UCAS Code (H690)
Electronic systems are integral to nearly every aspect of 21st-century life. Spectacular advances in technology, design and development are enabling increasing capabilities to be squeezed into ever smaller electronic devices.
The design and deployment of such systems are facilitated by the four key omponents which underpin this degree: technological developments, processing of digital information, reprogrammable hardware and intelligent software tools.
Emerging architectural approaches such as nanotechnology, optical computing and distributed processing provide the potential for even greater advances. Producing high-calibre engineers who understand and then exploit such advances in electronic technology is a key aim of this degree.
Graduates have an ideal platform to launch a successful career in the EDS sector.
Download the Electronic & Digital Systems leaflet or EEE Handbook for further information.
Core subjects in mathematics, electronics, electrical engineering, computing and embedded systems are studied in years 1-3 to provide a strong foundation for study in later years.
Specialist topics, relevant to the digital and electronics sector, are chosen in Years 4 & 5.
An individual project in Year 4 and group project in Year 5 (Student Tradeshow) provide technical challenges and facilitate the development of planning, project management and teamworking skills.
The Department has extensive industrial academic collaborations and a range of opportunities exist for work placements and overseas study within the UK and overseas. Examples include internships with Texas Instruments.
Year 1 – Fundamental Engineering Skills
You will learn about the design and analysis of analogue and digital circuits, the principles of software engineering, physical electronics and processing systems. You also study Maths for computing and engineering, and business management. You will take practical laboratories and classes which support your personal and professional development.
Year 2 – Core Engineering & Technology Skills
The study of analogue and digital electronics continues, enhanced by an introduction to basic concepts in signal processing. Further study of physical electronics is undertaken, along with classes on electromagnetism and engineering design and manufacture. You will also study advanced Maths and engineering computing; all supported by practical and team-working skills programmes.
Year 3 – Specialist Engineering Skills
You study a variety of technical subjects including:
- Analysis tools for real-world signals and systems
- Signals & Communications Principles
- Electronics CAD Project – practical digital design
- Analogue Electronics
- Instrumentation and control system modelling
- Microcontrollers
- Design and analysis of real world electronic systems
- VHDL – very high level design language for electronic systems
- Engineering Innovation & Management
- Engineering Statistics
Years 4 & 5 – Professional Training:
During these years, you undertake a selection of compulsory and optional classes to develop specialist engineering knowledge. In Year 4 you complete a significant individual project within the electronic and digital systems field, through which you will gain invaluable technical and project management skills. In Year 5, a group project will further enhance your engineering and computing understanding and professional skills.
Compulsory Classes
- Engineering Analysis
- Robotics
- Information Transmission and Security
- Communications Theory and Networks
- Digital Signal Processing
- Advanced Analogue Systems Design and Analysis
- Advanced Microcontroller Applications
- Digital Signal Processing Implementation
Optional Classes
- Multimedia Signal and Image Processing
- Network Design, Performance and Management
- Mobile Communications
- Adaptive Digital Signal Processing
- Photonic Networks
- Optical Communications Systems
- Mechatronic Systems
- Renewable Technologies
As part of their final year, students take part in the Student Tradeshow, a fantastic opportunity to showcase their final year projects to industry professionals, staff and fellow students.
Graduates are ideally positioned for rewarding and exciting careers in technical and managerial roles in a diverse range of sectors including:
- video surveillance systems
- multimedia and 3DTV systems
- ultrasonic and optical systems
- intelligent electronic and digital systems
- aerospace and automotive industries
- consumer electronics entertainment
- audio and speech processing
- mobile, broadband and wireless communications
- intelligent electronic control
- remote sensing, defence and security
- renewable energy systems and transportation
- biomedicine
Graduates have been successful in gaining employment in a number of top international and indigenous electronics companies. These include household brand names such as Nokia, Samsung, British Telecom, Vodafone, and also many companies producing chip and system solutions such as Xilinx, Texas Instruments, Agilent, Freescale, Siemens and Philips.
In Scotland, the design engineering market for electronics is strong, with the well known audio and digital signal processing company, Wolfson Microelectronics, powering the audio chipsets of many mobile phones and PDAs, and others such as Linn Products being internationally recognised high end audio systems leaders for almost three decades. Add to this the many small to medium enterprise companies in Scotland and around the globe, and it is clear that the EDS market is both exciting and driving the technological world forward at an incredible pace.
We accept a range of UK, EU and international qualifications for entry to our undergraduate degrees, details of which can be found in the following document.
Further information can also be obtained by contacting the Undergraduate Academic Selector.
