About the Course

Overview

The MSc in Microsystems with Photonics course is concerned with the use and application of engineering principles in the specification, design, development and deployment of Microsystems.

Microsystems are widely used in the latest IT and telecommunications hardware, advanced medical devices, and various biomedical and biotechnological fields.

Currently microsystems technology, also known as microengineering or microsystems engineering, is expanding rapidly, as is the demand for qualified engineers with specialist training. To satisfy such a growing industrial demand, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the UK, provided funding to MISEC (Micro Systems Engineering Centre) at Heriot-Watt University in 1992 and again in 1995 to develop the MSc course in Microsystems Engineering. It was the first and only course in the UK solely devoted to microsystems engineering, to provide specialist training at Masters level. The course has recently been modified to incorporate new developmentsin the field and is being offered under the name of MSc in Microsystems with Photonics.

Course Structure

The course contains the following core modules:

• Semester 1
• Manufacturing processes in MEMS
• Design, Modelling and Packing of MEMS
• Fundamentals of Photonics and Micromechanics
• Research Methods Critical Analysis and Project Planning
• Semester 2
• RF MEMS
• Sensors and Actuators
• Laser Applications and Engineering
• Project Phase 1
• Summer
• Masters Dissertation

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 Microsystems area is rapidly expanding and there is a high demand for researchers at the moment. Graduates of the course have gone on to do PhD's or have found employment at companies such as Yashnanotech, Technology for Industry Ltd and Microstencil.

Industrial Project Opportunities

A few examples of companies that have offered project placements are Microstencil and Technology for Industry Ltd.

Course Industrial Advisory Board

The development of the course is informed by an industrial advisory board comprising delegates from the following companies:

• BAE Systems
• BCF Designs Limited
• Materials Consultancy Services Limited
• Renishaw
• Syngenta
• Training for Industry Limited

About the Course Director

Dr Resham Dhariwal is a leading member of the the Microsystems Group at Heriot Watt which is one of the largest Microsystems research groups in the UK.  This was  the only group selected in the UK by the research council and asked to run  a masters course in Microsystems Engineering which was funded with a  million pound grant.