The Degree Programme

Robotics and automated systems are recognised as part of the worlds largest and fastest growing industry and engineers working in these areas are concerned with the application of high technology 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

Robotics and Automated Systems

This course and has been designed to meet the increasing demand for graduate engineers with both software and hardware skills who can also work across traditional subject boundaries. Automated solutions have a large variety of applications and this is reflected in the project based design and build modules which characterise this course. There is also an emphasis on whole system design in the context of modern business and management practice. Use of computers for mathematical modelling, simulation and real time control is a strand which runs through the whole course. Sophisticated software packages provide industrial standard 3-D virtual reality design tools which students are taught to use. The uniqueness of this course is reflected in the way that graduates are rapidly recruited by employers. See our entry under studentprofiles (Derek Tapscott)

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.

Small group tutorials support all lectures providing opportunity for interactive feedback between students and tutors. Laboratory work provides "learning by doing" opportunities. Project work, often linked to real industrial problems is a recurring feature of the course. Students are encouraged to acquire communication skills required for effective team work by doing small group projects. Independent learning and creative design skills are developed by individual project work.

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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.