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
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.
Instrumentation and Control Design and Implementation
The module will provide students with the opportunity to work in teams in order to solve an industrially relevant instrumentation and control design problem. In the course of this module students will develop employability skills such as project management, presentation of work, interview techniques, CV writing research and commercial awareness.
The module is designed to develop the students understanding of the specialised area of design in Instrumentation & Control Engineering, and the application of these techniques to the solution of real world problems.
Team working techniques and considerations will be explored and developed to enhance the students’ interpersonal skills.
Delivery will be via lectures and IT laboratories in which students can develop their practical skills.
Assessment will be a group design project (100%) based on an industrial case study.
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.
Linear Systems and Control
You will develop a thorough understanding of time-domain and frequency-domain representations of signals and systems, and how to apply these ideas to engineering problems.
You will develop the necessary knowledge and techniques to create dynamic models of engineering systems.
We give you the knowledge and techniques for creating dynamic models of engineering systems and to apply computer-aided methods of analysis and design, plus use data acquisition systems for laboratory investigations.
We examine modelling and simulation, linear time-invariant systems, first and second-order systems, frequency response, poles and zeros, basic concepts of control, alternative control methods, fourier analysis and filters.
In lectures we explaina principles and discuss applications then give you a guided solution of relevant examples in tutorials.
In the laboratories you work in groups of up to three on a small engineering plant. You are expected to produce a model and carry out tests to establish parameters. This process enhances the theoretical work carried out in other parts of the module.
You learn how to:
demonstrate a detailed knowledge of aspects of linear systems and control
critically analyse a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks associated with linear systems and control
apply, question and relate appropriate knowledge and concepts to a range of activities
identify key areas of problems and choose appropriate tools and methods for their resolution in a considered manner
use the industry-standard software MATLAB SIMULINK for simulation and design of signal processing and control systems
apply mathematical techniques to analyse and model signal processing and control systems.
Measurement Systems
Measurement systems is a module for students majoring in Instrumentation and Control engineering. This is one of modules which distinguish you from those who are on other courses.
From this module, you will learn to analyse the performance of measurement systems including the steady state and dynamic characteristics of a measurement system or an element. You will study principles of a wide range of sensing techniques and measurement systems.
A complete measurement system may include sensing element, conditioning circuit, signal transmission and signal display (presentation). All these elements comprise the full contents of this module. Besides, the noise and interference reduction techniques and protections including intrinsically instrumentation are important to instrumentation engineers. You will also touch these topics
Measurement and control is vital in process industries. This module introduces key elements in control and monitoring systems, for example measurement elements. Application of instrumentation can be found everywhere, from domestic water and gas systems to the NASA space station.
You discover constituents of measurement systems, sensing element (primary and secondary), signal conditioning, signal processing, display (data presentation) and static characteristics of sensors.
The module is divided into lectures, tutorials and practicals.
You will learn:
to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the principles and characteristics of different sensors
to critically analyse the characteristics of system elements and their effect on system error
to understand the effects of noise and interference and methods of reduction
to employ a balanced logical and supported argument in the selection and analysis of sensor system
to apply numerical and statistical skills in the analysis and selection of measurement systems.
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
Advanced Sensors
You develop an understanding of the principles and technology of analytical measurement systems. Within this, limitations of accuracy are studied along with operational requirements of analytical sensor elements.
This module also investigates the recent generations of sensor systems based on microprocessor systems, application-specific integrated circuits and microcontrollers.
Using relevant industrial examples, smart sensors are analysed and synthesised using modern programming methods and up-to-date devices.
Control
Explore the control system design techniques for Single Input Single Output (SISO) continuous systems using classical control theory and state space methods.
You develop practical techniques of creating and simulating linear and dynamic models, and provided with an introduction to non-linear systems and models.
Digital Control and DSP
This module is designed to introduce the student to discrete-time computer-based control systems, digital control and signal processing, industrial informatics and related components and software.
Lectures will provide explanation of principles and discussion of applications.
Laboratory and seminar sessions will introduce appropriate design and simulation software and provide guided solutions of relevant examples.
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.
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
Identification and Model Predictive Control
You develop the methods and techniques associated with system identification. You learn how these techniques can be used in the formulation of adaptive and model based control schemes. You consider the practical implementation of these control schemes.
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.
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 two optional modules
Data Acquisition and Signal Processing
You are introduced to the theorem, principles and techniques of data acquisition and digital processing including sampling, digital signal analysis in time and frequency domains. You also look at the impact of digital technologies on the design of modern industrial measurement systems. The industrial software for measurement systems is introduced with a series of real measurement applications.
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.
Electronic Signal Conditioning
You develop knowledge of circuit topologies and technologies required to make sensitive and precise measurements. You also look at signal conditioning and processing techniques which can be applied to the data from a variety of sensors. Signal conditioning systems are inherent in industrial, commercial and scientific equipment and have to present the raw signal from the sensor in a suitable format for signal processing.
Robust Control Systems
In this module, you discuss the robust control problem. The module describes the Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) approach to robust control, and how to apply this to typical engineering problems. You then go on to discuss the use of expert systems/fuzzy logic solutions as an alternative.
