BEng (Hons) Computer Engineering (BEng/CE G563)

The Degree Programme

Computer systems represent the worlds largest and fastest growing industry. Computer engineers working with these technologies are concerned with the application of state of the art solutions to society's problems, to generate change for the benefit of all. To optimise the use of our planet's resources, there is a need for things to be more efficient, reliable and safer. Tomorrow's engineers must continue to innovate and pioneer in a creative way and communicate their knowledge with clarity and understanding. Society has high expectations of professional engineers, our degree courses will help you on your way to meeting these expectations.

At School or College you may have built small control circuits as part of project work, or perhaps "tinkered" with radios as a hobby. You will almost certainly have "hacked" away at the computer. In choosing you degree course you will find a vast, almost bewildering range of titles, some of which will mean more to you than others. The parallel disciplines of Communication, Computer, Electrical, Electronic and Robotic Engineering all share a common core of fundamental knowledge on which the more specialist topics are based. Therefore we have made the first and second years of our BEng (Hons) degree courses common.

Today, Engineering involves close collaboration and communication with Engineers from other disciplines, indeed almost all major projects depend for their success on effective teamwork. Studying with students from parallel pathways will benefit you by broadening your horizons, helping your understanding and increasing your communication skills. In addition to developing existing interests you may acquire new ones and decide that you would like to change pathway. The flexible structure means that you can do this right up to the beginning of your final year of studies. In fact many students change their pathway as a result of a positive experience during their sandwich placement year.

Pathway Descriptor

Computer Engineering

This is a new course and has been designed to meet the increasing demand for graduate engineers with both software and hardware skills. The PC, as we know it, was only introduced about fifteen years ago and now there is hardly anywhere in the world that is not affected by the advance of computers. Many complex engineering systems now have computers "embedded" in them and the demand for engineers to configure these and write the advanced software is growing daily. Communication networks and distributed telemetry systems themselves are controlled by powerful computers running complex realtime software. There is almost a technological revolution happening as the internet provides visual interaction for home shopping, banking, video conferencing, telecommuting etc. Graduates are increasingly being required for both system designers and system managers and opportunities for rapid promotion are common. The specialist final year options in this pathway provide the first step to this growing range of career choices. See our entry under studentprofiles.

Course Details

BEng(Hons) courses are three years full time or for most students without previous industrial experience, four years sandwich, the third year being spent in industry. The title of the degree award depends on your choice of final year options.

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Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE). After an appropriate period in industry, in a post of suitable responsibility, graduates with a first or second class honours degree may apply to become Chartered Engineers and use the letters C.Eng. MIEE.

Outstanding Educational Opportunities

• Industrial support for undergraduate project work.
• Industrial placements available across Europe and in Japan.
• Final year sponsorship from placement company often available.
• Modern management and business practice integrated into the course.
• Modern, well equipped laboratories.
• State of the art equipment and software.