Degree Programme Specification

MEng Electronics & Computer Science (Degree Programme Table)

This degree is offered in collaboration with the School of Engineering & Electronics and shares the broad aims and outcomes of the Electronics MEng Programme. This document should be read in conjunction with the Programme Specification for that degree.

1. Awarding Institution: University of Edinburgh

2. Teaching Institution: University of Edinburgh

3. Programme Accredited By: Institution of Electrical Engineers

4. Final Award: MEng Honours

5. Programme Title:

MEng Electronics & Computer Science

6. UCAS Code:

7. Relevant QAA subject benchmarking: Computing, Engineering

8. Mode of Study: Full time

9. Educational aims of programme:

Many of the advances in computer and communications technology over the past five decades have resulted from the interaction between Electronics and Computer Science. These two disciplines therefore form a natural combination for a joint honours course and in today's world of complex high-speed devices, it is vital that there are engineers who understand how to design and implement both the hardware and software of general purpose and embedded computer systems. Increasingly, the importance of using software engineering methods in the design of systems is being recognised and this is reflected in the degree in Electronics & Software Engineering.

Students taking the BEng and MEng degrees involving both Electronics and Computer Science or Software Engineering take the same Informatics and Engineering/Electronics courses (together with an appropriate math course) as single honours students taking the corresponding single honours degrees, but at the end of their first year they can choose either to proceed with a joint degree or to change to Computer Science or Electronics as a single honours degree.

In the honours years each module is normally taught by a subject expert who is also undertaking related research, so research inevitably influences the courses. Students undertake a wide variety of practical exercises and projects which reinforce and build on lecture material. Communication skills, initiative, professionalism and the ability to work with others are developed as integral parts of the learning process.

10. Programme Outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for learners to achieve the following outcomes:

(a) Knowledge and understanding

have a knowledge and understanding of the principles of operation of computers from application programs down through system software to hardware
understand the concept of abstraction and its importance in the design of computer based systems
understand the nature of algorithms
understand the software development process
understand the mathematical concepts underpinning computer science, electronic circuit design and signal processing
have a knowledge and understanding of the principles of operation of microelectronic devices used in computing and communications systems
have an awareness of the social, professional, ethical and legal issues involved in the use of computing systems

(b) Intellectual skills

the ability to specify and design computer based systems
the ability to apply formal design procedures to the design of computer based systems
the ability to derive an abstract representation of a problem from from its detailed description
the ability to reconcile the difference between strict theory and practice and to appreciate how mathematical, numerical and software methods may be used to relate and apply scientific theory to engineering practice

(c) Professional/subject/specific/practical skills

the ability to develop and implement computer based systems
the ability to use appropriate support tools during the development process
the ability to operate computing equipment and software systems effectively
the ability to apply engineering skills to the design, simulation, synthesis and test of hardware, systems or processes

(d) Transferable skills

the ability to deploy analytical and problem solving skills and to synthesise solutions
the ability to work effectively as part of a development team
the ability to communicate effectively through a variety of media including oral, visual, written, diagramatic and on-line
the ability to make effective use of learning materials and to aquire and apply knowledge from a variety of sources

11. Programme Structure and Features

The notes below are intended to give an informal picture of progression through the degree. For the formal definition, including details of compulsory and optional course choices, consult the Degree Programme Table. Consult the List of Informatics courses or the DRPS course section to discover which courses belong to which subject area.

Please consult the current University Undergraduate Prospectus.

Year 1

In Year 1 students take courses worth 40 credit points in each of three separate subject areas including Informatics 1A & 1B (20 points each), Engineering 1, Electrical Engineering 1 (20 points each) and Mathematical Methods 1 & 2 and Applicable Mathematics 1 & 2 (all 10 points each).

To progress to Year 2 students must pass all of these courses.

Year 2

In Year 2 students take courses worth 40 credit points in each of three separate subject areas: Informatics 2B & 2C (20 points each); Electronics and Engineering courses (worth 10/20 points each); and Mathematics courses (worth 10 points each).

Informatics 2B (Data: Algorithms and Data Structures, Learning) presents key symbolic and numerical data structures and algorithms for manipulating them. Informatics 2C (Computer Systems and Software Engineering) is concerned with the design, implementation and engineering of digital computer systems.

Year 3

In Year 3 students are required to take Electronic Engineering 3 (20 points), either the Systems Design Project (20 points) or the CS/SE Individual Practical (10 points), and a selection of courses in each discipline following the rules laid out in the Degree Programme Table. Students will normally take the Professional Issues course, since this is an accreditation requirement. Students have the option of taking a course from the wider University.

Years 4 and 5

Documentation on progression to and activities within years 4 and 5 is available from the School of Engineering and Electronics.

Revision Date: September 2006

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