Mobile and Smart Systems BSc (Hons)

About the course

Smart devices and systems typically incorporate smart sensors and embedded software, and require a deep understanding of interfaces and networks and so provide an excellent opportunity to exploit the potential of current and emergent technologies. We understand the importance of practical experience and our newly-installed Smart Laboratory provides a rich and stimulating environment for teaching and research into the development of smart devices and systems.

A wide variety of key device platforms such as tablets, smart phones and touch-enabled displays are available to support exploration of all levels of development from standalone smart sensors, to a fully-interconnected, multi-platform system with full-blown interactive interface and aggregated services. The laboratory has already attracted considerable interest from our industrial contacts and is predicted to become a key focus for teaching, project and research showcases, industrial engagements and sponsorships, development kits and products.

Why choose this course?

The digital revolution has transformed all aspects of our lives, from the way we use a phone and watch television, to how we shop and listen to music. Digital technology is everywhere, which means excellent career opportunities for those who can develop and deploy it effectively.

Creating, manipulating and delivering media content across a range of diverse digital platforms involves the successful integration of computer, software, electronic, sound, video and telecommunications technologies. So it’s modules in these core areas that form the basis of your First Year on any of our courses.

Study routes

• Part Time,
• Sandwich, 4 Years
• Part Time, 6 Years
• Sandwich,
• Full Time,

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Explore opportunities to join a range of companies as a key member of a systems development team. Your skills will be in particular demand by employers wanting to exploit the potential of mobile and smart technologies.

Teaching methods

Our enthusiastic staff are always looking for new ways to enhance your learning experience and over recent years, we have won national awards for our innovative teaching ideas. All of our courses include a significant practical element, which, together with tutorial sessions reinforce the theory delivered during lectures, and you have many opportunities to enhance your presentation skills ready for the workplace.

Work Placement

Take an optional one-year industry placement to put your skills into practice and enhance your career prospects. 

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Career Skills Development

  This module will ensure students are able to utilise the University system for PDP (Personal Development Planning using MAPS (My Active Planning System). Using the PDP processes each student will be able to record and update their own records which will aid monitoring their progress personally and academically. Support will be provided on tools, techniques and good practices through a Study Skills programme, MAPS and relating this to future professional development. The student will be assisted using the support detailed above through the first weeks of the academic year by academic staff. There will be further sessions in the second semester.

• Sound & Psychoacoustics

  This module first gives an introduction to the fundamental physical properties of sound, and to the physiological processes underlying human perception of sounds. The module continues with an introductory-level examination of how the characteristics of human perception of sounds is exploited in modern sound compression strategies such as MP3. Although in general the material is treated in a non-mathematical way, some basic mathematical techniques are taught within the module as necessary. These include the concepts of logarithmic scales and units, such as the decibel scale for audio measurements

• E-Culture

  The emergence of a distinctly globalised E-culture can be accounted for in a number of ways. This module focuses on histories of technologies and their impact on many aspects of the broader culture. It includes theoretical accounts and communications which enable a comprehensive understanding of the present in order to inform a vision of possible future. Assessable outcomes are presented in a variety of forms including written, verbal, visual and interactive media on both an individual and group basis.

• Interactive Programming

  This module provides an opportunity for students to develop interactive multimedia applications using an object-oriented, high–level language. The software development lifecycle is introduced and the key principles of design, implementation and testing explored. A significant amount of the contact time is spent on a series of laboratory-based exercises that give the students first-hand experience of the process of the software development process.

• Software Application

  This module introduces students to the fundamental aspects of typical processes found in contemporary digital media production and infrastructure support. In addition to practical exercises, a series of lectures introduces students to a range of digital technologies. The module also aims to develop further the student's ability to use typical digital media tools. In general material is taught as far as possible by practical 'hands-on' project-based work with the aim of developing not only an appreciation of the techniques involved, but also a basic level of skill in their application.

• Smart Technology 1

  This module will introduce students to the use of a range of smart systems, from modern gaming platforms through to web-based applications and mobile apps. All these systems make extensive use of a range of digital media and you will develop fundamental skills and understanding of the basic technologies that support contemporary entertainment systems. Examples include; games platforms, home entertainment systems, mobile systems, surface systems, interactive web systems.

• Vision and Image Perception

  This module gives an introduction to the fundamental physical properties of light and to the physiological processes underlying human perception of images. Also included is an introductory-level examination of how the characteristics of human perception of images are exploited through contemporary digital media representation and compression strategies. Practical work will provide an introduction to basic audio-visual editing techniques.

• Smart Technology 2

  The module builds on the topics introduced in Smart Technology 1 to provide a more in-depth understanding and development opportunity for students to learn and create a complete smart ecosystem. The laboratory sessions requires students to develop targeted application(s) for smart devices, e.g. smart phones, multi-touch applications, embedded applications, etc. Students will also be introduced to a wide range of mobile and embedded operating systems supporting various smart devices in the marketplace.

• Media Regulatory Framework

  An understanding of the various rules and regulations, both voluntary and legally enforceable, directly influencing the development and implementation of multimedia technology is essential to both students and professionals operating in this complex and rapidly developing area. This module will focus on specific problems and oppportunities arising within the English legal system and administrative framework relating to the Multimedia industry, whilst examining the continuing importance of international law on trans-national online communications.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Career Planning

  This module will encourage students to reflect on their career aspirations and review/plan for the development of appropriate skills necessary to realise these aspirations. Many students will specifically use this module to prepare for the optional professional placement year. Students who undertake the placement will work within industry or a commercial organisation that is able to provide an appropriate learning experience within an engineering environment. This placement must be of at least 48 weeks duration. To be eligible for placement students must have passed the progression requirements to level 6

• E-Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

  The challenges and opportunities presented by a networked, digitised and globalised economy are at the centre of this module. Understanding not only how to exploit those opportunities, but the responsibility that goes with them, is an important aspect of developing a successful career in the digital E-enterprise and entrepreneurship field. The emergence of a distinctly digital business culture can be accounted for in a number of ways and this module also focuses on the histories of technologies and their impact on the broader culture to inform a vision, both personal and professional, of the future. This module specifically addresses entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, their nature and motivation, and the character of innovation. It will explore the nature of developing the human resources involved and how emergence, survival and growth might best be managed, whether in the public or private sectors.

• Content and Asset Management

  The module allows students to develop an understanding and appreciation of contemporary digital multimedia content production, retrieval, management and governance strategies and industry practices. Digital multimedia content production and re-purposing processes and the planning and implementation of media production strategies and tactics are also fully covered with emphasis placed on the collaborative teamwork nature of current practices and activities in this field. The effective production processes and the planning and implementation of media production forms the core of this course. It includes the identification and the use of formal organisation strategies alongside approaches to content-led ideas generation. The course is project based and the teaching develops a critical response to practical activities, some of which may include live-projects. Issues for authors who work across media (TV, web etc.) are included.

• Data-Driven Web Applications

  This module is designed to introduce students to the latest technology for developing data-driven dynamic web applications. Through a series of hands-on programming practice, students are expected to become familiar with the server side languages such as ASP.NET and SQL. The module also provides an opportunity for students to explore the process of developing dynamic web applications to address a particular requirement.

• Webcasting

  The module explores the tools, techniques and infrastructures used for the broadcasting and streaming of a variety of content over the Internet. Case studies are used to illustrate topics such as Video on Demand (VoD) or Near Video on Demand (NVoD), non-linear editing platforms, MP3 services, media management tools and platforms.

• Interactive Software Design

  This module considers the use of multimedia technologies in a variety of interactive environments and installations. Interactive Software Design involves designing interactive products and services for ordinary and specialised users to utilise effectively in their everyday working and social lives. In particular, it is concerned with authoring user experience scenarios that enhance and extend the way people work, communicate and interact.

• Networking

  This module covers local area and wide area computer networks in the context of multimedia communications, including the assessment of requirements for hardware, software and communication networks to support distributed multi-media services including IP telephony, streaming audio and video and video on demand. Network technologies, systems, protocols and security are included, together with recently developed local access technologies such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, (ADSL), and cable modems. Mobile and wireless networks are also covered including General Packet Radio System, (GPRS), Wireless Access Protocol, (WAP), and Bluetooth.

• Mark-up Languages and Metadata

  This module provides an introduction to the concepts of markup languages, the use of typical metadata in markup languages and how these are deployed. The module also enables students to develop an ability to generate simple code in a typical example of an advanced markup language.

• Mini Project (BMT)

  Students are given specific investigative and problem solving tasks to perform. Although tasks vary depending on individual interests and aspirations, and available resources, each task has common elements. These include the necessity to gather information, to synthesise a solution or solutions and to evaluate those solutions in the context of the original objectives.

Optional

Year 3

Core Modules

Optional

• Industrial Placement

  The optional professional placement year is undertaken between the second and final years of study. Students undertake the placement within a commercial organisation that is able to provide an appropriate learning experience within an engineering environment. The placement must be of at least 48 weeks duration though many students will complete a year or more at the company. To be eligible for placement students must have achieved sufficient credit at Levels 4 and 5 to be able to enter the final year upon completion of the placement. While the faculty/school actively supports the placements process ultimately it is the placement company that will select students, normally through an interview process. During the placement a member of the academic staff will be assigned to the student as a tutor and will monitor the student's progress during the placement period.

• Year Abroad

  The Year Abroad will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge and skills gained in the first two taught years of the degree within a different organisational and cultural environment in a partner academic institution. The host institution will appoint a Programme Co-ordinator who will oversee the student's programme during the Year Abroad and will liaise with the appointed UH Supervisor.

Year 4

Core Modules

• Visualisation & Animation Technology

  This module builds on the fundamentals of programming and animation/multimedia techniques and extends the students' skills and knowledge into 3-dimensional graphics, animation and virtual reality. The majority of the contact time is spent on a number of practical, laboratory-based, exercises that give the students first-hand experience of 3-D graphics. These exercises are supported by lectures to introduce some of the key concepts.

• Final Year Project

  Students select a list of keywords related to the chosen field of study, but are encouraged to suggest their own alternatives where appropriate. A specific project supervisor will provide advice and support, where appropriate and monitor progress via regular meetings. A final report and presentation is required.

• Careers Portfolio

  This module will help students identify the employability skills necessary to enter their chosen profession. They will be required to develop a portfolio that evidences the following employability skills relevant for their chosen profession, from a combination of employment experience and academic modules. Skills include; Self Management and Development, Team Working, Communicating, Specialist Technologies, Professional Awareness and Problem Solving/Creativity.

• Smart Systems

  The student will be introduced to a range of modern operating systems and networked smart environments through a combination of lectures, tutorial and practical, hands-on, sessions. The module provides a framework for understanding the principals and limitations of a range of operating systems. A Case Study approach will be used to assess requirements, develop specifications and development Smart systems. The student will then be able to apply the knowledge, experience and understanding gained on this module to a range of environments within the wider computer industry.

• Data Security and Biometrics

  This module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of computer security and biometrics based authentication. Modern problems relating to security issues (e.g. Hacking, fraud, viruses) are addressed and examined, and the methods established for tackling these problems are described. The module also covers the principles of biometrics. It details various approaches to identifying and verifying individuals through biometrics methods. The challenges in different types of biometrics are also discussed.

• Smart Device Convergence and Application

  The convergence of smart devices and mobile apps has dramatically changed the way we communicate and access information. As you study this module you will learn about the technologies and processes that underpin modern mobile systems and the service platforms that enable smart and embedded devices to communicate and interoperate. You will also gain an appreciation of the development of an app from design, development to publishing the app on the marketplace. Interoperability and multi-platform development is a key focus for this module, engaging in the integration of sensor devices to modern human computer interaction.

Optional

Fees & funding

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

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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.

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How to apply