Embedded Systems MSc

This course is ideal if you want to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to help conceive, design, implement and deploy dedicated embedded systems. You will have the opportunity to gain a sound understanding of key aspects of this exciting field, such as digital signal processing/processors, control systems, mechatronics, networks, digital media and much more.

By the end of the course, you will have developed the technical skills and professional attitudes needed to progress your career in this rapidly evolving and key technical sector.

What will you study?

You will develop a disciplined engineering approach to and sound practical skills in the specification, design and implementation of software for embedded systems. You will gain specialist knowledge in digital signal processing and processors, control systems, mechatronics and automation and research methods.

You can then choose from a wide range of optional modules encompassing computing, engineering and digital media processing. It may also be possible for you to undertake a 'real-world' project in an industrial placement or work alongside the Faculty's research teams (eg in digital imaging, industrial control, aerospace, wireless mutimedia and/or networking).

Many of our staff in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
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The full MSc consists of five core modules, three option modules and a dissertation project. Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

By choosing particular option modules, you can customise your programme of studies or specialise in Advanced Automotive Electronics; Advanced Control; Sensors and Actuators; Embedded Media Streaming; Component Based Software Engineering; Programming in Java; Developing Object-Oriented Solutions; Multimedia Communications; Digital Imaging; Pattern Recognition; Imaging Devices; or Scientific Programming.

Core modules

• Mechatronics and Automation

• Mechatronics and Automation

  This module aims to develop your understanding of the main principles of robotic, industrial automation and mechatronics systems. It covers:

  • mechatronics control and its application in automation;
  • the functions of a robot and its embedded systems such as sensors and actuators;
  • how to build dynamic models of robotics systems and design feedback control algorithms;
  • advanced techniques such as fuzzy logic and digital logic design to optimise control in automation processes; and
  • artificial neural networks and adaptive control.
  
   
• Control Systems

• Control Systems

  This module shows you how to analyse problems of industrial control systems and presents several methods used in control design and implementation. It covers:

  • feedback control systems;
  • analysis of dynamic responses of systems and how this is affected by the feedback loop;
  • design methods for continuous-time control systems;
  • an introduction to discrete time systems;
  • methods for analysis of discrete time systems;
  • an introduction to modern control system design methods; and
  • the functionality of computer control design software.
  
   
• Digital Signal Processing

• Digital Signal Processing

  This module prepares you to understand how to represent, analyse and manipulate digital signals. It provides a theoretical background as well as practical work based on MATLAB and programming.

  
   
• Digital Signal Processors

• Digital Signal Processors

  This module enables you to:

  • understand the purpose and scope of application of digital signal processors;
  • identify their features and match them against typical applications;
  • outline their use in a system architecture; and
  • understand and be able to apply the basic techniques in programming them efficiently.
  
   
• Research Methods

• Research Methods

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  This module provides you with the skills and techniques you will need to undertake research for completing modules and your project. It will help you to:

  • select and justify a research topic;
  • develop the use of various resources to carry out a literature search; and
  • look at the structure and format of the project.
  
   
• Project/Dissertation (MSc only)

• Project/Dissertation (MSc only)

  To achieve an MSc, you will undertake a substantial project (worth one third of the course credits). The project is usually industrially linked and can be either research or development based.

  
   

Option modules

• Advanced Automotive Electronics

• Advanced Automotive Electronics

  This module aims to introduce you to:

  • the essential aspects of vehicle Electronic Control Systems;
  • component design, operation and systems architecture; and
  • various testing and validation techniques.
  
   
• Component-Based Software Engineering

• Component-Based Software Engineering

  On this module you will:

  • analyse the benefits of component-based software in terms of development costs, re-usability, extendibility, and ease of maintenance, and to appreciate the trade-offs between development costs and performance;
  • evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of component technologies such as .NET, Enterprise JavaBeans and CORBA;
  • demonstrate proficiency in component oriented analysis and design; and
  • develop a business application using component technology.
  
   
• Developing Object-Orientated Solutions

• Developing Object-Orientated Solutions

  This module covers the analysis, design and implementation of software systems using object-oriented (OO) techniques. It includes:

  • the principles of OO analysis;
  • the expression of designs using the Unified Modelling Language (UML);
  • object-oriented programming languages; and
  • the translation of UML notation into an initial system implementation.
  
   
• Digital Imaging

• Digital Imaging

  This module introduces the ideas and concepts in image processing and analysis as used in applications such as image enhancement, industrial inspection and medical image analysis.

  The module is very practical. You will explore the concepts and techniques introduced in lectures on various images and datasets using specialist software.

  
   
• Embedded Media Streaming (subject to validation)
• Imaging Devices

• Imaging Devices

  This module provides an overview of:

  • sensor technology; and
  • the mathematical and physical models of the most employed sensors.

  We will also cover:

  • conventional algorithms widely used in research and their most common applications; and
  • the physics principles of various medical imaging modalities and their applications in medicine.
  
   
• Pattern Recognition and Neural Networks

• Pattern Recognition and Neural Networks

  This module in pattern recognition and data modelling is designed to support MSc courses in advanced topics such as Image Analysis, Embedded Systems, Computer Science, Engineering and Mechatronics. It covers both:

  • the theoretical foundations and practical application of modern data analysis and modelling techniques; and
  • the informed use of mathematical software.

  You will learn about the mathematical functions used in data mining, covering a mix of:

  • general discussion;
  • analytical data analysis and modelling; and
  • the implementation of these ideas in the form of working computing routines.
  
   
• Programming in Java

• Programming in Java

  During this module, you will:

  • learn how to write, compile, execute and debug applications written in the Java programming language using an integrated development environment (IDE); and
  • explore aspects of the Java language, such as exceptions, I/O and basic GUI development following an OO paradigm.
  
   
• Multimedia Communications

• Multimedia Communications

  This module explores:

  • the technologies and applications of images, moving images, animations and sound in online and offline information systems;
  • the technologies and trends that support multimedia products and services; and
  • how internet architecture is adapting to provide quality of service for multimedia services.
  
   
• Scientific Programming

• Scientific Programming

  This module in numerical methods and scientific computing is designed to support MSc courses in advanced topics such as Embedded Systems, Image Analysis and Mechatronics.

  It focuses on the informed use of mathematical software, especially the mathematical functions used in technical computing. You cover a mix of:

  • general discussion;
  • analytical mathematics;
  • application of algorithms; and
  • the implementation of these ideas in the form of working computing routines.
  
   
• Sensors and Actuators (subject to validation)

Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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The Faculty is a long-time member of the British Computer Society (BCS).

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