Microelectronics: Systems and Devices MSc

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Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

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We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You'll engage with students across key engineering disciplines as well as being taught by senior industry experts. Including:

• network operators
• solution developers
• infrastructure manufacturers
• consultants

This offers a rich and diverse learning experience.

Our teaching covers a broad range of subjects and typically consists of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• seminars
• practical lab sessions
• research-led projects
• group work
• laboratory work
• computing workshops
• personal supervision

You'll have the opportunity to carry out research and development projects. With access to multi-million-pound state-of-the-art facilities, you'll work alongside active collaborations between the University and industry.

This course consists of compulsory modules and an individual project.

Our modules are taught by block delivery, allowing you to immerse yourself and understand the subject in more depth.

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Oral examination
• Oral presentation
• Report
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Assessment is by:

• written examination at the end of each semester
• coursework
• projects
• dissertation conducted in association with one of the School's research groups.

MSc Project and Dissertation in Microelectronics (Individual Project)

The School of Engineering has an international reputation for transformative engineering and technology research. You'll have the opportunity to be part of this research and development. This will be particularly during your individual project.

You'll undertake advanced research on an appropriate related topic. This is part of an independent dissertation across all 3 three semesters. You'll combine the skills, knowledge and understanding gained from the modules you've undertaken. You'll develop your research skills on a relevant topic.

You'll develop the ability to

• formulate planning and organisational strategies
• review and summarise relevant technical papers and reports
• critique different techniques and strategies
• identify relevant/irrelevant material related to your MSc

Examples of research-led projects have included:

• Energy-autonomous Circuits and Systems Design
• Asynchronous Circuit Design
• Design Automation for Asynchronous Systems
• Neuroprosthetic Circuits and Systems
• Visual Prosthetic Circuit Design
• Artificial Intelligence Hardware and Application Design

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Dr Rishad Shafik
Senior Lecturer in Electronic Systems/Degree Programme Director

Areas of expertise:

• Energy-driven Circuits and Systems Design.
• Machine Learning systems.
• Low-Power Design
• Adaptive Many-Core Systems
• Energy-efficient Artificial Intelligence
• Approximate Computing Systems Design
• Software/Hardware Co-design

Professor Anthony O'Neill
Siemens Professor of Microelectronics

Areas of expertise:

• Interface engineering and heterogeneous integration
• Ferroelectric materials for nanoelectronics
• Biomedical engineering
• Nanoelectronics for future biomedical applications
• power electronics
• Interconnects and nanowires for integrated circuits
• Strained Silicon: materials, technology and characterisation

Professor Alex Yakovlev
Professor of Computer Systems Design

Areas of expertise:

• Design of Asynchronous VLSI Systems
• Petri Nets and concurrency models in system design
• Hardware Description Languages
• Low Power Electronics
• Energy-Proportional and Energy-Modulated Computing
• Energy-Harvesting Electronics
• Asynchronous circuits for Analogue Electronics

Professor Satnam Dlay
Professor of Signal Processing Analysis

Areas of expertise:

• Machine/deep learning
• Biometrics
• Image/signal processing
• Security
• Biomedical imaging
• 3D imaging and multimedia healthcare

Dr Sarah Olsen
Senior Lecturer

Areas of expertise:

• Computational Modelling
• Technology Computer Aided Design
• Emerging Electronic Technologies
• Collaborative Research

Dr Alex Bystrov
Lecturer

Areas of expertise:

• Next Generation Energy-Harvesting Electronics - holistic approach
• Next Generation of interconnection technology for multiprocessor SoC (NEGUS)
• Secure Circuit Design (SCREEN)
• Secure Design Flow (SURE)
• Synthesis and Testing of Low-Latency Asynchronous circuits (STELLA)
• Hazard-Free Arbiter Design

Dr Domenico Balsamo
Lecturer in Microsystems Design

Areas of expertise:

• Sustaining computation during intermittent supply
• Graceful performance modulation for power-neutral energy harvesting devices
• HW/SW design of high-performance and low-power embedded systems
• Design of Wireless Sensor Networks for monitoring environmental conditions
• Energy efficiency in historical building
• Smart-Energy Harvesting Systems for Non-intrusive Load-Monitoring and Energy Metering

Professor Patrick Degenaar
Professor of Neuroprosthetics

Areas of Expertise:

• Optogenetic retinal prosthesis
• Epilepsy prosthesis
• Biophysical models
• Neural control algorithms
• Implant control systems

Dr Nick Coleman
Lecturer

Areas of expertise:

• Design of faster processors: general purpose microprocessors, or special-purpose devices for applications such as DSP and graphics
• Development of the European Logarithmic Microprocessor

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Scholarships

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