Electronic and Electrical Engineering MSc

Core modules

• Sustainable Technologies

  Gain a foundation across several technology disciplines, including energy systems, sustainable development, behavioural changes or policies. You will address topics unique to energy technologies, such as Smart Grid, interfacing and design issues. We will also introduce you to basic sustainable technologies, ranging from traditional topologies to modern renewable energy based systems, including energy storage systems such as fuel cells. You will also look at hybrid electrical vehicle principles and build a smooth transition from background material to more complex systems and applications, in the modern context of sustainability.

• Advanced DSP and ARM Technology

  DSP is an integral part of electronics systems design. Ranging from medical systems to mobile technology, DSP algorithms are in implemented in a variety of ways. This module will build on your prior knowledge of the subject and provide a solid working foundation to perform future design and development. In order to enhance your understanding of the subject, you will expected to work through a set of programming exercises (using both C and assembly language) and implement the programs on suitable evaluation modules (EVMs) hosting a commercial DSP device. ARM Technology, which is based in Cambridge, is a major player in the design of microelectronics components. A strong working knowledge of their products, design tools and development programme strategies, forms a fitting component in the education of every electronics engineer at Master's level. You will work through a set of exercises using ARM development tools.

• Digital Systems Design with VHDL and FPGAs

  Review Digital Systems as well as their design philosophy in light of using modern Electronic Computer Aided Design (ECAD) tools for design, simulation and implementation of complex electronic circuits. We will introduce you to the modern top-down approach to VLSI circuit analysis, design and implementation techniques, aiming to shorten the design cycle and to manage an increased complexity. Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) will also be reviewed. We will present VHDL (Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language), a hardware description language largely used for holistic modelling of electronic systems and Integrated Circuit (IC) design, and discuss its syntax in detail, followed by practical design examples based on FPGA implementation. Every practising electronics engineer needs to have a strong working knowledge of VHDL design. Together with FPGAs, these two components of an electronics engineer's training are essential in order to design microelectronic systems largely based on this technology.

• Power Conversion Systems

  The module introduces basic power technologies, ranging from traditional topologies to modern renewable energy based systems, including modern storage systems such as fuel cells. Hybrid electrical vehicle principles are also briefly introduced. The modules build a smooth transition from background material to more complex topologies and applications, in the context of global sustainability.

• Sensors, Connectivity, and the Internet of Things

  The internet allows devices, systems and services to interconnect and provide cost effective and novel applications and services in almost all fields. Connected objects are identified uniquely by their IP addresses and may be sensors (e.g. medical sensors, gas and electricity meters, temperature/pressure/light sensors) or actuators (household appliances, motors, bulbs, locks, alarms) which communicate with each other via the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT uses sensing technologies to collect data from objects, employs technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing to store and analyse the data collected from the sensors, and eventually uses remote control technology to control the objects. This results in the creation of smart networks that make services more efficient and adaptive and all leading to an improved working and living environment. You will learn about the design and development of IoT systems, including the layered architecture of IoT, technologies on each layer, and applications of IoT in every corner of life. You will develop your hands-on skills by demonstrating, experimenting, and implementing testbeds in the lab. Our lectures will introduce the architecture and various technologies for IoT and your lab work will allow you to design and implement technologies.

• Engineering Major Project

  This module supports you as you prepare and submit a Masters-stage project, dissertation or artefact. It's an opportunity to select and explore in-depth a topic of interest and relevance to your course - and to gain a significant level of expertise. Through this module you will: demonstrate your ability to generate significant and meaningful questions in relation to your specialism; undertake independent research using appropriate, recognised methods based on current theoretical research knowledge; critically understand method and its relationship to knowledge; develop a critical understanding of current knowledge in relation to a chosen subject, and critically analyse and evaluate information and data, which may be complex or contradictory, and draw meaningful and justifiable conclusions; develop the capability to expand or redefine existing knowledge; to develop new approaches to changing situations and/or develop new approaches to changing situations and contribute to the development of best practice; demonstrate an awareness of and to develop solutions to ethical dilemmas likely to arise in your research or professional practice; communicate these processes in a clear and elegant fashion; evaluate your work from the perspective of an autonomous, reflective learner.

• Research Design and Methods

  Gain an in-depth understanding of the theories and methods of research and research design and develop a theoretical and practical foundation in research for your major project/dissertation. You will get an understanding of a range of approaches to research, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, together with an understanding of a number of specific research methods. You will develop your knowledge of research design in order to critically consider the design for your research project, including preparing your proposal and considering ethics and ethical issues. You will develop a theoretical and practical foundation from which to develop your Masters Level Major Project/Dissertation.