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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
This course is designed to develop the understanding, skills and abilities you'll need for embedded systems development, at Master's level, to meet the requirements of industry for highly skilled developers and designers. The course will help you to develop 'know-how' knowledge by providing you with the underpinning theories as well as hands-on experience.
The course is designed for graduates from an engineering-related discipline, who wish to become able and skilled developers of embedded digital systems; a fast-growing and challenging area of modern technology. The course will provide graduates with an opportunity to further their knowledge, ability and skills in the more focused area of embedded digital system development.
This MSc in Embedded System is ideal if students are looking to gain deeper knowledge and to develop further skills and capabilities of embedded system design, evaluation and maintenance. It has the following distinctive features:
- Provision of combined knowledge on both modern computer science and electronic engineering at theoretical level
- Development of capabilities and skills of using embedded techniques to solve real-world engineering problems, in terms of analysis, design, implementation and testing, and in the sense of project management
- Opportunities for gaining hands-on experience in industry-standard software and hardware toolkits
- Teaching and learning activities supported by R&D research to ensure that emerging computing and engineering technologies are informed
- Teaching and learning supported by industry links with local and regional industry partners
- Opportunities for students to be involved in real-world R&D projects
- Development of awareness of possible equality and diversity issues in electrical/electronic engineering.
The assessment strategy used is a balance of written reports, exams, practical (coursework) assignments and computer based assessment. The method used will depend on the nature of the subject being taught in the unit, and the most appropriate method has been chosen.
Coursework assignments have incorporated formative feedback (as part of our Risk Strategy initiative) so that the students can gain an insight into whether their work is meeting the necessary targets.
The students will be required to have successfully gained 105 credits before undertaking the dissertation.
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:-
- LO1: Demonstrate a depth of knowledge at theoretical level and a systematic understanding of embedded techniques and be critically aware of emerging techniques and their impact on embedded systems, and to communicate their knowledge, understanding and original idea using a variety of communication media (e.g., formal written reports, essays and PowerPoint presentations with supporting oral communication)
- LO2: Autonomously carry out a substantial piece of original research in terms of analysing and evaluating existing embedded techniques and emerging techniques against theoretical and practical criteria and proposing creative and innovative embedded solutions to a variety of complex electronic products
- LO3: Undertake an embedded system development project which involves the use of theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems and includes every aspect of a project life-cycle, such as requirement collection and analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance, and project management either individually or working as a team member
- LO4: Integrate embedded solutions with electronic products and critically evaluate the solutions in the contexts of the products
- LO5: Critically evaluate and apply appropriate industry-standard developing toolkits in embedded system development projects
- LO6: Demonstrate an understanding of social and economic impacts of embedded techniques
- LO7: Question and challenge current thinking and consider possible future developments in the field within a variety of diverse and complex scenarios
- LO8: Apply and challenge the standards and practices of professional bodies (e.g., IET) with respect to complex problems related to embedded techniques.
In broad terms the programme aims:
- To enhance and further the critical evaluation skills of students when considering primary and secondary research
- To ensure students have the requisite analytical skills to evaluate problem-solving strategy to develop, maintain and advance embedded system infrastructure
- To enhance presentational and debating skills so that students have both the confidence and ability to express their creativity both individually and as part of a team
- To ensure students maintain a responsible, professional and ethical attitude towards the development of embedded systems
- To provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to formulate strategies for embedded system deployment, undertake a critical evaluation of deployment and suggest improvements
- To equip students with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage embedded system development projects
- To develop students critical awareness of new emerging solutions and technologies.
In addition to the broad aims of the course, the qualities built into the curriculum ensure that students will gain a deep systemic understanding of embedded system development in the context of, in particular, electronic engineering and will develop capacities and skills of developing such systems for real-world electronic products. The courses specific objectives are to equip students with:
- the requisite skills to identify and analyse functional requirements of embedded systems given various electronic products
- the skills and knowledge to propose and critically evaluate possible implementations of the functional requirements and leading edge ideas
- the ability to analyse, synthesise, critique and evaluate systems modelling, deployment and maintenance
- the appropriate skills to undertake the effective management of embedded system development project in different industrial settings
- the ability to understand and analyse the impact of systems and changes in systems to electronic products
- an understanding of the societal implications of embedded systems.
Students will have access to both departmental and University-wide support during their studies. From a departmental perspective, the students will have access to a personal tutor and the students may book informal appointments at any point during the year. The students will be obliged to liaise with their personal tutor at least twice a year.
From a University standpoint, students will have access to the Student Union, Corporate Academic Advice Service (CAAS) and the Counselling Service.
For learning related support, students will have access the Disability Advice Service as well as being able to undertake various courses within the Learning Resources Centre.
Various units incorporate group/team work into their assessment strategy. Students will be required to work effectively as part of a group (especially as part of the Professional Project Management unit). As such skills are important for all graduates/postgraduates, the course will aim to provide the students with opportunities to develop their teamwork skills.
Career (indicative):
- Systems analyst
- Embedded systems designer/developer
- IT consultant
- Computer science/electronic engineering lecturer
Further study:
MSc by Research and PhD
Additional:
Subjects including Engineering mathematics, Analogue and digital electronics, Circuits design and analysis, Signal processing, OO programming, Control engineering
A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.
Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.
Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.
We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
The general requirement is one of the following:
Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.
(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)
We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.
Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.
Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section
APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.
Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `
The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.
We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.
Return your completed application to:
University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk
A wide variety of teaching modes will be used throughout this course. The most important aspect will be that of a student-centred approach. Students will be encouraged (through relevant guidance) to become independent thinkers who can take responsibility for their own learning and ensure to adapt to a wide variety of different situations. The course will mainly make use of traditional lectures and practical sessions and will encourage students to engage in various scenarios (e.g. project managing, team working etc.). In addition, some units will use podcasts to provide the students with an overview/summary of different topics. Some units (e.g. Emerging Technologies) with include seminar based sessions and class discussions.
About 70% of the course will be classroom based with the remaining 30% being independent learning which will make use of BREO, Learning Resources and various other electronic resources.
Communication
To help with the development of this students will:-
Be given access to a variety of tasks that will develop their oral and written communication skills. Throughout the course the students will be asked to perform a variety of written (essay, formal report) and oral (presentations) tasks. Formative feedback as well as summative feedback will be used throughout.
Information Literacy
To help with the development of this students will:-
Learn to enhance their understanding and skills with respect to standard desktop applications (MS Excel and Word) as well as developing new skills with respect to specialist software related to the course.
Research and Evaluation
To help with the development of this students will:-
Develop their ability to work independently as well as enhancing their reflective skills. The students will be set tasks that require them to undertake background research, and at times to evaluate what they have undertaken.
Creativity and Critical Thinking
To help with the development of this students will:-
Undertake a significant piece of work (usually the MSc dissertation) which requires them to use thier (analytical) problem solving and creative skills in order to develop a solution, and to be able to critically evaluate the work that they have performed.
Students will, at various points, be provided with feedback. This feedback is an important part of the learning process and will allow the students to find out their strengths and areas for development. Such feedback will allow the students to see where they need to focus and will allow them to improve their performance.
Students will be required to keep an e-portfolio that shows their development (both academic and personal) that can be used to show employers how their studies have allowed them to develop personal and professional skills, as well as the knowledge that they have gained.
Students will be expected to develop not only their academic skills, but also soft-skills (teamwork, oral and written communication, inter-personal skills etc.). As such they are expected to adhere to the IET's Code of Conduct and Code of Practice which details what is expected (from a professional perspective) of an engineer.
The course will embed aspects of professionalism (ethics, professional conduct etc.) into the different units. The two most telling examples are the Project Management unit (CIS011-6) and the MSc project. These two units provide an excellent opportunity for students to develop their professional skills by engaging in professional tasks (e.g. project managing and working as part of a team).
