BEng/MEng DESIGN ENGINEERING: DIGITAL SYSTEMS DEGREE

Overview & facilities

Digital Systems course will focus on designing and integrating digital sub-systems each fulfilling a specific set of requirements and meeting real life constraints for applications demanding digital functionality and how these can be rapidly prototyped using reconfigurable logic platforms.
Examples of digital systems range from encryption and compression engines, processor and signal processing cores, digital components and interfaces within mobile wireless communication devices, and routers.

Our new suite of BEng/MEng Design Engineering courses explore the principles underlying the design and implementation of up-to-date digital systems needed in a variety of problem domains and provides the opportunity of realising such systems.  At Middlesex University, we see design as essentially a practice, both in the sense of an approach to problem solving and also as a working method.  These new courses will develop the following capabilities:

Core design capabilities:

• Develop the ability to systematise a problem, recognise its constraints and design an effective method to solve it;
• Implement the developed method, understand its efficacy and modify it accordingly;
• Adopt a working method that uses early and iterative prototyping as an evaluative development tool.
  
  Extended design capabilities:

• Meaningfully engage in problem definition, framing and reframing.
• Recognise development opportunities and generate new design propositions.
• Analyse complex, unstructured and ill-defined engineering design opportunities and develop methods and approaches to engaging with them that lead to meaningful and productive outcomes.

More detailed course information is provided under the Content and Modules tab.

Facilities available - Product Design and Engineering is very well equipped and resourced. The department enjoys a capacity of over 100 high spec workstations with dedicated CAD/CAM equipment, electronics manufacturing and prototyping facilities.

The department also benefits from a dedicated Festo mechatronics facility, equipped with the latest industrial automation equipment and an integrated flexible manufacturing system. There are also a suite of additional computers providing resource for LabView and Multisim tools as well as associated hardware such as NI-ELVIS training equipment and Compact Rio control systems provided by National Instruments.

News

Product Design and Engineering students selected for WorldSkills London 2011

Download the School of Engineering and Information Sciences brochure.

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Design Engineering Projects 1 (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To develop problem solving skills and be able to carry out projects which will require synthesis of knowledge gained from other taught modules. To develop knowledge and understanding of a range of modelling and prototyping processes and techniques. To gain competence in the operation of workshops through formal health and safety training.

  Formal Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To develop confidence and fluency in the use of formal modes of discourse in engineering design. To develop an understanding of the power, limitations and constraints of the use of formalisation within engineering design. To gain familiarity with a set of tools and techniques to support efficient application of mathematics to engineering design.

  Physical Computing Electronics (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To gain basic knowledge of the fundamentals of electronics. To develop practical skills, attitudes and techniques required to construct electronic circuits successfully.

  Physical Computing: Programming (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To enable students to write small working computer programmes in response to a given brief that take inputs, make decisions and control outputs.

• Year 2

  Design Engineering Projects 2 (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To provide opportunities to undertake integrated design projects, in a supported learning environment. The projects will be one of the following: A sponsored live client-led project A collaborative project-based opportunity with another university, school or institution. A speculative project arising out of emergent opportunity. The projects will provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge gained from other modules in a task-directed, goal-oriented scenario.

  Digital Signal Processing (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module covers the concepts and techniques that are fundamental to digital signal processing and to a wide variety of application areas. It will review the basis of time and frequency domain representation of signals, discuss sampling and quantization theory, and will present all major aspects of design and implementation of digital filters. Finally, the course will look at DSP architectures and will present DSP based practical application areas. It will make extensive use of MATLAB, other visual tools and HDLs to analyse and design practical aspects of the course. The aim of this course is to introduce fundamental concepts, algorithms and applications of digital signal processing. The course investigates the processing and analysis of signals using the most common approaches and algorithms starting from how signals can be represented as digital waveforms to how digital filters can be modelled as part of a system. The objective of the course is not centred on a mathematical description of digital signal processing, rather to understand the main concepts of DSPs and to implement the concepts using algorithms. Mathematics is used to support and to explain the algorithm rather than as an end in itself. Each unit is presented firstly in terms of the physical concepts. If necessary models and graphical representations are used to support the concepts. Secondly, the concept and its applications are presented using suitable programming language or application software, such as MATLAB/HDL tools and development environments. Programming languages are just a means to achieve the final goal, which is only the way for the implementation of the concepts, supported where necessary by a mathematical description. Thirdly, the student has an opportunity to learn in a self-autonomous manner and to do the relevant research to carry out these activities.

  Digital Systems Engineering (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Digital Systems is an exciting field within Engineering and offers the scope for developing innovative and high-performance applications in a variety of application contexts. The broad aim of this module is to provide the analytical tools, the underlying engineering and physical principles, design, test and implementation skills and understanding to allow you to construct a range of digital systems in practical applications in which such play a significant role. A specific aim is to enable you to assume an effective role as a team player in digital systems development.

  Engineering in Context (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to explore and demonstrate the role and responsibilities of engineers in various contexts outside their subject specialism. These would cover issues such as recognising obligations to society, the profession, the environment and commitment to professional standards. The module will also cover other wider issues such as globalisation global manufacturing, operating in global markets, cultural issues, financial concerns, risk etc and its impact on business operations.

• Year 3

  Design Engineering Major Project (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  To provide students with the opportunity to undertake a major piece of engineering design that is self-initiated and self-managed. The module will provide the opportunity to engage in the project over an extended period of time and allow the student to make a significant personal contribution to all phases of the engineering design and development process appropriate to the goals of their programme.

  Digital Communications (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The module aims at introducing fundamental issues required for understanding and designing digital communication system so that a digital communication system involving radio or audio channels can be constructed and the quality of the received signal can be examined. The objectives are to analyse and design digital communication systems. With the discussion of modern technological advances, you will be provided with detailed coverage of digital modulation and demodulation techniques, channel coding and decoding, source coding, spread spectrum signals, and channel equalization. You will explore fibre optic communications and, finally, you will have a review of important topics in probability and stochastic processes

  Digital Systems:Applications (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The main aims of this module are to extend students understanding and skills acquired at Level 5 formerly level 2 so as to give the ability to construct systems having potentially very complex behaviour, stringent timing requirements, significant communication requirements with respect to an encapsulating, controlled device or system, and to address issues implied by requirements of productive and useful digital applications. Systems of interest range from encryption and compression devices to more familiar cases such as routers and priority controllers. In setting these aims, students will have the opportunity of learning how computation in reconfigurable hardware is developed and can increase performance.

Our BEng/MEng courses have a common first year, enabling you to enrol and make a final decision on your field of study later during the first year.
Throughout the course you will build your confidence to develop and implement modern technologies relevant to electronic products and systems.  You will develop the ability to communicate ideas effectively, verbally, in reports and by means of active participation in industry sponsored live projects from the start of the course.  This will encourage leadership qualities, management skills and confidence in your work, through individual projects and group work.

Our Design Engineering courses are supported by a series of guest lectures.

The MEng year allows you to specialise your studies even further by working on a team project in your specialist area and broaden your design engineering knowledge by introducing two new areas through the optional modules.

MEng Year:
Team Project
2 Optional Modules

One module from:

• Embedded Systems: Advanced Programming
• Systems Design and Validation
• System-on-a-Chip Design
• Advanced Mechatronics and Robotics
• Industrial Automation and Control
• Dissertation, Research Methods, Articulation and Professional Practice
• Design and Innovation Management

Another module from:

• Embedded Multimedia Systems
• Wireless Networks and Mobile Computing
• Software Defined Radio and Digital Communication Systems

• Multimedia Signal Processing and Communication

Entry & applying

Offers made on a Tariff-point basis will take into account qualifications taken and points accumulated across both years of study. Generally, these will be at 280 Tariff points with a minimum of 200 points from two 6-unit numerate awards plus a third 6-unit award BBC . At least two of these must be from a science or numerate based subjects. Generally, we require applicants to have achieved passes in five GCSE subjects including Maths and English at grade C or above and passed at least two subjects through to six-unit Advanced GCE or Vocational Certificate of Education VCE .

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas qualification, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country. For details of other equivalent requirements that Middlesex accepts see entry requirements.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Entry into year two or three (transfer students)

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex course in year two or three. For full details of how this works see transfer students.

UK/EU applicants with existing higher education qualifications

If you have already been awarded a qualification at the same level as the course you are applying for, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan, see fees and funding for more information.

How to Apply

UK/EU students

Apply now

Applications for UK and EU students should be made to UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The institution code for Middlesex is M80, and the code name is MIDDX. You also need the code for the course you wish to apply for – this is found in the 'at a glance' box above.

International students

International students from outside the EU can make a direct application.  We have a network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.  They have experience with helping students from your country and supporting them with their applications to study at Middlesex. Read more on international applications.

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for UK/EU students is £9,000.
The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for International students is £10,400.

Click here to find out more about fees, funding and our scholarships in 2012.

Careers & placements

Whilst on the course you are encouraged to develop a commercial approach to design engineering via supported live projects with industrial partners and industrial placements. You will undertake contextual studies into the nature and contexts of the profession and will be supported in developing an exit portfolio, a CV and a career entry plan.

Graduate Roles

Below are just a few examples of the types of careers that you could pursue after graduating with us: 

Design Engineer- A Design Engineer role includes researching and developing ideas for new products and systems, and improving those that already exist.  Design Engineers work in a wide range of industries on a range of products and services.

CAD Technician - A Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) Technician uses software to develop design plans such as floor plans, buildings plans and exhibition layouts. CAD Technicians may also work on product designs which are then sent to engineers to create prototpyes.

Electrical Engineer - Electrical Engineers work on designing and developing electrical products and components.  This can include electrical machinery, control systems and equipment in a number of industries from transport, to telecommunications, to the armed forces.

Mechanical Engineer - A Mechanical Engineer works on the design, development and maintenance of mechanical components, systems and machinery. A Mechanical Engineer can work in a range of industries where mechanical systems are used.