Electronic Products Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

15 credits

In this module, we prioritise the development of professional and personal skills, recognising their crucial role in your overall growth. These skills are seamlessly integrated into our curriculum, providing you with authentic opportunities to apply them.

Additionally, we delve into employability skills within the Personal Tutorial System (PTS), encouraging you to explore how these skills can be honed both horizontally across your Level 4 modules and vertically as you advance towards graduation. This will be supported through active engagement in the KU Navigate Programme enabling students to understand and begin to develop a design thinking approach to Future Skills development. Through practical application and thoughtful reflection, you'll have the chance to develop a well-rounded skill set that aligns with the demands of the professional world.

15 credits

The aim of this module is to provide the basic mathematical skills for engineering students that are essential for effective understanding of engineering subjects. The topics introduced will serve as basic tools for studies in many engineering subjects. Students will be empowered to understand and be able to use the language and methods of mathematics in the description, analysis and design of engineering systems. The emphasis is on using mathematical tools to solve engineering problems.

15 credits

This module offers a comprehensive approach to the study of electrical circuits, combining both theoretical knowledge and practical application. In the laboratory sessions, you will work on simple circuits containing combinations of resistors, capacitors and inductors. The module also covers the topic of transformers, revisiting induction, and concludes with the theoretical aspects of generators and motors, along with machines.

Overall, this module provides a balanced blend of theory and hands-on practice, giving you a solid understanding of electrical circuits and their practical applications.

15 credits

This module will introduce you to scripting in one of the most popular programming languages in industry, which is widely used for data processing, automation of tasks and more recently for machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) specifically in the engineering industry.

The module has been designed to cover all the fundamentals of programming. It provides a valuable transferrable skill set that can be fed forward to provide the essential skills needed for scripting in other computer languages in further modules. It also provides the crucial foundations for you to investigate applications involving both ML and AI as you progress through the course.

30 credits

Electronic circuit and system fundamentals play a vital role across many engineering disciplines. This module will provide you with a firm understanding of the principles of electronic circuits and systems including digital electronics. You will be introduced to the fundamental electronic components and their application in the design of electronic circuits and systems. You will also learn to analyse various types of electronic circuits and systems. This module encourages the use of simulation tools for the design and analysis of electronic circuits and systems to enhance analytical as well as employability skills.

30 credits

This module will introduce you to both the operation and functionality of microcontrollers and the techniques used to interface them to sensors and transducers, with the aim to monitor and control a closed loop system. Interface circuitry, operation of sensors and actuator control is covered in depth, along with the inclusion of devices to extend the number of analogue and digital port lines on a microcontroller.

The information gained on this module can be fed forward to other modules; it will also be invaluable in industry when undertaking a job after graduating that involves mechatronics and embedded system design.

15 credits

This module will equip you with fundamental mathematical skills that are crucial for comprehending engineering subjects effectively. The topics covered in the module will serve as fundamental tools for studying various engineering subjects. You will be empowered to comprehend and use the language and techniques of mathematics in describing, analysing, and designing engineering systems. The primary focus is on using mathematical tools to resolve engineering problems, especially on mechanical systems, robotics, control systems, and signal processing.

15 credits

The module will provide you with theoretical knowledge to understand the concepts and language relating to the use of instrumentation for measurement, as well as the practical skills to use instrumentation for a range of measurement tasks.

The module also familiarises you with some common sensors used for temperature and pressure measurement, the most common measurands, and techniques for measuring sound level, speed, position, flow rate, stress and strain.

The important area of uncertainty in measurements is also covered, as well as traceability of measurement back to the national standards, noting the significant legal implications of this. These skills and knowledge will prepare you to be broadly industry-ready, significantly enhancing your employability prospects.

15 credits

This core module is essential for Level 5 engineering students. It focuses on developing professional skills and bridging the gap between Future Skills development in Level 4 and practical application in Level 6. It explores engineering project design and management, emphasising constraints such as quality, time, risk, and sustainability.

On this module, you will develop teamwork, critical thinking, communication, time management, and organisational skills. The module includes an interdisciplinary design thinking project to address a sustainability challenge, contextualising subject-specific knowledge. The integrated Level 5 Personal Tutorial System (PTS) facilitates discipline-focused discussions, critical thinking, and employability reflections.

15 credits

This module for engineering students provides a broad overview of artificial intelligence, including current state and future potential. You will be introduced to the key concepts and techniques used in artificial intelligence, such as machine learning and reinforcement learning. You will be taught how to apply these techniques to solve real-world problems in the engineering fields, such as predictive maintenance, fault diagnosis and optimisation.

The module includes practical workshops and projects to enable you to develop your programming and data analysis skills and to apply artificial intelligence techniques to real-world problems. The module also encourages critical thinking about the social and ethical implications of artificial intelligence, and aims to develop responsible and ethical approaches to AI development and deployment.

30 credits

The module is designed to provide each student with an understanding of the principles of system engineering and the skills to apply system engineering techniques. As most engineers work on complex, interdisciplinary project-based tasks, these skills and knowledge form part of the future skills requirements for engineers to be industry-ready, hence enhancing their employability prospects.

You will learn about the industry-standard use of systems principles applied to engineering projects, and how projects are structured within these principles. For example, you will learn about Requirements Management, Functional Analysis, Work Breakdown Structures, Validation and Verification Methods, Trade Studies, Project Risk Management and other related topics.

30 credits

This course introduces you to the overall process of computer-aided design of electronic equipment and systems. The electronic equipment development and life cycle will be examined together with Printed Circuit Board (PCB) fabrication and surface mount technologies. The module uses Altium Designer to provide schematic entry, schematic library component management, electrical rule check and netlist generation. In the circuit analysis and simulation, Board level design will be examined together with PCB design rules, computer aided board design, mechanical design, preparation of manufacturing documentation.

15 credits

This module focuses on students' ability to apply and demonstrate their developing professional skills in their chosen field, while also fostering a broad understanding of the business environment in which professionals operate. It will enhance students' technical, management, and interpersonal competencies within a team setting, preparing them for employment and entrepreneurial endeavours.

As part of this module, students will actively engage in Kingston University's Bright Ideas competition, collaborating as a team to develop a business concept of their choice. This will involve interacting with external stakeholders beyond the university setting.

Furthermore, students will be encouraged to connect with professional and learning communities outside the University, reflecting on these interactions. This may involve participation in co-curricular events, such as subject-specific and career development sessions, networking opportunities facilitated by professional bodies, exploration of pathways to professional chartership or membership, leveraging interactions with professionals for their final-year research project, and recognizing the mutual benefits of these interactions.

Through these activities, students will gain practical experience, expand their professional networks, and cultivate a deeper understanding of their future career pathways.

15 credits

This module is designed to develop, refine and apply both the ideas introduced, and proficiency gained in previous level 4 and 5 modules that involved electronics, control and software. It enables students to identify and develop skills in the solution of problems relating to the creation of mechatronic systems and robotic automation. Students are introduced to the techniques and knowledge required to design and embed microcontrollers, linked to a range of sensors and actuators, into a system to sense, process, control and display real world events, similar to those encountered within an industrial engineering, or commercial environment. The module covers topics such as advanced programming, state-of-the-art sensors and actuators, data logging, microcontroller selection and use of commercial shields (expansion boards) as building blocks to extend system functionality using a modular approach to the design process.

15 credits

This module is designed to provide third-year electronic product engineering students with practical and project-based experience in manufacturing, testing, and product development. The module covers a range of topics, including electronic component selection, circuit design, printed circuit board (PCB) layout, and prototyping techniques such as breadboarding. The emphasis is on practical skills and students will spend a significant portion of the module engaged in hands-on activities, including the design, construction and testing of their own electronic products. In addition, the module includes a focus on product development, with an emphasis on bringing electronic prototypes to market. Students will learn about product design, market research, and intellectual property considerations. They will also explore manufacturing techniques, including mass production and rapid prototyping methods such as 3D printing.

15 credits

This module acts as a crucial link between level 4 and 5 modules in electronics, design, and analysis. It aims to develop proficiency in the optimal process of creating complete electronics systems, considering factors like legislation, environmental impact, reliability, and manufacturing. Topics covered include advanced devices such as drones, solar panels, buck converters for computers, battery management systems, and more. Additionally, the module explores electronic systems design with a focus on modularity, safety, legislation compliance, environmental impact, and the inclusion of necessary technical documents. By engaging with these topics, students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to design efficient and sustainable electronics systems in line with emerging technologies and industry demands.

30 credits

This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles of wireless communication and networks. In addition, it will equip the students with the knowledge of the application of deep learning techniques to improve performance of wireless communication networks. The module will cover fundamental concepts of wireless networks, communication, and how deep learning techniques can be applied to optimise wireless communication networks. Students will also explore current research and industry developments related to the deployment of deep learning in wireless networks and communication. This technical as well as research-informed module will enhance students' analytical and employability skills. Additionally, it provides students the opportunity to enhance their research, interpersonal and presentation skills.

30 credits

The individual project module forms a capstone experience for the courses within the School, allowing the students to research and study in detail a topic in their chosen field of study which is of personal interest. Professionally the project module allows the students, to show high levels of responsibility and organisational capability (through arranging meetings with supervisors, setting project goals and meeting appropriate deadlines) as well as demonstrating effective communication with others. Furthermore, the module encourages the students to recognise, question and deal with the ethical dilemmas that are likely to occur in research and professional practice.

Furthermore, this module provides the students with an opportunity to further enhance their independence and employability skills which industry is looking for in perspective graduates, especially those seeking professional recognition as a Chartered Engineer.

15 credits

This module focuses on using advanced management techniques, including simulation and business modelling, in an engineering company to maximise the utilisation of its finite resources in order to become more competitive. These techniques include discrete event simulation, business modelling, linear programming, and human resources optimisation, with the main aim to improve the company's overall operational efficiency, competitiveness and profit.

The intended module topics cover both local and global horizons of running a successful business by teaching companies they may benefit from using simulation techniques in streamlining their operations and resource deployment through a benchmarking process. Through extensive hands-on practical, students will learn how to use a sophisticated simulation software to improve resources utilisation in different business scenarios.

Throughout the module, students will benefit from the balanced diet of not only understanding the theoretical techniques of management skills, but also to apply the knowledge they gain and evaluate the results through developing complex business simulation models, therefore enhancing their employability potentials.

15 credits

This module introduces design and layout of VLSI circuits and systems making use of appropriate computer-aided design (CAD) tools. The primary objective of this module is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of CMOS cell operation and the ability to design basic analogue and digital functions commonly used in ICs, as well as mixed-signal systems. The module places special emphasis on the importance of designing both analogue and digital functions. Students will be introduced to various CAD tools commonly used in industry for designing and simulating CMOS circuits, such as Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, Synopsys Design Compiler. Students will have the opportunity to use these tools in practical design projects to gain hands-on experience in designing and simulating CMOS circuits using industry-standard tools.

15 credits

This module will give students a detailed insight into the use of CAD Systems. An introduction to the engineering design process and the role which CAD systems play in its effective implementation will be given. A review of CAD systems is given as well as the strategic importance of enterprise-wide product modelling will be introduced. Feature-Based Design, Assembly data management, secure product data/information exchange/storage/authorising mechanisms and relevant scenarios in product development will be covered as a part of this module. The appropriate use of non-dimensional modelling scenarios will be covered in addition to simple parametric relationship aspects.

30 credits

The module is structured in a way to develop an understanding of the different stages in the lifecycle of a designed product, for example, from inception, through design and manufacturing, then into service and finally retirement.

This module aims to help students develop an understanding of these stages in a product lifecycle and processes need to be undertaken in these stages and their interrelationships. This module will also aim to help students develop a fundamental understanding of product lifecycle from a business and organisational perspective. Case studies are used to illustrate the application and relevance of taught concepts.

Students will be asked to work in a team to perform a comprehensive product lifecycle analysis, using the knowledge learnt in this module as well as applying the knowledge acquired in pre-requisite modules. This will enable students to develop a set of kills to enhance their employability prospect in this demanding area. 

Core factual materials are provided via Canvas with keynote lectures.

30 credits

The MEng Team Project is a module which runs throughout the final year of all MEng programmes in the School of Engineering. It provides a capstone element to the course by providing an opportunity for students to work on a major engineering design problem in a team in a way which closely parallels a real-world project. The groups are assigned to a particular project which has an outline project description, specification, or customer requirements provided by the teaching team. It is group's job to develop the specification in detail, to convert it to a technical specification and then carry out the tasks necessary to complete the project. This module provides an opportunity for students to further develop academic skills delivered earlier in the programme. In order to successfully complete the module, students must establish a plan and work schedule, perform the technical tasks necessary to fulfil the plan, monitor progress, manage the team activities, hold and minute formal team design meetings, and resolve any problems that arise. The module is delivered primarily through weekly formal design meetings and regular informal meetings.