Electronic and Computer Engineering (BEng (Hons))

The combination of electronic engineering skills with advanced knowledge of computer hardware and software engineering prepare you for creating the systems of the future. This course teaches many exciting topics including robotics/mechatronics, embedded systems, and artificial intelligence, as well as providing you with skills employers look for such as creativity, entrepreneurship and team working. Reasons to study Electronic and Computer Engineering at Kent This course combines electronic engineering with advanced computer hardware and software skills You’ll cover all aspects of electronic and computer engineering, which means on graduation you can enter any branch of computing, electrical and electronics engineering We base our courses on leading-edge research in computer science and engineering, vital in a field that advances at such a fast pace Hands-on projects develop your technical, management and leadership skills We also offer a four-year MEng option, which allows you to focus in-depth on particular topicsYou can join our student-led engineering societies, such as Tinker Soc, to build, hack and make things. What you’ll learn Throughout your course, you study a mix of compulsory and optional modules. Your first year lays the foundation for the rest of your studies and includes modules on programming, electronics, engineering design, digital technologies, and engineering mathematics. In your second year, you further develop your understanding of the field. As your knowledge grows, you discover which areas particularly interest you, so that in your final year you can specialise in preparation for your final-year project.

Most modules consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and computer sessions.  All modules are continuously assessed. All years include project work that replicates industrial practice to maximise the employability of our graduates.

Knowledge and understanding

• Mathematical principles relevant to electronic and computer engineering, underpinning circuit analysis and design, signal processing, embedded and control systems, and communication networks. (SM2p).
• Scientific principles and methodology relevant to electronic and computer engineering with an emphasis on practical applications in computer systems, embedded and control systems and communication networks. (SM1p).
• Advanced concepts of embedded systems, control, computer communications and operating systems, influenced by ongoing and current industrial needs and informed by internationally recognised relevant research expertise.
• The value of intellectual property and contractual issues for professional and entrepreneurial engineers (EP5p, EP5m).
• Business, management and project management techniques, seen mainly in a case study context which may be used to achieve engineering objectives (ET1p, ET2p, ET3p, ET5p, ET2m).
• The need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in electronic and computer engineering, directly applied in a case study context. (ET1p, ET1m).
• Current manufacturing practice with particular emphasis on product safety, environmental and EMC standards and directives (ET6p, D2p).
• Characteristics of the materials, equipment, processes and products required for electronics, network communications, instrumentation, sensing and digital systems (EP2p, EP2m).
• Appropriate codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues, directly applied in a case study context. (EP6p, EP7p, ET6p, EP6m, EP7m).
• Contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied to solve new problems (EP1p).

Intellectual Skills

• Analysis and solution of hardware and software engineering problems using appropriate mathematical methods with a strong emphasis on engineering example based learning and assessment. (SM2p)
• Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of computer systems engineering particularly through student led practical project design (SM3p).
• Use of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key electronic and computer engineering processes with an emphasis on simulation and practical learning (EA1p).
• Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques with an emphasis on simulation and practical learning (EA2p, EA2m).
• Ability to apply and understand a systems approach to electronic and computer engineering problems by top level analysis to consolidate learning of underpinning principles. (EA4p).
• Ability to investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including cost drivers, economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues largely by undertaking student led individual and group project work. (ET6p, D2p, EP9p, D2m, EP11m).
• Ability to use creativity to establish innovative, aesthetic solutions whilst understanding customer and user needs, ensuring fitness for purpose of all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal (D1p, D2p, D4p, D5p, D1m, D2m, D6m).
• Ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental context of the engineering solution (ET1p, ET3p, ET4p, ET4m).

Subject-specific skills

• Use of mathematical techniques to analyse problems relevant to electronic, communications, instrumentation, control and embedded systems engineering. (SM2p)
• Ability to work in an engineering laboratory environment and to use a wide range of electronic equipment, workshop equipment and CAD tools for the practical realisation of electronic circuits (Ep1p, EP3p, EP3m).
• Ability to work with technical uncertainty or incomplete knowledge particularly through experiential learning in practical project design (EP8p, D3p, D3m, EP8m).
• Ability to apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to electronic and computer engineering in order to solve engineering problems in analytical, simulation based, and practical engineering activities (EA3p).
• Ability to implement software solutions using a range of structural and object oriented languages.
• Ability to design hardware or software systems to fulfil a product specification and devise tests to appraise performance. (D5p, EP9p)
• Awareness of the nature of intellectual property and contractual issues and an understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards (EP5p, D2p, EP7p, ET2p, ET5p).
• Ability to use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design (EP4p, EP4m).
• Ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes (D5p, D3m).
• Ability to prepare technical reports and give effective and appropriate presentations to technical and non-technical audiences. (D6p, D6m).

Transferable skills

• Ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data.
• Use of Information and Communications Technology.
• Personal and interpersonal skills, work as a member of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences and/or using a variety of methods.
• Ability for critical thinking, reasoning and reflection.
• Ability to manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project.

The course aims to:

• Educate students to become electronic and computer engineers who are well equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities, and who are well adapted to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing subject.
• Produce electronic and computer engineers with specialist skills in hardware and software engineering, prepared for the complexities of modern electronic and computer system design.
• Enable students to satisfy the educational requirements of the IET for C. Eng. registration.
• Provide for all students, academic guidance and welfare support given by academic advisers and professional services staff. Create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students a community environment where, with staff and peers, they can develop their potential in terms of electronic and computer engineering and a rich set of transferable skills