Computer Engineering MEng (Hons)

Modules

• Engineering mathematics and modelling
  This module consolidates the mathematical skills that underpin the MEng and BEng engineering degrees. The module includes the use of vector and matrix algebra to solve engineering problems, applied calculus, use of mathematical software such as MATHCAD to plot functions and solve equations, debugging faulty program designs and using software to model and analyse engineering problems.
• Introduction to data communications and networks
  This module introduces data communications and computer networks, the computer structure, the inter-networked environment, the hardware architecture/operation and various technologies related to data communication and networking as well as simulation experiments and programming assignments. The module lays the foundations of the computer networking engineering course. You'll become familiar with computers and computer systems, which form the basis of the inter-networked computer infrastructure, as well as with the applications and terminology used in an inter-networked environment.
• Engineering principles
  This module develops your understanding of essential scientific principles for the study of engineering to degree level and introduces the principles of measurement systems and units, thermal physics, mechanical and electrical principles, and engineering materials and their properties.
• Engineering computing
  This module introduces computer programming for engineers. You'll gain experience in decomposing problems, and to design and realise programmes in MATLAB on a standard PC system.
• Design and practice
  This module covers practical work, design activities, sustainable development principles, project management, health and safety and risk management, and transferable skills.
• Principles of computer engineering
  This is an introductory module that establishes electrical engineering principles, including a sound understanding of basic circuit theory and electrical systems. You'll develop knowledge on the analytical and practical concepts involved in their design and operation.

• Operating systems and multimedia
  Operating systems are at the heart of all computer applications and multimedia is fast becoming a major field in computer systems and networking applications. This module is split into two parts. Part 1 is designed to teach you about the role that the operating system has in general computer systems. Part 2 provides the basic engineering foundations of multimedia technology and its associated tools and components. So, it considers the applications of computer systems in multimedia engineering and the role that the operating system has in supporting the functioning of these.
• Compilers and computer architecture
  This module introduces computer organisation and architectures, gates, interfaces, signals and the software systems that do the translations – the compilers. It will teach you in-depth how computers work. Furthermore, this module is about how to design and implement compilers and the fundamental ideas that can be used to construct compilers. It provides developments that take place in instruction set design, instruction level parallelism, memory technology, bus interconnection systems, interfaces, multicore computing, multiprocessing and further techniques related to computer system performance. A further study of instruction set architectures provides a valuable insight into the compilers operation.
• Software engineering
  This module aims to teach you the discipline of software engineering. Content is geared towards mainly the practice of software engineering and secondly software development. You'll focus on the aspects of management and delivery of software engineering projects. Further to that, this module introduces the syntax and semantics of programming languages C++, together with software engineering principles. The module also teaches advanced topics such as Object Oriented Programming (OOP) and network programming.
• Team design project
  This module helps to prepare you for a future role as professional engineers in a number of ways. It includes detailed study of project planning techniques, including network techniques, with preparation for your individual projects; an overview of the business functions which interact with engineering. The module also introduces policies, directives and best practice for managing engineering projects and processes including: an introduction to recruitment, retention and equal opportunities in employment, published Standards in engineering, the BSI website to access national and international standards, an introduction to statistics and their use in managing engineering processes, an introduction to Quality Management, with particular reference to the ISO 9000 series, an introduction to European Directives and harmonised standards. The module also develops experience writing technical business reports, including the importance of acknowledging published sources and the use of formal methods for doing so.
• Object-oriented software for engineers
  The module builds on the basic Java learnt in the Level 4 programming module and explores some of the more powerful object-oriented features of Java and of the Java API classes.
• Advanced engineering mathematics and modelling
  This module covers intermediate undergraduate engineering mathematics to develop the skills and knowledge that are required for the identification, classification and description of the performance of engineering systems through the use of analytical methods.
• Digital systems and microprocessor design
  This module covers digital systems and microprocessor systems design.
• Computer networks
  This module examines material that a networking engineer should know before proceeding with network infrastructure design. This includes topics relating to general computer hardware architecture and the role of the operating system to include process management and memory management. General background to the technologies that are available for local and wide area networks are covered, so you can relate to these during network specification and design. The unit also provides guidelines regarding the steps involved in the design of corporate network infrastructures.

• Distributed and embedded real-time systems
  This module is divided into two major components. The first component focuses on concurrent and distributed systems. The second component looks at specific details of real-time and embedded systems. In the first part you'll explore the significance of concurrent processes in the context of modern computer systems engineering, especially embedded and distributed systems. The second part of this unit teaches elements of software and hardware that combine to provide control to engineering applications concerned with multiple channel embedded systems with time dependencies. Although this is based on a study of the various principles involved, it also has a practical bias to enable you to assess support environments for real time software and give you some knowledge and familiarity with commercial and/or model operating systems.
• Advanced computer engineering
  This module begins by considering topics relating to general computer hardware architecture and the role of the operating system in areas such as process management and memory management. CPU design is presented and you'll examine general features of an 8-bit CPU and design a typical instruction set. You'll study an example of a simulator written in C programming language to illustrate how the instructions are processed inside the Control Unit. This is followed by more advanced architecture topics such as pipelining and scaling. In particular programming aspects for parallel execution of processes is considered. This module is designed with the aim to enable computer system integrators, managers and programmers to evaluate a range of system architectures with particular relevance to maximising system performance.
• Innovation and enterprise
  On this practical module, you'll develop your own ideas into practical, profitable propositions. You'll explore idea generation, testing and development and learn to write a business strategy, risk assessment, and scenario testing to demonstrate the commercial viability of your ideas. You'll work in a group to adopt and develop a concept to commercial viability.
• Computer systems engineering
• BEng Project
  This module covers the planning, execution, review and reporting on piece of practical project work demonstrating in-depth technical understanding and knowledge of a chosen technical subject, as well as competence in personal planning and management skills.

• Technical research and professional skills
  This module provides training for the skills that are necessary for successful completion of the MEng studies in the near future and for professional development in the long-term future. More specifically, the module teaches how to search and gather relevant technical information, how to extract the essence from a piece of technical literature, how to carry out a critical review of a research paper, how to write a feasibility report, how to give presentations and put your thoughts across effectively, and how to manage a project in terms of time and progress in a group project environment.
• Technology evaluation and commercialisation
  In this module you'll be guided towards identifying a technology project idea that you will evaluate for its business potential. You'll conduct detailed research and analysis in order to evaluate the business potential of this technology idea. The outcomes from this will serve as the basis for implementation of the selected technology in the business sense. Through the module you'll develop the appropriate commercialisation strategy and write the business plan for your high-tech start-up company.
• Advanced computer networking and sensors
• Network operating systems and security
• Pattern recognition and machine learning
• Computer network design
  This module provides a broad understanding of the principles of computer networks and approaches of network design. It starts from standard layered protocol architecture and each layer of the TCP/IP model. Then it will focus on a top-down approach for designing computer networks for an enterprise.
• Computer vision and sensor systems
• Digital signal processing and real-time systems
• MEng group project
  This module requires you to undertake a major project. You'll chose your project and carry it out under the guidance of your supervisor. At the end of the project, you are required to present a dissertation, which forms a major element of the assessment. The dissertation tests your ability to integrate information from various sources, to conduct an in-depth investigation, to critically analyse results and information obtained and to propose solutions. The other element of the assessment includes an oral presentation. The Group Project carries 40 credits and is a major part of MEng programme.

Assessment is through formal written examinations, phase tests, formative and summative assignments. Ability to apply and integrate knowledge is assessed by larger scale project work as well group assignments (where appropriate) and logbooks.