Electronic Engineering with a Year in Industry

Core Modules

Year 1

• Embedded Systems Creative Team Project 1

  Working in groups, you will carry out a project using methods and techniques that parallel industrial practice. You will develop prototypes which solve one or more elements of a given issue. You will look at digital logic in the context of combinational and sequential logic with discrete logic gate circuits (AND, NOT, OR, NAND, XOR, XNOR) and consider how their responses can be modelled in practice using Boolean algebra, truth tables, De Morgan's theorem and Karnaugh maps. You will also become familiar with the professional team working attitudes and skills required to take projects from inception to the fabrication of a final product prototype.

• Programming in C++

  In this module you will develop an understanding of programming in C++. You will learn how to use mathematical and computer-based models to solve electronic engineering problems and how to apply quantitative methods in C++. You will look at the concept of a computer program and compilation in the context of objective-orientated programming, and examine the digital representation of numbers, user interfacing, printing to screen, iterative and conditional statements, and error handling.

• Electronic Circuits and Components

  The aim of this module is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic components and their use in circuits. This module covers the electrical properties of both passive (including resistors, capacitors, inductors) and active electronic components (including diodes, photo diodes, LEDs, transistors, ICs, opto-isolators, opto-couplers) and how they are typically used in practical circuits during laboratory sessions. The design and analysis of analogue circuit behaviour is covered in the context of the use of phasors to represent voltage-current phase differences, transient and steady-state design and analysis of passive and active filters, time and frequency domain representations of the small signal responses of amplifier circuits.

• Communications Engineering 1

  The aim of this module is to provide an introduction theoretical and practical knowledge of communications engineering. In terms of indicative content, this module will include the description of a signal and its characterisation in the time and frequency domains, considerations, introduction to analogue and digital signals; linear time invariance, random variables, Gaussian random processes, probability, thermal noise; introduction to modulation techniques including RF modulation, spectral and power considerations, pre-emphasis and de-emphasis, baseband recovery, error detection and correction, PLLs, multiplexing; introduction to digital signal transmission including sampling theorem, a2d and d2a conversion and quantisation, numbers of bits, error bit probabilities, introduction to digital signal processing.

• Internet Services

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how the internet works and its key protocols. You will look at the technologies used for web development, including scripting languages and their potential for adding dynamic content to web sites and applications. You will consider the role of web services and related technologies, and will examine the fundamental principles of network security.

• Mathematics for Engineers 1

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how to solve problems involving one variable (either real or complex) and differentiate and integrate simple functions. You will learn how to use vector algebra and geometry and how to use the common probability distributions.

• Mathematics for Engineers 2

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how to solve problems involving more than one variable. You will learn how to use matrices and solves eigenvalue problems, and how to manipulate vector differential operators, including gradient, divergence and curl. You will also consider their physical significance and the theorems of Gauss and Stokes.

Year 2

• Embedded Systems Creative Team Project 2

  In this module you will move from prototype design to product creation. Working in groups, you will take on a specific management function within the context of industrial practice. You will use the results of analysis and apply technology by implementing engineering processes to solve engineering problems. You will demonstrate the ability to use relevant materials, equipment, tools, processes or products and use creativity and innovation in a practical context to establish an innovative solution.

• Software Engineering for Electronics

  The aim of this module is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of software engineering for electronics. This module introduces software engineering processes including the software lifecycle and the techniques used to produce and manage complex, fit-for-purpose, safe, large, cost-effective software systems in practice from both a technical and non-technical point of view. The concepts of software design, analysis and creation will be explored in the context of real-world examples and software architectures.

• Signals, Systems and Engineering

  The aim in this module is to understand the mathematical interactions that the combination of various system types impose upon signals and their conveyance in communication applications, quantifying the interplay of deterministic cost factors such as bandwidth, energy, power and interference.

   

• Control Engineering

  The aim of this module is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge in control engineering. This module will make extensive use of MATLAB and the control toolbox in the context of solving control engineering problems and its indicative content includes the step response of first and second order systems and the effect of varying the time constant on overshoot and settling times, the use of bode plots, root locus, Nyquist plots, error estimation. Practical control systems will be explored theoretically and practically.

• Electronic Materials and Devices

  The aim of this module is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on the materials that underpin electronic devices. The indicative content for this module encompasses the solid-state physical macro- and nano-scale properties of solid conductor, insulator, semiconductor and optoelectronic materials that make them useful in electronic devices, their structures, the behaviour of electrons, electrical conduction, lattice vibration, thermal conduction, how dopants are used, and their interaction with light where appropriate. Existing electronic materials as well as future deveopments will be explored.

• Analogue Electronic Systems

  Analogue Electronic Systems  covers electronic engineering in content to extend and deepen your knowledge of electronic circuits and systems

• Professional and Sustainable Engineering

  This module introduces the full and holistic life cycle analysis in relation to electronic products and components, their environmental impact and sustainability. You will develop an understanding of closed loop technology  renewable and sustainable technologies and challenges, motivators for sustainable engineering and the notion of ‘green engineering’. Ethical and social impact of engineering and technology will be covered together with real-world case studies.

Year 3

• Individual Project

  In this module you will engage in theoretical and practical work on an agreed specific area relevant to electronic engineering. This will usually be a prototype that demonstrates the feasibility of a product or a fully functioning prototype depending on the nature of the topic itself. You will be allocated a supervisor and progress will be monitored against the specification in terms of implementation and testing as appropriate.

• Digital Signal Processing Design

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the scientific principles underpinning practical signal processing. You will look at the mathematics behind signal processing and consider new and emerging technologies within the field. You carry out practical work in digital filter design involving the use of MATLAB.

Year 4

• Year in Industry

  You will spend this year on a work placement. You will be supported by the Department of Electronic Engineering and the Royal Holloway Careers and Employability Service to find a suitable placement. This year forms an integral part of the degree programme and you will be asked to complete assessed work. The mark for this work will count towards your final degree classification.

Year 5

• Group Project

  In this module you will work on a practical problem relevant to tomorrow's societal needs. Working in groups, you will classify the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and practical modelling techniques in the context of your chosen project topic. The working practice of your group will be modelled on industrial practices in terms of planning, keeping proper records of meetings and the progress of work, and you will take on an individual role within the team that is vital to the professional and successful running of the project. You will compare and assess different design processes and methodologies and working successfully as a group member you will exercise initiative, leadership, time management and professional decision-making skills.

• Research Project

  In this module you will you conduct a research project exploring a specific topic in electronic engineering. Topics may include smart cities, robots in industry, the aviation industry, the telecommunication industry, energy in developing nations, controlling complex systems, global communication systems, music technology, renewable energy generation, or cybersecurity protection of physical layers.

• System on Chip Design

  The module extends the knowledge acquired in digital systems with advanced topics in the emergent area of FPGA based system on chip design. The module will cover state-of-the-art features available in modern FPGAs exploring their fine-grained internal architecture and embedded macro blocks such as DSP slices, IPs and hardcore/softcore processors. A design language based on C/C++ will be presented as an alternative to traditional RTL design (VHDL). High level synthesis tools will be used to compute signal processing applications.

   

Optional Modules

There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.

Year 1

• All modules are core

Year 2

• All modules are core

Year 3

• Renewable Energy Systems

  In this module you will develop an understanding of a range of renewable energy generation concepts. You will look at technologies such as wind generators, solar generation, hydro and marine generation concepts, geothermal dynamics and biofuels. You will consider the different sources of primary energy as well as the energy conversion and electricity generation principals that are exploited. Using your engineering skills, you will build your own renewable micro-generators.

• Voice Technologies

  In this module you will develop an understanding of voice synthesis, recognition and processing in the context of present-day and future engineering systems that make use of a voice input or output. You will look at the synthesis of human speech and singing in terms of the sound source and sound modifiers in practice to create electronic voice signals. You will consider standard voice processing techniques, used, for example, to enhance speech quality and to remove background noise and improve perceived voice quality. You will also examine techniques used for automatic speech recognition, such as Apple's 'Siri' system.

• Fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the human factors in healthcare engineering. You will look at critical safety issues in healthcare engineering and material compatibility in the context of implantable devices. You will consider the operation of systems such as eye trackers, hearing aids, cochlear implants, pacemakers, wearable health monitors and examine the role of assistive technologies, electronic enhancement for condition diagnosis, medical robots and drug delivery control.

• Digital Systems Design

  This course module will help you develop your knowledge and understanding of advanced digital systems design. You will learn the principles of designing digital logic circuits, hardware description languages and control unit design, acquire the skills to design controllers from written specifications, and evaluate and make decisions about specific digital system designs.

• Advanced Communications Systems
• Information Security

Year 5

• Pattern Recognition

  This module provides theoretical and practical knowledge relating to pattern recognition. Topics will include Bayesian decision theory, Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines (amongst others). The nature of these algorithms will be studied along with engineering techniques for developing smart applications. Further, deep learning for engineering applications (eg. classification of electrocardiograms) will be studied and you will undertake a coursework to apply an appropriate machine learning methodology to solve a real-world pattern recognition problem.

• Advanced Distributed Systems
• Introduction to Immersive Engineering 1

  This module is an introduction to the design needs and software/hardware solutions to modern immersive capture, storage, mixing, rendering and presentation systems. Students will learn how VR/AR systems are constructed and the audio visual technology behind them.

• Immersive Engineering 2

  This module will develop a deep understanding of the design needs and software/hardware solutions to modern immersive capture, storage, mixing, rendering and presentation systems. Students will learn how eXtended Reality (XR) systems are constructed and the audio visual technology behind them.

• Nano Electronics

  This module covers the fundamental of nanotechnology and its impact in electronics. The indicative content encompasses the principles of quantum mechanics (including the concept of quantisation, the wave-particle duality, and wave-functions), how they interact at the interface with classical physics, why they alter the traditional view of electrons’ behaviour, and why they become significant with the downsizing of electronic devices. The fabrication and characterisation techniques of the nano-scale electronic devices will also be explored.