Electronic Engineering

This first year module places electronics and electronic engineering in a global context. You’ll study why electronics is important, how it affects our daily lives, what drives innovation, and the evolution of electronics technology and future trends.

These two modules span both semesters in the first year, and are at the heart of first year teaching. The main aim is to introduce the fundamental concepts and principles of analogue and digital electronics, and develop the skills necessary to design and build electronic circuits.

Core to many electronics systems lies a central processor, managing and manipulating data, sometimes from remote locations. To fully understand this concept and the processes involved, this module introduces the fundamentals of computer hardware, software and networking technology including some more advanced concepts such as security.

You will cover some core mathematics to get you A-Level standard. We've chosen specific topics that are relevant to further study, such as algebra, trigonometry, calculus, coordinate geometry, probability and statistics.

Building on the subject knowledge from the Mathematics module you will further your knowledge of differential equations and series with emphasis on their applications to engineering and develop your awareness of the  importance of mathematics in a quantitative description of engineering. You will be introduced to computer simulation and computing programming.

This module gives a thorough grounding in the techniques and applications of digital technology in the acquisition, processing, storage and transmission of acoustic signals.

The Computing Laboratory module will help you build computer programming skills, so you can tackle simple non-analytic physical and engineering problems. You will use the numerical methods and techniques frequently encountered in physical and engineering challenges, and learn how to implement these them on the computer. You will also learn about interfacing sensors to computers and computer control of experiments.

This second semester module explores the underlying principles of signal propagation and transmission systems. It will provide you with the tools to design and simulate transmission systems and introduces you to a wide range of transmission techniques currently used in modern communication systems.

This module supports the development of personal and professional skills through the experience of working in a team to produce a working design from a formal specification. The module aims to provide an understanding of digital communications signals, coding and media delivery, and the digital hardware elements required to produce and process digital communication signals.                                        

You will build on the engineering mathematics module from your first year by developing advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical analysis. This will enable you to tackle more advanced engineering problems. Subjects covered include partial differentiation, determinants and matrices, vector analysis

This module aims to provide knowledge and critical understanding of the digital hardware elements required to build digital electronic systems that process digital signals. It also aims to develop the practical skills required to use digital design tools in order to design and test digital hardware. The module also aims to enable students to understand the importance of testing, and to facilitate the use of a range of appropriate tools, techniques and equipment when testing and critically analysing digital circuits and systems.                

This module runs across two semesters and develops knowledge in two key areas: Classical and digital control design methods, including frequency and time analysis for both continuous-time and discrete-time systems; and Electrical power, power distribution, and energy conversion.

The application of embedded systems is ubiquitous in modern electronic systems. This module includes a significant practical element where the functionality of embedded systems is explored through the design and implementation of modern microcontroller systems and their associated programming languages.

You will gain an overview of key concepts and challenges related to digital transformation through an examination of the evolution of the Internet and how the interconnection of people, processes, data, and things is transforming every industry.

This module has two main components. Industrial management in which you will be introduced to the commercial issues which must be addressed by engineering businesses, and the principles of quality management systems; and project preparation which will develop your ability to work independently, become competent in analysing and assessing the value of information, and develop effective communication skills both written and orally.

You will perform modelling and analysis in the z-transformed domain and understand modern DSP techniques such as blind signal processing. You will apply the process of digital filtering; fixed, adaptive, recursive and non-recursive partly drawing on the latest research outcomes. You will also apply and understand Machine Learning methods for engineering applications.

The final year project module develops your ability to work with a significant degree of independence on a structured programme of activity. It will highlight your ability to become competent in analysing and assessing the value of information derived from that programme of work so that you will communicate effectively (both through written reports and orally) the details of the programme, and the conclusions that can be drawn together with suggestions of further work.