Objectives
The prime goal of all engineering programmes at UWE is to produce effective practitioners. This course is no exception. It aims to provide an educational framework by which graduates of electrical or electronic engineering, (or other appropriate sciences), and/or those with a vocational qualification coupled with considerable industrial experience can develop, deepen or update their skills and knowledge in industrially relevant areas of advanced electronic engineering technology. There is a strong underlying view that these technologies must be developed and applied in a systems environment. The technical areas include machine intelligence using techniques such as artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic, computer and mobile communications, digital signal processing, embedded computing, hardware-software co-design using VLSI technology, modern electrical power systems, and advanced control. Applications include biologically-inspired advanced robotics, mobile telecommunications, advanced vision and audio processing, intelligent control systems, medical technologies, intelligent electrical power systems generation and distribution. 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 (see ‘Entry requirements’ below) is required. Those who have not studied computer programming recently are encouraged to apply with a view to undertaking a course of home study prior to starting the postgraduate programme.
Course description
Content
Technical areas of the MSc Advanced Technologies in Electronics include computer and mobile telecommunications, embedded computing, machine intelligence such as neural network and fuzzy control systems, design using VLSI technology, modern power systems, and advanced control.
You will study the following core modules:
-Intelligent and Adaptive Systems
-Communication Networks and Protocols
-DSP for Real Time Control Systems
-Embedded Real Time Systems
You are also able to choose options module which enables some specialisation in your programme of study. Options include Modern Power Systems, Mobile Communications and Behavioural Systems Design amongst others.
You can view the structure of the current year of study for both part time and full time routes on the faculty website.
You can also dowload a full programme booklet (PDF Format) and find out more about our Graduate School here.
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.
Study facilities
Because the Bristol Institute of Technology 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 Bristol Institute of Technology hosts its 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.The Bristol Institute of Technology has its own IT Helpdesk, staffed by students from within the Bristol Institute of Technology, and available for both students and staff to use. There are also 24 hour computer labs on campus available for student use.
The Bristol Institute of Technology operates 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.
Study time
Structure of the course
You will qualify for the awards MSc, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate by accumulating credits on completion of modules, as follows:
-The MSc Advanced Technologies in Electronics requires 180 credits, including 60 credits for the dissertation;
-The Postgraduate Diploma Advanced Technologies in Electronics requires 120 credits, all from the taught part of the course ie no dissertation is completed;
-The Postgraduate Certificate Advanced Technologies in Electronics requires 60 credits, again all from the taught part of the course.
Taught modules may be worth up to 30 credits and may be considered as either compulsory (ie the module that must be taken), or optional. Most modules are taught over a period of 12 weeks, ie one semester, but some cover both semesters. Most of the modules on this course are worth 15-credits and normally involve two to three hours class contact time per week.
Please bear in mind that the information and structure given are an indication of what is normally covered on the course. It is possible that your course content may differ slightly to that given here.
Part-time students generally complete the course over two or more years. This allows for flexibility in selecting the number of modules which a student can cope with in one year, bearing in mind other work and life commitments. 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.
Assessment
Assessment of the overall course is in two parts; Part 1 comprises assessment of the taught part of the course and incorporates coursework assessments which assess the remaining modules. Part 2 comprises a written dissertation and includes an oral presentation.
Please see our website for further information on this course, you can also download the programme booklet which contains full details of the modules available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much additional time and independent study will this course require?
A 15-credit module typically involves two to three hours per week over a 12 week period in structured activities, although this may vary. You should reckon on devoting approximately a further nine hours per week to each module. This means that a full-time student may need to spend up to 50 hours per week on his/her studies. In practice, of course, students spread this load over the holiday period, and there may be times of particularly intensive activity, when deadlines need to be met.
How much time and effort will I be expected to put into the dissertation?
You should view your dissertation as a part-time activity over the duration of the course. Writing the dissertation is demanding, not so much because of its length, which is about 15,000 words, but because you are expected to identify a research question that is important and interesting to you, and then think analytically and creatively about this question. This will involve extensive, critical reading of relevant literature.
I am in the final year of my undergraduate degree. Why should I do a postgraduate degree and what better career prospects can this give me?
By doing a Master's degree, you would be gaining skills and knowledge valued by employers - making yourself much more attractive to employers - and much more likely to be invited to interview. It is true that there has been a recent downturn in the engineering sector, but this is perhaps an argument for taking a higher degree and postponing your entry into the job market for a year, when the economic conditions might possibly be more favourable.
