Course description
Course Description
There is a large and growing demand from industry for engineers and computer scientists who possess in-depth expertise in embedded systems. This course meets that demand by equipping graduates with knowledge and skills that enable them to work on all aspects of this area. Students develop practical skills in the design, programming and interfacing of embedded processors, as well as an understanding of current applications, technological trends and their potential impact on systems of the future. The Department has established an international reputation for its research in this field, and maintains well-equipped laboratories through its links with industrial partners. This combination of expertise and state-of-the-art platforms enables the Department to offer students instruction in a wide range of topics including (but not restricted to) hardware/software co-design, task oriented programming, systems integration, middleware, networking, human computer interfaces, embedded agents and the embedded internet. Students entering this course will typically have a good honours degree in computer science, electronics or a related discipline.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
Compulsory: ADVANCED EMBEDDED SYSTEMS DESIGN
Core: GROUP PROJECT
Core: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Core: PROGRAMMING EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING
DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CO-DESIGN
FUZZY LOGIC AND HYBRID SYSTEMS
INDUSTRY BASED PROJECT AND DISSERTATION
MSC PROJECT/DISSERTATION
PERVASIVE COMPUTING AND AMBIENT INTELLIGENCE
PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN-MACHINE INTERACTION
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Theory : current concepts, principles and theories relevant to the area of embedded systems.
A2 : Techniques : methods, tools and enabling technologies used in, or arising from, embedded systems.
A3 : Applications : established and potential applications of techniques developed within embedded systems.
A4 : Professional Issues : legal and ethical issues relating to the present and future use of technology developed within embedded systems.
Teaching Methods
Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles involved in A1 - A4. Students are also directed to reading from textbooks, academic papers and on-line material.
Understanding is reinforced by means of exercise classes, discussion groups, laboratories and assignments.
Knowledge of a particular topic, chosen by the student from within his/her areas of specialisation, is gained in CE902 through a staff led literature search which forms the basis for weekly group discussions.
Individual supervision of the summer project and dissertation provides further support for the development of those areas of knowledge relevant to the student's chosen topic.
Assessment Methods
Achievement of knowledge outcomes is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations and marked coursework.
Understanding of professional issues (A4) is assessed by MCT during the course of the term.
The assessment of the CE902 essay includes specific allocation of marks for the breadth and depth of the knowledge gained during the study of the chosen topic.
An assessment of the understanding of principles and implementation techniques forms part of the overall assessment of the summer project and dissertation.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Analyse problems in the area of embedded systems and select the most appropriate techniques for their solution
B2 : Evaluate and apply critical judgement to the theories and techniques that relate to embedded systems and their associated technologies
B3 : Interpret the contents of research articles and identify those results and findings that are significant;
B4 : Construct informed and reasoned arguments, descriptions and proposals that incorporate advanced knowledge of embedded systems and their associated technologies.
Teaching Methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures, and they are developed by means of recommended reading, guided and self directed study, assignments and project work.
B1 is a key element of most assignments and central to the group project.
B2 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.
In CE902, the acquisition of B3 and B4 is supported by lectures about research methodology and report writing, and further developed during tutor led group discussions.
Individual supervision of the summer project and dissertation provides further support for the development of skills B1 - B4.
Assessment Methods
Achievement of intellectual skills B1 and B2 is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations, marked assignments and project work.
The assessments of CE902 coursework and the CE901 dissertation include specific allocation of marks for use of original sources (B3), clarity of description and originality (B4).
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Make effective use of a range of theories, techniques, programming languages, operating systems, design support tools and development environments
C2 : Specify, design, implement, test and document an embedded system;
C3 : Work as a member of a development team, contributing to the planning and construction of an embedded system
C4 : Propose, plan, undertake and report a self-directed individual programme of investigation, design and implementation
Teaching Methods
Practical skills are developed in exercise classes, laboratory classes, assignments and project work.
C1 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.
Various aspects of C2 are acquired in design, programming and other assignments, and further developed in group and individual project work.
C3 is developed in the group project, CC403.
C4 is developed during the supervision of the summer project and dissertation.
Assessment Methods
Achievement of practical skills is assessed through marked coursework, project reports, oral presentations and demonstrations of completed systems.
An assessment of the extent to which students have demonstrated practical research skills (C4) forms part of the overall assessment of CE902, and the summer project and dissertation, CE901.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Communicate effectively in written reports and oral presentations using appropriate terminology and technical language
D2 : Retrieve information using search engines, browsers and catalogues; use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present technical reports in various formats (documents, oral presentations)
D3 : Use mathematical techniques in the processes of analysis and design
D4 : Analyse complex problems and design effective solutions
D5 : Plan and manage team projects using available support tools; work effectively as part of a team
D6 : Organise activity and manage time in a programme of self-directed study
Teaching Methods
The development of key skills forms an integral part of the students' overall learning activity. In particular
D1 and D2 are developed in group and individual project work.
D2 is developed through the use of the internet as a major information source, and practice in the use of tools such as Word and PowerPoint.
D3 and D4 are developed in exercises and assignments.
D5 and D6 are developed in the group project.
D6 is further developed in CE901, the summer project and dissertation.
Assessment Methods
Assessment of the key skills D3 and D4 is intrinsic to subject based assessment.
The assessment of project work includes specific allocations of credit for project management (D5, D6) and the quality of presentations (D1 and D2).
An individual's contribution to the group project (D5) is in part determined by means of a submission containing reflective and self-assessment components.
The assessments of the CE902 coursework and the CE901 dissertation include specific allocation of credit for the quality, extent and relevance of a bibliography, including internet sources (D2).
