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About the Course

Overview

The aim of this MSc Embedded Systems course is to provide a follow-up to undergraduate courses in electrical or electronic engineering, concentrating on the commercially important and rapidly expanding area of embedded digital systems for communication and control. It offers a range of options of immediate relevance to industry at large, and is excellent preparation for those wishing to engage in research. The topics covered include embedded system design, software engineering, data communications, signal and image processing.

Course Structure

The MSc Embedded Systems course structure contains the following  modules:

• Semester 1

• Embedded Systems (M)

• Digital Design (M)

• Research Methods Critical Analysis and Project Planning (M)

• Software Engineering 1 (O)

• Digital Signal Processing (O)

• Semester 2

• Embedded Systems Design Project  (M)

• Embedded Software (M)

• Project Phase 1(M)

• Image Processing (O)

• Advanced Digital Electronics (O)

• Software Engineering 2 (O)

• Summer

• Masters Dissertation

(M) Mandatory module, (O) Optional Module

Duration

Normally 1 year, with part-time participation possible, typically over 2 years.

Entry Requirements

A First or Second Class Honours Degree in an engineering discipline or in the physical or chemical sciences. The degree can be from a British or overseas university. Different degrees, together with relevant industrial experience, will be considered.

Employment and Industrial Links

Graduate Destinations

The majority of students find employment quickly after completing the course. A number of students also continue to undertake PhD studies all over the UK. Examples of a few destinations of graduates are as follows: BAe Systems, Cadence Design Services, Ikerlan, Agilent Technologies, Pichler Engineering Limited, Soraluce, Thorn Communications & Telecontrol Systems, Nallatech Ltd, Hewlett-Packard.

Professional Recognition

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

About the Course Director

Dr Paolo Favaro is a lecturer in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at Heriot-Watt University. Staff in the School have extensive research experience in a number of different aspects of embedded systems. In particular, embedded systems form a vital part of the research activity undertaken in the field of autonomous underwater vehicles. Under the supervision of the School's Ocean Systems Laboratory, a number of Masters students have been involved in the Student Autonomous Underwater Competition - Europe (SAUC-E).