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.

• DSP Applications and ARM® Technology

  DSP is an integral part of electronics system design and ARM is a major player in the design and manufacture of microelectronic components. Our module uses ARM hardware, software and development tools and covers topics such as: algorithms, fixed gained and adaptive filters, spectral analysis, application, ARM Processors, Cortex Processors, 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.

• Remote Sensing 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.

• Research Methods

  Develop your skills in preparation to undertake independent research at the MSc level. In particular, you will develop skills to get you started and lay the essential foundations for your Masters Research Project. During the module you will hone your specific research interests whilst recognising time constraints and other practical considerations. These usually set, and limit, the topic, the research approach and study, and the selection of suitable methods. The module will cover: the scientific process, logical thinking and experimental design; critical evaluation of the literature; data analysis using the freely available statistical software R from different perspectives to tackle a range of experiments; and writing a research proposal for an MSc project. You will learn through face-to-face tutorial-style sessions, supplemented by structured reading and exercises. During the module you will be supported in defining your area of study and planning your research project. As part of this process you will be expected to undertake a critical review of the appropriate literature and other information relevant to the proposed project. You will need to give consideration to the logistics required, provide experimental design criteria (where appropriate) at least for the initial stages of the proposed work, and also take account of all health and safety regulations (including COSHH) and appropriate ethical considerations. Designing research projects and writing research proposals and taking responsibility are crucial skills for careers at postgraduate level, where you may have to consider deadlines (time management), ethical issues and assessing risks. Experience of using freely available analytical software also gives you an advantage.

• Major Project

  This module supports students in the preparation and submission of a Master's stage project, dissertation or artefact. The Module provides the opportunity for students to select and explore in-depth, a topic that is of interest and relevant to their course in which they can develop a significant level of expertise. It enables students to: demonstrate their ability to generate significant and meaningful questions in relation to their 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 the chosen subject and to 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 their research or professional practice; communicate these processes in a clear and elegant fashion; evaluate their work from the perspective of an autonomous reflective learner.