Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Electrical Principles
You develop an understanding of digital and analogue electronics. And focus on important components, operations and circuits. You explore theoretical principles and conduct laboratory exercises using expert equipment.
Electronic Principles
This module gives you a basic understanding of the physical fundamentals used in electrical engineering, together with specific techniques you need to determine the behaviour of electric circuits.
We cover the fundamentals of electrical circuit theory, analysis of electrical circuits, give you an understanding of simple analogue and digital circuits and an appreciation of their application to engineering problems.
We look at voltage, current, power, energy, resistance and impedance. Also magnetic fields and inductance, electric fields and capacitance, Kirchhoff’s Laws. We examine time varying voltages and currents, effects on inductors and capacitors, sinusoidal voltage and current use of symbolic notation.
You also study power, reactive power and apparent power, circuit analysis techniques, mesh and nodal analysis, transistors and properties of amplifiers.
Our primary method of teaching is lectures supported by laboratory sessions, tutorials, problem solving and directed learning.
You learn how to:
- understand and use key elements of electrical and electronic theory
- apply given tools in the solution of well defined electrical and electronic engineering problems
- apply numerical skills to simple electrical and electronic engineering problems
- use basic IT tools and specialist software to solve simple electrical and electronic engineering problems.
Engineering Mathematics
This module introduces the range of mathematical skills that are relevant to an engineering degree. You revisit and develop your knowledge of the fundamentals of algebra, trigonometry and basic statistics. The central ideas of vectors, matrices, complex numbers, and differential and integral calculus are also examined.
Throughout the module you develop a range of mathematical skills and techniques fundamental to the solution of engineering problems. You also advance your skills in selecting and applying mathematical techniques.
This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorial sessions.
Engineering Practice
You develop and enhance the practical, professional and electrical engineering skills necessary for success in both the academic and work environment. There is a significant practical element which enables you to develop your knowledge, confidence and the fundamental principles of electrical engineering design methods and laboratory practice. You are also introduced to the skills required to improve opportunities in career selection and development through exposure to a range of on-campus services and external professional bodies.
The practical sessions include: health and safety, equipment selection, component selection, circuit construction, measuring instruments, testing and fault diagnosis.
Physics and Instrumentation
This module provides you with an introduction to instrumentation, through studying the principles and characteristics of measurement systems and elements, and their underlying physical principles.
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- gather record, describe and evaluate sensor and system data from a variety of sources
- demonstrate practical ability in carrying out experimental physical measurements, within defined contexts in areas relevant to physics and instrumentation
- present written evidence to demonstrate understanding of experimental investigation of underlying physical principles of measurement sensors and systems.
You will be assessed on an exam, system design exercise and laboratory report.
PLCs and Embedded Systems
You focus on the implementation of systems for both programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and embedded systems. PLCs are used to explain theory, to discuss applications and to cover practical aspects of programmable logic controllers and lead to the design of a control system for an industrial process. Embedded systems are explained by using their industrial applications and practical programming applications using a microcontroller-based system. You work in teams to solve an industrially-relevant real-time embedded system application.
Year 2 core modules
Digital Electronics Design
In this group project module you work in teams to solve an industrially relevant digital electronics design problem. Through your project work you develop employability skills such as project management, work presentation, research and commercial awareness. You become more adept at technical problem solving.
You investigate digital electronics and are introduced to digital electronics design techniques, and their application to real problems.
Electrical Engineering
This module introduces electrical power systems, including balanced/unbalanced three-phase systems, transformers, and transmission lines.
Practical sessions involve the use of laboratory setups and software packages (Pspice & Matlab) for the analysis of power system component characteristics. Tutorials will involve guided exercises and practical tasks incorporating examples of current industry practice.
Industrial Communications
The module encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of modern digital and industrial communications systems and protocols. The module provides the principles of the design, analysis and practical implementation and industrial use of digital, serial, wired and wireless communication systems. The module also introduces practical industrial communication protocols and information management systems.
Integral Transforms and Matrices
You deepen your mathematical knowledge in key areas to use in a number of techniques to solve problems that arise in engineering domains. You develop competence in identifying the most appropriate method to solve a problem and its application.
You are introduced to the techniques and principles, and you are provided with problems that develop your competency in applying these techniques. You are shown how to implement numerical methods using software techniques.
Machines
This module teaches principles and analysis of electrical machines. Machine performance and operation characteristics are investigated in-depth in both analytical and experimental methods. Students will develop analytical techniques for predicting device and system interaction characteristics as well as applications. Laboratory setups and software packages such as (Pspice & Matlab) will be used to model and analyse a typical machine performance and characteristics.
Problems used in the course are intended to strengthen understanding of the phenomena and interactions of electrical machine, and include examples from current research and industry practice.
Multidisciplinary Software and Systems
This module introduces C++ programming with an emphasis on the learning, development and application of algorithms and data structures within an engineering context. The students will be introduced to the basics of class-based object-oriented programming using the C++ language.
Students will be required to demonstrate conceptual understanding and practical competence of programming by designing and implementing solutions to specific programming problems.
The module is taught with lectures, labs and related practical work. Lectures will provide an explanation of theory and demonstrations of programming examples. Lab sessions will provide you an opportunity to develop programming skills through the use of practice exercises.
The module is assessed by a report midway through the course and a group programming task at the end of the module period.
Year 3 core modules
Electric Drives
This module aims to provide students with the capability to analyse and design power electronic converters and to integrate them in DC and AC electric drive systems. The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, guided reading, laboratory sessions and tutorials. Extensive use of modern experimental facilities will give the students the opportunity to explore converters’ operation in full and to gain a deep understanding of practical design constraints.
Problems used in the module are intended to strengthen understanding of the phenomena and interactions of electric drives, and include examples from current research and industry practice.
Industrial Electronics
This module introduces you to the fundamental of industrial electronics including power electronic devices, power electronic converters and their application to switched mode power supply and other power electronic applications. The module also considers the principles of modelling, analysis and design of industrial electronics circuits such as switch mode power supply.
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and practical sessions. Lectures will provide an explanation of principles and discussion of industrial electronics applications. Extensive use of appropriate software tools (such as MATLAB, PSpice) in the practical sessions will give you the opportunity to explore these principles in greater depth. The practical sessions will be used to design and analyses of the electronic circuits.
Integrated Masters Project
This module extends the development of independent learning skills by allowing the student to investigate an area of engineering for an extended period. The student will work independently or in a small team, but will produce individual work.
Training will be given in writing technical reports for knowledgeable readers and the student will produce a report/dissertation of the work covered. In addition, the student will give an oral presentation, poster presentation or both. The topic can be in the form of a research project or a design project. Key skills in research, knowledge application and creation will be developed through keynote lectures and self-managed independent study.
Power Systems
This module presents methods of power system analysis to give a sound understanding of a broad range of topics related to power system engineering. It includes studies on operation, design and economics of power generation, transmission/distribution systems. Frequency and voltage control, and protection schemes are covered for both normal and fault conditions.
The module is taught with lectures, for explanation of principles and discussion of applications, and seminars for guided exercises There are also a series of practical's utilising industry standard software for the analysis of power flow and fault levels which will incorporate examples of current industry practice.
Sustainable Systems and Industry 4.0
The emergence of Industry 4.0, often referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, has been attributed to advancing automation, decentralisation and system integration and cloud computing. In the cyber-physical environment, machines can communicate, collect information, and make informed decisions through artificial intelligence (AI), big data and industrial internet of things (IIoT). The evolution of Industry 4.0 has great potential to improve the energy, equipment, and human behaviour. At the same time, in the era of the so-called circular economy, industry across all sectors is under huge pressure to make their manufacturing operations ethical and sustainable. Therefore, we must learn to adopt or implement the latest Industry 4.0 technologies.
The term sustainability has a multi-disciplinary use and meaning. As future engineers you will learn sustainability is represented as the synergy between environment, economics, and society. In this module students specialising in Sustainable Systems and Industry 4.0 will focus their studies and deepen their knowledge in a range of sustainability themes such as energy management and power systems, sustainable water and wastewater systems, sustainable transportation technologies, transitions to sustainable food systems and mechanical manufacturing systems.
The subjects will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will develop key concepts and knowledge. Seminars will allow more focused examinations of important issues and approaches
Optional work placement year
Work placement
You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.
You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.
Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:
· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.
If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.
Final-year core modules
Digital Control, Design and Implementation
This module will develop the students’ knowledge of digital circuit analysis and design as well as an understanding of digital control circuits/systems design methodology and implementation technology. The students will study a range of methods such as top-down design method, design automation framework and tools, VHDL modelling and rapid prototyping. The students will gain a technical competence and an appreciation of the capabilities and limitations of modern digital control circuits/systems design and implementation.
The module will be delivered through a series of lectures and laboratories. The lectures will be used to explain theory and to discuss applications. Practical sessions will involve the use of design tools, modelling of digital components and systems, circuit simulation and implementation.
Integrated Masters Research Project
This module extends the development of independent learning skills by allowing the student to investigate an area of engineering for an extended period. The student will work independently or in a small team, but will produce individual work.
Training will be given in writing technical reports for knowledgeable readers and the student will produce a report/dissertation of the work covered. In addition, the student will give an oral presentation, poster presentation or both. The topic can be in the form of a research project or a design project. Key skills in research, knowledge application and creation will be developed through keynote lectures and self-managed independent study.
Power Conversion for Energy Systems
This module provides you with an in-depth knowledge of the Electrical Power Conversion of energy systems. You will learn in-depth the operation of Power Electronic converters, design, and applications. This module provides a generic treatment of various converter topologies with an emphasis on critical design parameters. Applications including HV DC transmission, doubly fed induction machines, Photovoltaic grid-tied system, the interconnection of renewable energy sources, and energy storage systems to the utility grid.
The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, guided reading, laboratory sessions, and tutorials. Extensive use of modern experimental facilities and computer software will give you the opportunity to explore converters’ operations in full and to gain a full understanding of practical design constraints.
Sustainability (Interdisciplinary Group Project)
As engineers of the future, you will need to have a sustainable worldview, acknowledging international, cultural, and diversity issues in society. In addition, you will also be expected to solve complex problems with consideration for multi-perspective views, long-term effects, risk, and the impacts of decisions on society.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to work in a team in order to solve a sustainability themed interdisciplinary engineering problem. You will gain an understanding of their knowledge and limitations and the importance of bringing in and working with people with a different knowledge base and skill set.
This module will help you develop a consolidated set of employability skills in project management, presentation of work, research and commercial awareness enhance the awareness of professional issues such as health, safety, environment, and ethics.
A problem-based learning approach is adopted and where appropriate, supporting lectures, seminars and IT laboratories will be delivered to include technical knowledge or specific skills development.
and one optional modules
Future Energy Demand
Ambitious environmental targets are reshaping the electricity sector. In this module, you explore aspects of the future demand for electricity in this context. This module will provide you with the opportunity to work in a team in order to assess future energy scenarios, their implications and propose suitable strategies/solutions to address them. You will gain an understanding of their knowledge and limitations and the importance of bringing in and working with people with a different knowledge base and skill set.
A problem-based learning approach is adopted and where appropriate, supporting lectures, seminars and IT laboratories will be delivered to include technical knowledge or specific skills development.
Microgrids
You learn about what a microgrid is and how it can benefit communities and promote the use of low carbon energy. You will consider how load and generation can be balanced and controlled to enable a stable, secure power supply.
Mathematical modelling of systems based power flow is demonstrated, integrated with renewable generators, power conversion and load controllers. You use computer software to develop models to optimise the generation, and integrate it in the microgrid context using demand side management and storage.
Smart Grids
You learn about the importance of smart grids in providing a flexible system for the distribution of electrical power which responds to mixed modes of generation in addition to maintaining a reliable supply of energy to consumers. The impact on existing networks and future developmental opportunities are considered alongside automation and control requirements, which provide a ‘smart’ network.
Mathematical modelling of power flow is demonstrated together with methods of designing infrastructure which can support energy flow whilst providing secure real time data for network control. You use computer software to develop models of typical power systems and simulate their response under defined conditions.
