Programme Specifications

Integrated Year in Industry available

Computing

September 2023

​​​The aim of this degree scheme is to produce good quality graduates with strong robotics and embedded systems engineering skills who are highly sought after by industry. The scheme has a well-defined set of core modules that must be studied to ensure that graduates have a wide range of experiences with a good grounding in the major relevant fields of Engineering - including Computing, Mathematics and Physics.

​This degree scheme focuses on practical application of engineering principles to the design and building of physical systems involving computerised sensing and control.

​The scheme has the following fundamental aims:

• ​to enable students to develop the skills to be expected of any graduate, including the following skills: to reason logically and creatively; to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; and to be able to obtain and interpret information from a wide range of sources

• ​to equip students with the skills necessary to program in high-level computing languages

• ​to enable students to understand and apply the range of principles and tools available to the software engineer

• ​ to give students a good grounding in the major fields of Robotics and Embedded Systems Engineering through a wide range of experiences

• ​to give students an appreciation of the political, economic, legal and social issues surrounding computer controlled systems.

• ​to instil the professional and ethical responsibilities required of engineering practitioners · to produce graduates who have the potential to succeed in a rapidly changing industry

• ​to produce graduates with competence in subject-specific skills of computational methods and problem solving.

• ​to produce graduates with: an excellent preparation for building 'industrial strength' robotics and embedded systems applications, a variety of experience with all aspects of the software lifecycle, instrumentation and the basics of control theory giving enhanced employment prospects with a wide range of employers

Additionally for Integrated Masters Students this scheme aims to provide a Masters level depth of Knowledge of specific areas of computing

The scheme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

• A1 Knowledge of fundamental mathematical concepts and techniques of calculus, algebra and classical dynamics, and an understanding of more advanced concepts in engineering mathematics (vectors, differential equations, Fourier theory, line and volume integrals, Stokes', Green's and divergence theorems).

• A2 Knowledge of a selection of specialist topics in the physical sciences (instrumentation, forces, electricity and magnetism).

• A3 An understanding of algorithm design and use of efficient data structures.

• A4 Knowledge of systems engineering, the management of complex system projects, and their legal, social, ethical and professional aspects

• A5 Knowledge of instrumentation systems, sensors and signals.

• A6 An understanding of the concepts of robotics, relevant sensors, and control

• A7 Knowledge of Programming languages and software design techniques

Learning and Teaching

• ​​​Lectures (A1-A7)

• ​Problem classes (A1)

• ​Seminars (A2, A4)

• ​Laboratory work (A2 A3 A5 A6, A7)

• ​Group and individual projects (A4, A5, A6, A7)

• ​Visiting lecturer series (A2, A4)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• ​​​Time-constrained examinations (A1-A7)

• ​Problem sheets (A1, A2, A3)

• ​Project diaries (A4, A5)

• ​Project reports (A3, A4, A7)

• ​Oral presentations (A4)

• ​Computer programs and assignments (A3, A4, A6, A7)

• ​Capstone project (A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7)​​

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• B1 Calculation and manipulation of data obtained from, or related to, the bodies of knowledge studied.

• B2 Application of a range of concepts and principles in well-defined mathematical or physical contexts, showing judgement in the selection and application of tools and techniques.

• B3 The ability to develop and evaluate logical arguments

• B4 The skill of abstracting the essential elements of problems, formulating them in a mathematical context and obtaining solutions by appropriate methods.

• B5 Application of engineering principles and knowledge to develop complex software controlled mechanical systems.

• B6 Implement computer programs in a modern object-oriented language.

• B7 The capability of evaluating systems in terms of general quality attributes, possible trade-offs and risk within the given problem space

Learning and Teaching

• ​​​Lectures (B1-B7)

• ​Problem classes (B1, B2, B4, B5)

• ​Seminars (B3, B4, B7)

• ​Laboratory work (B5, B6, B7)

• ​Group and individual projects (B1-B7)

• ​Visiting lecturer series (B3, B5, B7)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• ​​​Time-constrained examinations (B1-B7)

• ​Problem sheets (B1, B2, B4)

• ​Project diaries (B3, B6, B7)

• ​Project reports (B1-B7)

• ​Oral presentations (B1, B3, B7)

• ​Computer programs and assignments (B1, B4, B5,B6)

• ​Capstone project (B1-B7)​​

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

• C1 Present arguments and conclusions effectively and accurately.

• C2 Use computer software to control physical, reactive systems.

• C3 Build sensing and control systems using electronic and electrical components.

• C4 Use computer software to support presentations and produce reports.

• C5 Deploy appropriate theory, practices and tools for the specification, design, implementation and evaluation of computer-based systems.

• C6 Recognise any risks, safety or security aspects that may be involved with a computer system within a given context.

• C7 Deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of computer applications, with particular emphasis on understanding the whole process involved in the effective deployment of computers to solve practical problems

• C8 Address typical robotics and embedded systems engineering challenges effectively.
  
  Additional Learning Outcomes for Integrated Year in Industry Students:

• C9 Demonstrate a range of transferable skills in employment including employability, initiative, independence and commercial awareness.

Learning and Teaching

• ​​​Lectures (C1-C8)

• ​Problem classes (C1,C7)

• ​Seminars (C1, C5, C6, C8)

• ​Laboratory work (C2, C3, C5, C8)

• ​Group and individual projects (C1-C8)

• ​Visiting lecturer series (C1, C7, C8)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• ​​​Time-constrained examinations (C1, C4, C5, C6, C8)

• ​Problem sheets (C1,C3, C5, C7,C8)

• ​Project diaries (C2, C3, C5)

• ​Project reports (C1, C2, C4, C6, C7)​​

10.3 Transferable/key skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

• D1 Apply general mathematical skills to a range of problems

• D2 Work independently

• D3 Use information technology confidently

• D4 Manage time and resources effectively

• D5 Develop effective learning skills

• D6 Be aware of the need to plan for employment and to develop various skills for such employment

• D7 Work cooperatively as a member of a software development team, recognising the different roles within a team and different ways of organising teams.
  
  

Learning and Teaching

• ​​Lectures (D1-D7)

• ​Problem classes (D1,D5)

• ​Seminars (D4, D5, D7)

• ​Laboratory work (D3, D4, D7)

• ​Group and individual projects (D2, D3, D4, D5, D7)

• ​Visiting lecturer series (D6, D7)​
  
  

Assessment Strategies and Methods

• ​​​Time-constrained examinations (D1)

• ​Problem sheets (D1,D5)

• ​Project diaries (D3, D4, D7)

• ​Project reports (D5,D6, D7)

• ​Oral presentations (D7)

• ​Computer programs and assignments (D2, D3, D4, D5, D7)

• ​Capstone project (D2, D3, D4, D5)​​