Electronics
and Computer Systems Engineering
Electronics and computer systems courses
have always been popular. With the increased use of sophisticated
electronic components and computer systems in an ever increasing
range of products the demand for graduates in these areas has increased.
Quality of education
A feature which is novel to degree courses in the UK is the way
in which they are assessed for their quality of education. This
quality is assessed by a Government based Teaching Quality audit.
Each department is assessed by a team of senior academics who visit
the institution and discuss the philosophy behind their courses.
In addition to this the assessors talk to students and attend and
comment upon all the teaching activities. This assessment exercise
lasts some three to four days and at the end the department is given
the assessment. The overall grades run from excellent to unsatisfactory.
Another form of assessment is the accreditation process carried
out by UK Engineering Institutions. Graduates with suitable grades
of degrees from courses which are accredited satisfy all the educational
requirements for corporate membership of the engineering institution.
This means that to become a chartered engineer the graduate has
to follow a suitable programme of training. After an appropriate
period of responsible work the graduate is then ready for corporate
membership. Accreditation by a UK engineering institution is often
accepted as a sufficient requirement for full membership of engineering
institutions in other countries.
M.Eng Courses
The normal duration of a M.Eng course is four years. Students follow
a conventional degree programme in the first three years. In the
fourth year they follow what is called an enhanced course. The nature
of this fourth year varies but it normally means that in addition
to a substantial project students will take courses which broaden
their experience. This will mean that courses on commercial, financial
and legal aspects of engineering are taken.
Practical Work
One feature of UK courses which is not found in courses in every
other country is the concentration on project and practical work.
Engineering is a practical subject and in order to be a competent
engineer students must have the opportunity to develop their practical
skills. In the UK it is common for students to undertake projects
in all, three years. For example at the University of Kent students
undertake projects in all three years. In the first year the project
is relatively straightforward. In the second it takes the form of
a group project. The third year project is a substantial affair
where students are allocated two days or so per week. This enables
them to undertake as individuals or in a group a substantial piece
of work. The area of the third year project is normally the area
of engineering in which the student wishes to specialise.
The relevance of research to the Undergraduate curriculum
Electronics and Computer Systems are rapidly developing fields.
In order that courses remain current it is essential that the latest
devices and technologies can be introduced into the curriculum.
One area which plays an important part of most courses is the use
of sophisticated computer aided design tools in the design of contemporary
Electronic and Computer based systems. This is an area where academics
at the University of Kent, for example are very active in research.
An example of this is the topic of high-level design of digital
systems. Traditional techniques of design required the designer
to create first the schematic or circuit diagram of the system.
This has now been superseded by the use of hardware description
languages. These are like programming languages but are specially
designed to enable digital hardware to be described. The real advantage
is that these descriptions can be simulated so that the design can
be tested. All this can be done without the need to use any hardware
components. When the design is complete then the designer can create
the printed circuit board and make the prototype system.
Support for students
Most students have a very enjoyable time whilst at university.
But there may be times when a student needs some support. This may
be concerned with changing degree programme or choosing options.
In rare cases this may be when the student is ill or friends or
relatives are ill. Most UK universities have a well developed system
of student support. In some institutions this takes the form of
a tutor system. The tutor is not someone to help with the academic
studies but is a member of staff who the student gets to know over
a period of time and who can help when there is a need. Fortunately
it is rare for students to have significant difficulties and the
time at university is happy and memorable.
More information
This brief overview of the courses in Electronics and Computer
systems which are on offer in the UK is just an introduction. For
any intending student the important thing is to obtain as much information
as possible about the degree programmes and the universities of
your choice. There are a number of ways to do this. The British
Council have offices in most countries and they have details of
the courses at virtually all universities. They can also supply
the addresses of universities. Students are advised to write to
their chosen universities asking for details of the courses of interest.
This will normally result in the course details or the prospectus
being sent. Another way of obtaining information is by means of
the Internet. Again virtually all universities have a "web"
address. This gives a database which can be searched to find course
information, information on the student societies, members of the
academic staff etc. It is also possible to send electronic mail
to the admissions office asking specific questions.
Author: Dr Keith Diamond, University of Kent U.K.
This article first appeared in Educational Courses in Britain
