Studying our Electronic Engineering BEng (Hons) course will equip you with knowledge and expertise in computer techniques, technologies and engineering. In core areas of study, you will learn the basics of how a computer works and identify ways to use mathematics in a computer science setting in our Fundamentals of Computer Studies unit. Similarly, our Engineering Mathematics unit will allow you to perform mathematical calculations to solve real-world problems within the field of engineering. Additionally, as a student in the field of computer science you will also be given an Introduction to Software Development where you will learn the fundamentals on how to develop software, identify, analyse and model problems, test programs and distinguish between forms of programming and modelling.

In more technical areas of study, you will be introduced to the Foundations of Electronic Systems and Computer Networks, and this includes circuits, electronic components, signals, data communications and computer networking. You will also be familiarised with advanced topics in electronics in our Analogue and Digital Electronics unit where you will gain hands-on experience in building advanced digital combinational and sequential logic circuits. Similarly, you will learn of the fundamental concepts in Circuit Analysis and Signal Processing to analyse electrical circuits. With a critical approach, you will also analyse real-world problems in electronic engineering and identify ways to solve them using Digital Signal Processing and Embedded Systems Development.

In addition, you will develop your knowledge and skills in advanced programming and software development methods in our Digital Communications & Software Engineering unit. Furthermore, you will be introduced to control theory, low power communication and energy harvesting in the context of wireless sensor networks (WSN) in our Control, WSN and Energy unit. Finally, you will complete an Undergraduate Project in an area of interest that is relevant to your field of study. You will decide on your proposal topic with your supervisor in our Research Methodologies and Emerging Technologies unit where you can choose from a range of ideas relevant to your career aspirations. Some areas include computer science, electronic engineering and computer games development. In addition to this, you will be supported with a range of tools and techniques in the field of project management to help with your research in our Social and Professional Project Management unit.

English Language Foundation

This unit focuses on your ability to understand and use the English language accurately when you read, speak, listen and write. We will concentrate on the English you need for undergraduate level study in your chosen subject area, covering grammar, subject area vocabulary and the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

A key element of the unit is the grammar of the language, and particularly the verb tense system in English, because your ability to use the verb tense system accurately will be extremely important when you come to write essays and reports. This unit will focus in particular on the grammar of the language.

We will also focus on reading, listening and speaking skills in the context of your chosen subject area. Beginning with short texts, we will practise each skill and practise it again, so that gradually you will see, hear and feel that your command of the language is improving. 

A recurring focus of the unit will be your acquisition of 'learner autonomy'. This means your ability to acquire the language yourself, without needing a teacher's help. This is important because from next year you will not have an English teacher to help you. So we will consider and practise strategies to help you gain confidence in your own ability to increase your knowledge of and ability to use the language, including for instance guessing meaning of difficult words, deciding which words are important in a text, recognising differences between formal and informal language, and other strategies, so that as the first semester continues, you begin to feel more confident in your use and experience with the English Language.

Academic Skills Foundation

When you begin your undergraduate level studies, you will be expected to have knowledge of and ability to use a large range of 'study skills'. You will also be expected to have some knowledge of the subject area you will  be studying. This unit deals with both of these aspects of your preparation for undergraduate level study. 

All of the academic skills are practised in English, so you will use your developing acquisition of the language from the partner unit 'English Language Foundation' to practise and gain mastery of these skills. You will also use your language and study skills as you learn the foundation of your subject area, putting the skills into practice as you learn.

Developing English Language Skills

This unit builds on the progress you made during its partner semester 1 unit 'English Language Foundation' and increasing your level from that which you had achieved by the end of semester 1. 

We will recycle the tense system in English and other elements of the grammar system, but you will  now learn how to use other aspects of the grammar, including the passive voice, as well as linking words and phrases and devices which enable you to write longer sentences but retain grammatical accuracy. 

You will notice that we gradually introduce more specialist language that you need in preparation for your degree and we will expect you to use and develop the skills that you gained in the previous units so that you are able to work more independently.

Academic Skills Development

This unit builds on the skills learnt and practised in its partner semester 1 unit 'Foundation Academic Skills'. We will add more skills to the list, including summarizing and synthesising, argumentation, critical thinking and referencing and citation skills, as well as several others and practise and test them in the same way as with the semester 1 unit.

We will also investigate the research skill and you will learn how to prepare a research proposal and conduct a literature review, and how to plan a research project, learning about the research tools available and how they can be used to conduct research in your chosen field. 

You will continue to broaden your knowledge of key current issues and theory in your chosen subject area, and apply the critical thinking and argumentation skills you acquire in this unit to argue for and against propositions you have studied in the form of in both essays and presentations and in seminar situations, ensuring that you are ready to step up to your chosen undergraduate course with a base level of subject area knowledge from which to continue your academic development as you progress to level 4 study.

Engineering Mathematics

This unit introduces mathematical background knowledge that is used by electrical and electronic engineers. It helps you to establish an understanding of the mathematical concepts and also explains how mathematics is used to solve engineering problems. The unit offers opportunities for practical experience of carrying out mathematical calculations and evaluating the solutions, individually and within a team. It uses case studies to help you develop skills for modelling real-world problems using mathematical notation, and for solving engineering problems.

Fundamentals Of Computer Studies

This unit has two sections- section A is aimed at your professional development and section B introduces you to computer hardware basics. This unit will equip you with the skills needed to cope with the demands of your course (which are also important to employers) and to help you to become more ‘self-aware’ learners. It will also teach you to develop an awareness of the expectations and professional requirements of your chosen industry. Section B of the unit will lead you to develop your knowledge of, and ability to use, those aspects of mathematics that are particularly relevant to computer science and the computing disciplines. This section will also give you a basic appreciation of how a computer works internally and also an appreciation of the digital logic that is fundamental to computer hardware.

Introduction To Software Development

This unit introduces key concepts in Software Development relevant to software development. This unit will provide the fundamentals of how to model problems and develop software using a high level language.
The unit will focus on the following areas:

Software development processes and effective team work
Analysis of problems and identification of key features
Modelling using problems abstract modelling techniques
Program Development using a High Level Language
Program testing using appropriate techniques
Understanding distinctions between different forms of programming and modelling

Analogue And Digital Electronics

The main purpose of this module is to familiarise you with basic electronics; the unit is designed to address the core concepts and fundamental building blocks of Analogue / Digital Electronics. This unit adds on your understanding of Electronics in first year that introduced you to basic concepts in both analogue and digital electronics. In this unit you will learn about advance topics in electronics such as bipolar junction transistors, advanced diode circuits, field effect transistors etc.

Subsequently the module will aim to investigate applications of transistors in transistor circuits like operational amplifiers, small signal modelling. Introduction to digital electronic circuit s will also build on your understanding of gates and logic functions in first year. This unit will teach you to build advanced digital combinational and sequential logic circuits. The practical part of the module will enable you to gain hands on experience, thereby applying the knowledge and skills gained in the theoretical part of the module.

Social And Professional Project Management

This unit introduces students to research and the methodologies used to underpin scientific work, data analysis, hypothesises establishment and artefact validation in understanding research in an appropriate subject discipline. The material in this unit is carefully designed to meet students’ needs and requirements for their programme of study along with essential project management skills to support their research activities. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of tools, techniques, methodologies and processes in the field of project management which encapsulate both modern and traditional approaches as an essential preparation for the dissertation stage. The unit also draws on expertise from other departments within the university including library services, the careers and employability service and the English language centre to support students in the best possible way.

Undergraduate Project

Whether you go on to further study or into employment one of the most important skills expected in an Honours Graduate is the ability to work autonomously.  This unit is an ideal vehicle for the development of that skill.

You will typically implement the project proposal developed during the unit CIS013-3 Research Methods and Emerging Technologies (an alternative approach will be agreed with the unit coordinator and your project supervisor if you haven’t successfully completed CIS013-3 yet). 

Although you will be working independently, you are expected to arrange regular meetings with your supervisor to guide and support you.  You will apply coherently your technical, analytical, practical and managerial skills during your project development.

The project is an important opportunity to expand your experience in an area which is of close relevance to the course that you are studying (e.g. Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, and Computer Games Development).  Your project may be of relevance to a future employer, and will demonstrate your interest and ability in the chosen area.  As such your project topic should be aligned with your career aspirations.

The following aims are addressed in particular:

• To provide you with an opportunity to work autonomously on a sustained piece of work.
• To develop your ability to manage a project from start to finish.
• To develop your ability to identify problems, analyse the requirements and produce and evaluate solutions.
• To develop your ability to work to the relevant academic and professional standards.

Control, Energy And Wsn

The recent advances in MEMS, electronics and communication technologies have led to the emergence of ubiquitous wireless sensor networks and enabled new types of intelligent sensing and control applications. This unit provides a systematic approach to the study of these systems focusing on control theory, low power communication and energy harvesting in the context of wireless sensor networks.