Electronic and Computer Engineering - BEng (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

Stage 1

Compulsory modules currently include:

EL313 - Introduction to Programming (15 credits)

EL303 - Electronic Circuits (15 credits)

EL323 - Engineering Design and Mechanics (15 credits)

EL305 - Introduction to Electronics (15 credits)

EL311 - First Year Engineering Applications Project (15 credits)

EL315 - Digital Technologies (15 credits)

EL318 - Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)

EL319 - Engineering Analysis (15 credits)

Stage 2

Compulsory modules currently include:

EL578 - Systems Programming (15 credits)

EL560 - Microcomputer Engineering (15 credits)

EL577 - Entrepreneurship and Professional Development (15 credits)

EL562 - Engineering Group Project (15 credits)

EL565 - Instrumentation and Measurement Systems (15 credits)

EL568 - Digital Implementation (15 credits)

EL517 - Control and Mechatronics (15 credits)

EL570 - Communications Principles (15 credits)

Stage 3

Compulsory modules currently include:

EL600 - Project (45 credits)

EL667 - Embedded Computer Systems (15 credits)

EL683 - Reliability, Availability, Maintainability & Safety (RAMS) (15 credits)

EL673 - Digital Systems Design (15 credits)

EL676 - Digital Signal Processing and Control (15 credits)

Optional modules:

EL646 - Robotics and AI (15 credits)

EL677 - Communication Network and IoT (15 credits)

EL561 - Image Analysis and Applications (15 credits)

Teaching and assessment

Most modules consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and computer sessions.  All modules are continuously assessed. All years include project work that replicates industrial practice to maximise the employability of our graduates.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The course aims to:

• Educate students to become electronic and computer engineers who are well equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities, and who are well adapted to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing subject.
• Produce electronic and computer engineers with specialist skills in hardware and software engineering, prepared for the complexities of modern electronic and computer system design.
• Enable students to satisfy the educational requirements of the IET for C. Eng. registration.
• Provide for all students, academic guidance and welfare support given by academic advisers and professional services staff. Create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students a community environment where, with staff and peers, they can develop their potential in terms of electronic and computer engineering and a rich set of transferable skills

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of: 

• Mathematical principles relevant to electronic and computer engineering, underpinning circuit analysis and design, signal processing, embedded and control systems, and communication networks. (SM2p).
• Scientific principles and methodology relevant to electronic and computer engineering with an emphasis on practical applications in computer systems, embedded and control systems and communication networks. (SM1p).
• Advanced concepts of embedded systems, control, computer communications and operating systems, influenced by ongoing and current industrial needs and informed by internationally recognised relevant research expertise.
• The value of intellectual property and contractual issues for professional and entrepreneurial engineers (EP5p, EP5m).
• Business, management and project management techniques, seen mainly in a case study context which may be used to achieve engineering objectives (ET1p, ET2p, ET3p, ET5p, ET2m).
• The need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in electronic and computer engineering, directly applied in a case study context. (ET1p, ET1m).
• Current manufacturing practice with particular emphasis on product safety, environmental and EMC standards and directives (ET6p, D2p).
• Characteristics of the materials, equipment, processes and products required for electronics, network communications, instrumentation, sensing and digital systems (EP2p, EP2m).
• Appropriate codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues, directly applied in a case study context. (EP6p, EP7p, ET6p, EP6m, EP7m).
• Contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied to solve new problems (EP1p).

Intellectual skills

You gain intellectual skills in:

• the analysis and solution of hardware and software engineering problems using appropriate mathematical methods with a strong emphasis on engineering example based learning and assessment. (SM2p)
• the ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of computer systems engineering particularly through student led practical project design (SM3p).
• the use of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key electronic and computer engineering processes with an emphasis on simulation and practical learning (EA1p).
• the ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques with an emphasis on simulation and practical learning (EA2p, EA2m).
• the ability to apply and understand a systems approach to electronic and computer engineering problems by top level analysis to consolidate learning of underpinning principles. (EA4p).
• the ability to investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including cost drivers, economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues largely by undertaking student led individual and group project work. (ET6p, D2p, EP9p, D2m, EP11m).
• the ability to use creativity to establish innovative, aesthetic solutions whilst understanding customer and user needs, ensuring fitness for purpose of all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal (D1p, D2p, D4p, D5p, D1m, D2m, D6m).
• the ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental context of the engineering solution (ET1p, ET3p, ET4p, ET4m).

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in: 

• the use of mathematical techniques to analyse problems relevant to electronic, communications, instrumentation, control and embedded systems engineering. (SM2p)
• the ability to work in an engineering laboratory environment and to use a wide range of electronic equipment, workshop equipment and CAD tools for the practical realisation of electronic circuits (Ep1p, EP3p, EP3m).
• the ability to work with technical uncertainty or incomplete knowledge particularly through experiential learning in practical project design (EP8p, D3p, D3m, EP8m).
• the ability to apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to electronic and computer engineering in order to solve engineering problems in analytical, simulation based, and practical engineering activities (EA3p).
• the ability to implement software solutions using a range of structural and object oriented languages.
• the ability to design hardware or software systems to fulfil a product specification and devise tests to appraise performance. (D5p, EP9p)
• the awareness of the nature of intellectual property and contractual issues and an understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards (EP5p, D2p, EP7p, ET2p, ET5p).
• the ability to use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design (EP4p, EP4m).
• the ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes (D5p, D3m).
• the ability to prepare technical reports and give effective and appropriate presentations to technical and non-technical audiences. (D6p, D6m).

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills:

• the ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data.
• the use of Information and Communications Technology.
• personal and interpersonal skills, work as a member of a team.
• the ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences and/or using a variety of methods.
• the ability for critical thinking, reasoning and reflection.
• the ability to manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Our graduates go into careers in areas such as: 

• electronic engineering and computing
• telecommunications industries including radio, television and satellite communications;
• medical electronics, instrumentation and industrial process control.

They have gone on to work in companies including:

• BAE Systems
• Nokia
• the Royal Navy
• Xilinx
• British Energy
• RDDS. 

Some graduates choose to go on to postgraduate study, for example, PhD or Masters by Research in Biomedical Engineering, Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. 

Professional recognition

For over 30 years, our BEng and MEng courses in Engineering have been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which enables fast-track career progression as a professional engineer.

Help finding a job

The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

In addition to the technical skills you acquire on this programme, you also gain key transferable skills including:

• planning and organisation
• leadership
• effective communication. 

You can gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.