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School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

From the first time you log on to our website to when you shake the Vice Chancellor’s hand on graduation, the opportunities at the University of Birmingham, and this school in particular, are phenomenal. Join us and make yours an exceptional student experience that will lay the foundations for a successful career.

Dr Peter Gardner, Head of SchoolSchool of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

Smart devices, smart solutions…smart people.

2 School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

Welcome

I am delighted that you are interested in engineering at the University of Birmingham, and that you are considering the wide and varied range of disciplines on offer in our School. Engineering graduates from our School enjoy rewarding careers with diverse and continual challenges which offer real opportunities to impact society and drive change on an international scale.

Electrical Engineering began in the application of mathematics and physics to the generation and control of electricity. The discipline has since expanded phenomenally.

The discipline now covers such diverse topics as the generation and distribution of electrical power through conventional and alternative technologies; global communications systems from mobile devices through to the internet itself; complex hardware and software systems; power and control systems as large as the European rail network or as small as a nerve/computer interface for prosthetic limbs; and applied computing (which encompasses speech, image, vision and signal processing, human interface technologies, and bioinformatics); and novel applications of video game engines and mobile devices.

Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, is therefore, an exceptionally broad subject. It sits between Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Psychology, Materials

ContentsWhat we do 3

Project working 4

Structure of our degree programmes 5

Computer Systems Engineering 6

Electronic and Electrical Engineering 7

Electrical and Energy Engineering 8

Electrical and Railway Engineering 9

Other options 10

Excellent career prospects 11

World leading research 12

Birmingham – the best of all worlds 14

About the University 15

Contact information 16

Science, Education, Biological and Medical Sciences, with interfaces to many other areas of engineering such as transportation systems, renewable energy systems and the built environment.

Our students study in modern, purpose built and up to date facilities in the Gisbert Kapp building, which houses dedicated state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. The School has a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and boasts an annual research fund of more than £4 million a year. This means that wherever your interest lies, you can be sure you’ll be taught by experts in the field. All of our Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), allowing you to take the first steps towards professional Chartered Engineer status.

Dr Peter GardnerHead of School

Dr Peter Gardner, Head of School

3School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

What we do

The School offers a range of degree programmes covering a broad discipline. Electrical Engineering covers topics such as the generation and distribution of power, and railway systems. Electronic Engineering focuses more on smaller-scale technologies important in control systems for cars, planes and washing machines, in communications technologies as large as the internet and as small as the parts of a mobile device. Computer Systems Engineering covers the hardware and software needed for modern computing and communications devices, from embedded software in larger systems to the interface between people and machines.

Undergraduate degreesThe school offers undergraduate degree programmes in two main streams; Electronic and Electrical Engineering, which incorporates both Electrical and Energy Engineering and Electrical and Railway Engineering, and Computer Systems Engineering. All of our programmes are available as a three-year BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) or four-year MEng (Master of Engineering), and all of our students have the option of taking a year in industry.

Teaching and assessmentThe course modules are taught through lectures, tutorial problem classes, and laboratory and/or project work. You will be assessed through a blend of written examinations and continually assessed coursework. As your degree progresses, you will attend fewer lectures and perform more independent and practical work

in preparation for your final year project. Around half of the total course marks are assessed through formal examination, and half through coursework or continuous assessment.

Support for studentsEvery student in the school has a personal tutor who will stay with them throughout their time at the University of Birmingham. Additionally each module has an academic supervisor who can provide additional support along with postgraduate teaching assistants who run drop-in and catch-up laboratory sessions.

There is further formal support offered through our undergraduate office and our central Student Support Service office. There is also student-led support through the Guild of Students and through the student mentor scheme offered in all University accommodation.

Flexible programmes and other opportunitiesFlexibility is one of the great strengths of engineers, and our professional engineering degree programmes are designed with this in mind.

There are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved outside of the School throughout their time at the University.

For most of our students it is possible to study outside of the School, enabling them to build additional skills into their degree which can directly or indirectly help. Options to study a Module Outside of Main Discipline (MOMD) are available for any student who is studying a core Electronic and Electrical Engineering, or Computer Systems Engineering degree programme.

An MOMD gives students the opportunity to study subjects which might be related to their programme of study, such as physics, psychology, computer science or another engineering discipline, or which might be a personal interest, such as history, law or social policy.

Other students might wish to study a language either as an MOMD or through personal learning supported by our School of Modern Languages. This can be another good way of giving additional skills, and can prove very useful after graduation.

A student’s view...I was torn between two universities when deciding on UCAS and I chose Birmingham on a gut instinct and have never regretted it.

Even on my worst days, with three lab reports due and a cold, I am still certain I chose the right place. Although obviously you have to work hard (like in any degree) I always felt that the staff understood there was more to university than just the academic courses.

In welcome week, instead of just being thrown straight into lectures and induction talks about plagiarism, we had quizzes and treasure hunts to get us talking to other students and as a result to have some people to sit with when the lectures did start.Kat Austen


the research work being undertaken in the school and our industrial collaboration.

Remotely Operated Vehicle challengeAn exciting opportunity for students is the School’s annual Remotely Operated (submersible) Vehicle (ROV) challenge. As part of their BEng Final Year Project, students work as a group to ensure their individual technical contributions will perform efficiently as a system when the ROV is tested, initially in the School’s water tank and, later, at sea. The ongoing challenge is to launch the submersible and descend onto the wreck of the ex-Royal Navy Frigate, the HMS Scylla, now resting some 26m down on the seabed in Whitsand Bay in the West of England. The 2013 group successfully dived their ROV system on the wreck in July.

Final year; major individual projectIn your final year you will undertake a large, research-based individual project which is worth between one third (for BEng) and one half (for MEng) of the marks in the final year.

These projects span the breadth of our disciplines, are based on the world-leading research work being undertaken in the school and are well regarded by our industrial partners.

To support this, the entire second year goes on a team-building weekend in the Lake District, before starting their group project. For many of our students these weekends help to build skills and friendships which last far beyond their project work.

First year; professional engineeringWorking in a team, you will demonstrate knowledge of new technologies and challenges of system integration to solve real-world problems by using embedded computing and multimedia expertise.

Second year; robot racesYou and your team will be challenged to design, build and program a robot to carry an egg along a course, tackling challenges of software and hardware, sensors and steering to produce an impressive autonomous robot. In this industry sponsored project there is fierce competition from all teams to design the best robot, and to win the race!

Third year MEng; major group projectA major multi-disciplinary research based project which poses challenging real-world problems, and is worth one quarter of your marks for the year. Teams of 6–10 students are given a design challenge related to

Project working

All of our undergraduate programmes feature a significant level of project working. Individual and group projects are designed to prepare our graduates for team-working and problem solving.There is project work in each year of study, something which will give you an edge when it comes to team working and project management.

Examples of final year projectsStudents are able to gain new skills in 3D computer graphics modelling and opportunities to apply those skills to exciting real-world projects using the latest games engine technologies.

Previous final year BEng and MEng simulation projects have included helicopter search and rescue, pre-dive safety training for exploring the wreck of the HMS Scylla, and planetary robotic rover concept designs. One student even developed a Russian spacecraft docking simulator and was able to present his results to space simulation specialists in the south of Russia!

More recently, student groups were asked to choose a topic from history and then design an educational Virtual Heritage demonstration, based on that topic. Featured amongst the historical demonstrations developed by the students were the scientific inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, the Colosseum in Rome, Henry VIII’s Mary Rose, and the supersonic aircraft Concorde!

Example MEng group projectsRecent examples include a project to map an area to a high level of detail using a remote electronic device (the most successful group used a powered balloon but other options included using gliders and powered aircraft), building and programming powered underwater gliders to become robotic sharks, and creating powered suitcases that would automatically follow their owner to make transporting heavy luggage a simple pleasure.


Structure of our degree programmes

The school offers undergraduate degree programmes in two main streams; Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering. These are both available with a variety of options. All of our programmes are available as three-year BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) or four-year MEng (Master of Engineering) degree courses. All of our students have the option of taking a year in industry, and there are options to study with Business Management, Railway, or Energy Engineering alongside your major.

Structure of the degreeYou can study the programmes as three-year BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) or four-year MEng (Master of Engineering) degrees. The first two years are taught commonly and the streams split at the end of the second year.

Students who join our MEng programme are expected to work to a high level of academic achievement, gaining minimum grades for a 2.1 (60% overall) in their second year to proceed onto the MEng stream. If you achieve a 2.1 in your second year then you will be eligible to proceed onto the MEng stream if you wish, even if you joined on the BEng.

The early years focus on the core skills and engineering fundamentals which give you the expertise needed to move from guided learning to being a self-motivated and intellectually curious engineer in your own right.

First year; common across all degreesAs a first year student in the School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering you will study alongside your peers who are studying across the breadth of our discipline.

This gives you the opportunity to gain the fundamental skills and to build the essential knowledge base you need to succeed in a challenging and rewarding degree. It’s hard work, but a lot of fun too!

Second yearDuring the second year all students work in groups to design and build a line-following robot. At the start of the year you choose a partner to work with, and pairs are joined to become a team of four.

There is a visit to our outward bound centre at Coniston Water for a residential team-building course before the project begins. Then it’s hard work to the end of the year when the winner is decided in an exciting series of head-to-head races until the team with the fastest robot are declared champions.

Third yearStudents who elect to follow the four year programme take part in a major group design project in the third year. The challenge is great, but so is the reward.

Final yearIn your final year (and third year for MEng students) you will have the opportunity to select from a wide range of specialist technical options alongside your core modules and project work.

This allows you to specialise your degree in the final years, to support your projects and interests. These are guided by the world class research done in the School, and through collaboration with our industrial partners and colleagues in the University.

Your final year also has a major individual research project. Some students get an offer of a job based on their work, particularly if it is done in association with industry, and may even get their research published in a scientific journal.

Specialist technical optionsHere are some examples of optional modules, influenced by the world-leading research work done in the School:o Advanced Conventional Energyo Advanced Interactive 3D Design for

Virtual Environments and Serious Games o Communications Signal Processingo Computer Visiono Data Miningo Electrical Power Transmission

and Distributiono Electromagnetics, Antennas

and Propagationo Evolutionary Computation o Future and Emerging Device

Technologieso Human Factors and Interactive

System Designo Intelligent Systemso Nature Inspired Design o Natural Language Processing

and Applications o Satellite, Mobile and Optical

Communicationso Spoken Language Processingo Renewable Energyo RF (Radio Frequency) and Microwave

Principles and EngineeringAnd many, many more! You can view the current options on our website.www.birmingham.ac.uk/eese


Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 (BEng) Year 3 (MEng) Year 4

20 credits – Digital Logic and Microprocessor Systems

20 credits – Digital Systems and Embedded Computing

Computer Hardware and Digital Design


Digital Design

Organisation and Management


Small Embedded Systems

20 credits – Circuits, Devices and Fields

20 credits – Object Oriented Software Design

Data Mining Data Mining

60 credits – Individual Project


30 credits – Group Design Project20 credits – Techniques

of Analysis and Modelling

20 credits – Project Management and Professional Practice

20 credits – C Programming and Algorithmic Problem Solving

Personalisation and Adaptive Systems

60 credits of technical options

Intermediate Maths for Applied Computing


First Year Group ProjectComputer Systems, Algorithms and Data Structures


Introduction to Electrical Engineering

Optional Module

Optional Module Optional Module


Computer Systems Engineering

This programme provides an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to design and develop the hardware, software and firmware of the digital technologies that we take for granted in our everyday lives. Modules in this stream range from industrial design to serious games, with a strong emphasis on the development of programming skills.

You will gain skills in software design and systems engineering as well as an understanding of human-computer interaction and computer-mediated communication. These skills are particularly useful in fields like telecommunications, robotics, and real-time systems such as manufacturing process control.

You learn about levels of design ranging from individual sub-systems through to the organisation and control of large-scale systems such as networked, computer-based communication technologies. This degree is ideal for students who have a keen interest in modern electronic technologies and their applications.

The final year project provides an opportunity for you to develop a complete system, such as a wearable computer, handheld communicator, speech-driven control system, or multimedia learning environment.

Entry requirementso At least one science or technology

A level. Mathematics A or AS level preferred but not required; if no Mathematics A level or AS level is offered, Mathematics GCSE grade A is the minimum requirement

o Appropriate BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, Scottish and Irish Highers are also considered, please contact the admissions tutor for details

o Other qualifications may be considered, please contact the admissions tutor for details

The main areas of study are:o Computer programming and

software design o Electronics and microprocessor

based systems o Electronic communications, electronics,

computer and data networks o T he psychology of human interaction with technology o User-centred technology


Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Technological systems invented, designed and managed by Electronic and Electrical engineers have a huge influence on our daily lives, our environment and our social interaction.

If you’ve enjoyed maths and physical sciences at school, studying at Birmingham will give you an exciting chance to learn about all levels of design: from transistors, transmission media and electromagnetic devices, to the organisation and control of large-scale systems such as computers, communications networks and energy generation, and distribution infrastructure.

This programme provides a solid grounding in the underlying physical and mathematical principles of electronic, electrical and communications systems, interleaved with a thorough overview of digital and analogue technologies and their applications.

This is an exciting and ever-expanding discipline that underpins our modern hi-tech world. This degree programme is designed to give you a thorough understanding of every aspect of electronics based technology.

These technologies will continue to evolve at an astonishing pace in the 21st century. Modules in this stream equip you to play a leading role in inventing, designing and managing these technologies.

Specialist options are taken alongside compulsory core modules to ensure students can gain the skills and knowledge expected of a graduate in Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

The final year project provides an opportunity to put into practice the principles and technology that you have studied throughout the programme.

Typical projects lead to a practical implementation at the cutting edge of the research and development work of one of our research groups.

Entry requirementso Mathematics A level grade B and at least

one physical science A levelo Appropriate BTEC Level 3 Extended

Diploma, International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, Scottish and Irish Highers are also considered, please contact the admissions tutor for details


The main areas of study are:o Analogue and digital electronicso Computer hardware, software

and networkso Communication systemso Control systemso Electrical machineso Systems theory






Electrical Energy Conversion Systems

Analogue Electronics Analogue Electronics Digital Design


20 credits - Electronic Circuits, Devices and Electromagnetics

Power Electronics Applications


Small Embedded Systems




20 credits – Techniques of Analysis and Modelling

20 credits – Electrical Energy Systems and Control


30 credits – Group Design Project




First Year Group ProjectFundamentals of Signals and Systems



Communication Systems





Electrical and Energy Engineering

This interdisciplinary degree aims to educate the next generation of engineers who will tackle the looming world energy crisis. Engineers of the future face a big challenge. How do we incorporate renewable energy sources like wind and solar power into our electricity distribution systems? How do we design machines and infrastructures with sustainable energy issues in mind?

Electrical and Energy Engineering is one of a suite of interdisciplinary energy-themed engineering degree programmes. It includes an integrated set of modules addressing a breadth of energy issues, as well as highlighting important interactions with the other relevant engineering disciplines.

One third of this degree programme consists of specialist, energy-themed modules, and you’ll also study all the energy engineering topics that are naturally built into an electrical engineering degree. This is a research-led multi-disciplinary course taught across all engineering disciplines, but with special emphasis on electrical energy generation and distribution.

You are introduced to UK and global energy production principles and asked to consider them in the context of developing alternatives to fossil fuels. As well as spending time in the classroom there are a number of site visits

where you gain a practice-based awareness of your chosen degree.

Team-based projects are undertaken (wherever possible) with the inclusion of practising engineers as you undertake case studies and both a multidisciplinary group project, and an extensive individual project on the topic of Energy.

Electrical and Energy Engineering is accredited by both The IET (The Institute of Engineering and Technology) and The Energy Institute, which demonstrates that you will study on a highly recommended, professional engineering programme which will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle future energy issues large and small!






Electrical Energy Conversion Systems

Control Systems Design Control Systems Design Intelligent Systems






Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution







Fundamentals of Signals and Systems

Electromagnetics10 credits of technical options

First Year Group Project Electrical Power Atmospheric Engineering Atmospheric Engineering20 credits – Power System EconomicsIntroduction to Electrical

EngineeringSustainable Development A Energy Economics Energy Economics

20 credits – Introduction to Energy Engineering

Sustainable Development BAdvanced Conventional Energy

Advanced Conventional Energy 20 credits – Sustainable

ConstructionEfficient Heat Engines and Heat Pumps

Renewable Energy Renewable Energy





The main areas of study are:o Electrical power and renewable energyo Sustainable development and

constructiono Nuclear powero Environmental risk assessmento Energy economics and policy These are in addition to the key parts of our Electronic and Electrical Engineering degree programme


Electrical and Railway Engineering

Studying this degree will help you to obtain a thorough Electrical Engineering education, where the railway focus of study will gradually increase throughout the programme. With a strong industrial contribution to the programme content, the degree is immediately relevant to your studies, and the School will provide opportunities for you to apply for vacation and year-long placements in the railway industry.

Graduates of these degrees will be sought-after by train operating companies, network operators, engineering consultancies and construction companies. Furthermore, the Railway Systems theme will provide an understanding of the nature of complex operating systems, useful in many non-railway and non-technical careers. The first two years of this degree follow the same topics as the general Electronic and Electrical Engineering programme, with the difference being that the timetabled options are taken up with Railway Engineering study.

Building on the global reputation of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education, this exciting programme is aimed at applicants who are interested in studying Electrical Engineering with a specific focus on the railway industry. This industry is experiencing significant growth, meaning future graduates will enjoy excellent career prospects.

As the degree progresses, a thorough understanding of the industry is established, where you will appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of the rail industry and how the many engineering disciplines need to work together to create a railway system which meets the needs of the users and the operators. The MEng version includes modules from the existing Masters programmes, allowing you to select your final studies according to your specific interests, learning alongside experienced professionals and benefiting from an even greater industrial relevance.

Sponsorships, scholarships and placementsThese degrees have been established in close collaboration with the railway industry and many of the companies involved are offering students the opportunity to apply for sponsorship for summer as well as year-long placements in the industry. You will be able to apply for these opportunities prior to starting university, or in your first year.





The main areas of study are:o Railway systems and infrastructure o Railway operations and management o Train control and traction o Advanced railway engineeringThese are in addition to the key parts of our Electronic and Electrical Engineering degree programme






Electrical Energy and Conversion Systems

Analogue Electronics Control Systems Design Intelligent Systems













Fundamentals of Signals and Systems

Electromagnetics10 credits of technical options

First Year Group Project20 credits – LI Railway Infrastructure Engineering

20 credits – Railway Operations and Management

20 credits – Railway Operations and Management

40 credits – advanced topics in Railway Systems and Engineering


20 credits – Introduction to Railway Systems

20 credits – Railway Traction

20 credits – LH Train Control

20 credits – LH Train Control


Professional EngineeringAll of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), allowing you to take the first steps towards professional Chartered Engineer status.

The MEng degree programme gives you all of the academic qualifications needed to become a Chartered Engineer.

Degrees with Business ManagementAn exciting range of 3 or 4-year undergraduate degree programmes which lead to a BEng or MEng Honours Degree including a coordinated suite of modules provided by the Birmingham Business School.

These degrees will appeal to you if you wish to place your study of engineering and technology in a business context.

Engineers run the countryMore than 80 of the FTSE Top 100 companies in the UK have a professional engineer on their Executive Board. With the exception of accountants, there are more engineers on the Boards of quoted UK companies than any other profession, according to Engineering Council surveys.

The Business Management Core is taught mainly by the Birmingham Business School. Each of the programmes takes advantage of 40 credits of module per year (one third of your degree) of business management designed with engineers in mind. These form a coordinated suite of modules designed to introduce both the technical and broad international aspects of business management and economics. Degree programmes are available with Business Management for both Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering.

Degrees with an Industrial YearIndustrial experience gives you a great opportunity to gain valuable experience, to make contacts and to put into practice the skills and techniques you learn during your degree.

Other options

Flexibility is one of the key features of our degree programmes and our adaptable degree courses give you the opportunity to tailor your undergraduate experience to suit your interest, which allows you the ability to specialise your study throughout your time at Birmingham.

These degrees will appeal to you if you wish to have the opportunity to apply what you’ve been taught in a practical, real world environment – and earn money doing so!

Industry is the backbone of the countryAn Industrial Year extends the length of our undergraduate degree by a year and is available to students who are following a BEng and MEng programme. Taken between years 2 and 3 (or between years 3 and 4 for MEng students) the Industrial Year is well regarded by industry and the IET as providing a good opportunity to test and develop skills and techniques used by engineers the world over.

During this year you will be paid by the company, at usually around 80% of a graduate wage, and will have the opportunity to get involved in a real project. Students who take this opportunity find it immensely helpful in developing their technical ability as well as their personal skills. Some gain sponsorship from their placement company, and may even be offered a graduate job on completion of their degree!

All of our undergraduate degree programmes are available with an Industrial Year.

A student’s view...I chose to come to the School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering for three main reasons:

Firstly because out of all the Universities I applied to and visited to study Electronic Engineering, it was at Birmingham I found the course content the most interesting, which came about at the open day where I spoke to a student and was drawn in by the Robot Project in the 2nd year which looked really exciting!

Secondly I felt my passion for the subject and individuality as a student was recognised, as at the Applicant Visit Days, I was surprised at how much time lecturers and staff spent to get to know me one to one as opposed to other universities.

Lastly, the facilities and standard at Birmingham were just on another level: really glad to be here!Hashu Mohammed

Study overseasFor students who are taking the 4-year MEng (master of engineering) degree it is possible to spend the third year overseas with one of our partner universities in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or, if your language skills are excellent, within the EU, China or Singapore. This gives our students the exciting opportunity to meet new people and experience a different culture first hand, all whilst continuing with their studies.


Example graduate destinations Our graduates go on to work in a number of different roles with different companies, domestically and overseas. Here are some recent example destinations from our 2012 and 2013 graduates:o Accenture – Analysto Aero Engine Controls –

Assistant Design Engineero Autologic Diagnostics –

Development Engineero BP – Electrical Power Engineero BT – Graduate Software Engineero Chemtron Science Laboratories –

Embedded Systems Engineero GlaxoSmithKline –

Client Engagement Leado IFDS – IT Graduateo IG Group – QA Engineero Jaguar Land Rover –

Audio System Component Engineero Network Rail –

Graduate Strategic Analysto Wipro – Software Developer /

User Experience Analyst

Our accredited degree programmes provide an excellent preparation for rewarding professional careers in the electronics, computing, telecommunications and energy industries. The technical engineering, applied science, mathematical, computing, team working, project and management skills gained also provide career opportunities in financial services and consultancy.

Support from the SchoolWe have a full time Industrial Liaison Officer who is able to use a wealth of contacts and experience to help with interview skills, CV writing, summer placements, industrial years and with securing a graduate job. There is also support from the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences which has two Employability Officers to give additional assistance. Further support is available both from the University itself through the Careers Network and through the Guild of Students (our student union).

An industrial yearOn all of our undergraduate programmes it is possible to add a year with one of our industrial partners, usually between the second and third study year. This is a great opportunity to gain some relevant work experience, to put into practice the skills and knowledge gained from the degree, and to earn some money.

Students on placement get involved in serious projects which ask difficult questions and which require good engineering answers – and which often lead to support, sponsoring or even the

Excellent career prospects

There is a great demand for trained engineers within the UK and throughout the world. Armed with a good degree from a world-renowned university like Birmingham our graduates have the opportunity to get involved with exciting projects close to home or further away!

Student industrial placements; a year at CERNOne of our undergraduate students spent a year in Switzerland at CERN. Engineers are in great demand to ensure that world-changing particle physics can take place. The chance to be involved with world-leading scientists and technological experts is one which will remain with him throughout his career. Here is what he had to say about the opportunity:

‘After completing two years of study in Electrical and Energy Engineering at the University of Birmingham I spent 14 months working on placement at CERN in Switzerland. I was involved in a number of varied projects. One of which was carrying out tests on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) which is the largest machine ever built and the most expensive science experiment in history. I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to work on the machine itself and be part of such an historic project. ‘The working community at CERN were very

helpful and encouraged me to further my understanding and develop my engineering skills. I learned a great deal about modelling physical systems and about experimental methods. Many of the subjects I had studied at the University of Birmingham came together at CERN and I have built on them and also learned new skills. CERN is situated just outside Geneva and is near the Swiss Alps and the French Juras so there are plenty of winter sports and during the summer there are many more water sports on Lake Geneva. It was also a good opportunity to learn to speak better French (although I still spoke with a Birmingham accent).

‘I would strongly recommend taking the time to pursue a placement and CERN is a wonderful and rewarding place to work. There are many opportunities to return to CERN after doing a placement. Whether it’s as a PhD student, a research fellow or as a member of staff’ Kevin Sperin

offer of a graduate job! There are a large number of opportunities for placements with industrial and engineering firms both large and small, through our industrial and research partnerships. Opportunities are promoted through the year, and students are guided through the application and interview process, which makes the process of finding the right industrial placement simple and straightforward.


Over the past decade, it has been investing in, and growing, research in areas related to Computer Systems Engineering. The globally recognised and world leading research work which goes on in the School feeds into the undergraduate teaching from day one. All academic staff are actively involved in this research work. This ensures that our graduates are well prepared to be on the cutting-edge of engineering research and development, and are familiar with advances across the breadth of the discipline.

Our research groups influence much of the project work which goes on throughout our undergraduate degrees. Many of the final year projects mentioned previously are based on the research going on in the school, and may make use of the school’s world-class research facilities. We have six major research groups which cover the breadth and depth of research undertaken in the school.

Our major research groups are: o Railway Systems Engineering: RSEo Electrical Power and Control Systems:

EPCSo Interactive Systems Engineering: ISEo Emerging Device Technology: EDTo Wireless Communications and Remote

Sensing: WCRSo Space Environment and RF Engineering:

SERENE

Research is supported through grants and collaboration with the European Union, UK Research Councils, the Ministry of Defence, and UK Industry, and provides an annual income of around £4 million.

Students build UK’s first hydrogen powered locomotive Engineering students and staff designed and built a prototype hydrogen powered locomotive, the first of its kind to operate in the UK. This narrow gauge locomotive is a hybrid design, combining a hydrogen fuel cell and lead acid batteries similar to the ones used in cars. The fuel cell is used both to power the permanent magnet electric motors and to charge the batteries, with the batteries helping to meet the peak power demands when accelerating under load.

Hydrogen provides a clean source of energy and it offers a considerable extension in range in comparison to battery only operation. Over 5,000 litres of hydrogen are stored in a solid state metal hydride tank at relatively low pressure, with the system typically operating at just 5 bar. This was achieved by using one of the ten advanced hydrogen storage units successfully employed on the University’s hydrogen powered canal boat, the Ross Barlow. This amount of hydrogen would enable the locomotive to haul a 400 kg load up over 2,700m, twice the height of Ben Nevis, and two additional tanks can be easily fitted to further extend its range.

The locomotive also features regenerative braking to capture, store and re-use braking energy, as well as adjustable air suspension and a highly advanced touchscreen remote control that operates over a Wi-Fi link.

World leading research

Do you see your future self working in Research and Development? The school employs some 35 full-time academic staff, approximately 60 research assistants, and has a population of around 100 Doctoral Researchers.

Under the covers Remove the cover of any piece of electronic equipment and inside you’ll find a circuit board stuffed with components. The School is involved in research into new and novel materials for use inside such components.

Advances in systems performance required to meet the demands of future communication systems, such as multiple data types and high bandwidth in power efficient and lightweight platforms, won’t be achieved without advances in electronic materials; research into which you might be involved should you decide to make research and development your future. The research includes the deposition of thin films (layers less than a thousandth of a millimetre thick) of ceramic materials and analysis of their electrical properties at frequencies up to 100 GHz and at temperatures from -196 oC to 150 oC.


The bionic man is made of Swiss Rolls!Pioneering research into artificial nerve interfaces started with a conversation with a physiologist about how to measure the voltages generated by nerve fibres. We often hear stories about how nerves will grow back down a limb, severed in an accident, after it has been reattached, however this isn’t always very successful and there is nothing to tell the nerve fibres how to connect up. Also it isn’t always possible to reattach the limb. A project was begun, in collaboration with Neuroscientists in Cambridge and London, to construct interfaces between electronics and nerves which were funded with £1.8 million under the EPSRC Basic Technology Program. More recently, the Ministry of Defence have funded the further development of these devices with the aim of enabling amputees to control artificial limbs.

The idea was to use the techniques used to fabricate silicon chips (photolithography) to construct the interfaces. These would have an array of electrodes to detect the nerve signals and would need to be several millimetres long, so that the interfaces could guide the fibres across a gap in a nerve. The only problem with that was that silicon chips are flat and nerves are cylindrical. It was decided to make the devices out of a plastic material called polyimide, which is essentially what photographic film is made out of. This would allow the device to be fabricated flat and then rolled into a ‘Swiss Roll’ shape.

Testing shows that the devices can both detect spontaneous signals from nerves and stimulate nerve activity as well. The ‘Swiss roll’ appears to have teeth because the fibres need to grow through channels which confine the current associated with the nerve signals in order to make them easier to detect. This device has now been patented worldwide.

Serious Games, Virtual Reality and TelepresenceThe School is home to the internationally-acclaimed and award-winning Human Interface Technologies (‘HIT’) Team, a group of researchers exploiting the latest 3D modelling and gaming software to design, develop and test new simulation solutions for real-world training and visualisation applications. The research concentrates on the Human Factors aspects of games-based training – particularly how much detail, or fidelity, is required to make virtual worlds believable to, and effective for, their users. The HIT Team is also involved in the field of telepresence – researching technologies to create the illusion for human operators of robot systems that they are actually present at remote, often hazardous environments. Staff and students at all levels work together on exciting projects, including new head-mounted displays controlling quadcopter and hexacopter stereo cameras and experimental human interfaces for underwater vehicles.

Equally important is the team’s Human Factors work, evaluating new interactive technologies, from 3D TV to force feedback hand controllers, even scent/odour delivery systems. Real-world applications include Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) robotics, and submarine safety training for the Ministry of Defence and Virtual Reality systems for hospitalised patients recovering from traumatic surgery in Intensive Care (in collaboration with the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital).

A growing area of research interest is the use of virtual and augmented reality techniques to bring industrial and maritime historical sites back to life, including an old Dartmoor railway line, a 16th Century manor house, a World War 1 submarine, the UK’s first underwater habitat and a commercial dock proposal that came close to changing some spectacular West Country coastline forever.


Birmingham – the best of all worlds

Come to study at Birmingham and enjoyliving in one of Europe’s most exciting cities. Birmingham is changing fast. A massive£9 billion regeneration scheme over the past20 years has re-invented the city, and this renaissance is set to continue. Plans to completely redevelop the east side of thecity and establish a major ‘learning zone’, featuring a state-of-the-art central libraryand a media village, are already underway.

There are three key attractions to Birmingham: its culture and entertainment, the retail experience, and its location at the heart of some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside.

Entertainment, arts and cultureThere is always something going on in Birmingham. In addition to a choice of cafés, restaurants and venues from across the globe, there are theatres, museums, cinemas, night-clubs and winebars in abundance. If you like live entertainment, then take your pick from comedy clubs, local music gigs and top shows at Birmingham’s principal theatres.

All the star names appear at the National Exhibition Centre and National IndoorArena, and the Royal Shakespeare Company is just an hour away by car. The Drum Arts Centre is an exciting venture, dedicatedto presenting British African, Asian and Caribbean arts and cultural activities, while Star City is Birmingham’s biggest cinema with 30 screens, six of which are devoted to Bollywood films.

ShoppingThe Bullring shopping centre is Europe’s largest city retail development and includes the award-winning, iconic Selfridges building. The Mailbox development houses a wide range of designer chains, including Harvey Nichols.

Birmingham hosts four major markets, as well as all the principal chain stores. There is also a wealth of smaller shops and retail centres, where you can find everything from fresh herbs and spices for authentic international dishes to hand-crafted jewellery made in Birmingham’s unique Jewellery Quarter.

The heart of EnglandLocated in the heart of the country, Birmingham has so much to offer visitors. With Warwickshire, the Malvern Hills andthe Ironbridge Gorge all nearby, you arenever more than a short drive from someof the UK’s most scenic countryside.

Birmingham is at the centre of the motorway and rail network, with its own international airport – Birmingham is easily accessible from almost anywhere in the world.

Forty per cent of our graduates chooseto stay in the region following graduation,and for good reasons. Birmingham is a confident, modern commercial centre and home to the largest financial district outside London, offering Birmingham graduatesgreat opportunities.

The UniversityBirmingham welcomes students who are keen to be challenged and encouraged to think for themselves. We stimulate natural curiosity and enable original ideas to flourish through dialogue between different disciplines.

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The Library of Birmingham

Birmingham canals

Birmingham canals

Selfridges building in the Bullring

The Great Western Arcade shopping centre


Research and teachingTeaching excellence at Birmingham is recognised by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which has rated 26 of our subject areas ‘excellent’. Investment in the learning and campus environment is ongoing, continually improving our resources and the working environment for our students and staff. This is a research-rich university, ranked fifth in the UK for research excellence. Our ground-breaking research into the treatment of cancer, pioneering work on space science, and exciting developments in nanotechnology are all examples of research that has pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and had an impact on lives and society.

Sport and the arts Sport is central to life at Birmingham. Our reputation for sporting excellence is reflected in our consistent top three ranking in British inter-varsity sport.

University Sport Birmingham brings together some of the best sports facilities in the country, professional coaching and imaginative programmes to offer a range of sporting opportunities to suit all tastes and ability levels.

Music is also a distinctive part of Birmingham life. The University has two symphony orchestras, a Big Band, a number of choirs, a symphonic wind band and a brass ensemble. A regular programme of public performances is staged in the concert hall at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and Bramall Concert Hall.

Student livingSeveral student villages and developments provide a range of accommodation, from standard packages including room and meals, to self-catering flats with en-suite facilities.

We also provide student mentors to helpyou settle in, as well as all the amenities that you will need, including launderettes, shops, cafés and unlimited internet access.

The Guild – for students, by studentsThe hub of undergraduate student lifeis the Guild of Students, Birmingham’s students’ union. The Guild was one of thefirst students’ unions in the country and its mission is to ‘enhance the student experience’. There are over 150 clubs and societies hosted by the Guild, from power-kiting to sci-fi and fantasy. You can also get involved in our student radio station, BURN FM, or the student newspaper Redbrick.

About the University

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College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom

www.birmingham.ac.uk

Contact information

Admissions TutorDr Alexandros Feresidis

Undergraduate AdmissionsUniversity of BirminghamSchool of Electronic, Electrical and Systems EngineeringEdgbastonBirmingham B15 2TT Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 4295Fax: +44 (0) 121 414 4291

Email: [email protected]: www.birmingham.ac.uk/eese

@EESEunibham

Please contact us if we have missed any points that are of particular interest to you.

www.birmingham.ac.uk This brochure was written several months in advance of the start of the academic year. It is intended to provide prospective students with a general picture of the programmes and courses offered by the School. Please note that not all programmes or all courses are offered every year. Also, because our research is constantly exploring new areas and directions of study some courses may be dropped and new ones offered in their place.

UB Brochure

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