MSc — 2025 entry Electronic Engineering (by short course)

Expected prior learning: Knowledge of basic properties of signals and related methods, including Fourier series, Fourier transforms, Laplace transforms, and convolution. BEng/MEng students might have acquired this through study of module EEE2035 Engineering Mathematics III and/or module EEE2033 Circuits, Control and Communications. MSc students might have acquired this through study of an undergraduate module on “Signals and Systems” or through independent study. Module purpose: This introductory course in Digital Signal Processing explores mathematical tools used to represent, analyse and design basic DSP systems. This module underpins many key areas of digital systems, including audio-visual technology, digital communications, control systems, and computer vision. This topic is therefore of paramount importance to any electronic engineer. This module EEE3008 provides the expected prior learning for the following module EEEM030 Speech & Audio Processing and Recognition Taking module EEE3008 may also contribute to a deeper understanding of the following modules EEE3032 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, EEE3042 Audio and Video Processing and EEEM071 Advanced Topics in Computer Vision and Deep Learning

Radio frequency (RF) and microwave engineers require proficiency in a specific set of skills to in electronic circuitry that does not exist for other typical applications. Therefore, a good grounding in the electronics associated with RF and microwave devices and important underlying essential fundamentals are delivered for any form of RF or microwave engineering. The module will be important for other RF related modules such as EEEM044 RF System and Circuit Design and EEEM064 Microwave Design Techniques

Expected prior/parallel learning: It is helpful, but not essential, to take module EEE3006 – Digital Communications, or to have equivalent learning.  Module purpose:  This module equips students with fundamental knowledge and skills of mobile/personal communications systems design and forms the basis for the students to conduct further learning of advanced mobile technologies in EEEM018 – Advanced Mobile Communication Systems and EEEM061 – Advanced 5G Wireless Technologies.

Expected prior learning:  None specifically advised. Module purpose:  Earth and planetary observation with remote sensing data is playing a key role in the present understanding of natural phenomena, prevention of disasters, resources monitoring, comprehension of origins of life. Through a series of lectures, seminars, open discussions and “thinking breaks” in class, the module aims to give an introduction to the scientific principles of remote sensing – both passive and active – as carried out by spacecraft. Remote sensing is discussed in terms of instrumentation, missions, products and applications. IMPORTANT: The Second assessment pattern (Written Exam) is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students.

IMPORTANT: The second assessment pattern is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students Expected prior learning: EEE3033 – RF and Microwave Fundamentals, or equivalent learning. Module purpose: Advanced communications systems and radar operate at RF and microwave frequencies. The design principles and circuit operation, underlying these systems, are quite different from those of electronics used in signal processing at baseband frequencies. This module will cover the key elements of RF and microwave system design as well as analysis concepts for a range of commonly used active circuits, including: oscillators, frequency synthesisers, amplifiers and mixers. The module will also cover the circuit design and operation of non-linear devices used in active circuits together with deployment considerations. This module will include and build on many of the concepts studied in EEE3033 RF and Microwave Fundamentals and address further advanced features of non linear RF devices and system optimisation. It is complementary to EEEM064 Microwave Design Techniques and also EEEM006 Antennas and Propagation.

Expected prior/parallel learning: BEng-level understanding of telecommunications systems. Module purpose: This module provides the student with a good understanding of modern satellite communications and an ability to design such systems.

Expected prior/parallel learning: Basic knowledge of hardware systems and module EEE2047 (Object-Oriented Programming and C++) or equivalent knowledge of C++ or Java programming. Module purpose:  Advances related to energy efficiency issues and cost reductions have resulted in the rapid growth and deployment of networked devices and sensing/actuation systems that connect the physical world with the cyber world. The resulting framework, known as the Internet of Things (IoT), incorporates several technologies, including wireless sensor networks, pervasive systems, ambient intelligence, context awareness, and distributed systems. The advanced IoT module is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how machine communications contribute to creating smart, artificial intelligence-driven environments focusing on networking and communication systems. The module provides an overview of the key concepts and enabling technologies for the Internet of Things. It encompasses a cross-layer approach, allowing students to explore the practical aspects of sensors, actuators, and mainly communication systems for IoT across physical, media access, and network layers. This includes security considerations, satellite IoT, positioning and tracking for industrial applications, IoT Platforms (Hardware, Software), protocols and standards (e.g. 6LowPAN, ZigBee, CoAp), semantic technologies, and data and information processing mechanisms. Â Also, the module seamlessly integrates cutting-edge machine learning techniques tailored for IoT applications, ensuring optimal performance and adaptability.  

Expected prior learning: Good background in physics including forces and motion, heat and light, and electricity and magnetism as might have been acquired at A/AS level or International Baccalaureate Physics. It is also useful to have some knowledge of typical space missions: BEng/MEng students might have acquired this through the EEE2043 – Space Engineering & Mission Design module. Module purpose:  This is a key module for students interested in becoming space systems engineers, or in working in a related field. It introduces the student to the key principles and techniques of spacecraft systems design, through real-world examples. The student journey: For those students on the undergraduate “space” pathways, the compulsory Level 6 modules: EEE3040 Space Engineering and EEE3039 Space Dynamics and Missions, build upon the Level 5 Module EEE2043 Space Engineering and Mission Design, but provide a more detailed examination of the material. For students coming in on the MSc space pathway, EE3040 provides a first introduction to space systems design – therefore no prior knowledge of space is expected, however, a good understanding of basic physics and mathematics (to “A” level or first year undergraduate level or equivalent) is assumed. These modules, together, provide the background and context for the detailed individual Level 7 modules concerning different aspects, systems and applications of spacecraft: e.g. EEEM044 RF Systems and Circuit Design; EEM031 Satellite Communications Fundamentals; EEEM033 Satellite Remote Sensing; EEEM059 Space Avionics;.EEEM009 Advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control; EEEM032 Advanced Satellite Communications Techniques; EEEM012 Launch Vehicles and Propulsion; EEEM M057 Space Environment and Protection and EEEM049 Spacecraft Structures and Mechanisms. Students may choose their own selection from these advanced Level 7 modules, according to their interests or future career choices.

Expected prior learning: Module EEE2040 – Communications Networks or equivalent learning. Module purpose: The Internet is an important worldwide communications system; the module provides an in-depth treatment of current and evolving Internet protocols and standards, and the algorithms that underlie them. The module also permits further study on networking in modules such as EEEM018 Advanced Mobile Communication Systems, EEEM023 Network Service management and Control, EEEM032 Advanced Satellite Communication Techniques

Expected prior/parallel learning: It is helpful but not essential to have knowledge of linear algebra, probabilities and stochastic processes as well as fundamental skills in computer programming and have studied EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications, EEE3006 Digital Communications and EEEM062 – Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems.   Module purpose:  The purpose of this module is to provide students with knowledge related to some of the key, advanced concepts adopted in the current generation of mobile and wireless communications systems (e.g., 5G), as well as to advanced concepts that have a strong potential to shape the future generations of mobile systems (e.g., 6G). This will ensure that the students completing this module will have the necessary knowledge and ability for starting to work on the 5G technology in industry or furthering their understanding via a research degree. This module brings together knowledge that students may have acquired in other modules (EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications, EEE3006 Digital Communications and EEEM062 – Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems) and assists in making cognitive and conceptual connections between this previously taught fundamental knowledge in wireless communications, and the corresponding state-of-the-art techniques.  

Expected prior learning: EEE3033–RF and Microwave Fundamentals, or equivalent learning. Module purpose: At Gigahertz frequencies the operating wavelength is small. Devices operating in the Gigahertz frequency range are therefore electrically large compared to the operating wavelength. In such cases, it is no longer appropriate to use traditional lumped element circuit components. The passive devices used at Gigahertz frequencies thus have to be made either using printed transmission lines (e.g. microstrip, coplanar waveguide) or waveguide. This module will present microwave design and analysis concepts for a range of commonly used passive circuits using both microstrip lines and waveguides, including: transmission lines, coupling networks, antennas and filters. This module will revisit and build on the use of the Smith chart also introduced in EEE3033 RF and Microwave Fundamentals and use it for further design applications of microstrip circuits. It is complementary to module EEEM044 RF Systems and Circuit Design and EEEM006 Antennas and Propagation.

IMPORTANT: The second assessment pattern is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students Expected prior learning: None. Module purpose: Antennas and the propagation of radio on the physical layer (PHY) are a fundamental aspect of communications, space and radar as well as any other device that will radiate electromagnetic waves over an air interface. In order for wireless devices to operate and comply with suitable standards, it is important that they use a suitable antenna design, while also modelling the propagation environment the device may encounter is important for purposes of testing the radio transceiver, thus knowledge of propagation modelling is required to achieve this.