Designing a Hardware Reverse Engineering Course: Lessons from Eight Years in a Rapidly Evolving Tech Domain

2026-06-02

AI Summary

This study addresses the growing threat to hardware supply chain security and the longstanding absence of systematic educational frameworks and skilled professionals in hardware reverse engineering. To bridge this gap, the authors designed and iteratively refined an undergraduate course focused on digital circuit analysis and extraction, implemented over nine academic cycles spanning nine years. The work proposes design principles for curricula in rapidly evolving technical domains, emphasizing continuous content updates and sustainable workload management for both instructors and students. Integrating hands-on reverse engineering exercises, dynamic instructional development, and a closed-loop assessment mechanism, the course has successfully prepared multiple cohorts for careers in the field. Furthermore, it yields a transferable set of teaching priorities and a replicable curriculum model, effectively filling a critical void in structured hardware reverse engineering education.

Abstract

Integrated Circuits (ICs) are omnipresent, yet their globalized manufacturing process remains vulnerable to supply chain threats. Hardware Reverse Engineering (HRE) is essential for detecting such threats and re-establishing trust; however domain experts remain scarce due to a lack of educational programs. To contribute educational insights in this critical and rapidly evolving technology domain, we present our HRE course focusing on digital circuit analysis and digital circuit extraction from ICs. The course targets junior-level undergraduates at a major European research university. The curriculum has been refined over nine iterations (2017-2025), with several alumni subsequently pursuing careers in the HRE field. By reflecting on the evolution of the course organization, content, and assignments, we derive key lessons learned. We further distill these insights into actionable design priorities for educators developing courses in rapidly evolving technological domains, emphasizing iterative growth and sustainable workload management for both students and instructors.

Problem

• Hardware Reverse Engineering
• Integrated Circuits
• Supply Chain Security
• Education Gap
• Digital Circuit Analysis

Innovation

• Hardware Reverse Engineering
• Digital Circuit Extraction
• Course Design
• Iterative Curriculum Development
• Cybersecurity Education