, Knowledge Gaps, what are the main focuses?
Zach thoughts on why are PCB design courses are not the main focus of education in college and university
- The challenges in semiconductor industry
- Focus on digital and analog design
Zach’s Industry “awakening”—noticed the “graying of PCB design expertise demographic”
Industry Problems: De-siloing, systems-based thinking—tools, engineering and the rise of digitization
Need for the industry to “step up” to help equip and prepare for next-gen engineers
How can companies educate next-gen design engineers in an ecosystem-based context
Industry de-siloing leads to educational de-siloing
Zach and his company’s contribution to these efforts?
Checkout Zach’s Blogs in Altium’s Resource hub
What is Upverter education and watch for the future university content
Altium full-time education team, free licenses, IPC, PCEA

Links and Resources:

Zachariah Peterson Video series on Altium Academy YouTube Channel
Upverter Education Website
Signal Integrity Journal--Zachariah Peterson Articles
How to Achieve Proper Grounding
#PCBeTheChange Design Contest | Upverter Education

Full OnTrack Podcast Library
Altium Website
Download your Altium Designer Free Trial
Learn More about Altium enterprise solutions

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics

About Author

About Author

Judy Warner has held a unique variety of roles in the electronics industry for over 25 years. She has a background in PCB Manufacturing, RF and Microwave PCBs and Contract Manufacturing, focusing on Mil/Aero applications.

She has also been a writer, blogger, and journalist for several industry publications such as Microwave Journal, PCB007 Magazine, PCB Design007, PCD&F, and IEEE Microwave Magazine, and an active board member for PCEA (Printed Circuit Engineering Association). In 2017, Warner joined Altium as the Director of Community Engagement. In addition to hosting the OnTrack Podcast and creating the OnTrack Newsletter, she launched Altium's annual user conference, AltiumLive. Warner's passion is to provide resources, support, and advocate for PCB Design Engineers worldwide.

More content by Judy Warner

Related Resources

3D Printing Circuit Boards for Fast Prototyping

3D Printed Circuit Boards for Fast Prototyping Sean Patterson joins us to share the technology behind DragonFly IV®, the multi-material 3D printer for electronics fabrication. He will walk us through its current capabilities, and how it can bring your electronic prototypes to the next level. Watch this episode or listen on the go. Read Article

Mastering Your PCB Design Tool as the Industry Evolves

Mastering Your PCB Design Tool as the Industry Evolves with Stephen Chavez This is a not-to-be-missed episode with a very respected electrical engineer, Stephen Chavez! Stephen encourages and motivates PCB designers like you to keep learning and succeed in the electronics industry. Read Article

Taking Simulation to a New Dimension

Taking Simulation to a New Dimension Tarun and Keshav Amla from Avishtech join us in this OnTrack episode to discuss about PCB stackup simulation. Read Article

Four Commonly Held Myths of EMC Design

Four Commonly Held Myths of EMC Design “Don't gap your ground plane, there's never really a good reason to do that.” Dr. Hubing our guest for today is an EMC expert with 30 years of experience in the industry. Watch this episode or listen on the go now. Read Article

The Exciting Path to Mechatronics Engineering

The Exciting Path to Mechatronics Engineering Fergus Downey, Ph.D. student and research assistant at Curtin University in Western Australia (WA), is joining us in this episode and sharing his journey to becoming a Mechatronic Engineer. This will be a fun episode! Fergus will discuss his involvement with the Binar Space Program and give us an overview of CubeSat Read Article

Unpacking Semiconductor Packaging: Insights with Jan Vardaman

Unpacking Semiconductor Packaging: Insights with Jan Vardaman In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Jan Vardaman, president and founder of TechSearch International. With decades of experience in semiconductor packaging, Jan shares her expert insights into the global semiconductor industry, focusing on the shift away from Asia for advanced manufacturing and the critical need for an integrated supply chain in the U.S. This episode not only highlights the Read Article

Mike Buetow on PCB West

Mike Buetow on PCB West Free Expo pass and more. Mike Buetow shares details about the upcoming PCB West in Santa Clara on September 9 to 12. Watch this OnTrack Episode for complete event details. Read Article

Sourcing Components with Christopher Calvi

Sourcing Components with Christopher Calvi In today's episode Judy Warner is with Cristopher Calvi, Head and GM of Octopart to discuss about the current challenges and strategies in sourcing components. Watch the full episode here. Read Article

How to Buy PC Boards From a Board Shop

How to Buy PC Boards From a Board Shop Want to know how to buy the best boards? In this OnTrack podcast episode Greg Papandrew shares his better board buying tips. Listen in or watch now to learn more. Read Article

Innovations in AI: Transforming the Electronics Industry

Innovations in AI: Transforming the Electronics Industry On this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, we welcome Phil Marcoux, Advisor to the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA). Phil is gearing up for a fascinating webinar on AI in the electronics industry, so we thought we'd chat with him about what sees as the most potentially transformative aspects of this revolution in the electronics space. Listen/watch to discover how Innovations in AI are transforming the electronics industry, reshaping Read Article

Back to Home

Table of Contents

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics

Take advantage of the world's
most trusted PCB design system.

One interface. One data
model. Endless possibilities.

Effortlessly collaborate with
mechanical designers.

The world's most trusted
PCB design platform

Best in class interactive
routing

View License Options