BEng Computing for Embedded Systems
University of the West of England, Bristol

Computing for Embedded Systems

Computer systems are evolving rapidly. Most consumer technology such as TVs and digital boxes now use complex software running on embedded CPUs. With this technology becoming increasingly pervasive, companies have an urgent need for skilled graduates in this area.

Why study our course?

On this course you will develop a strong understanding of computer systems with a focus on networks, CPU architecture and embedded systems development. Practical work will equip you with an understanding of the different aspects of digital electronics and programming, with options to focus on software and or hardware. Using this knowledge and skills, you will design and develop a processor or multi-threaded software in your final year. With the growing availability of programmable gate array devices, it is now possible to configure your own processor without the financial backing of international giants such as Intel or Sun Microsystems.

This degree has been accredited by the British Computer Society. The skills and knowledge gained by students makes them valuable to software teams, in particular those engaged with embedded systems development.

Real world experience

Thanks to strong support from regional IT companies, there are opportunities for fee sponsorship and prizes as well as student work placements and graduate jobs. To build your industry network and knowledge, we arrange employer fairs, conference trips and presentations from visiting professionals and ex-students. Our active on-line alumni network is also located all over the world, providing links to the great and the good in the technology industry.

Where it can take you

Our graduate’s hardware and software expertise is highly sought after by employers in areas such as: telecommunications, automotive control, real-time programming, systems administration, embedded systems development and digital systems processing.

Please note in the following sections, the links to Unistats refer to a degree named Computer Systems Integration. This is the old name for the degree and it has been changed to "Computing for Embedded Systems" from 2017 onwards.

Figures from Unistats, shows that most of our graduates are snapped up on graduation with 100 per cent going into employment in a professional or managerial job within the first six months.

In the video below, Michael Scott talks about how his BSc (Hons) Computing for Embedded Systems equipped him with vital problem solving and practical skills in preparation for his CERN placement.

Case Studies

Here is a selection of profiles from our BSc (Hons) Computing for Embedded Systems graduates:

Mike Ibbotson - Graduated 2016

How you got to CSI/CRTS?

I did a computing foundation year with UWE and found that I enjoyed the more practical, programming side the most. While looking through what courses to study, CSI seemed to provide a good balance of programming and technical material.

What modules did you study in your first year and what did you think of them?

Web Programming – Proved interesting and a good outline of web technologies.
Programming in C – Best and most helpful of the first-year modules. Proved to be useful throughout the degree and especially in the final year as for me all my final project was written in C. This module will give you the best idea of if you will get on with the course. If you like C you will like the course.
Computer and Network Systems – More good programming practice. Learnt about basic networking and computer achitectures.
Digital Principles – A good module, involved quite a bit of VHDL.

What modules did you study in your second year and what did you think of them?

C++ Development - With knowledge of C from the previous year this module is enjoyable.
Digital Design – This module develops more VHDL skills.
Computer Networks and Operating Systems – A good module that involved learning about how networks and operating systems work. Network practical tasks included producing a TCP/IP implementation. The operating system part involved learning about scheduling, memory management, file systems and kernel programming for a simple operating system with lots of practical challenges.
Mobile and Embedded Devices – It was good to expanded into mobile devices programming apps and learning extra languages is always good.

Where was your placement and what did you do there?

Ultrasound technologies – Intern software developer. Ultrasound is a small company with a very small development team so I was given real responsibility to work on the real projects that they were working on which was good. I worked with C and C# which I had to teach myself as I was going through my placement. I worked on a large endoscope imaging system which involved me producing a UI and handling the interaction with the hardware via USB and a unity project for the imaging.

What modules did you study in your final year and what did you think of them?

Final Year Project – Able to make a project on whatever you want which is good. Paperwork can be daunting but if you put in the hours its easy.
Embedded Systems Development – Real good practical application of C which is good. Designing and Developing Device Drivers

What you did for your final year project?

Wearable cuff-less ambulatory blood pressure monitor.

Where you are working now and what you are doing?

Ultrasound technologies – Software Engineer. Providing bug fixes and updates to a chest drain pump and its corresponding PC application which I developed on my placement. This includes C for the device and C# for the PC application alongside. Currently working on a correlator to soon be used for a Bluetooth based CTG device which I will be writing the firmware for.

Mike Ibbotson, Ultrasound technologies – Software Engineer

John George - Graduated 2016

How you got to CSI/CRTS?

I was always into computers and technology, but my absolute favourite topic was aircraft and space. I decided to do a 2 year BTEC Aerospace Engineering diploma; unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be and I switched to IT, with another 2 year BTEC extended diploma course. 

What modules did you study and what did you think of them?

CSI at UWE was my first choice and I'm glad I picked both. Overall, I really enjoyed the course, especially the modules which delved into C, Linux, embedded boards and networking. I struggled a bit with digital principles, VHDL etc. in the first year, hence opted for the web based module instead of digital design and signal processing in the second year. Also, C++ programming itself was great fun.

Where was your placement and what did you do there?

I did my placement with Digiflare, a media streaming solutions development agency based in Toronto, Canada. I'd say those 8 months were the highlight of my 4 years as an undergrad student. I highly recommend doing a placement; if you can find one abroad, even better!

Where you are working now and what you are doing?

I'm heading back to Toronto to rejoin Digiflare and work on Xbox One and Roku platforms. I also want to do a part-time postgrad course while I'm there, but I've yet to decide on the subject. 

John George, Digiflare

Jacob Baker

What I like best about my course is the exposure of diverse content and the expectation to better yourself. The lecturers are very clear and useful to understand difficult contents of the module. By the end of the course, I had improved my skills and knowledge of engineering maths, programming for embedded systems, presentation and leadership skills through being a Peer Assisted Learning leader.

During my placement year at GE Oil and Gas, I worked on subsea intelligent control, a mixture of PLC programming/testing and embedded pseudo-real-time Java. I was heavily involved with starting and running GE’s involvement with the Imagineering program which aimed to assist schools with getting kids involved and interested in STEM subjects. After my placement year - I stayed on as a contractor during my final year before starting as a full time software engineer. After a couple of years, I found myself to wanting to try something new and joined a small company, Xors Systems, as a developer. This role was in a similar field compared to my previous position but with a different domain and technologies. It is still monitoring systems but across the UK monitoring things like noise, vibration, and meteorological data, utilising C++ for the embedded systems and PHP, Go, Python and Nodejs with technologies such as Cassandra, Redis, MySQL and RabbitMQ for the serverside.

Jacob Baker, Xor Systems

Course Structure & Content

Content

If you have technical curiosity and a strong interest in finding out how computer systems actually work, you will enjoy this course. It involves lots of practical work concerned with the different aspects of digital electronics and programming. There are option routes to choose from which concentrate more on hardware or on software. However, both specialise in the design and implementation of computer systems. Overall. this course provides you with the correct balance of knowledge concerning digital hardware and software so that you can really understand how a computer works.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

Getting to grips with new subjects can be demanding, but by offering the correct level of assistance we aim to support you throughout your studies. Using a practical approach, during laboratory investigation and direct experiment, theory and principles can be more easily assimilated. You will also frequently work in pairs or small teams which helps you to really understand difficult concepts by discussing them with friends. This style of collaborative working also provides an excellent preparation for the most common career scenarios, where you will be contributing to the success of a team.

Programmes of lectures provide explanation and overall guidance for the course. Extra assistance and guidance is also available from a team of trained senior students (PAL Leader - Peer Assisted Learning Leader) who are available to help small groups or individuals with particular subject problems. This is of special relevance when course work assignments are due!

Assessment

Assessment is generally by a mix of practical course work and yearly examination. This degree focuses on the practical exploration and explanation of all aspects of computer systems, but especially networks, CPU architecture and embedded systems development.

Features

Students who do a work placement are more likely to graduate with a better degree and get higher quality work on graduation. So as well as helping hone your professional skills, industry knowledge and network, a placement will make you highly employable on graduation. Thanks to our strong support from regional IT companies, work placements sponsorships and prizes are available in a broad range of organisations large and small. Some students have done placements in aviation, or oil and gas at GE. Others have worked for technology leaders like Hewlett Packard and IBM. Many work for regional employers in specialist areas such as software, sensors or technical services.

Entry Requirements

Typical Offers

If you do not meet the entry requirements of this course, you may be eligible for Foundation Year entry into this or other related degree courses. The Foundation aims to enable you to develop a strong understanding of computer systems with a focus on networks, CPU architecture and embedded systems development.

Click the link to see further information.

Please read the general information about Entry Requirements.

How to Apply

Please see the general information about applications through the link below: How to Apply which links to the UWE web site.

If you would like to apply for the Computing for Embedded Systems Degree, please see the link below: Application for Computing for Embedded Systems

Twitter