Electronic and Computer Systems (top-up, non-accredited) - BEng (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 1 year full-time

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

Stage 3

Compulsory Modules

EENG600 - Project (45 credits)

EENG6670 - Embedded Computer Systems (15 credits)

EENG6770 - Electronics for Communications (15 credits)

PLUS 30 credits from the following optional modules:

EENG6460 - Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)

EENG6730 - Digital Systems Design (15 credits)

EENG6760 - Digital Signal Processing and Control (15 credits)

EENG5610 - Image Analysis & Applications (15 credits)

PLUS 15 credits from the following optional modules:

EENG6830 - Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) (15 credits)

EENG5770 - Entrepreneurship and Professional Development (15 credits)

Teaching and assessment

Lectures; tutorial lectures; examples classes; small group supervisions; practical's; workshops; project work; laboratory experiments and computer-based assignments. In particular, the project gives hands-on experience of hardware and software design, and project management.

Stage 3 modules, with the exception of the final year project, are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination. The programme includes project work to replicate industrial practice and develop skills to maximise employability.

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 programme aims to:

• enable students who have gained 240 credits on equivalent modules to those on our Stage 1 and 2 Electronic and Communications Engineering programme to obtain a top-up to a full BEng honours degree
• educate students to become engineers, well equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities and who are well prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing subject
• produce professional engineers with specialist skills in hardware and software
• provide academic guidance and welfare support for students
• create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and provide an environment where students can develop their potential.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Business and management and project management techniques, seen mainly in a case study context, which may be used to achieve engineering objectives.
• The need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in electronic and computer engineering, directly applied in a case study context.
• Current manufacturing practice with particular emphasis on product safety, environmental and EMC standards and directives.
• Characteristics of materials, equipment, processes and products required for electronics, network communication, instrumentation, sensing and digital systems.
• Appropriate codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues, directly applied in a case study context.
• Contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied to solve new problems.

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual abilities:

• Analysis and solution of hardware and software engineering problems using appropriate mathematical methods with a strong emphasis on engineering example based learning and assessment.
• Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of electronic and computer engineering systems particularly through student led practical project design.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to apply and understand a systems approach to electronic and computer engineering problems by top level analysis to consolidate learning of underpinning principles.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental context of the engineering solution.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following:

• Use of mathematical techniques to analyse problems relevant to electronic, communications, instrumentation, control and embedded systems engineering.
• 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.
• Ability to work with technical uncertainty or incomplete knowledge particularly through experiential learning in practical project design.
• 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.
• Ability to implement software solutions using a range of structural and object oriented languages.
• Ability to design hardware and software systems to fulfil a product specification and devise tests to appraise performance.
• Awareness of the nature of intellectual property and contractual issues and an understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards.
• Ability to use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design.
• Ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes.
• Ability to prepare technical reports and give effective and appropriate presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

• the ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data
• use of Information and Communications Technology
• personal and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work as part of a team
• communication by various means: written, verbal and visual
• to learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development
• 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 such as: 

• electronic engineering and computing
• telecommunications industries including radio, television and satellite communications; medical electronics, instrumentation and industrial process control
• in companies including BAE Systems, Nokia, the Royal Navy, Xilinx, British Energy and RDDS. 

Some graduates choose to go on to postgraduate study, for example:

• MSc Advanced Communication Engineering (RF Technology and Communications)
• Advanced Electronic Systems Engineering
• Information Security and Biometrics.

Help finding a job

The School of Engineering holds an annual Employability and Careers Day where you can meet local and national employers and discuss career opportunities. Ongoing support is provided by the School’s dedicated Employability Officer.

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.