BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a year in Industry

Key details

BENG (HONS) ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING WITH A YEAR IN INDUSTRY

Start Year

2023

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Bachelor of Engineering

UCAS course code

H202

Entry Requirements

ABB (specific subject requirements apply)

Duration (years)

Electrical and electronic engineers have a vital role to play in responding to the climate crisis and shaping the future of our society. They bring key expertise to deliver electrification and digitisation across multiple sectors such as transport, power generation, heating, cooling, and beyond. There is therefore a growing need for highly competent electrical and electronic engineers, especially those with the skills to tackle society’s biggest challenges.

The School of Engineering at UEA is dedicated to developing this new breed of electrical and electronic engineers. That’s why Productivity East, the home of engineering at UEA, was established: to meet society’s demand for the engineers of the future. The addition of a year in industry to this BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering will accelerate your development even further, setting you apart from other engineering graduates.

About

BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Year in Industry is professionally accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and designed to form the next generation electrical and electronic engineers.

All engineering courses within the School of Engineering share an integrated programme structure for the first year, giving you a well-rounded skills base to build upon. From the second year onwards, you’ll specialise in electrical and electronic engineering, refining your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. You’ll also have the chance to work closely with other UEA Schools including Environmental Sciences and Computing Sciences, so your learning is limitless.

From day one, you’ll have access to a wide range of simulation tools and experimental lab facilities. You’ll make use of our well-equipped electrical and electronics lab throughout your engineering studies, for various electronics design projects and electric circuit prototyping and testing. Our electrical power lab is equipped with electrical machine test rigs, allowing for practical, experimental study of various types of electrical motors and drives. You’ll also learn how to model and analyse different engineering systems using industry-standard simulation software such as MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS, and COMSOL Multiphysics finite element tools.

You’ll benefit from our connections with local industry right from the start of your course. Productivity East, our state-of-the-art engineering facility, offers a space for connection between UEA engineering students and our industrial partners. These connections will give you unparalleled industry insight, helping you forge your own career pathway. Through meeting role-models, attending site visits, and networking with professional engineers, you’ll have a clear sense of the many career options available to you. This close contact with industry will also help you decide where you’d like to spend your industrial placement year. In addition, you can take advantage of our annual Select partnership scheme, an exclusive employability event for engineering students which attracts several prestigious employers each year.

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IET Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 2

In Year 2, you’ll form a small design consultancy team that will work together to present assessed design reports. This design module also allows you to demonstrate your individual strengths applied to a complex design challenge. For example, you might use your electrical and electronics expertise by designing and optimising the battery pack, connections, and electronics of an electric car within your consultancy group. Other module assessments will involve traditional examinations and written coursework.

Structure

Building on your work from the first year, you’ll continue studying a range of engineering subjects with a particular focus on electrical and electronics. You’ll study power electronics, electrical generation and transmission systems, and analogue and digital electronics among other key topics. You’ll learn how to implement your knowledge in a practical engineering context through a year-long project, where you’ll practice and apply your electrical and electronics knowledge you’ve studied so far. This project is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your development as an engineer and identify any areas of particular interest to you, ahead of your industrial placement and subsequent final-year project.

Teaching and Learning

During the second year, you’ll develop your group-work skills by operating as a small consultancy to solve a design challenge. The breadth of this design work will require you to use your electrical and electronics expertise and integrate your design solutions across the disciplines of engineering to ensure success. Previous projects have considered vertical farming and an electrical battery car design. You will also begin a more specialised study of electrical and electronics subjects, including electrical power engineering and analogue and digital circuits. In addition to studying the underpinning theories, you’ll carry out practical work like analytical and simulation modelling, experimental developments, tests, and validations.

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Assessment for Year 4

Year 4 assessment is dominated by your double-credit project module. You’ll apply the skill set that you have acquired to deliver projects combining your computational skills, your software skills, your data analysis skills, and your practical laboratory skills, as determined to a greater or lesser extent by you. In several modules, you’ll demonstrate the practical and applied aspects of your learning as you adopt a reflective and iterative approach to the design of control systems. Also, you will integrate all your learning, research capabilities, simulation skills and experimental data evaluation skills.

Structure

In your final year, you’ll return to UEA and consolidate all your learning in an individual project on a topic of your choice. Where possible, we’ll encourage you to link your project to a real-world industrial challenge, perhaps in collaboration with one of our industry partners.

Outside of your independent project, you’ll also study the principles and theories of control systems with practical implication. You’ll refine your understanding of electrical and electronics by exploring electrical motors and their drive systems, alongside energy storage systems. These modules will hone your skills in analysis, problem-solving, computer simulation and modelling, and experimentation.

Teaching and Learning

In this final year, you’ll deepen your learning and broaden your skill set through more advanced electrical and electronics modules. You’ll learn key theories, refine your IT skills, and conduct experimental tests and critical analysis. You will also gain research project experience through an independent study on a topic that interests you. You’ll be free to choose what you study and define how you wish to study it, with the support of academic staff.

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Assessment for Year 1

In Year 1, your assessed performance does not count towards your final degree. We therefore use this first year to expose you to the range of assessment-types that you may encounter throughout your course. You will receive instruction in areas like report-writing and presentations to secure your knowledge and capacity to perform. You’ll use your soft engineering skills in the group work assessments, and competition opportunity, presented to you in this initial year of study.

Compulsory Modules

MATHEMATICS FOR SCIENTISTS A

Code ENV-4015Y

Credits 20

You will cover differentiation, integration, vectors, partial differentiation, ordinary differential equations, further integrals, power series expansions, complex numbers and statistical methods as part of this module. In addition to the theoretical background there is an emphasis on applied examples. Previous knowledge of calculus is assumed. This module is the first in a series of three maths modules for those across the Faculty of Science that provide a solid undergraduate mathematical training. The follow-on modules are Mathematics for Scientists B and C. Recommended if you have grade A*-C at A-level Mathematics, or equivalent.

ENGINEERING DESIGN AND PRACTICE

Code ENG-4007Y

Credits 40

Through this module you will explore the wider context of engineering activity and be introduced to engineering design. You will understand the varied roles and considerations of professional engineers through the pursuit of themes linked to sustainability, professional conduct and innovation. Furthermore, you will be exposed to the technological and digital innovations in engineering practice, considering visual and graphic communication, mathematical processing and data analysis. You will develop communication, research and estimation skills in support of real-world design challenges. Through building, iterative testing, laboratory activity and learning from failure, you will learn how to become a critical thinker and reflective engineering practitioner.

ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES AND ANALYSIS

Code ENG-4008Y

Credits 60

This module will allow you to explore the fundamental theories that underpin engineering, spanning the disciplines of fluids, thermodynamics, hydraulics, materials, structures, mechanics, circuitry and electronics. You will learn how to apply this knowledge to identify engineering opportunities, to analyse the performance of engineering components and to support the engineering design process.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Assessment for Year 2

Compulsory Modules

PROGRAMMING FOR NON-SPECIALISTS

Code CMP-5020B

Credits 20

You will be introduced to a number of programming concepts at the start of your programming career, using a modern programming language common to many digital industries, with specific focus on applications within STEM fields. We structure learning through lectures, delivering core materials, and tutor supported exercises to reinforce learning, and to prepare you for programming in your following studies.

ANALOGUE AND DIGITAL ELECTRONICS

Code CMP-5027A

Credits 20

This module gives a practical introduction to analogue and digital electronics. Topics covered include components such as op-amps, transistors, logic gates, flip-flops and registers. You will learn how to design circuits such as amplifiers, oscillators, modulators, combinational and sequential logic and state machines. Much of the time on the module will be spent doing practical work where you will simulate and then construct prototypes circuits of the designs and then test them using a range of lab equipment. You will also design and build your own Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

ENGINEERING DESIGN PROJECT

Code ENG-5003Y

Credits 20

This module purposely fuses the boundaries conventionally constraining engineering designers, to enable you to fully explore the breadth of design principles and processes presented within a contemporary design challenge. Supported by a framework of integrated learning, you will continue to develop your ability to straddle the boundaries of creative design practice in the determination of holistic design solutions. Societal design challenges will add real-world context to problems posed as you explore the issues facilitating the realisation of revolutionary ideas in contemporary design practice.

ELECTRICAL POWER ENGINEERING

Code ENG-5005Y

Credits 20

The module aims to cover a range of different principles and topics related to electrical power engineering including: • Three phase systems • Generation systems: Introduction, basic principles, magnetic fields, windings, torque production, equivalent circuit, synchronism, active and reactive power control, generator construction, generator operating chart • Transmission systems Introduction and principles, per unit systems, reactive power management • Power Electronics systems; Introduction and principles of electric power conversion including AC/DC and DC/AC power converters.

MATHEMATICS FOR SCIENTISTS B

Code MTHB5010A

Credits 20

This module develops mathematical techniques required for a range of modules that form part of our science degree programmes. You will cover topics such as matrix algebra and its use in solving systems of differential equations, together with Fourier series and Fourier transforms as a method for solving differential equations. You will see a range of partial differential equations relevant to physical sciences such as the wave equation, together with methods for solving these equations, such as the method of separable variables. Numerical methods for solving algebraic and differential equations are important when analytic methods do not provide an exact solution. You will be introduced to the Python programming language to find numerical solutions of differential equations and systems of linear equations.

Optional A Modules

(20 credits)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Code ENG-5002B

Credits 20

This module builds on understanding in wind, tidal and hydroelectric power and introduces theories and principles relating to a variety of renewable energy technologies including solar energy, heat pumps and geothermal sources, fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, biomass energy and anaerobic digestion. You will consider how these various technologies can realistically contribute to the energy mix. You will study the various targets and legislative instruments that are used to control and encourage developments. Students will also apply their knowledge to propose, design and evaluate renewable technology solutions in order to meet performance, cost and emissions reduction targets within the coursework exercise, also involving application of project management and financial project appraisal techniques in a renewable energy context

DYNAMICS AND VIBRATION

Code ENG-5004B

Credits 20

You will build on the introductory material you gained in first year engineering mechanics. An appreciation of why dynamics and vibration are important for engineering designers leads to consideration of Single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems, Equation of motion, free vibration analysis, energy methods, natural frequency, undamped and damped systems and loading. Fourier series expansion and modal analysis are applied to vibration concepts: eigenfrequency, resonance, beats, critical, under-critical and overcritical damping, and transfer function. Introduction to multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) systems. Applications to beams and cantilevers. MathCAD will be used to support learning.

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Important Information

Assessment for Year 3

In this year of industrial experience, you’ll document your progress throughout the year and submit this as an assessed final report. You will also be assessed on your reflections from the year and how you articulate your learning journey. You’ll receive constructive feedback throughout your placement to guide you in producing these assessed pieces of work.

Compulsory Modules

YEAR IN INDUSTRY

Code ENG-6005Y

Credits 120

This module benefits from our many links with industry and by involving between 45 and 60 weeks it provides experience that is valued by potential employers. To help you in identifying suitable placements you will attend support sessions from year 1 onwards. The work placement will take place in year 3 of the programme and is worth 120 credits, it is assessed on a pass/fail basis which is normally a technical report marked by your mentor and a presentation delivered to UEA teaching staff. A series of formative stage submissions is also included for feedback on progress. The mark from the work placement module does not count towards the classification of your degree; however, if you fail your placement assessment, you will have the option to apply to transfer to the equivalent year 3 degree programme without a year in Industry.

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Open Days

Important Information

Assessment for Year 4

Compulsory Modules

CONTROL SYSTEMS

Code ENG-6007A

Credits 20

Automatic control is essential in any field of engineering and science. Control systems are an integral part of robotic systems, manufacturing systems, self-driven vehicles and any industrial operation and household application involving control of temperature, humidity, flow, pressure, etc. A competent engineer should be familiar with the control theories commonly used nowadays and their practical application. In particular, this module is focused on the analysis and design of control systems based on the classical control theory. Among other topics, this module covers: -Systems modelling using Laplace transforms. -System identification. -Open-loop and closed-loop control systems and the importance of feedback. -Evaluation of systems stability and behaviour using different analysis tools like Bode plots, the Routh-Hurwitz criterion, the Root Locus method or Nyquist plots. -Design and tuning of different common types of controllers, like PID controllers and lead/lag compensators, to meet a variety of design requirements. -Digital control systems. -Programming and operation of PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and its use in automatic industrial systems. -Analysis and design of control systems using Matlab In order to reinforce the learning and engagement, different case studies of industrial applications from local companies are introduced and potentially a site visit.

ELECTRICAL DRIVES AND ENERGY STORAGE

Code ENG-6009B

Credits 20

This module will provide the students with a wide range of knowledge, learning and skills in electrical machines, power electronics drives, and energy storage systems for various current and emerging applications in our industry for example electric vehicles, renewable power generation and energy storage systems. The delivery of the learning objectives will be through a combination of theoretical, analytical, computer simulation and experimental lab activities.

ENGINEERING MAJOR PROJECT

Code ENG-6008Y

Credits 40

This module allows you independently to select and explore a topic of project study of particular interest to you and linked to your programme pathway. Projects can involve design, research, experimentation, computation and other activities. Where possible, projects will be linked to an industrial partner. The technical content will build on the study of previous years, while the module will embed new project management, risk assessment and communication skills.

Optional A Modules

(40 credits)

ARCHITECTURES AND OPERATING SYSTEMS

Code CMP-5013A

Credits 20

Study the organisation of system software and the underlying hardware architecture in modern computer systems. The role of concurrent operation of hardware and software components is emphasised throughout this module. Central concepts are reinforced by practical work in the laboratory. The architectures portion of the module focuses on the components of a processor, including the registers and data path, and you will explore concepts such as instruction fetch cycles, instruction decoding and memory addressing modes. The operating systems component focuses on how the system software manages the competing demands for the system hardware, including memory management and disc and processing scheduling.

UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING

Code CMP-6046B

Credits 20

In this module we will introduce the multifaceted topic of Ubiquitous Computing. You will learn about how computing power can be taken away from desktop computer setting and be applied anywhere. The module draws upon many other areas such as Signal Processing, Machine Learning, Human Computer Interaction, Internet of Things, Networks, and the use of hardware. This is a project and coursework orientated module with an emphasis on developing your own ideas to gain the skills needed to take the power of computing to be everywhere.

SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING

Code ENG-6010A

Credits 20

This module addresses the engineering and technical aspects of solar energy, covering solar energy resource availability, solar energy conversion systems, photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal collector systems, and other solar energy applications in the industrial, domestic, transport and agricultural sectors. You will obtain advanced knowledge on the estimation of solar radiation through models and solar radiation databases for any site and surface geometry, shading analysis, the optimum and cost-effective design, performance analysis and sizing of PV systems and solar thermal collector systems, and their integration in buildings. In parallel, you will develop software skills in the above topics and practical skills in PV cell/module characterisation, performance and degradation analysis in the laboratory.

NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Code ENG-6011B

Credits 20

This module is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of this key energy sector. It addresses the technical and financial aspects of nuclear power, offering a comprehensive grounding in the underpinning science, engineering and safety features, along with relevant nuclear regulators and policy. Students will develop knowledge and insights as well as analytical and modelling skills, in addition to skills that are transferable into future or current work settings, such as management of time and information, report writing and the deployment of critical reasoning and independent thinking.

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Important Information

Entry Requirements

A Levels

ABB including Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Design Technology or Computing Science. A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer alongside an A in the EPQ.

T Levels

Not accepted.

BTEC

DDM excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration. Modules to include either Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Mathematics OR Maths for Engineering Technicians and Further Maths for Engineering Technicians. A Distinction will be required in both modules.

Scottish highers

AAABB including grade A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Design Technology or Computing Science.

Scottish highers advanced

BCC including Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Design Technology or Computing Science. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.

Irish leaving certificate

4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3 including Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Design Technology or Computing Science.

Access course

Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3, including 12 credits in Mathematics and 12 credits in one other Science.

International Baccalaureate

32 including HL5 or SL6 in Mathematics and HL5 in Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Design Technology or Computing Science.

GCSE offer

You are required to have Mathematics at a minimum of Grade B or Grade 5 or above, and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.

Additional entry requirements

If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BEng Engineering with a Foundation Year.

UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.

We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.

International Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.

INTO University of East Anglia

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:

International Foundation in Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences

International Foundation in Physical Sciences and Engineering

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Students for whom english is a foreign language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):

IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:

Interviews

Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Hub. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required, the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.

Gap year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.