Electronic & Computer Engineering

About the course

The course is well established with a history of more than forty years in various formats. The teaching staff have extensive industrial expertise which they bring to the course, incorporating their practical, applied experience into the teaching programme.

Our approach to the subject is reflected in this comment, taken from the report of the course’s external examiner: “The [Electronic & Computer Engineering] programmes are different to many similar courses in that they have a much higher laboratory-based element. Thus, students graduating from these programmes appear to be of more direct benefit to industry than the theoretically-based students from other HEIs.

Project work features significantly at each level of the course and is developed in a coordinated way to lead you from a first encounter with electronic design to undertaking a major individual project in your final year. Your project activity becomes the focus for the application of the diverse knowledge and skills that are developed during your course of study.

The department offers industry-standard facilities, including a wide variety of CAD and design simulation software.

What you will learn

You will learn the theories and principles of electronic and computer engineering and their application to applied projects. Specifically during the first level of the course you will be taught the fundamental concepts of digital and electronic engineering, embedded computer systems and computer programming. During the second level the same subjects are taught but at a higher level and more emphasis is based on the design and implementation of small systems. At the final level you will study two optional specialist modules and undertake an individual project. Throughout the course you will learn the principles of management and enterprise which are key skills for the graduate engineer.

Learning is achieved through lectures, practical work and tutorials, supported by considerable hands-on use of computers and advanced technical equipment. The application of ideas, principles and techniques is emphasised by the use of experimentation and project work, together with relevant case-studies.

Special features

• The course uses a wide variety of assessments including year long project assignments and relies much less on formal examinations. There are no formal examinations during the first and second levels, however there are individual student assessments.

• The course uses distance learning resources pioneered by the University’s groundbreaking distance learning MSc courses. This means that, in most cases, you can access the learning material and most, if not all, of the software packages online, enabling you to work away from the University and at times to suit other commitments.

Careers and professional development

The electronics industry offers almost unparalleled employment opportunities and prospects to graduates. High salaries and attractive working environments combine with stimulating intellectual challenges and career advancement opportunities.

Previous graduates have said that the experience gained using industry-standard facilities and the competencies developed within the project work at the University of Bolton were key factors in obtaining employment.

Electronic and computer engineers have the capability of working in a wide range of organisations that utilise electronic and computer engineering. Additionally students can progress onto postgraduate study at the University of Bolton or other universities.

Professional recognition

The BEng (Hons) Electronic & Computer Engineering course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as meeting the undergraduate educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Mode of attendance: Full-time