Advanced Digital Systems MSc

About the course

This programme will enable you to develop strong design skills for the seamless integration of software and hardware subsystems and the emphasis will be on software-hardware co-design methodologies. These design skills will be developed by studying a range of specialist processor architectures and acceleration mechanisms. You will be taught by experienced research and teaching staff with expertise in this field and you will be learning about the latest theories, techniques and technologies. You will need an understanding of both generic and domain-specific research techniques, and the ability to apply them in your own work.

A module in research methods enables you to develop these techniques, moving from generic skills, such as the design and evaluation of experiments, to focus on the specific skills that you will need for your own project. An important outcome of the module is a well-structured report augmented by the use of appropriate artefacts and media, presenting your proposals for your specialist project. In the first two semesters of the programme you take modules exploring a variety of current research topics in electronics and you may also choose elective modules to gain an up-to-date perspective on other fields within the discipline. You will be guided in your choices to ensure the integrity of the specialist programme you study.

At the end of the programme, you complete a project which enables you to demonstrate your understanding of the principles and concepts that you have learned and your ability to apply them to a substantial piece of development or investigative work.

Why choose this course?

• The School has over 25 years' experience of teaching electronic engineering and has established an excellent international reputation in this field;
• We offer extensive lab facilities for engineering students, including the latest software packages;
• This programme will enable you to develop strong design skills for the seamless integration of software and hardware subsystems.

Study routes

• Part Time, 3 Years
• Full Time, 15 Months

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

You will typically be employed in the design and implementation of advanced digital systems and networks in the communication and control industries. Within your area of expertise, you will be making independent design decisions on mission-critical systems.

Teaching methods

Our enthusiastic staff is always looking for new ways to enhance your learning experience and over recent years, we have won national awards for our innovative teaching ideas. In addition our staff are active in research and useful elements of it are reflected on the learning experience. Learning tools such as StudyNet, unique to the University of Hertfordshire, are extremely useful for the learning environment of the student.

Professional Accreditations

Accredited for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Advanced Reconfigurable Systems and Applications

  This course presents the architecture of the field programmable gate array (FPGA). It will introduce applications that are efficient for implementation on FPGA platforms. The student will appreciate the significant performance by implementing digital signal processing algorithms on an FPGA and will be able to benefit the parallel processing mechanism of FPGA implementation. Software tools will be introduced and used to simulate the applications on FPGAs.

• Computer Architecture Design

  Over the last decade, workstation performance has increased by over 50% each year. Only a part of this improvement can be attributed to improvements in semiconductor technology. Most of the improvement is the result of a series of dramatic changes in computer organisation and design. This module focuses on the on-going revolution in processor design. The overall aim is to provide the student with a detailed understanding of the trade-offs involved in high-performance processor design. Students will also study the memory hierarchy with a view to solving the so called memory wall problem. The Architecture of this module focuses on ways by which ILP and MII can be exploited, and on ways to improve both data processing and data access time of the memory subsystem. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Digital Signal Processing and Processes

  This module provides the concepts and principles of digital signal processing and processors. The material included in the module range from techniques and design methods used in digital signal processing to the architecture of digital signal processor. The student will appreciate the significant differences between implementing on fixed-point or floating-point digital signal processors and will be able to decide which platform to use for a particular implementation. Software tools will be used to simulate some of the applications on digital signal processors.

• Distributed Systems Security

  A range of topics will be covered in this module. The detailed content will vary acording to current research directions. Case studies will be used throughout. Issues will be considered in relation to each topic as appropriate. These pervasive issues are: models, design, standards, protocols, and performance. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Distributed Systems Security

  A range of topics will be covered in this module. The detailed content will vary according to current research directions. Case studies will be used throughout. Issues will be considered in relation to each topic as appropriate. These pervasive issues are: models, design, standards, protocols, and performance. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• MSc Projects

  The Masters Project is a key integrating feature of the programme. It is designed to challenge and develop critical thinking skills at a post-graduate level. It provides the student with the opportunity to bring together and apply much of what they have learnt both in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Potential projects are identified with the support of staff across the school covering a wide range of appropriate areas. Some will be based in industry, others based within our own laboratories. Students are supported through the delivery of an initial short course training programme designed to equip them with the necessary project management, research methodology, investigation tools and analysis skills necessary to undertake a Masters level project. They will also be allocated and supported by individual project supervisor. It is expected that the project will require 600 hours of student effort and will result in a worthwhile and practical contribution to the chosen subject area.

• Operations Management

  This module will cover the fundamentals and strategic aspects of operations management and will enable the students to develop their understanding of operational processes, techniques, planning and control systems. Students will examine case studies relating to both manufacturing and service operations to support lectures and guided learning.

• Operations Research

  What makes the difference between a good decision and a bad decision? A 'good' decision is one that uses analytical decision making, and is based on logic and considers all available data and possible alternatives. Engineers and managers are decision makers, thus to achieve their goals, they must understand how decisions are made and know of which decision-making tools to use. To a great extent the success or failure of human resources and management depends on the quality of their decisions. Therefore, this module determines that with the use and implementation of good operations research decision-making tools, then the process of decision making should be made easier.

Optional

• Artificial Intelligence

  This module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, such as fuzzy inference, neural networks, neuro-fuzzy and evolutionary computation. Students will also be given opportunities to further develop their knowledge of the principles of artificial intelligence, and to gain practical experience of the design, simulation and evaluation of intelligent systems.

• MSc Projects

  The Masters Project is a key integrating feature of the programme. It is designed to challenge and develop critical thinking skills at a post-graduate level. It provides the student with the opportunity to bring together and apply much of what they have learnt both in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Potential projects are identified with the support of staff across the school covering a wide range of appropriate areas. Some will be based in industry, others based within our own laboratories. Students are supported through the delivery of an initial short course training programme designed to equip them with the necessary project management, research methodology, investigation tools and analysis skills necessary to undertake a Masters level project. They will also be allocated and supported by individual project supervisor. It is expected that the project will require 600 hours of student effort and will result in a worthwhile and practical contribution to the chosen subject area.

• Mixed Mode and VLSI Technologies

  This course aims to extend students knowledge of analogue, digital and mixed-signal electronics into the area of chip design for VLSI and SoC systems. Material is biased toward advanced IC techniques including current-mode and transconductance design concepts for high speed and low power operation. Typical system building blocks such as filters, data converters and PLL are included. Also covered is the way in which these concepts are used in the design of integrated filters. Although treated in an analytical way, learning is supported by the use of relevant software simulation tools.

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £6,700 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £11,000 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply