Electronic Engineering with a Year in Industry

Core Modules

Year 1

• Creative Engineering 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.

• 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.

• Principles of Sustainable Engineering

  The aim of this module is to introduce the full and holistic life cycle analysis in relation to electronic products and components, which considers environmental impact and sustainability. The production of items should minimise resource use, especially resources which are scarce or hazardous. This module considers how electronic products affect the environment during their operation, for example in terms of energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions and consideration of how to minimise the environmental impact (e.g. pollutants, bio-degradability) of a product at the end of its life cycle through recycling etc. Renewable generation will be introduced and explored practically and the advantages of demand-side management can be used to shave off and control peak demand.

• 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.

• 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

• Creative Systems Team Project 1

  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.

   

• Electricity Generation, Conversion and Distribution

  The aim of this module is to cover the entire process of using a primary source of energy, converting it to electricity and delivering the generated electricity to where it is required. You will look at the physical principles of energy generation and conversion, both conventional and renewable. You will explore generation methods used in current power systems across the world, including coal, oil, gas, and nuclear, as well as renewable technologies. You will also examine wind generation and photovoltaic generation, both of which have reached significant generation levels in various countries, as well as pumped water storage and its role in fast-response.

• 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.

• Digital Coding and Data Networking

  The aim of this module is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of digital coding and the networking of data. The indicative content for this module builds on the Communications Engineering modules and includes lossy and lossless digital coding in the contexts of audio (e.g. MP3, AAC), video (e.g. VP8, MPEG, H.264) and combined (e.g. AVI, MP4, FLV) transmission and storage, as well as the concept of a data network, its geography and the principles behind its operation including: speed considerations, data packets, packet switching, bandwidth, data integrity, error detection, network links, wired and wireless connection, network topologies, communications protocols, routers, switches, firewalls, intranet, extranet, internet, quality of service, resilience and security.

• 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.

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.

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.

• Digital Signal Processing

  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 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 Report

  In this module you will you write a professional research report 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.

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.

• Principles of Engineering Company Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of modern techniques used in company management to tackle the challenges of the business sector. You will look at company management structures, company finance, statuary requirements, human resource management, project management techniques, managing risks, health and safety requirements, and how to deal with problems that arise during the project lifecycle. You will consider the role of codes of practice and industry standards, and examine relevant legal requirements governing engineering activities.

• Smart Transportation

  In this module you will develop an understanding of electronic systems for smart living. You will look at the scientific principles underpinning smart transportation, including sensors, their accuracy and limitations, electric motor design and control systems, batteries and their charge/discharge cycles, RFID technologies, cloud computing, and communication protocols. You will investigate and develop engineering solutions for smart transportation using a systems approach and examine the developing technologies related to future means of transportation.

• 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.

• Human Factors and Healthcare 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.

• Applications of Cryptography

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the fundamentals behind cryptography and how it is deployed in real systems. You will look at a range of security services that can be provided by cryptography and the mechanisms behind them, such as symmetric and public-key encryption, hash functions, MACs, digital signatures and authentication protocols. You will consider the architecture of security systems using cryptography, including key management, implementation issues, cryptographic standards and crypto politics, and examine real-world applications such as 3G, EMV, and SSL/TLS.

Year 5

• Advanced Wireless Communications

  In this module you will develop an understanding of advanced communications systems. You will look at historical and state-of-the-art cellular telephone systems, the design of wireless systems, packet protocols in wireless systems, wireless antenna design, EMC issues, microwave communication systems, satellite communication systems and advanced data coding.

• Engineering Leadership

  In this module you will develop an understanding of leadership concepts and their application within the field of engineering. You will look at examples of good and bad leadership in companies, considering what makes an excellent leader and how leadership and advanced communication skills can be developed. You will examine and apply the principles of engineering leadership in the context of your own career and reflect on the success of current and past leaders, including how they built team spirit and got the best from their teams. You will also learn how to make general evaluations of commercial risks in the context of leading an engineering company.

• Electronics in Advanced Manufacturing

  In this module you will develop an understanding of electrical engineering in the context of advanced manufacturing. You will look at efficiency in manufacturing, historical perspectives and changes to the present day in printed circuit board (PCB) and enclosure manufacturing, manufacturing techniques change management and financial implications of technology change in manufacturing techniques. You will consider the roles of 3D printing, laser cutting and other modern manufacturing techniques and assess their potential impact now and in the future in the manufacturing sector. You will also examine the processes of system prototyping and acceptance testing, component selection for tolerance and resilience, and protecting electronic circuits for application in harsh conditions such as road, rail, sea, underwater, aircraft and space vehicle electronics and environmental monitoring systems.

• Personal Communications Technology

  In this module you will develop an understanding of current developments in personal communications technology. You will look at the history of personal communications technology and examine how technology change has revolutionised it in relation to land-line telephones, gaming devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobile phones, and mainframe to desktop to laptop to wearable computers. You will also consider the role of data security and personal data protection.

• Imaging Systems for Medicine and Industry

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how imaging is used in medicine and industry. You will look at the physics behind historical, current and future imaging techniques, biomedical imaging, neuroimaging, optical imaging, ultrasound imaging, spectroscopy, x-ray computed tomography, videoendoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET). You will also examine image data analysis techniques, image perception and display technologies.

• App Programming

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how to write Apps for portable devices. You will gain practical app writing experience for Apple products including user interface design, storyboarding, and coding with APIs for a variety of available sensors. You will design, implement and test an app of your own design.