About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: H60C12
- Applications: University
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Engineering, Design and Mathematics
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Full time:12 months Part-time: Taught section lasts 24 months with the dissertation lasting up to an additional year.
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Mokhtar Nibouche
- Key fact: Study in a Department with a very good league table position, excellent employment rates, high student satisfaction and strong links with industry.
Introduction
The prime goal of all engineering programmes at UWE is to produce professional practitioners. This course is no exception. It aims to provide an educational framework by which graduates of electronic engineering, systems engineering or other appropriate sciences can develop, deepen or update their skills and knowledge. This includes for industrially-relevant areas of advanced electronic engineering technology as well as for cutting edge research fields. There is a strong underlying view that these technologies must be developed and applied in a systems environment.
This course is ideal for graduate engineers with an interest in electronics, embedded systems, signal processing, mobile communications, wireless technology and in modern power systems, power electronics, intelligent algorithms, modelling and simulation.
Many of these exciting new developments require some computer programming expertise. We have an assumption that successful applicants will already possess these skills. However, only a level of ability that would normally be acquired in a language such as C, C++ or Java as part of an appropriate recently studied undergraduate degree is required.
Structure
Content
Your knowledge will expand in the areas of digital systems, embedded systems, power systems, communication engineering, computing and control. You will also be taught how to interpret user requirements and component specifications, to produce functionally and cost effective design solutions through a combination of group and individual activities
We offer two pathways within this course allowing you to specialise in either electrical or electronic engineering. On both pathways you will complete a group design project which accounts for 30 Masters level credits. You will also complete modules in DSP for Real Time Control Systems and Advanced Control and Dynamics. The remainder of your course depends on which pathway you choose to follow:
Electronics pathway:
- Behavioural System Design
- Wireless Sensor Networks
- Programming Embedded Systems
- Mobile Communications
Electrical pathway:
- Modern Power Systems
- Power Electronics
- Intelligent Algorithms
- Modelling and Simulation
You will also complete a dissertation or individual project. This is a significant piece of work and accounts for a third of the overall MSc. You can select to do the dissertation with or without work placement experience. Selecting the option with work placement means that you will be able to spend up to a year working in a role, either paid or unpaid, which is closely related to your dissertation topic. For some students, this is an excellent opportunity to gain relevant work experience to enrich your CV.
You can view the structure of the current year of study for both part-time and full-time routes on the Department's website.
Please be aware that programme structures are subject to change and the programme of study for your year of entry may differ to the one shown here.
Teaching and learning
Most modules are taught over a period of 12 weeks, i.e. one semester, although some run through both semesters. Most of modules are worth 15-credits and normally involve 2-3 hours class contact time per week. As a full time student, you can expect to attend lectures, tutorials and lab sessions two days a week. You will need to devote a similar amount of time each week to independent study.
Specific provision is made for part-time students and we endeavour to timetable modules on only one day per week for these students. However, flexibility is the key to this course and students can opt to take modules on both days if they wish.
You will be taught through lecture sessions where the key concepts in each subject will be delivered. These concepts will be reinforced through their application to real life scenarios in tutorial sessions, case studies, classroom discussions, project work, laboratory exercises and even visits to or guest lectures from those working in engineering organisations.
You will be required to undertake your own research on particular topics, applying the results of this research in a number of different ways in order to solve a problem. You will learn how to evaluate different options, select the preferred solution and defend your choice, based on the research you have done.
You will be encouraged to do independent supplementary reading so that you can really consolidate your knowledge and understanding of what is being taught, whilst at the same time broadening your outlooks and understanding of the key concepts.
Assessment
Modules will be assessed through a mix of course work and examination. Additionally you can expect your dissertation to be assessed through a viva.
Special Features
Study facilities
Because the department is integrated across the major areas of engineering, it has access to many cross-disciplinary facilities that incorporate electronic, electrical or embedded computer systems as major components. For example, there are robotic assembly cells, power distribution systems and motor drives, as well as subsonic and supersonic wind tunnels.
Additionally we host our own servers to provide Windows, Linux and Unix based operating systems. There are over 500 available workstations in our teaching laboratories, as well as a large open-access laboratory, providing PC and Unix based machines. We have our own IT Helpdesk, staffed by students from within the faculty, and available for both students and staff to use. There are also 24 hour computer labs on campus available for student use.
We operate an extensive pastoral care system that includes induction programmes and access to academic staff and student advisers for guidance and support throughout your time here as a student.
Staff expertise
Experienced specialist academic staff in areas such as basic and advanced electronics, control systems, basic and advanced robotics, mobile communications, wireless sensor networks, embedded systems, power systems, power electronics, signal processing and sensor technology provide you with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge.
Additionally, many of our staff are directly involved in research either at an individual level or as part of our research groups and centres of excellence. This interaction between research and teaching provides you with a multidisciplinary environment that will ease your transition to the next level either as a researcher (e.g. PhD research programmes) or as a practitioner ready to take up responsibilities in senior technical and management positions.
Careers/further study
The market for advanced electronics and embedded systems engineers is continually evolving. This programme aims to produce graduates capable of taking senior technical and management positions in a range of industry sectors, including automotive, mobile communications, defence applications, power generation and distribution, intelligent systems and robotics, smart homes and avionics.
Entry
Entry requirements
We normally require an honours degree of 2:2 or above in Electrical and/or Electronic Engineering, Physics with a significant amount of electronics content, Computer Systems Engineering, Robotics or similar.
Those with significant experience in mechanical engineering, but who lack the required undergraduate qualification may also be accepted and will be considered on a case by case basis.
There is an assumption that you possess the level of computer programming competence normally acquired during recent undergraduate study in one of these subjects. However, lack of programming skills need not exclude you from entry. Rather, it implies that you should be undertaking a course of self-directed study in a programming language such as C or C++ prior to starting this programme. We will guide you to such resources if, after discussion, this is appropriate for you.
We welcome applicants without conventional entry requirements but who have substantial relevant work or other experience and who have the motivation and skills to succeed on the course.
International applicants (non UK and EU) should aim to apply by the end of June to allow time to arrange accommodation, finance and any visas.
Please visit our website for information on English language requirements
Fees
Information on fees, bursaries and scholarships for postgraduate students can be found on our money matters web page.
15% Alumni discount on postgraduate full-time courses
UWE alumni and current final year students are entitled to a 15% discount when progressing to a UWE full time postgraduate degree. (This excludes Health and Social Care postgraduate and professional development courses, the Bristol MBA, Law and PGCE courses). All you need to do is include your UWE student number in your application and the discount will be applied once your entitlement has been confirmed. Terms and conditions apply. Further information.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011