Electrical and
Electronic
Engineering
Introduction
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Why study Electrical and Electronic Engineering?
Do you think green energy and transport are important? Do you think engineers develop life-saving instrumentation? Do you think the internet and the growth of mobile communications have had a big effect on society? If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you have already understood the impact electrical and electronic engineering has on our lives. In fields as diverse as mechanical and aerospace engineering, power generation, transport, healthcare, quantum information, computing, artificial intelligence, cryptography and communications, electrical and electronic engineers are busy developing the technologies that will shape our future.
Why Bristol?
Electrical and electronic engineers are in demand. Renewable
energies and Smart Grids are two of the fastest growing UK sectors, with the world’s largest number of renewable energy-related small and medium enterprises being based in this region. Bristol is also home to Europe’s largest cluster of micro-electronics industries, the UK’s biggest aerospace companies and a thriving creative media industry. Our graduates are highly sought after, with 96 per cent securing well-paid employment within six months of graduation.
Your future
In choosing to study electrical and electronic engineering at Bristol, you will be taught by internationally renowned experts with a passion for the subject. Our department achieved the highest possible teaching mark in the last government assessment. You will benefit from outstanding industrial relationships,
which give you privileged access to industrial prototypes, software tools and state-of-the-art equipment. Other opportunities include an industry mentor, internships and summer placements, industrial seminars and final-year projects, all of which lead to employment. We are pleased to offer a wide range of scholarships thanks to our industry partners, the UK Electronic Skills Foundation and the E3 Academy. Bristol prides itself on educating future leaders. We will encourage you to think in innovative ways and challenge existing practice, giving you the skills and confidence to make changes to industry. Electrical and electronic engineering is a fast-moving subject, and we continually revise our degree courses to reflect both the latest developments in engineering education and the emerging needs of industry.
If you enjoy mathematics and science and want to apply your
skills creatively to some of the world’s biggest challenges, then
Electrical and Electronic Engineering is a great choice of degree.
Explore
Develop
Socialise
Research
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
What will I study?
Most of the degree courses are common for the first two years, providing a broad background in mathematics and computing, analogue electronic circuits and components, communications, electromagnetics, power electronics and control. This underpins the more advanced material given in the subsequent years and enables you to transfer between most BEng and MEng courses up until the start of the third year as well as giving you the flexibility to choose your areas of study. Both BEng and MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses provide you with a balanced knowledge of the field, with greater specialisation in the final two years of the MEng. Graduates of these courses will be equipped to deal with the challenges of power engineering and energy management as
well as the demands of the microelectronics industries. BEng and MEng Electronic and Communications Engineering courses have been introduced in response to the extraordinary growth in mobile and optical communications coupled with the technically demanding requirements of multimedia applications. These courses focus on communications and the processing of signals. The MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Study in Continental Europe enables you to spend your third year abroad, studying in France, Spain, Germany or Italy. The MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Study Abroad is a similar course, where you will spend your year abroad in an English-speaking country such as the USA or Canada. Entry to this
course is by transfer in year two and is subject to the availability of suitable placements.
As a final-year student you will undertake an individual research project, take lecture units (taught by experts involved in the department’s research activities), and explore in greater depth those topics of particular interest to you. In the third and fourth year of the MEng courses and the third year of the BEng courses as well as taking core units, you may choose from a number of optional units. This can be a useful way of tailoring your degree to prepare for your intended career.
The MEng joint honours Computer Science and Electronics course is designed to meet the needs of the modern computer and electronics industries. The study of computer science equips you with both the
We offer a range of MEng and BEng programmes.
The four-year MEng degrees provide a combination
of breadth and depth, with specialisation occurring
in the final two years.
theoretical and practical abilities to approach problems or challenges in hardware or software, and the electronics part allows you to transfer your ideas to a tangible design. Put together, this course allows you to take a product idea from conception through to complete implementation. For more information on this course, please see the Computer Science booklet.
“ My final-year project looked at WiFi
and advanced cellular technologies.
I made use of professional equipment
provided by Motorola and Inmarsat.
The project solidified my relationship
with Motorola which led to sponsorship
and summer placements.”
94
per cent
of our students give
us a thumbs up (2012
National Student Survey
satisfaction score).
MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering (H606)
Year one
Linear Circuits
Digital Circuits and Systems Fields and Devices Electronics
Electrical Systems Engineering Wireless Orchestra and Bottle Counter Projects
Introduction to C Introduction to C++ Mathematics
Year two
Digital Systems Signals and Systems Communications Control Lines and Waves Electronics
Industrial Electronics Digital Design, Group Project SMPS Project
Engineering Mathematics
Year three
Digital Filters and Spectral Analysis
Communication Systems Mobile Communications Embedded and Real Time Systems – Basic
VLSI Design
Networks and Protocols Antennas
Electronics Control
Industrial Electronics Group Project Professional Studies
Year four
Optional units and individual research project. Examples of projects include:
A Hybrid Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle
Piezo-Electric Energy Scavenging Photon Detector Modules Simple Sources for Quantum Cryptography
A Multimedia Distribution Platform Analysis of Paintings using a Multi-Sensorial Visual and Haptic Display
Breast Tumour detection using Focused Microwaves
An Iris Recognition System Surface-Emitting Lasers Capacity Evaluation for 4G cellular systems
Courses we offer Single Honours courses
BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering, three years H600 MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering, four years H606 BEng Electronic and Communications Engineering, three years H640
MEng Electronic and Communications Engineering, four years H623
MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Study in Continental Europe, four years H605
MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Study Abroad, four years*
*Admission through H606 and by transfer at the end of the second year
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Course structure
The department’s Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) provides
valuable advice and feedback on the structure and
composition of our degree programmes.
36,000
tonnes of CO
2can be saved
annually if the UK cellular industry
adopts our leading base station
amplifier technology.
£29,000
Our graduates earn starting salaries
up to this amount.
Joint Honours courses
MEng Computer Science and Electronics, four years GH46 MEng Computer Science and Electronics with Study Abroad, four years GH4P
For details of the Computer Science and Electronics courses please visit our mini-website: bristol.ac.uk/engineering/ interdisciplinary/cse/
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Teaching
Tutor groups meet most weeks in the first year to guide you in taking charge of your own education and advise you on organising your studies efficiently. Your tutor is your key personal contact within the University and as well as providing some individual teaching in the first year is able to provide advice and guidance throughout your university career.
You will learn in an environment of research excellence. This means you’ll be taught by academic staff who are themselves engaged in cutting-edge research and development projects with industry and Government. In general we offer a generous ratio of laboratory time to lecture time in the belief that understanding comes best when you are asked to apply theory in a practical environment. In the first and second years the ratio is
approximately 50/50. In the third and fourth years project work largely replaces laboratory work. Assessment is by examination and by coursework. The relative weighting of examination and coursework differs between units. Currently, a typical ratio would be 80 per cent examination and 20 per cent coursework, but some design units in the second year are entirely coursework while some final-year specialist units are assessed 100 per cent by examination. Final-year projects are assessed by thesis, interview, presentation and supervisor report.
Making the transition from school or college
to university is a major step for most
students. You will be assigned a personal
tutor to provide support as you adapt to the
new challenges of university life.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Student profile
Since high school, I wanted to study engineering in the UK. I chose the University of Bristol based on positive feedback from people living in the UK, alumni and students currently at Bristol. Coming from a different country, I was scared at first but having accommodation guaranteed for the first year helped calm my nerves. During my first year I was involved with TUBES (an Engineering Society) who arranged many social events which were fun to attend and a good way to make friends.
The Engineering Faculty is supportive in every respect. Lecturers are available to answer questions after lectures and we have weekly tutorials in the first year to discuss any problems. All of this support made it easy to adapt to my new environment.
From a very young age, I have been fascinated by the world of technology. Studying in the best university with the best lecturers will definitely help me to fulfil my career plans. I’ve not only learnt the theoretical concepts of engineering but how to apply and understand them in a practical setting. All this will make me a great engineer three years down the line. You will not regret choosing the University of Bristol. My first year was amazing, thanks to the people around me.
Sanjana Narang
(MEng) Electronic and Communications Engineering
Leading research
Bristol lecturing staff developed and designed:
• A silicon chip that could lead to a quantum computer • A low-profile antenna system
on the British American Racing Formula One car driven by Jenson Button • Europe’s first Code-Division
Multiple Access cellular network – technology used in 3G mobile phones and base stations
• A medical scanner for the early detection of breast cancer • The electrical motor
technologies used in the Airbus A380
• The electrical traction drive technologies in commercial hybrid and electric vehicles
“ Starting university in
a new country with
a new culture was
a big change for
me. It was easy to
adjust because of
the right guidance
by lecturers.”
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Career prospects
Our graduates are highly sought after. They find employment in a number of industries – broadcast, mobile and optical communications; alternative and green energy; integrated circuit design; medical engineering; avionics; consumer electronics and computer networking to name but a few. Some of our graduates go into research while others pursue careers outside engineering. As well as the support offered by the University Careers Service, students benefit from a dedicated Industrial Liaison Office, which develops engineering-specific industrial links for students. Its work includes: running special internship and mentoring schemes for engineering students; managing a LinkedIn Group for engineering staff, students and industrial contacts; organising industry-specific ‘Inside Track’ lectures; and establishing industrial scholarships, prizes and projects.
Is there any advice you can give me on making my application? In your application, as well as giving us details of your academic achievements, we would like you to say something about why you want to study electrical and electronic engineering. We understand that career ideas may be quite vague at this time and that you may be simply attracted to the subject generally. Some thoughts on what it is about the subject that attracts you would be appreciated. If you have undertaken relevant projects or work experience that has given you some insight into the subject or career opportunities, that would also be of interest. Participation in any projects related to mathematics, physics or another branch of engineering would also be of interest to us. If you come to meet us at the University to discuss your application, these are the sort of things we like to talk about, as well as your views on university life generally and how it will equip you for what you might want to do next. We can tell you more about the University and the city of Bristol, and answer any questions you may have. We can answer questions on the different courses, and suggest which would be most suitable for you, based on your interests and any career ideas you may have at this stage.
Can I get sponsorship for my studies? The department is pleased to offer a number of scholarships and bursaries to new students. Full details can be found on our website bristol.ac.uk/eeng/ undergraduate/prizes. The number of scholarships is constantly growing and now includes the newly established UK Electronic Skills Foundation (UKESF) and E3 Academy scholarships. These industrial scholarships are awarded to students studying BEng or MEng electronics-related degrees.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
The next steps
Selecting the ‘right subject’ to study at university
is not an easy task. Electrical and Electronic
Engineering has the benefit of providing a wide
range of exciting and rewarding career options.
Entry data
Electrical Engineering (Typical offer MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering) Please visit bristol.ac.uk/ug14-eleceng for Joint Honours and other qualifications A-levels AAA or AAB including Mathematics (contextual offer AAB† including Mathematics)
AS-levels No specific subjects required
IB Diploma 37 or 35 (contextual offer 35†) with
6, 6, 6 at Higher level including Mathematics
Access Treated individually; minimum is to pass Access to HE Diploma with at least 30 credits at Distinction in Mathematics and 15 credits at Merit
IELTS 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each part
GCSE Mathematics, English Language
Selection UCAS form and Admissions Day
Part-time study No
Deferred applications Welcomed
† The University assesses applications on their individual merit and
in accordance with a set of clearly defined principles as described at bristol.ac.uk/ug-admissions-principles. Admissions statements for all courses are available from bristol.ac.uk/ug-admissions-statements. A contextual offer (UK only) might be given when the educational context of the applicant is taken into account. The University is committed to ensuring that it attracts highly motivated students from a wide range of backgrounds. Our definition of educational disadvantage is reviewed annually and each case is considered on an individual basis.
Graduate profile Hannah Milne
MEng Electronic and Communications, July 2009
I always enjoyed maths and science and finding out how things worked, so engineering seemed like the sensible option to study at university.
During my penultimate summer I interned at Arup. I now work for them as a consultant in their IT and Communications Systems group. I’m primarily involved in the design of communication systems in several transport projects. We carry out environmental impact assessments of new buildings and the effect this will have on residents’ radio and TV systems. I really enjoyed my time at Bristol. After gaining a good foundation in electrical and electronic engineering, it was great to have the option of specialising in a subject that I found particularly interesting, and being taught by world-class lecturers in their area of expertise.
Department information
For more information about the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Merchant Venturers School of Engineering, please visit:
bristol.ac.uk/eeng
bristol.ac.uk/engineering/schools/mven Useful contact information
Admissions
Undergraduate Admissions Office Tel: +44 (0)117 928 8150 Fax: +44 (0)117 331 7391
Email: eng-ug-admissions@bristol.ac.uk