The
MSc Electronics with System-On-Chip Technologies aims to produce postgraduates with an advanced understanding of the various routes to implementing systems-on-chip (SoC) and with hands-on experience of the design of such systems using several approaches to their implementation. The core aim of the course is to produce students who are “silicon qualified” by providing them with a complete SoC design experience by setting a framework of activities that allow the student to use industry-standard Computer-Aided-Engineering (CAE) software tools for the fast and accurate design, simulation and verification of integrated circuits.
Course structure:
Each MSc course consists of three learning modules (40 credits each) plus an individual project (60 credits). Each learning module consists of a short course of lectures and initial hands-on experience. This is followed by a period of independent study supported by a series of tutorials. During this time you complete an Independent Learning Package (ILP). The ILP is matched to the learning outcomes of the module. It can be either a large project or a series of small tasks depending on the needs of each module. Credits for each module are awarded following the submission of a completed ILP and its successful defence in a viva voce examination. This form of assessment develops your communication and personal skills and is highly relevant to the workplace. Overall, each learning module comprises approximately 400 hours of study.
The project counts for one third of the course and involves undertaking a substantial research or product development project. For part-time students, this can be linked to their employment. It is undertaken in two phases. In the first part, the project subject area is researched and a workplan developed. The second part involves the main research and development activity. In all, the project requires approximately 600 hours of work.
Further flexibility is provided within the structure of the courses in that you can study related topic areas by taking modules from other courses as options (pre-requisite knowledge and skills permitting).
Prior to starting your course, you are sent a Course Information and Preparation Pack which provides information to give you a flying start.
MSc Electronics Suite of Courses:
The MSc in Electronics has four distinct pathways:
- Robotic and Control Systems
- Embedded Systems
- System-on-Chip Technologies
- Medical Instrumentation
The subject areas covered within the four pathways of the electronic suite of MSc courses offer students an excellent launch pad which will enable the successful graduate to enter into these ever expanding, fast growing and dominant areas. With ever increasing demands from consumers such as portability, increased battery life and greater functionality combined with reductions in cost and shrinking scales of technologies, modern electronic systems are finding ever more application areas.
A vastly expanding application base for electronic systems has led to an explosion in the use of embedded system technologies. Part of this expansion has been led by the introduction of new medical devices and robotic devices entering the main stream consumer market. Industry has also fed the increase in demand particularly within the medical electronics area with the need of more sophisticated user interfaces, demands to reduce equipment costs, demands for greater accessibility of equipment and a demand for ever greater portability of equipment.
The technical tasks undertaken in ILPs, along with the required major project, thoroughly exercise the concepts covered in the course modules and give scope for originality and industry-relevant study. Team-working activities encouraged within modules, along with the all-oral individual examination regimen employed in this Electronics MSc Suite, have proven solidly beneficial in refining the communication and employability-enhancing skills that are strongly valued by industry.
