Course Content
This is a highly flexible course – particularly in terms of the engineering content – and this gives you the opportunity to choose modules according to your specific interests and requirements, and to carry out your studies in any of the internationally renowned research groups with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
You will be required to take 60 credits of compulsory modules in core business skills:
- Creative Problem Solving
- Finance and Accounting
- Project Management
- Marketing for Entrepreneurs
- Innovation Management
- Science, Technology and Business
In addition, you will take a further 60-credits’ worth of optional modules from one of the five internationally renowned research groups in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. These include but are not limited to:
- Power Networks
- Hydrogen Economy
- HDL for Programmable Logic
- Integrated Photonics: Design and Technology
- Optical Communications
- Ultrasonic Engineering
Please note that all module details are subject to change.
You will finally undertake a major piece of commercialisation work on an advanced technical topic, which you will complete over the summer under the supervision of specialists from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Nottingham University Business School.
We will provide you with advice and guidance while you refine and enhance your business strategy and literature review, whilst offering close supervision and support as you complete your dissertation.
Course Structure
The MSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Entrepreneurship is taught on a full-time basis over 12 months.
This course is operated on a modular basis and consists of two semesters, during which you will follow a series of taught modules (worth 120 credits) both at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), and the Nottingham University Business School (NUBS), followed by a joint EEE and NUBS commercialisation-based research dissertation / project (worth 60 credits) undertaken during the summer period.
You will be taught using the latest advances in teaching methods and electronic resources, as well as small-group and individual tuition from both EEE and NUBS.
Most taught modules are assessed by examination and / or written work.
Tutors provide feedback on assignments. Our objective is to help you develop the confidence to work as a professional engineer, at ease with the conventions of both engineering and business disciplines. We aim to prepare you to tackle many areas of commercialisation within Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
In the early stages of your project/dissertation, your supervisor(s) will read through and comment on your draft work. The project dissertation itself comprises a significant piece of your own thought processes on, for example, the suitability of a proposed business model or the appropriateness of a chosen technology.
Modules
The purpose of the Project is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake independent research into a topic appropriate to Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology Transfer. In undertaking the project, you should draw on and extend material presented in the course. The project has several aims, beyond reinforcing information and methodology presented in the taught modules. You will gain experience by:
- addressing the challenges involved in developing the commercial potential of a scientific advance;
- giving a PowerPoint presentation that describes some aspects of the work achieved
- producing a written report in a style that would be useful, not only to the scientists involved in the field of your investigations, but also to potential investors.
Full details can be found in the course handbook. A project supervisor and moderator will be allocated by the end of February in the academic year of study and an interim report will be required by mid-march. The Project will commence in June of the academic year of study, after the end of Examination period. The student should manage all aspects of the project, arranging meetings with the supervisors, as required. Private study time approx. 430 hours.
Definitions and classifications of projects. Objectives in project management - time, costs, quality. Resources and resource management. Critical Path Methods and resource scheduling. Performance measurement and costs. Project lifecycles. Project teams and leadership in project management. Managing risk in projects. Analysis of project successes and failures. Project Management software.
The course will introduce students to the latest thinking in the areas of creativity, the creative process, knowledge management practices and the nature of entrepreneurship. Having established the cricual link between creativity, entrepreneurship and economic development the course proceeds with the latest thinking in the areas of creativity, entrepreneurship and economic development the course proceeds with the latest thinking in the areas of creativity, the creative process and modern knowledge management practices supported by case studies and examples of successful applications. Students will be introduced to a variety of creative problem solving techniques and learn how to apply these techniques in the context of the development, evaluation and application of ideas and concepts with commercial potential.
Entrepreneurial activity can only succeed if supported by appropriate resources that are then managed to promote economic activity. It is often the case that entrepreneurs have insufficient personal funds to develop a business without resort to external providers of finance. This module will explore the major themes within accounting and finance that are relevant to entrepreneurs. The first part of the module examines internal accounting procedures and accountability to external stakeholders. The second part examines how entrepreneurs finance their venture and the different sources of funds involved at different stages of development.
This module provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of marketing and how they are currently applied in the marketplace. The main emphasis of the module centres around the perceived need by managers for a strategic approach to marketing decision-making and for coherent planning to ensure the formulation of successful marketing programmes within an organisation. This module will explore: the role and nature of marketing; the core elements of marketing as an approach to business; the processes which influence the development of a marketing strategy; the role of segmentation; targeting and positioning; the factors which determine the composition of the marketing mix; the role of elements of the marketing mix in creating an effective marketing campaign.
Introduction - What is Innovation Management?; Building an Innovation Organisation; Innovation and Family Firms; External Guest Speaker; Sources of Innovation and Networks; Innovation Strategy and Blue Ocean Strategy; Selecting the Right Idea; Implementing Ideas; Capturing Learning; Group Presentations - Appraisal of Innovation Management of an Innovative Firm.
This module introduces to the importance of, and the processes involved in, the commercial exploitation of science and technology and involves a creative approach to the generation of a business concept. The development of a business idea forms an integral part of the students managed learning.
This module provides an introduction to digital signal processing. The module covers:
- revision of continuous signals, linear time-invariant systems and Fourier transform
- sampling of analogue signals, discrete time-invariant systems, and discrete Fourier transform
- signal enhancement techniques
- digital spectral analysis
- design of digital FIR filters
- design of digital IIR filters
- adaptive signal processing
- multidimensional signal processing
- implementations of digital signal processing, and acoustic and optical signal processing
- use of MATLAB for signal processing
This module provides an introduction to digital signal processing. The module covers:
- revision of continuous signals, linear time-invariant systems and Fourier transform
- sampling of analogue signals, discrete time-invariant systems and discrete Fourier transform
- signal enhancement techniques
- digital spectral analysis
- design of digital FIR filters
- design of digital IIR filters
- adaptive signal processing
- multidimensional signal processing
- implementations of digital signal processing, and acoustic and optical signal processing
- use of MATLAB for signal processing
This module introduces the state-space representation of physical systems and the control design of multi-input multi-output systems using multi-variable control techniques for both continuous and discrete implementation. The module then covers both full and reduced observer design for those cases when state variables are not measurable. The module finishes with an overview of optimal control design. A more detailed design experience using advanced CAD will be acquired by means of a specialized coursework.
This module is an introduction to the principles and practice of instrumentation and measurement systems in an engineering context. The module will cover the generally applicable basic principles and then look at specific classes of instrument and associated electronics and signal processing methods. Topics covered include:
- Basic principles and instrument characteristics.
- Measurement errors, basic statistics, noise and its control.
- Dynamic characteristics of instruments, time and frequency domain responses.
- System identification using correlation techniques.
- Amplifiers, filters, ADCs and DACs.
- Position, strain, pressure and motion sensors (resistive, capacitive, inductive, optical).
- Flow sensors (correlation, acoustic, electromagnetic, mechanical).
Ultrasonic sensors.
The coursework will be in the form of a design or case study in a business context.
This module is an introduction to the principles and practice of instrumentation and measurement systems in an engineering context. The module will cover the generally applicable basic principles and then look at specific classes of instrument and associated electronics and signal processing methods. Topics covered include:
- Basic principles and instrument characteristics.
- Measurement errors, basic statistics, noise and its control.
- Dynamic characteristics of instruments, time and frequency domain responses.
- System identification using correlation techniques.
- Amplifiers, filters, ADCs and DACs.
- Position, strain, pressure and motion sensors (resistive, capacitive, inductive, optical).
- Flow sensors.
- Ultrasonic sensors.
The design of high speed Analogue and Digital circuits will be discussed before the limitations of BJTs and MOSFETs are given. High speed HEMT and HBTs will be examined.
The design of high speed Analogue and Digital circuits will be discussed before the limitations of BJTs and MOSFETs are given. High speed HEMT and HBTs will be examined.
This module enables students to design both analogue and digital controllers for linear single-input single-output systems. Students have access to CAD control design packages for evaluating control design. This module covers:
- design of analogue controllers using Root Locus Method
- closed loop performance and frequency response
- practical problems in digital control
- design of digital controllers using z-plane techniques
- extensive practice of control design using a CAD package
- development of an industrial oriented simulation project specializing in control design of power electronics systems.
This module provides students with an understanding of the operational principles of power electronic converters and their associated systems. This module covers:
- 3-phase naturally commutated ac-dc/dc-ac converters
- capacitive and inductive smoothing - device ratings
- dc-ac PWM inverters and modulation strategies
- resonant converters
- high power factor utility interface circuits
- thermal management of power devices including transient thermal effects.
- simulation of Power converters using a suitable CAD package
This module provides an in depth knowledge on both the theoretical and practical aspects of modern advanced imaging techniques, with particular emphasis on biological and dimensional metrology applications. The topics covered include
- Principles of image formation: geometrical and wave optics, scalar and vector diffraction, Fourier transform properties of lenses, principles of optical instruments including telescope and collimators, fundamental of optical design
- Signal and imaging processing techniques: transform techniques, image sampling, imaging processing and feature recognition techniques
- Detector technology: photodetectors, CCD and CMOS cameras, active pixel circuit design using CMOS processing, photon counting devices, signal to noise considerations
- Microscopy and sensor techniques: scanning and wide field microscopes, analysis of imaging performance, confocal, phase contrast, dark field, interference, differential interference contrast, polarisation and fluorescent imaging. Total internal reflection methods. Exotic techniques giving resolution beyond the Abbe limit, STED, STORM, PALM and near field methods.
This module provides an in depth knowledge on both the theoretical and practical aspects of modern advanced imaging techniques, with particular emphasis on biological and dimensional metrology applications. The topics covered include:
- Principles of image formation: geometrical and wave optics, scalar and vector diffraction, Fourier transform properties of lenses, principles of optical instruments including telescope and collimators, fundamental of optical design
- Signal and imaging processing techniques: transform techniques, image sampling, imaging processing and feature recognition techniques
- Detector technology: photodetectors, CCD and CMOS cameras, active pixel circuit design using CMOS processing, photon counting devices, signal to noise considerations
- Microscopy and sensor techniques: scanning and wide field microscopes, analysis of imaging performance, confocal, phase contrast, dark field, interference, differential interference contrast, polarisation and fluorescent imaging. Total internal reflection methods. Exotic techniques giving resolution beyond the Abbe limit, STED, STORM, PALM and near field methods.
This module provides students with an understanding of power system apparatus and their behaviour under normal and fault conditions. It also provides an opportunity to apply CAD techniques to power system problems. This module covers:
- concept and analysis of load flow
- voltage/current symmetrical components
- computation of fault currents
- economic optimisation
- power-system control and stability
- power system protection.
- Power Quality
The module aims to provide an in depth overview of current state-of-the-art integrated photonics technologies and devices.
The module provides:
- introduction to optical integrated circuits;
- review of current issues in monolithic and hybrid technologies;
- review of materials and fabrication techniques for integrated photonics;
- in depth introduction on passive and active devices in integrated photonics;
- an overview of available characterisation techniques;
- overview of a range of commonly used design and simulation methodologies including Finite Difference Beam Propagation Method (FDBPM), Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method and Spectral Index (SI) method;
- coverage of applications in integrated photonics including switching, biophotonics, correlators and spectrum analysis.
- a review of emerging technologies such are nano-imprint lithography, embossing, micro-resonators, photonic bandgap devices and plasmonics.
This module is an introduction to the principles and applications of ultrasound in a wide range of engineering industries. The module will cover the theory of ultrasonic wave propagation in engineering structures together with the practicalities of ultrasonic test instrumentation and systems and data analysis. The course concludes with a series of case studies.
Topics include: Ultrasonic wave propagation in different media
Piezoelectric, EMAT, phased array and SAW devices
Pulser-receiver instrumentation
Ultrasonic test methods
Time and frequency domain data analysis
Defect detection in engineering structures
Case studies (medical, aerospace and process control)
This module is an introduction to the principles and applications of ultrasound in a wide range of engineering industries. The module will cover the theory of ultrasonic wave propagation in engineering structures together with the practicalities of ultrasonic test instrumentation and systems and data analysis. The course concludes with a series of case studies.
Topics include: Ultrasonic wave propagation in different media
Piezoelectric, EMAT, phased array and SAW devices
Pulser-receiver instrumentation
Ultrasonic test methods
Time and frequency domain data analysis
Defect detection in engineering structures
Case studies (medical, aerospace and process control)
This module introduces the principles and application of a wide range of photonic devices, currently used in photonics telecoms. The specific topics covered include:
- carrier transport and recombination processes in semiconductors;
- light-emitting diodes (LEDs);
- laser diodes (both for signal sources and amplifier pumps);
- LED and laser diode modulation (rate equation descriptions, equivalent circuits, modulation and small-signal performance analysis);
- APD and PIN diode detectors;
- detector response (sensitivity, bandwidth and noise);
- signal propagation effects, including attenuation, phase and group velocity, chromatic dispersion, modulation-induced chirp, pulse width broadening and compression.
This module provides an in depth knowledge of optical communication systems and networks. After some introductory material the topics covered include:
Optical fibres (light propagation in fibres, attenuation, chromatic dispersion, PMD, fibre nonlinearities)
Optical components overview (transmitters (lasers, LEDs), detectors (PIN, APD), optical amplifiers (SOA, EDFA, Raman) and optical regeneration, multiplexers, filters, couplers, isolators, circulators, wavelength converters, optical switches etc.)
Modulation and demodulation (signal formats, noise, BER, Q, error detection/codes)
Optical System Design (impairments: extinction ratio, receiver thermal noise, basic receiver sensitivity, optical amplifier noise, crosstalk, dispersion, PMD, nonlinearity (partic. SBS, SRS, FWM), penalties (Q, Power, Eye, OSNR))
Optical networks (WDM network elements, topology design, routing and wavelength allocation, network survivability, access networks).
This module provides an introduction to optical communication systems and networks. Topics covered include:
Optical fibres (light propagation in fibres, attenuation, chromatic dispersion, PMD, fibre nonlinearities)
Optical components overview (transmitters, detectors, optical amplifiers (SOA, EDFA, Raman) and optical regeneration, multiplexers, filters, couplers, isolators, circulators, wavelength converters, optical switches etc.)
Modulation and demodulation (signal formats, noise, BER, Q)
Optical networks (WDM network elements, topology design, routing and wavelength allocation, network survivability, access networks)
This module provides an in depth knowledge of optical communication systems and networks. After some introductory material the topics covered include: Optical fibres (light propagation in fibres, attenuation, chromatic dispersion, PMD, fibre nonlinearities) Optical components overview (transmitters (lasers, LEDs), detectors (PIN, APD), optical amplifiers (SOA, EDFA, Raman) and optical regeneration, multiplexers, filters, couplers, isolators, circulators, wavelength converters, optical switches etc.) Modulation and demodulation (signal formats, noise, BER, Q, error detection/codes, Optical System Design (impairments: extinction ratio, receiver thermal noise, basic receiver sensitivity, optical amplifier noise, crosstalk, dispersion, PMD, nonlinearity (partic. SBS, SRS, FWM), penalties (Q, Power, Eye, OSNR)) Optical networks (WDM network elements, topology design, routing and wavelength allocation, network survivability, access networks)
This module considers:
- Sustainable sources of Hydrogen
- Fuel cell technologies
- Hydrogen storage and distribution
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Power Systems
- Applications and feasibility assessment
This module contains:
- Propagation characteristics of mobile environment – wave equations, fading
- Cells and channel allocation
- Digital modulation techniques
- Multiplexing, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA
- Error detection and coding
- 2nd generation systems (GSM, IS-136, IS-95)
- 2.5/3G systems
- Wireless LAN
- Blue tooth
- 4G
This module contains
- Propagation characteristics of mobile environment – wave equations, fading
- Cells and channel allocation
- Digital modulation techniques
- Multiplexing, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA
- Error detection and coding
- 2nd generation systems (GSM, IS-136, IS-95)
- 2.5/3G systems
- Wireless LAN
- Blue tooth
- 4G
This module considers the design and operation of Power Systems in a range or transport related applications
The course will concentrate on modelling and control of power converters covering the following aspects and will incorporate the most recent technical developments where appropriate:
- Review of basic DC-DC converters
- Averaging techniques for modelling switching power converters
- Control techniques for the basic DC-DC converters (buck/ flyback) – voltage mode control/current mode control/effect of discontinuous inductor current
- Resonant DC-DC power conversion techniques - load resonant converters
- Modelling and analysis of load resonant converters - fundamental approximation approach.
This module considers the design and operation of Power Systems in a range or transport related applications
This module addresses the control of AC drives and consists of a lecture component (10 credits) and a design and assessment project (10 credits)
The lecture component covers vector controlled induction motor drives and permanent magnet motor drives. Vector control is covered in depth covering the concept of space vectors, dq representation of 3-phase machines, dynamic equation structure and the concepts of direct and indirect flux orientation. Implementation of Indirect Vector Control, including current flux and speed control is covered in some detail and includes the effect of incorrect parameters.
Both AC and Brushless DC permanent magnet motor drives are introduced. The vector control concepts learned for induction machines are applied to AC PM machines. The concept of salient and non-salient AC PM machines are covered leading to the vector control using maximum torque per amp control strategies. Finally the field weakening control of both non-salient and salient PM machines are considered.
The project component is a design and simulation exercise using MATLAB/Simulink. The student is required to design an indirect vector controlled induction motor drive, implement the design in Simulink, and undertake evaluative tests covering current and speed loop performance, including field weakening for high speed. The exercise covers investigating the effects of parameter variation and designing engineered solutions to reducing the sensitivity.
This course will be divided into three: taught material, a hands-on lab exercise and a hands-on project.
TAUGHT MATERIAL This will contain the following:
- HDL overview and latest developments
- Latest relevant software from Xilinx and Mentor Graphics
- VHDL syntax
- VHDL testbench design
- Combinational and sequential circuit design
- Finite State Machine VHDL design
LABORATORY EXERCISES The lab classes will be tightly integrated with the lecture sessions. The lab exercises, directly related to the lecture material will be implemented on a pre-prepared FPGA development board. PROJECT realisation of a digital system will be implemented. Marks will be awarded for: quality of code; functionality of the design; written report; plus other parameters to be specified during the course.
Click here to view print friendly version