a life-changing experience set in one of europe’s most vibrant capital cities
UNDERGRADUATE
2013
we are entrepreneurs with a reputation for excellence and employabilitySchool of
ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRONICS,
SCIENCE
AND COMPUTER
QUEEN’S SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES
Queen’s offers a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. these include:
ni scholars scheme – 10 full-fee scholarships (from 2013)
available to students from northern ireland for the full duration of the undergraduate degree. it recognises academic achievement and additional contribution to school/community life with an emphasis on leadership and social responsibility. nominations are via schools.
£2,500 scholarship for students from england, scotland and wales
available to all students from england, scotland and wales achieving a,a,b grades or equivalent at a-level, (excluding applicants to medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and the Queen’s colleges at stranmillis and st mary’s).
stem performance awards and eliahou dangoor scholarships – £1,000
£1,000 scholarships paid for the first year of study to eligible students.
full details and eligibility criteria for Queen’s scholarships are available at:
www.qub.ac.uk/scholarships e: askqueens@qub. ac.uk
a range of scholarships and prizes is available from the university. for more information please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/scholarships and www.qub. ac.uk/dasa/scholarships
school scholarships:
power academy - meng and beng electrical and electronic engineering
the power academy offers scholarships to new students interested mainly in electrical power engineering. Queen’s is one of 7 universities in the power academy, comprising the uK’s leading universities offering electrical power engineering as part of the degree. there are 70 scholarships available across the 7 member universities each year. they provide financial support during the student’s studies and paid professional experience during a one-year placement with the company and during the summer vacations. each scholarship is worth over £25k!
liberty it scholarship – meng in computer science
the liberty it scholarship at Queen’s (worth approximately £20,000) supports one student
per year on the five-year meng in computer science.the course is tailored to high flying students capable of playing a leading role in the computing industry in the future.
subject to satisfactory exam results and performance in class, the bursary offers scholarship support of £1,000 a year for the four taught years of the course, and:
• four weeks paid summer work at the end of year one
• a guaranteed paid industrial placement in year three
• a permanent position with liberty it after graduating.
asidua scholarship
the asidua scholarship at Queen’s university (worth up to £25,000) supports at least one student per year and is open to students entering the following courses:
• bsc in computer science • beng in computer science • meng in computer science
• beng in electrical and electronic engineering • meng in electrical and electronic engineering subject to satisfactory exam results aligning with a degree classification of 2:1 or above and performance in class, the scholarship will offer support as follows:
• £1,000 per year for each of the scheduled academic years of the course
• at least eight weeks paid summer work between each academic year
• a guaranteed paid industrial placement in year three
• after completion of industrial placement, the opportunity for paid part-time work during the academic year – typically equating to 1 day per week (subject to course schedules);
• following an application for a permanent position and subject to success at interview, in accordance with fair employment legislation, a permanent position with asidua after graduation. the university is also participating in the eliahou dangoor scholarships scheme. around 30 scholarships of £1,000 will be offered to new first year students from underprivileged backgrounds enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics subject.
for further information, please visit the school website at www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs
INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
would you like to be part of a hi-tech future where there are excellent job opportunities across a wide range of industries both locally and worldwide? why not choose a degree in the school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science at Queen’s?
the school is one of the largest in the university and has an international reputation due to its far reaching research activities and many successes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. it is based across four sites including the £40m ecit research institute, which is based in the ni science park close to the city’s titanic quarter. Queen’s is consistently ranked among the top universities in the uK for the courses offered by
the school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science, with electrical and electronic engineering in particular ranked among the top 10 in the uK (times 2011). the school offers you the opportunity to study in world-class facilities with expert staff in a friendly environment.
with a shortage, both locally and worldwide, of graduates in these areas you could not have chosen a better time and a better university to study electronics, electrical engineering and computing. currently over 95 per cent of our graduates are employed in jobs related to their degrees within six months of graduating.
business information technology 4 computer games development 6
computer science 8
computing and information technology 10 electrical and electronic engineering 12 software and electronic systems engineering 14
software engineering 16
The Subject
much of the business in the 21st century will be conducted electronically, and will exploit advanced information technologies such as the internet and e-commerce. leaders of technology-based organisations will therefore require a unique combination of abilities. the business information technology degree at Queen's aims to give students a sound knowledge of information technology fundamentals and their application in business and a firm foundation in management. Programme Content
the degree programme is organised around the following themes:
• business practice, software development • computer architecture (including computer
networks)
• management it (including electronic commerce)
• management principles and information technology (including multimedia) • entrepreneurship within an it environment Professional Experience
a range of modules builds progressively on each of these themes throughout the first two years. students then undertake a full year’s paid placement, which is an opportunity both to put into practice the principles learned to date and to gain practical experience of the business world. it is expected that students will gain a licentiateship of the city & guilds from this period of work experience.
students then take their final year modules, including a major individual innovation and entrepreneurship project, which pulls together many of the individual themes of the degree.
Degr
ees BSc Honours:business information technology
Entrance
Requir
ements
A-level: abb + gcse mathematics.
BTEC Extended Diploma: any btec national extended with 12 distinctions and 6 merits + gcse mathematics.
BTEC Higher National Diploma: those with good grades in a relevant higher national diploma will be considered individually on their own merits for entry to stage 2.
For students whose first language is not English: an ielts score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/englishlanguagereqs Thinking about applying? – go to http://go.qub.ac.uk/myqueens Contact Entrance requirements: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)28 9097 3838 Programme information: school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science t: +44 (0)28 9097 4669
w: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs the four-year degree programme (three years plus a placement year) will involve development of the technical skills necessary to design and construct advanced it systems for business applications. it is expected that graduates will be able to:
• assume the role of manager in the contemporary, technology-driven business environment
• exploit advanced it to build and develop globally competitive businesses
• develop and implement it-enabled business systems for effective business operation • manage the introduction and use of it in
business, including the human factors 4 Business Information Technology
• Keep abreast of emerging technologies and their potential for business innovation • redesign existing business processes and
implement new business initiatives Special Features
placement: all students undertake a paid placement year in industry. the school has links with over 500 local, national and international organisations, and examples of companies where our students have spent their placements as part of this degree include microsoft, fujitsu, bank of ireland, bank of scotland, pricewaterhousecoopers, pa consulting group and belfast city council, to name just a few. facilities: students have access to a wide range of computers (laboratories are equipped with several hundred pcs) and specialised software packages.
a key feature of this degree programme is the emphasis on the application of advanced information technology in a business environment, and students study both the enabling technology for e-commerce and how that technology may be exploited for business advantage. a further special feature of this programme is the active development of the students’ innovation and entrepreneurial skills. Careers and Further Study
more than ever, there is a real need for skilled managers in the contemporary, technology-driven environment, and they will be required to have an understanding of the fundamental principles of computer science, information technology and management, with an emphasis on the application of advanced information technology in a business environment. graduates of this degree secure jobs in areas such as it consultancy, project management in it companies and in general management positions, and are also able to choose from a host of rewarding and challenging careers in industry, commerce, education and research.
‘A key feature of this
degree programme is
the emphasis on the
application of advanced
information technology in
a business environment’
5 Business Information Technology
Degr
ees MEng Honours:computer games development (4 yrs)
computer games development with a year in industry (5-yr sandwich)
Entrance
Requir
ements
A-level: aab including mathematics or physics + gcse mathematics.
For students whose first language is not English: an ielts score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/englishlanguagereqs Thinking about applying? – go to http://go.qub.ac.uk/myqueens Contact Entrance requirements: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)28 9097 3838 Programme information: school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science t: +44 (0)28 9097 4669
w: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs The Subject
the computer games industry, spanning from consoles to pcs to mobile phones, has grown rapidly in recent years and is now a multi-billion pound global industry. the industry is still expanding and continually evolving and exploiting cutting-edge technologies as interfaces and new forms of gameplay are developed. sound technical skills and creativity are essential for the development of a successful electronic game.
this prestigious integrated degree programme in computer games development (including an optional placement year) will foster strong programming, content management and architectural design skills, and provide students with a full development experience, from concept to software design to final implementation, in preparation for a development-oriented career in the industry. additionally, the skill set gained fully prepares graduates for a programming-oriented career within the wider software engineering industry. Note: computer science, computing information technology and computer games development share a common core of modules in the first year. students may therefore transfer between these degrees at the end of first year, subject to meeting the normal progression requirements. students interested in transferring to the computer games development degree from either computer science or computing and information technology will be required to pass an additional mathematics exam should they not hold an a-level in mathematics or physics (or equivalent qualification). Programme Content
these degrees are modular, with core modules defined in each year and pathways that allow an increasing degree of specialism as students progress from stage 1 to stage 4. modules are combined across the stages to reflect the various themes within the degree, and include:
Stage 1
fundamentals of programming and algorithmic development
introductory software engineering and project management
principles of computer architecture
theory and development of multimedia systems Stage 2
advanced c++ programming data structures and algorithm analysis games programming (using xna)
networking theory and programming practice principles behind game theory and game
creation
principles of software engineering explored through team-based game development professional development
Stage 3
3d game engine design and development 3d graphics and programming
advanced topics in software engineering agile and component-based software
development artificial intelligence
concurrent (multi-core) programming real-time physics programming year of professional experience
between stages 3 and 4 students undertake an optional full year’s paid industrial placement. this placement year is an opportunity to put into practice the principles learned in the programme, and to gain practical experience in games design and development with an appropriate games development studio where possible. students will receive assistance in obtaining a suitable placement.
Stage 4
in this stage students develop specialism in games programming through the selection of research-based modules and the completion of a games development research project. based on current research strengths this would include: adaptive and self-learning
advanced algorithmic analysis advanced computer vision techniques artificial intelligence
distributed/parallel programming embedded software systems reasoning under uncertainty Special Features
major new research centres have been established in electronics, telecommunications and information technology, e-science and in sonic arts. a number of our modules are closely linked to the research expertise of these centres, and evolve and change rapidly to reflect some of the current, emerging and exciting developments in the field.
Careers and Further Study
on graduating with an meng degree (and a year’s experience), graduates will be able to take development jobs in the computer games
‘The placement year is an
opportunity to put into
practice the principles
learned in the programme,
and to gain practical
experience in games
design and development
with an appropriate
games development
studio where possible’
industry or other computer-based creative industries. graduates will also be fully equipped with a programming-oriented skill set, which will be highly attractive to software development positions within the wider software engineering industry, not just in gaming.in addition, these degrees will equip graduates who wish to pursue research and further study in computer science and related disciplines.
7 Computer Games Development
Degr
ees BSc Honours:computer science (4-yr sandwich)
mathematics and computer science (3 yrs) physics and computer science (3 yrs) BEng Honours:
computer science (4-yr sandwich) MEng Honours:
computer science (4 yrs) computer science (5-yr sandwich) MSci Honours:
mathematics and computer science (4 yrs) for computing and information
technology please see separate entry
Entrance
Requir
ements
BEng/BSc Single Honours (including sandwich options)
A-level: bbb including gce a-level chemistry or computing or ict or mathematics or physics or technology or double award applied ict + gcse mathematics.
BTEC Extended Diploma: a relevant computing, engineering or scientific btec extended diploma with 10 distinctions and 8 merits + gcse mathematics.
BTEC Higher National Diploma: those with good grades in a relevant higher national diploma will be considered individually on their merits for entry to stage 2.
MEng
A-level: aab including gce a-level chemistry or computing or ict or mathematics or physics or technology or double award applied ict + gcse mathematics.
For MSci and BSc Joint Honours
entrance requirements see separate entries for Mathematics and Physics.
For students whose first language is not English: an ielts score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/englishlanguagereqs Thinking about applying? – go to http://go.qub.ac.uk/myqueens Contact Entrance requirements: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)28 9097 3838 Programme information: school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science t: +44 (0)28 9097 4669
w: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs The Subject
computer science is concerned with the specification, design, construction and use of computer systems. it embraces subject areas such as software engineering, hardware architecture and design, information systems, communications, graphics, simulation and modelling, artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. human-computer systems are often highly complex in nature and must be reliable in operation. computer science provides many of the concepts and approaches required.
Note: computer science, computing information technology and computer games development share a common core of modules in the first year, so students may therefore transfer between these degrees at the end of first year, subject to meeting the normal progression requirements. students who do not hold an a-level in mathematics or physics (or equivalent qualification) and wish to transfer to the computer games development degree from either computer science or computing and information technology will need to pass an additional mathematics exam.
Programme Content
our computer science degree programmes aim to teach the fundamental principles of computer science, together with the necessary skills, tools and techniques to enable our graduates to embark on careers as professional software engineers, or to become suitably qualified to undertake research in computer science. these programmes involve extensive practical work in the school’s laboratories.
Stage 1
computer architecture fundamentals of programming multimedia design and authoring programming challenges
introduction of the science of computing introductory software engineering and project
management 8 Computer Science
Stage 2
advanced programming using c# and c++ computation theory
data structures and algorithms database systems
networks and communications professional computing practice software engineering and group project students taking single honours beng/bsc are required to spend a year gaining professional experience in industry in a paid full-time post. students are helped to obtain suitable places and the school has excellent links with over 500 local, national and international employers such as bt, liberty, asidua and Kainos in belfast, ibm in england, microsoft and sun microsystems in dublin, fujitsu in Japan and siemens in germany. it is expected that students will gain a licentiateship of the city & guilds from this period of work experience.
Stage 3
agile and component-based programming artificial intelligence
computer science project concurrent programming design principles and patterns formal methods
operating system concepts research topics
these modules enable each student to pursue their own interests. a student who is fluent in french may spend the final year of study at the university of rennes and take the final examinations in the french language. MEng
this is a four-year extended degree programme. it has been established to provide a supply of particularly well-qualified graduates who will become industry leaders, and it contains an appropriate blend of knowledge and skills in computer science with business practice and management as well as skills in conducting state-of-the-art research. students have the option of a year's professional experience in
industry. the first two years and much of stage 3 are common with the bsc/beng degree. transfer to the meng is possible for selected students at the end of stage 2, subject to satisfactory performance. modules taken in stage 4 are: algorithms: analysis and applications, innovation and entrepreneurship, high performance computing plus a research project. Special Features
due to the high demand for computer science graduates, a number of scholarships is available, including industry-sponsored scholarships provided by both asidua and liberty it, each of which is worth up to £25k. both provide £1k for each academic year, a guaranteed industrial placement, an opportunity for additional part-time work during the academic year and also a permanent position on graduation. for further information on these and other scholarships available, visit the school website: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs Careers and Further Study
our graduates are able to choose from a range of rewarding and challenging careers in industry, commerce, education and research. the majority take up posts associated with software design and implementation (there are currently over 200 software companies in northern ireland, and our graduates are in particularly high demand). some also embark on management, accountancy and finance careers, while others enter teaching and research.
9 Computer Science
Degr
ees BSc Honours:computing and information technology
Entrance
Requir
ements
A-level: abb + gcse mathematics OR bbb including any computing, mathematical or scientific subject + gcse mathematics.
BTEC Extended Diploma: a non-relevant btec extended diploma with 12 distinctions and 6 merits + gcse mathematics OR a relevant computing, engineering or scientific btec national diploma with 10 distinctions and 8 merits + gcse mathematics.
BTEC Higher National Diploma: those with good grades in a relevant higher national diploma will be considered individually on their merits for entry to stage 2.
For students whose first language is not English: an ielts score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/englishlanguagereqs Thinking about applying? – go to http://go.qub.ac.uk/myqueens Contact Entrance requirements: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)28 9097 3838 Programme information: school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science t: +44 (0)28 9097 4669
w: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs The Subject
our computing and information technology degree programme aims to give students a sound knowledge of information technology fundamentals and their application. this degree is ideal for students who are interested in all aspects of it and embraces subject areas such as programming, web development, database design, interface design, infrastructure specification, maintenance and administration, hardware architecture and operating systems. software development on this programme has more of a web-based focus than the computer science degree.
the four-year degree programme (three years plus a placement year) will involve development of the applied computing, interpersonal, communication and it skills necessary to develop, select, deliver, manage and maintain cutting-edge it infrastructures and advanced it systems.
Note: computer science, computing information technology and computer games development share a common core of modules in the first year, so students may therefore transfer between these degrees at the end of first year, subject to meeting the normal progression requirements. students who do not hold an a-level in mathematics or physics (or equivalent qualification) and wish to transfer to the computer games development degree from either computer science or computing and information technology will need to pass an additional mathematics exam.
Programme Content
this degree programme aims to teach the necessary skills, tools and techniques to enable our graduates to embark on careers as it professionals in a wide variety of roles, and involves extensive practical work in the school’s computer laboratories.
‘The best things about my
course are the students
and lecturers, the projects
you get to work on, and
the wide variety and
interesting topics that give
you a good grounding for
loads of careers. There is
a good balance between
practical and theory and
the chance to spend a year
in industry is invaluable!’
Emma Elliott (Year 2)
throughout the programme there is an emphasis on user-centredness and information assurance/security.
the programme contains the following themes:tabase systems
• computer architecture (including computer networks)
• database systems
• human-computer interaction
• it infrastructure specification and design • it system administration
• professionalism • programming
• web-based development
the modules build progressively on each of these themes throughout the first two years. students then undertake a full year’s paid placement, which is an opportunity both to practise the principles learned to date and to gain practical experience as an it professional. typically students will gain a licentiateship of the city & guilds from this period of work experience.
students then take their final year modules, including a major project, which pull together many of the individual themes of the degree. Special Features
placement: all students undertake a paid placement year in industry. the school has links with over 500 local, national and international organisations. examples of companies where our students have spent their placements include microsoft, Kainos, bank of ireland, bank of scotland and belfast city council. Careers and Further Study
typical roles for an it professional include: design of it architectures, integration of software and hardware products with organisational needs and infrastructure network administration and security, design and implementation
of dynamic websites and development of multimedia resources, maintenance, upgrade and repair of computer assets and support of it users.
this degree will also equip graduates to pursue research and further study within the academic discipline of it.
11 Computing and Information Technology
Degr
ees BEng Honours:electrical and electronic engineering
electrical and electronic engineering (4-yr sandwich)
MEng Honours:
electrical and electronic engineering electrical and electronic engineering (5-yr
sandwich)
Entrance
Requir
ements
BEng
A-level: bbb including mathematics and at least one from physics (preferred), biology, chemistry, design/technology, electronics, further mathematics or double award applied science. Note: applicants not offering physics at a-level should have a minimum of a grade c in gcse physics or double award science.
BTEC Extended Diploma: a relevant btec extended diploma with 10 distinctions and 8 merits. distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.
Higher National Diploma: those with good grades in a relevant higher national diploma will be considered on their individual merits for entry to stage 2.
MEng
A-level: aab including mathematics and at least one from physics (preferred), biology, chemistry, design/technology, electronics, or further mathematics. Note: applicants not offering physics at a-level should have a minimum of a grade b in gcse physics or double award science.
BTEC Extended Diploma: a relevant btec national extended with 16 distinctions and 2 merits. distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.
For students whose first language is not English: an ielts score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/englishlanguagereqs Thinking about applying? – go to http://go.qub.ac.uk/myqueens Contact Entrance requirements: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)28 9097 3838 Programme information: dr Karen rafferty
school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science t: +44 (0)28 9097 4280
e: [email protected] w: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs The Subject
there can be few modern enterprises and aspects of human life which remain untouched by electronics or electrical engineering. electrical and electronic engineering is concerned with solving practical problems using electrical/ electronic science. it is an area of immense growth with a worldwide shortage of qualified engineers: on average over 90 per cent of our graduates are employed within six months of graduating.
the subject area is broad, ranging from micro-electronic chip design and manufacture to power generation and distribution. rapid advances are occurring in fields such as telecommunications, computer software, hardware and networking, medical electronics, security, virtual and augmented reality, control and robotics and renewable energy systems. Programme Content
BEng
this is an enhanced honours degree programme, normally taking three years. all beng students are normally required to complete at least 12 weeks of approved industrial training before graduating. the beng is also offered incorporating a sandwich year in industry. this professional experience year is usually taken after stage 2 and students may gain a licentiateship of the city & guilds from this period of work. transfer from beng to meng is possible at the end of stage 2, subject to satisfactory performance.
Stage 1
circuits and communications computing for engineers design projects
electrical engineering electronic circuits and devices mathematics
Stage 2 and Stage 3
a choice of subjects is offered, including: communications
computer architecture
computer communications control electrical machines integrated circuits microprocessors power systems signal processing software engineering virtual reality MEng
this four-year extended engineering degree has been established to provide an adequate supply of well-qualified engineers with an appropriate blend of engineering knowledge and skills in business practice and management. there is a core component of entrepreneurship, giving key insights into company creation. most of the material in the first two years is common with the beng degree. the subjects offered in stage 4 include:
advanced circuit design advanced microelectronics energy systems
intelligent systems and control mobile communications real-time dsp
all meng students must normally complete at least 24 weeks of approved industrial training before graduating. the meng is also offered incorporating a sandwich year in industry. this professional experience year is usually taken after stage 2 and students may gain a licentiateship of the city & guilds from this period of work.
Special Features
world-ranking: electrical and electronic engineering at Queen’s has an excellent reputation, ranking in the top 10 in the uK in the times league table 2012 and top 100 in the world (Qs world rankings).
scholarships: Queen’s is one of only seven uK universities involved in the prestigious 'power academy' scholarship scheme. each year this provides 60 generous scholarships worth over
£30k each to well-qualified students on the beng and meng degree pathways across the seven member universities.
accreditation: these degrees are fully accredited by the relevant professional body.
placement: students may spend a placement abroad or gain summer work experience through the iaeste international exchange programme. research-led teaching: the school has an outstanding record of achievement in research, and a number of well-funded and very strong research groups are engaged in leading-edge technology. final year projects are heavily influenced by the research activities of staff. Careers and Further Study
in 2011, these degrees had a 95 per cent employment rate (unistats), and graduates with a Queen’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering are highly sought after.
with a worldwide shortage of qualified engineers, there are excellent well-paid career prospects across a wide range of areas, including design, research, development, production, marketing and sales in areas such as avionics and space, telecommunications and broadcasting, power generation and transmission, renewable energy, computing and software, electronic systems and microelectronics, advanced manufacturing and robotics, and current starting salaries range from £20–£38K.
‘My placement helped me
a lot in terms of technical
skills, professional ability
and personal development,
as well as preparing
me for what life will be
like after university’
Ailish McLaughlin (Year 4)
13 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Degr
ees BEng:software and electronic systems
engineering, software and electronic systems engineering (4-yr sandwich) MEng:
software and electronic systems engineering, software and electronic systems engineering (5-yr sandwich)
Entrance
Requir
ements
BEng
A-level: bbb including mathematics and either a science subject (biology, chemistry, computing, design/
technology, electronics, geography, ict or physics) or double award applied science.
BTEC Extended Diploma: a relevant btec extended diploma with 10 distinctions and 8 merits. distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.
Higher National Diploma: those with good grades in a relevant higher national diploma will be considered on their individual merits for entry to stage 2.
MEng
A-level: aab including mathematics and at least one from biology, chemistry, computing, design/technology, electronics, geography, ict or physics.
Option to transfer: transfers between beng and meng may be possible at the end of stage 2.
For students whose first language is not English: an ielts score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/englishlanguagereqs Thinking about applying? – go to http://go.qub.ac.uk/myqueens Contact Entrance requirements: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)28 9097 3838 Programme information: dr Karen rafferty
school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science t: +44 (0)28 9097 4280
e: [email protected] w: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs The Subject
much of modern life is based on devices and systems that are built on the interaction between software and electronics. this has fuelled advances in both the everyday, such as games consoles and smartphones, and the specialist, such as surveillance systems, smart vehicles and life-saving medical implants.
this new and innovative degree programme addresses the need for entrepreneurs, inventors and technologists who will create, discover and exploit the next generation of products and systems for our rapidly changing world. the school is one of the few research-led uK university departments that can offer a truly integrated degree at the fast-moving interface between software and electronics disciplines. Programme Content
BEng
this degree requires three years of full-time study plus an optional sandwich year in industry. this professional experience year is usually taken after stage 2 and students may gain a licentiateship of the city & guilds from this period of work. transfer from the beng degree to the meng degree is possible subject to satisfactory performance.
Stage 1
circuits and communications design projects
electronic circuits and devices embedded systems
mathematics
object-oriented programming Stage 2
data structures and algorithms, or software engineering and project design projects
embedded systems mathematics
plus two optional modules
‘This new and innovative
degree programme
addresses the need for
entrepreneurs, inventors
and technologists who will
create, discover and exploit
the next generation of
products and systems for
our rapidly changing world’
Stage 3
individual project professional studies
four optional modules with specialist modules available such as connected health, computer vision and pervasive systems
MEng
this four-year extended degree is designed to provide a supply of well-qualified graduates who will become future industry and business leaders. the first three years are common with the beng degree and there is an optional sandwich year in industry.
Stage 4 design projects
group-based industrial project
the remaining three modules are selected from a wide range of research-based topics available within the school such as wireless sensor networks and rigorous software design. Special Features
facilities: the school has a world-class reputation for research and provides excellent facilities including access to major new research centres in secure information technologies, electronics, communications and information technology and sonic arts.
Careers and Further Study
graduates in both software and electronics are extremely sought after locally, nationally and internationally. there are excellent career prospects across a wide spectrum: research, development, production, marketing and sales in areas such as avionics, telecommunications, medical electronics, software, embedded systems and electronic security.
graduates from these degrees may undertake research or further study in electronic engineering or computer science, including the school’s new msc in advanced wireless communications.
15 Software and Electronic Systems Engineering
Degr
ees BEng Honours:software engineering (4-yr sandwich)
MEng Honours:
software engineering (4 yrs) software engineering (5-yr sandwich)
Entrance
Requir
ements
BEng
A-level: bbb including gce a-level computing or ict or mathematics or physics or technology or chemistry or double award applied ict + gcse mathematics.
MEng
A-level: aab including gce a-level computing or ict or mathematics or physics or technology or chemistry or double award applied ict + gcse mathematics.
Option to transfer: transfers between beng and meng may be possible at the end of stage 2.
For students whose first language is not English: an ielts score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/englishlanguagereqs Thinking about applying? – go to http://go.qub.ac.uk/myqueens Contact Entrance requirements: e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)28 9097 3838 Programme information: school of electronics, electrical engineering and computer science t: +44 (0)28 9097 4669
w: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs The Subject
software is a fundamental part of today’s information society, controlling everything from the results which are displayed when you use a search engine, through to how video is streamed and rendered on your smartphone. without software the forms of communication, interaction and knowledge processing that we all take for granted today could not exist. software engineering is a profession dedicated to the design, development, verification and extension of software. in particular, software engineers are concerned with developing and maintaining software systems in a manner that is efficient, reliable and affordable. alongside this, software engineers must also understand the needs of those who will use the software and be able to create products that are capable, safe and intuitive. this degree programme is designed to equip graduates with the analytical, reasoning and practical skills they will need to design, develop and deploy large software systems.
please note that software engineering, computer science, computing information technology and computer games development share a common core of modules in the first year. students may therefore transfer between these degrees at the end of the first year, subject to meeting the normal progression requirements. students interested in transferring to the computer games development degree from software engineering, computer science or computing and information technology will be required to pass an additional mathematics exam should they not hold an a-level in mathematics or physics (or an equivalent qualification).
Programme Content
these degree programmes aim to teach the fundamental principles of software engineering, together with the necessary skills, tools and techniques to enable our graduates to embark on careers as professional software engineers.
they involve extensive practical work in the school’s laboratories, and special emphasis is placed on individual and team-based software development projects.
Stage 1
computer architecture fundamentals of programming 16 Software Engineering
introduction to computing multimedia design and authoring programming challenges
software engineering and project management these modules provide a thorough introduction to software engineering and programming and examine the structure and operations of computers.
Stage 2
advanced programming using c# and c++ data structures and algorithms
database systems
networks and communications professional practice
software engineering and group project these modules build on stage 1 to include core aspects of software engineering such as database design, networking, etc.
a student taking the single honours beng is required to spend a year gaining professional experience in industry in a paid full-time post. students are helped to obtain suitable places and the school has excellent links with over 500 local, national and international employers such as bt, liberty, asidua and Kainos in belfast, ibm in england, microsoft and sun microsystems in dublin, fujitsu in Japan and siemens in germany. following successful completion students can gain a licentiateship of the city & guilds from this period of work experience. Stage 3
agile software development
computer architecture and operating systems concurrent programming
requirements engineering and software Quality software design principles and patterns software engineering project
software verification and testing
these advanced modules permit each student to tailor his or her skills towards one or more areas of software engineering specialism.
MEng programme
this is a four-year extended degree. it has been established to provide a supply of particularly well-qualified graduates who will become industry leaders, and it will have an appropriate blend of knowledge and skills in software engineering with business practice and management. students have the option of undertaking a year gaining professional experience in industry. the first two years and much of level 3 are common with the beng, and transfer from the beng to the meng is possible for selected students at the end of level 2, subject to satisfactory performance. Stage 4
advanced software design
algorithms: analysis and applications innovation and entrepreneurship software engineering research project Special Features
the degree programme emphasises the professional and practical application of software engineering. as such, students are encouraged to build strong links with local software engineering companies through employer involvement within projects, lectures and other forms of teaching contact.
Careers and Further Study
on graduating, students are able to choose from a wide range of exciting and highly remunerated careers within the software engineering profession. northern ireland is home to a large and increasing number of software companies, including a number of large multi-national companies. given the significant and ongoing need for software engineers, employment opportunities are truly excellent.
17 Software Engineering
PROFILE
when i was completing my ucas form, Queen’s really stood out for me, because of the high quality of learning i knew its students receive; its excellent reputation for research and education; and the potential, for me moving from england, to meet new people and experience life in a different country.
Queen’s heritage is important to me and is very obvious just from walking around the campus; the buildings are incredibly majestic and i love the fact that i attend a university with such a rich history.
the mcclay library is phenomenal; its group study rooms are invaluable when working on projects as part of a team. there are plenty of computers available for students to use and the atmosphere and flexible opening hours are perfect for studying.
before i came to Queen’s i could never have realised how much i’d love living away from home. befriending my hall-mates has provided me with some of the best friends i’ve ever had. the feeling of independence is unparalleled. i love my course and my life in belfast. Queen’s reputation is very impressive and has been instrumental in helping me secure a work placement. as part of the russell group, studying at Queen’s means there is great value and high perception placed on the grades you receive throughout your course. the university has exceptional contacts for placements across the globe.
degree plus is a great way to gain extra credit for carrying out activities that you love outside of the lecture theatre. i love that extra-curricular skills are recognised at Queen’s and that students are given the power to leverage those to demonstrate our employability. belfast is a great city. it is less frantic and much cosier compared to other capital cities. the university is located within the city centre, which is a huge luxury that a lot of my friends at other universities don’t have. not only has my course cemented in my mind where i want my career to go, but i’ve been given an amazing level of support in achieving my career goals. more than this, i’ve grown as a person just from being in such a brilliant environment.
NAME: JACOB MILS
COURSE: MEng COMPUTER GAMES DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
SCHOOL: ELECTRONICS, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE SECOND YEAR STUDENT
FROM: NOTTINGHAM
“I have found the Business Information Technology course
to be a challenging course, which is right up-to-date with
what’s happening in industry today. Because you are taught
such a wide range of modules on the course, it means
you have a broad range of career opportunities open to
you, from business to IT or a combination of both.”
Software and electronic systems engineering is an exciting
new course that will meet the demands of the emerging global
internetworked digital economy. No longer will students need
to decide between studying computer science or electronic
engineering. This unique course produces a new breed of
highly-skilled and highly sought after entrepreneurs and
innovators who will be the architects of our electronic future.
William Scanlon,
Professor of wireless communications,
software and electronic systems engineering, School of
Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Queen’s University Belfast
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