GH46: MEng in Computer Science and Electronics (4 years)
GH4P: MEng in Computer Science and Electronics with Study Abroad (4 years)
In 2009 this course was updated to make it more
relevant to the need of the modern computer industry.
We are working in close partnership with engineers from the local
microelectronics design industry to develop a degree
programme that equips students with the state-of-the-art knowledge and
skills needed in this exciting area of technology. This course offers
unique opportunities to combine related aspects
of Computer Science and Electronics in a meaningful and in-depth manner.
In today's information age, the separation between the two subjects
is becoming more and more blurred, and there are great advantages in
studying both together. For example, it is not the case that
"Computer Scientists program, and Electronic Engineers build",
but rather that both hardware and software must be co-designed,
if they are to produce an efficient and useful system.
DVD
Controller
The study of Computer Science gives you both the theoretical and
practical abilities to reason about and develop solutions to a
problem, in software or hardware, whilst coverage of Electronic
Engineering topics allows these ideas to be transferred to a
tangible design, and their various advantages and disadvantages
in a practical setting to be determined. Put together, these two
disciplines will allow you to take a product idea from concept all
the way through to a concrete implementation, whilst balancing the
various requirements along the way.
With this aim in mind, these courses feature a large amount of
practical work, with small-scale group projects in the first and
second years laying the foundation for a large third-year group
project in which you will design and build an electronic product.
One option offers you the opportunity to spend this year abroad.
The final year includes a large individual project, with the
option of producing a business plan.
There are four core subject areas which run throughout each of the
courses:
SOFTWARE, ARCHITECTURE AND PROTOCOLS
Software, Architecture and Protocols is concerned with the design
and programming of computer systems and networks. It covers how
to accurately describe what a system is supposed to do, how to design
an effective solution, how to choose the appropriate technologies
and programming languages, and how to ensure that it works as required.
SIGNALS AND CONTROL
Signals and Control is concerned with the interaction of systems
with the real world. It covers how to interpret information collected
from sensors and how to use it to control actuators, whether in
a DVD player or in a racing car.
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Electronics and Communications is concerned with the electronic
and optical components that make up computers and communication
systems. It covers how to design, build and interconnect microelectronic
devices, using both wired and wireless networks.
GENERIC SKILLS
Generic Skills are developed throughout the course. These include
team working and project management, communication skills, enterprise
and business planning, and professional issues.
YEAR 1
The first year concentrates on fundamental areas of Computing and
Electronics which form the foundation for subsequent years, including
analogue systems, digital systems, assembly programming, and high
level programming using four different languages. Emphasis is placed
on practical work, good design and testing. We offer the option of
taking either the Procedural Programming unit, for those
without experience of programming, or the Programming Project unit for
those with more experience.
YEAR 2
In the second year you will study units on Computer Architecture,
Communications, Signals and Systems. The computer architecture units
cover higher-level design, including instruction sets, interaction
between hardware and software. The Communications units cover the
design of network protocols, from analogue signals, to internet protocols.
The unit on signals introduces you to handling digital media. The
systems units discuss how to build complete computer systems, from
code generation to real-time systems.
YEAR 3
The core of the third year is a major group project and units on Signals
and Control. In the group project you will have to define a goal,
for example build a wireless 3D mouse, and subsequently design, build,
test and present the result. The project allows you to complete a
substantial piece of work as part of your course, developing team
working skills alongside technical knowledge. As part of the core curriculum,
you will develop an embedded operating system using state-of-the-art
ARM software and hardware. In addition to the core,
you will also take a number of optional units. On the Study Abroad
programme you spend your third year at a university
overseas.
YEAR 4
You will conclude your course with a large scale project.
You will choose how much of your project is related to computing and
how much is related to electronics.
In addition to your project you will take eight options
at Master’s level, ranging from areas as diverse as Coding, Control Theory,
Networking, Communications, Design Verification and Computer Security.
