university of southampton ecs postgraduate prospectus 2014

www.southampton.ac.uk/ecsUK and EU ECS MSc enquiries: [email protected] +44 (0)23 8059 2630

International ECS MSc enquiries: [email protected] +44 (0)23 8059 9699

All ECS PhD enquiries: [email protected] +44 (0)23 8059 2882

Developing our future world today. Postgraduate programmes 2014

Search for “ECS”

UoS_ECS_PG_Prospectus_2014_print.indd 1-2 12/08/2013 12:59

2 3

Welcome to Electronics and Computer Science (ECS)

Welcome to Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton – one of the best places in the world to study electronics and computer science.

Our range of masters and research programmes, our distinguished record of research success and our thriving Graduate School will ensure you get the best possible start in your future career.

As a postgraduate student, you will be part of world-changing research as it happens. You can expect to be taught by researchers at the forefront of their disciplines, tackling some of today’s biggest challenges.

In ECS our academics are investigating key global issues such as Web science, cyber security, harvesting energy from vibration to power devices such as pacemakers, and nanotechnology to enable devices to be created that are smaller, cheaper and faster.

As one of the top 73 universities in the world* and a founder member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading research universities in the UK, we provide an outstanding postgraduate education. Southampton is one of the leading entrepreneurial universities in the world, with excellent relationships with business and industry. As a postgraduate student, you will benefit from these strong links and have many opportunities to develop your entrepreneurial skills.

Our annual ECS Engineering and Technology Careers fair regularly attracts more than 50 employers and has even had HRH The Duke of York as its special guest.

At the University of Southampton you will benefit from our superb facilities and our worldwide reputation for education and research that have been ranked among the highest in the UK.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Neil White, Head of Electronics and Computer Science

*2012 QS World University League Rankings

1. Research excellence Diagnosis enabled by micro-technologies. Page 4

2. Our academics Find out more about the Faculty Dean Professor Dame Wendy Hall as well as other leading academics. Page 14

3. Planning your career HRH The Duke of York attends our annual Careers Fair. Page 16

4. Choose Southampton Study in a thriving modern city, steeped in history and culture. Page 18

In this brochure Learning environment 12

Student life 20

Teaching lab 22

Supporting women in science 23

Programme overview 24

Programme information 26Computer Science and Software 30 Engineering MSc Programmes:Artificial Intelligence 30Cyber Security 30Software Engineering 31Systems and Signal Processing 32Web Science 32Web Technology 33

Electrical and Electronic 34 Engineering MSc Programmes:Bionanotechnology 34Energy and Sustainability with 35 Electrical Power EngineeringMicroElectroMechanical Systems 35Microelectronics Systems Design 36Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology 36Systems on a Chip 37Wireless Technology 38

Other MSc Programmes: 39European Masters in Embedded 39 Computing Systems

Applying and funding 40

International postgraduates 41

How to get here 42

Find out more 43

1

2

4

3

Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1st in the UKThe Guardian University Guide

Computer Science and IT 3rd in the UKThe Guardian University Guide

Computer Science was ranked joint second in the UK for its quality of researchResearch Assessment Exercise 2008

85 per cent of the Computer Science research is rated in the top 4* in the UKResearch Assessment Exercise 2008


Diagnosis enabled bymicro-technologies

Choose Southampton.

A new generation of portable electronic devices are offering greater flexibility and accuracy in diagnosing and treating chronic conditions such as diabetes, predicting and preventing heart attacks, and helping people with autism.

Researchers in ECS are collaborating with colleagues in Medicine to explore the latest advances in nanotechnology and micro-devices to deliver these new remote therapies to patients.

The new devices and sensors can measure blood cells from a finger prick of blood, monitor heart patients in their own homes, and measure connectivity in the brains of children with autism.

“As treatment costs rise, there is a growing need for home monitoring of patients. These devices will help identify medical risks before they arise with patients, thus saving money otherwise spent in hospitals on emergency care.”Professor Hywel morganHead, Nano Research Group

Developing medical diagnosis technologyat the Centre for Hybrid Biodevices


Researchers in ECS at the University of Southampton are leading an international network that is exploring energy harvesting technology.

The EPSRC-funded Energy Harvesting Network is managed by a team of academics at the University and brings together academic and industrial researchers, as well as users of energy harvesting.

They are investigating the potential of powering wireless electronic devices by converting low grade ambient energy sources such as environmental vibrations, human motion, thermal gradients and light, into usable electrical energy.

This research could see harvested energy devices replacing batteries in low power wireless sensor nodes, opening up the potential to embed sensors in previously inaccessible locations such as implantable and wearable medical devices.

Professor Steve Beeby and Dr Geoff Merrett, coordinators of the Energy Harvesting Network, said: “The research into energy harvesting aims to create a power supply that will last the lifetime of a device, avoiding downtime due to batteries failing and needing to be recharged or replaced. Energy harvesting is a potential alternative power supply that will outlast the application.”

The Network recently launched an online resource for researchers worldwide to share detailed data on energy availability and characteristics. The repository allows researchers to compare and evaluate their designs and analysis using a common dataset.

ECS at the University of Southampton and its spin-out company Perpetuum are global leaders in energy harvesting systems and ECS engineers led the European Union-funded Vibration Energy Scavenging (VIBES) project that saw the development of a miniature energy-harvesting generator 10 times more powerful than its competitors.

For more information visit www.eh-network.org

Batteries not included. Leading the questfor harvested energy


An ECS research group is at the forefront of a new science that is helping tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges.

Southampton members of the ORCHID programme are finding new ways that computers can work intelligently in partnership with people.

Led by Professor Nick Jennings, Head of the Agents, Interaction and Complexity (AIC) research group at the University of Southampton, the ORCHID programme is a five-year EPSRC-funded research project that brings together the universities of Southampton, Oxford and Nottingham, with industrial partners at BAE Systems, Secure Meters Ltd and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics to develop true partnerships between people and computers.

Human interaction with computers is changing fast. High speed internet, social networking and more than five billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide, means we no longer need to wait for information to come to us.

We are becoming the information providers and this is never more apparent than in a crisis situation. Following the earthquake in Japan, posts on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook had a vital role in getting information to the emergency services and authorities.

The AIC team are exploring this developing partnership that will profoundly change the way we work with computers.

“We are fast approaching an ‘era of ubiquity’ where each of us will become increasingly dependent on multiple smart and proactive computers that we carry with us, access at home and at work, and that are embedded into the world around us, said Head of AIC Professor Nick Jennings.

He believes we will increasingly work in partnership with agents – a piece of software that is programmed to work for its owner autonomously and intelligently. Agents could be in sensors collecting and analysing information to give a bigger picture in an emergency situation, or they could be in a smart meter measuring your domestic energy consumption and recommending how you reduce your energy use.

For more information visit www.orchid.ac.uk

Coordination in a crisis. Developing the partnership between people and computers


Transforming our power grid. Developing new high- voltage cables to cope with future demand

Electronic and electrical researchers from the University of Southampton are leading the way in developing new high-voltage cables capable of meeting the demand of the world’s future power networks.

The national drive to create and use more renewable energy could push existing networks to breaking point and Southampton academics are at the forefront of work helping transform the capabilities of the UK’s ageing power grid.

The Electronics and Electrical Engineering Research Group, based in ECS, is looking at generating new high-voltage cables that are robust enough to cope with the increased flow of electrical power. They have already identified alternative materials that potentially provide the operational flexibility required to manage the future transmission of power across Europe.

They have created a new generation of cable insulation systems capable of maximising power transmission through the new high-voltage cables while giving operators the flexibility to manage power flows through their networks.

As well as having a superior performance, the new materials would potentially also be cheaper to manufacture and have less of an environmental impact.

Head of the Electronics and Electrical Engineering (EEE) research group Professor Alun Vaughan said: “At Southampton we have been involved for more than a decade in the research of alternative materials that could be used to transmit and distribute the UK’s energy supplies. Our work is helping to ensure that the UK’s National Grid will be robust enough to cope with future energy demands.”

For more information visit www.eee.ecs.soton.ac.uk


12 13

Learning environment

The Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory

− Pervasive Systems Centre. It draws on expertise from across ECS in developing enabling hardware and software technologies, from sensing, processing and communications to system on chip and computer science theory and practice.

− Southampton Nanofabrication Centre. One of the premiere cleanroom complexes in Europe, the Centre is based in the Mountbatten building and has a uniquely broad range of technologies, combining traditional and novel top-down fabrication with state-of-the-art bottom-up fabrication.

− Synote. An open source Web application which transforms learning for all students, including those with disabilities. Synote makes multimedia resources such as video and audio easier to access, search, manage and exploit.

− Web Science Doctoral Training Centre. It attracts the brightest lawyers, economists, social scientists, psychologists, mathematicians and computer scientists to participate in Web Science programmes and to provide leadership in the future of the digital society.

− Web Science Trust. Established by leading researchers around the world, led by Professor Dame Wendy Hall, Professor Nigel Shadbolt, Professor James Hendler, and Professor Sir Tim Berners-Lee, it aims to understand the Web, engineer its future, and ensure its social benefit. The Trust is based in ECS and manages WSTNet, the Web Science Trust Network of Laboratories.

Excellent ECS facilitiesAt Southampton we are proud of our unrivalled ECS facilities with state-of-the-art, industry-standard equipment housed in superb laboratories.

Our Mountbatten Building houses one of the world’s leading cleanroom laboratory complexes for materials and device research in diverse fields ranging from electronics through photonics to bionanotechnology.

The Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory is one of only a handful of similar facilities in Europe. It contains a full range of equipment to support ECS’ research and consultancy in high voltage engineering.

Research groupsOne of the keynotes of our success has been the constant evolution of research in response to opportunities created by new technology and new methods. Our world-leading research groups also enable us to combine research expertise across ECS:

− Agents, Interaction and Complexity − Communications, Signal Processing and Control − Electronic and Software Systems − Electronics and Electrical Engineering − Nano Research Group − Web and Internet Science − Photonic Systems, Circuits and Sensors

(Joint ECS and the University’s Optoelectronics Research Centre)

Research centresWith a reputation for linking fundamental research with real-world applications, Southampton is home to cutting-edge research centres that consistently break new ground.

Our research centres have strong links with business, industry and government, and they focus their activity on global challenges that really impact on society.

Research centres in ECS include: − EPrints. ECS created the first and most widely used

archiving software (EPrints) which is used worldwide and continues to be evolved and supported from ECS.

− Academic Centre for Excellence in CyberSecurity. It focuses on the security of the cyber space from all digital and human threats whether malicious or not. The Centre draws expertise from different discipline areas across the University.

− Harvesting Energy Network. Funded by the EPSRC, it brings together UK academic and industrial researchers with end-users of energy harvesting technology.

− The IT Innovation Centre. An applied research centre advancing a wide range of information technologies and their deployment in industry and commerce.

− The Zepler Institute is a unique multidisciplinary research centre that brings together world-leading expertise in nanoelectronics, photonics and quantum technologies. With over 2000m2 of state-of-the-art clean rooms and laboratories, the ZI provides a collaborative environment for over 350 scientists working on cutting-edge fundamental and applied research.

− MailScanner. This highly-respected open source e-mail security system was developed by the ECS Postmaster. It protects 20,000 sites worldwide, including top government departments, commercial corporations and educational institutions.

− ORCHID. A £10m project funded by EPSRC and industrial funders, it aims to develop true partnerships between people and computers.

We have a spirit of research that is firmly embedded in our culture, which helps to set us apart from other universities. It is this environment that makes studying here a unique and exciting experience.

Further information

To find out more about ECS outstanding research activities visit www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/research/overview

The Mountbatten complex, a £110m investment in UK science and technology, is one of Europe’s leading multidisciplinary cleanroom facilities


14 15

1. Professor Dame Wendy HallDean of Physical Sciences and Engineering

Wendy is recognised as one of the world’s leading computer scientists for her achievements and contributions to the field of Web Science. In 2013 she was named as the second most influential woman in UK IT by Computer Weekly.

She was one of the first scientists to carry out serious research in multimedia and hypermedia and has remained at the forefront of this area ever since.

Wendy has achieved many external and professional awards and has held a number of prestigious leadership roles. She became a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2009 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in the same year.

2. Professor Leslie CarrCo-director of Web Science Doctoral Training Centre

Leslie is the Co-director of the Web Science Doctoral Training Centre (DTC). For nearly 30 years he has been researching multimedia information systems, novel ways of constructing hypertexts, digital libraries and knowledge management systems.

His research aim is to encourage researchers and scientists to build information systems that enable them to become responsible curators of their own intellectual assets.

He is also fascinated by the way that humans can take advantage of new information sources, such as Google or the Semantic Web, and whether these things can help to make them smarter.

Leslie is also Programme Director for the postgraduate MSc in Web Technology and MSc in Web Science.

Our academics

3. Professor Lajos HanzoHead of Communications, Signal Processing and Control research group

Lajos is a renowned academic in the field of telecommunications. During his 36-year career his work has been extensively published and he has organised and chaired many major conferences.

He is a Fellow of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

His research focuses on wireless multimedia communications aiming for flawless telepresence (video conferencing), supported by three-dimensional audio and video communications.

Lajos is Head of the Communications, Signal Processing and Control research group that supports a vibrant MSc Wireless Communications course – a programme that can pave the way towards a doctoral degree within the group for the most devoted researchers.

4. Professor David ShepherdDirector of Physical Sciences and Engineering Graduate School

David leads Physical Sciences and Engineering’s Graduate School that supports students as they embark on their postgraduate research.

He is a Southampton alumnus gaining his PhD in laser physics in 1989. He joined the University’s Optoelectronics Research Centre in 1991 and heads up the Optical Parametric Oscillators group.

David was recently made a Fellow of the Optical Society in recognition of his contributions to the development of solid-state lasers in guided-wave geometries.

5. Professor Michael ButlerHead of the Electronic and Software Systems Group

Michael is Head of the Electronic and Software Systems Group (ESS) that explores the synergy between complex software and hardware systems and optimises the effectiveness of these systems. The group brings together experts in computer science and electronic engineering to enable major advances in the engineering of electronic and software systems.

He is also Chair of Electronics and Computer Science’s (ECS) Diversity Committee that aims to tackle the challenge of promoting and increasing awareness of diversity in ECS particularly focusing on encouraging more women into science.

As a postgraduate student at Southampton, you will be learning from and working with academics at the forefront of their disciplines. Here are just a few of our academics.

Further information

To find out more about ECS people visit www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/people

2 3

54

1


17

As well as pushing the boundaries of knowledge in your chosen field, at Southampton you will have the opportunity to develop the attributes that are vital for success in today’s global employment market.

Record of successWe will provide you with an extensive support network, both during and after University. Whatever career path you decide to follow, you will gain a wealth of skills and experience from Southampton. Our postgraduates have a reputation for excellence and an impressive record of success in entering a wide range of global organisations such as Accenture, NASA, IBM, ARM and research and teaching posts at universities across the world.

Postgraduate study also makes good sense financially: research conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, for its Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey, showed that six months after graduating, average postgraduate salaries in the UK were £5,500 to £7,500 higher than for those with a first degree alone.

Enhancing your careerAt Career Destinations, the University’s dedicated careers service, we offer a range of services including web resources for career development, careers advice, skills workshops and mock interviews.

During your postgraduate degree we will also help you gain the transferable skills – such as independent thinking, problem solving and teamwork – that employers really value. You can also get involved in our student entrepreneurial society that had a winning team in the national Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) competition in 2011. The Southampton team also represented the UK at the SIFE World Cup in Malaysia in October 2011.

In addition, we offer internship and placement opportunities for our students with a wide range of national and international employers. Taking part in an internship scheme will enable you to develop practical skills such as project management and effective communication in the workplace.

Planning your career

Preparing you for career successAs one of the UK’s leading academic research centres, ECS has a strong reputation for the quality of its postgraduate students – for their specialised knowledge at the forefront of innovation, and for their research expertise.

Many PhD graduates will remain in academic research after graduation, taking up positions as research associates or faculty staff in universities around the world. Our PhD graduates are also much in demand by companies where research and innovation is a crucial component of their activity – for example, IBM, ARM, Microsoft Research, Imagination Technologies, Nvidia, Altera, Samsung, Google, Apple, BBC, and Roke are all major employers of our research graduates. Companies operating at the leading-edge of technology are keen to employ our PhD graduates and many work in start-ups developing new technologies for the communications and media industries, finance, electronics, and energy. High-level consultancy is another option for our ECS graduates.

Our MSc programme is intended to deliver expertise to industry in specialised and emerging areas of real need – for example, Web technologies, artificial intelligence, MEMS, and photonics. Graduates from the MSc programme are employed worldwide in leading companies at the forefront of technology. Many MSc graduates will choose to continue their study at PhD level either in the UK, possibly in ECS, or a leading research university elsewhere in the world.

ECS operates a vigorous programme of engagement with employers, including holding our own annual Careers Fair and maintaining a dedicated Careers Hub website. We do all we can to help ensure our graduates get the jobs or research positions they are aiming for.

Further information

To find out more about career opportunities, visit: www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/careers www.southampton.ac.uk/careers

HRH Prince Andrew attended the ECS Engineering and Technology Careers Fair in 2012 to find out how universities are preparing students for employment in key technology sectors. As a trained helicopter pilot he was interested to explore geolocational software for aircraft landing designed by local Southampton company Snowflake Software, including Niha Shaikh (MSc Software Engineering), pictured above.


Choose SouthamptonSouthampton has a long history of pioneering technology in the UK, but is also a thriving modern city, steeped in history and culture. Just over an hour south of London, Southampton has excellent transport links with the rest of the UK.

A lively cityClose to the city centre, the University forms an integral part of this dynamic, multicultural city. Our location offers a vibrant mix of recreation, culture and entertainment – from restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs to cinemas, sports facilities, internationally acclaimed arts venues and one of the south of England’s top shopping centres. The University is next to Southampton Common, a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest with extensive areas of public open space and managed woodland.

Whether you fancy a lunch with friends or dancing into the small hours, Southampton has the right venue. From intimate lounge bars and roof terraces to Leisure World, which houses a casino, bowling alley, several restaurants and bars, a 13-screen cinema and two nightclubs, there is something for everyone. Historic Oxford Street is home to Southampton’s finest restaurants, but wherever you are in the city you will be spoiled for choice, with restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines from

across the globe and catering for every budget. In the city centre you will also find West Quay, one of the south coast’s top shopping centres. Whatever your musical tastes there are great venues in Southampton for live music. The Joiners, for example, is known for up-and-coming bands – Coldplay, Oasis and Radiohead all played there before they were famous. The Guildhall is a multi-purpose venue that stages jazz and rock as well as a range of contemporary and classical music.

Southampton’s thriving port handles in excess of 42 million tonnes of cargo annually. It is the cruise industry capital of northern Europe and is engaged in sustained and continued city centre development that continually strives to improve its already enviable facilities.

A connected cityJust over an hour from central London, Southampton has excellent transport links with the rest of the UK and internationally, by road, rail, sea and air. The city is serviced by two mainline train stations, with direct trains to London Waterloo and within easy reach of the Eurostar at St Pancras International. Southampton Airport offers regular flights to UK and major European destinations. Our own award-winning uni-link bus service connects all Southampton

campuses and halls of residence, the city centre, the airport and both railway stations.

Less than half an hour from Southampton is the New Forest National Park, with vast open heathland and beautiful forest. The resorts of Bournemouth and Poole are just down the coast, while a short ferry ride takes you to the Isle of Wight, which hosts Skandia Cowes Week, the largest and most prestigious international sailing regatta in the world.

A historic citySouthampton has a fascinating history. It was from here in 1415 that Henry V set sail for Agincourt. The Pilgrim Fathers first set sail from here in 1620 on their historic journey to the New World, and the ill-fated Titanic sailed from Southampton in 1912.

Southampton has a rich aviation heritage, with the Spitfire, the fighter aircraft that won the Battle of Britain, developed in the region in the 1930s. As well as an area of outstanding natural beauty, the New Forest has a fascinating history. Created in 1079 by William the Conqueror as an area for hunting deer, it became an important source of timber for the Royal Navy. Today the forest retains many historical rural practices, such as pasturing of ponies, cattle, pigs

and donkeys in the open forest by local inhabitants, known historically as the ‘commoners’.

A modern cityToday, Southampton has one of the biggest commercial ports in Europe, and the city is known across the world as the home of the giant cruise liners, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. Its coastal location means that Southampton offers a vast range of opportunities for sport and leisure, with waterfront marinas and a major focus on water sports, sailing and ocean racing. The city hosts the largest on-water boat show in Europe – the annual Southampton Boat Show.

WinchesterThe historic city of Winchester – England’s ancient capital – is just 12 miles north of Southampton, and is home to the University’s internationally renowned Winchester School of Art. Popular for its bustling shopping streets and spectacular architecture, Winchester is perhaps best known for its 11th century cathedral and the Great Hall, which houses the mysterious Round Table of King Arthur. The city’s rich cultural heritage is complemented by a lively atmosphere and a wide variety of pubs and restaurants, museums, theatres and galleries.

Southampton offers a vibrant mix of recreation, culture and entertainment


20

Campuses

As an ECS student all of your work and lectures will be based at the main Highfield Campus, in the north of Southampton.

Set in green and pleasantly landscaped surroundings, it is just a short walk from the city centre. Here you will find new and refurbished student facilities such as the Students’ Union, the Jubilee Sports Centre, the Hartley Library, a 330-seat Uniplex cinema and three leading arts venues: The Nuffield Theatre, the Turner Sims concert hall and the John Hansard Gallery. There is also a range of cafés and restaurants, a bookshop, a post office and four major banks.

Social life

As a postgraduate student you will automatically become a member of Southampton University’s Students’ Union (SUSU), one of the largest in the UK.

The Students’ Union provides a range of places to eat great food, hear top bands, see the latest films and get information and advice. It organises a diverse range of events and activities and its societies range from the cultural and course-related, to the international, sporting and political.

We work closely with the police and Southampton City Council to promote student safety- an issue we take seriously. So after a great night out, the late night safety bus, provided by SUSU, can take you from Highfield Campus straight to your door.

As an ECS student you will also automatically become a member of the Electronics and Computer Science Society that holds a variety of events throughout the year including academic talks, company and career talks, sports and social events.

There are a range of other ECS societies to choose from: − Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers University

of Southampton student branch − DevECS that gives real-world experience in project

management and development − Student Robotics that runs an annual robotics competition

for sixth-form students − Southampton Open Wireless Network that is aiming to

build a free-to-use wireless network in Southampton − ECS Women that runs a series of invited talks, developmental

activities, informal meetings and external visits to promote women in ECS and support all female students throughout their studies

You can also join one of the other many exciting clubs on offer at the University from snowboarding and mountain biking to photography and philosophy.

JumpStart

The JumpStart programme is a week-long induction event involving social events and meetings with your peers and key staff, that aims to ensure that undergraduate and master’s students settle into ECS, the University and the City of Southampton as quickly as possible.

The Graduate School

Our Graduate School is the centre of a thriving postgraduate research community that supports PhD students during all stages of their research.

Student blogs

Every year a group of ECS students share their thoughts, studies and their lives with the rest of the ECS community through a series of online blogs. Go to www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/blogs to find out more about what your future fellow students have to say.

Accommodation

With 20 halls of residence and first-class facilities it’s no wonder our accommodation is so popular. We have more than 5,000 places in 20 halls that provide a wide range of living arrangements that all offer excellent value for money. Our halls vary in size, character and facilities, but they all provide the same high-quality accommodation in a safe, diverse, inclusive environment. We have accommodation specifically for postgraduates, from standard packages to self-catered studio flats. We also have a limited number of properties suitable for couples and families.

If you are a UK or EU student, we welcome your application for a place in halls, which we allocate subject to availability. If we are unable to offer you a place in halls, we can give you help and advice on securing private rented accommodation.

International Students

If you are a full-time registered international postgraduate student, you are guaranteed an offer in halls for your first year of study, provided that you are unaccompanied, live outside Southampton and we receive your accommodation application by the advertised deadline.

Student life The University of Southampton’s six campuses all offer a friendly, vibrant and diverse atmosphere for work and leisure.

“Southampton is a great place to study, it has a friendly atmosphere, with good academic and pastoral support, excellent facilities and a great careers support service after you graduate to help you get the job you want.”Ghaithaa ManlaStudied MSc and PhD Electronic Engineering

Contact us

University Residences Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 5959 Email: [email protected]/accommodation


22 23

Learning Environment Supporting women in scienceAs a postgraduate student in ECS you will be able to

make us of our excellent state-of-the-art facilities while receiving continuous support throughout your studies.

FacilitiesOur unrivalled world-class facilities are fitted with industry-standard equipment in superb laboratories.

The Mountbatten Building houses one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary cleanroom complexes providing flexible research space for nanotechnology and photonics.

The Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory is one of only a handful of similar facilities in Europe and is an active centre for research into dielectric materials, insulation systems and high voltage related phenomena.

In ECS we are proud to have recently received the Athena Swan Bronze Award recognising our work in tackling the problem of gender inequality in science.

This national achievement refl ects our commitment to ensure women are encouraged into an area that has historically been dominated by men.

In ECS our female academics and students are already showing the success that women can have in the fields of Electronics and Computer science.

Our female academics are world-renowned for their work and research, including our Dean Professor Dame Wendy Hall, a pioneer of the Web, who is dedicated to raising the profile of women in Electronics and Computer Science.

Many of our female students are also accomplishing great things in the fi eld. Syrian-born Ghaithaa Manla is just one of our success stories. She came over to the UK to study her MSc in Electronic Engineering and enjoyed her time at Southampton so much she has stayed. Since then she has completed her PhD, helped other international students settle into Southampton, been Coordinator of women’s networking group Theano and is now a Research fellow in ECS.

Supporting youAs a member of our thriving postgraduate community you will be supported throughout all the stages of your research.

Supervisors and tutors will offer you that one-to-one support while our study areas are flexible to meet your changing needs.

Computer rooms and laboratories have quiet areas and special areas for MSc and PhD students to concentrate on their studies. They also provide student-run servers and offer dedicated helpdesk support. PhD students are given their own desk and computer in a laboratory shared with other members of their research group plus an allowance for the purchase of specialist equipment or travel to conferences.

You will also become a member of our Graduate School that will help you develop your skills as a researcher and provide access to a range of transferable skills.

In ECS we actively promote diversity across our courses. A diversity Committee supports training and career coaching for women, while ECS Women was started by our students to support women across all levels. The group takes an active part in conferences promoting females in science, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, and organises events to improve employability such as self-confi dence building, CV and interview workshops, and network meetings.

ECS was also instrumental in instigating the formation of the University’s theano networking group that aims to promote the advancement of women in science, engineering and technology in higher education. it also regularly takes part in outreach initiatives in schools and colleges such as Think IT with IBM.

Our dedicated MSc Study Computer Lab

ECS alumnus Ghaithaa Manla has been pioneering in her work to encourage women into science

“We replace roughly 1/3 of our PCs each year, so even the oldest machines are still pretty powerful. Our latest machines have just been installed with quad-core Intel Core i7 CPUs, 16GB of RAM, and nVidia GeForce GTX650Ti graphics cards. All the machines have dual 22” monitors, except a few with 27” including with our set of iMacs.”

Andy NewtonECS Student Teaching and Computing Support


25

Our extensive range of taught courses and research programmes will ensure you are a step ahead in the global jobs market.

Programme overview

Our range of programmesAt Southampton we offer a wide range of postgraduate study programmes in Electronics and Computer Science – from one-year taught courses to three- and four-year research-led programmes. All are predominantly offered on a full-time basis but some can also be studied part-time.

A team of supervisors will support you throughout your time at the University, helping you develop your theoretical knowledge, its application, and research skills, acquire a deep knowledge of your chosen field and steer you towards creative and original thinking.

As well as working independently, you will also work as part of a team and as a member of the relevant research group.

MSc programmesOur MSc programmes give you the opportunity to spend a year studying and researching in one of ECS’s strong research areas that are at the forefront of their fields. All of our MSc degrees are in subjects that are highly valued by employers and will offer you the chance to gain skills and expertise ready to take up a position in a key industrial sector, or embark on further postgraduate research.

The one-year taught programmes combine compulsory and taught units over two semesters with examinations at the end of each semester. After successful completion of your examinations you will embark on a research project and dissertation. You will be assigned to a research group and will carry out an independent investigation into a specific problem related to that research area.

PhD programmesOur PhD programmes normally last three or four years and give you the chance to gain rigorous research training using our outstanding facilities and surrounded by enthusiastic and highly committed people from a range of different backgrounds.

Your research project will be linked to one of our six leading research centres or two Doctoral Training Centres and you will be assigned a team of supervisors to support you throughout your studies. You will usually spend the first year registered for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) before progressing on to the PhD for your final two years.

Our Integrated PhD is specially designed for international candidates and offers a one-year, specialist-taught MSc course, followed by a three-year PhD programme.

Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs)Researchers cannot be constrained by the boundaries that separate traditional subject areas. Therefore our innovative approach to research enables our postgraduate students to work effectively across disciplines, creating excellent opportunities for professional development.

Further informationFor more information about our programmes visitwww.ecs.soton.ac.uk/postgraduatetaught/postgraduate_studywww.ecs.soton.ac.uk/phd

“The MSc was challenging and helped develop new analytical and research skills, and the PhD has been an exciting time of solo research. As part of the DTC, I have been lucky enough to travel to a number of different Web Science labs across the world, and also present at a number of international conferences. I have also been involved in a number of research projects, and collaborated with a leading industry partner in online marketing.”Ramine TinatiCurrently finishing PhD Web Science

ECS students get extensive hands-on experience


26 27

Southampton. A centre for world-leading researchWe are proud of our world-leading research groups that have been constantly evolving in response to new technology and new methods. They enable us to combine research expertise across Electronics and Computer Science.

Agents, Interaction and Complexity (AIC)AIC undertakes world-leading research into the science and engineering of complex socio-technical, socio-economic and socio-ecological systems that underpin the most pressing challenges facing society.

Problems as diverse as engineering resilient and sustainable smart infrastructure, or refactoring healthcare systems to cope with demographic change, or anticipating and mitigating the impacts of climate change, all involve building and analysing complex systems. These systems comprise many interacting agents, including people and other organisms, hardware robots and autonomous software agents.

Our research ranges from theoretical modelling of the fundamental nature of such systems, their constituent actors and their dynamics, to the development and deployment of real-world applications, informed by these models. This work draws inspiration and insight from a broad range of related disciplines including biology, economics, psychology, physics, neuroscience and mathematics whose fusion with computer science and electronic engineering provides a vibrant and fundamentally interdisciplinary research culture.

Head of group: Professor Nicholas Jennings www.aic.ecs.soton.ac.uk

Communications, Signal Processing and Control (CSPC)CSPC is a highly numerate group covering much of the central theory in electronics, electrical engineering and computer science.

The group has a rich spread of technological areas such as control, computer vision, signal processing and communications. Its facilities include a biometrics laboratory, a quiet room and experimental production platforms, as well as facilities for computational and sensor capability.

The group’s research focuses on five areas:

− Communications − Computer vision − Artificial intelligence − Control − Signal processing

Head of group: Professor Lajos Hanzo www.cspc.ecs.soton.ac.uk

Electronic and Software Systems (ESS)ESS’s research focuses on the challenge of engineering electronic and software systems covering theoretical foundations, electronic and software engineering methods and systems applications.

Its research on theoretical foundations includes program semantics, logics, programming and modelling languages and statistical analysis.

Its research on engineering methods includes requirements analysis, model-based design, program construction and generation, verification methods and system optimisation. Its tool development work includes tools for formal modelling, model verification, programme verification, simulation, optimisation and testing.

The group applies its foundations, methods and tools to the construction of a range of electronic and software systems, including pervasive systems, embedded systems, distributed systems, healthcare systems, mobile devices and information services.

Head of group: Professor Michael Butler www.ess.ecs.soton.ac.uk

Electronics and Electrical Engineering (EEE)EEE was formed in 2011 combining the Electronic Systems Design and Electrical Power Engineering groups.

It conducts research across a range of areas including advanced materials and devices, energy and power engineering, electronic systems and devices, modelling and simulation, healthcare and medical engineering, sensor networks and embedded systems.

Students and researchers are able to make use of the globally-renowned Tony Davies High Voltage Lab and its state-of-the-art facilities that are supported by a specialist engineering team who are all actively involved in internationally leading research. The lab is an active centre for research into dielectric materials and insulation systems as well as high voltage and related phenomena. It is also a commercial testing house and consultancy service.

Another purpose-built High Voltage Teaching Lab has also recently been opened in the Zepler Building that is an excellent hub for MSc students carrying out research projects.

Head of group: Professor Alun S Vaughan www.eee.ecs.soton.ac.uk

Nano Research GroupThis group focuses on engineering and fabrication from the micro-scale down to the nanometre scale to produce a wide range of novel devices, materials and integrated systems.

This includes the creation and characterisation of nano-electronic systems and the study of bio-inspired devices, which borrows evolutionary solutions from the natural world and applies them to the design of emerging technologies. The Nano Group is part of the Zepler Institute, which manages the Southampton Nanofabrication Centre, a state-of-the-art clean room that provides a flexible capability for a wide range of nano- and bio-nano technologies. Current research topics include spintronic and functional materials, nanophotonics, solar cells, Lab-on-Chip, nanowire sensors, quantum information and MEMS/NEMS devices.

Our research has four main themes:

− post-CMOS devices − integrated smart sensor systems − hybrid biodevices − micro and nanofabrication

Head of group: Professor Hywel Morgan www.nano.ecs.soton.ac.uk

Web and Internet Science (WAIS)WAIS is made up of an interdisciplinary team of people who have dedicated their efforts to better understand the origin, evolution and growth of the World Wide Web and the internet.

The group has a long-standing reputation for research of international excellence in the fields of web and internet science. Members of the group helped to form the web as it is today and are helping to evolve not only its technologies but our understanding of it as an organic human-driven thing including socio-political, economic and legal aspects as well as its use by researchers to further their work.

The group has three research aims:

− to examine the Web and understand its impact on contemporary society

− to explore novel changes that the Web enables in the way we run our lives

− to develop innovative Web services and enhancements to the way that the Web operates in the future

Head of group: Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt www.wais.ecs.soton.ac.uk


28 29

Web Science DTCThe Web Science DTC is funded by the Research Councils UK Digital Economy Programme, and underlines Southampton’s pre-eminence in this new research discipline. Web Science has an ambitious agenda. It is inherently interdisciplinary – as much about social and organisational behaviour as about technology. Its research programme targets the web as a primary focus of attention, adding to our understanding of its architectural principles, its development and growth, its capacity for furthering global knowledge and communication, and its inherent values of trustworthiness, privacy and respect for social boundaries. The first year is a taught MSc and includes short courses and project work tailored to your research interests. This is followed by three years of challenging and original research at PhD level.

Programme structureModules include:

− Foundations of Web Science − Independent Disciplinary Review − Hypertext and Web Technologies for Masters − Computational Thinking − Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods − MSc Project and Dissertation Web Science − Research Methods Group Project − Further Web Science − Interdisciplinary Thinking − Semantic Web for Web Scientists − Social Networking Technologies for Web Science

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Professor Leslie Carr

Start date: late September 2014

Entry requirements: first or high upper second-class honours degree or equivalent

Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each competency

Total intake: In 2013 10 fully funded 4-year scholarship places plus 6 3-year scholarship places were available. To find out about our latest scholarship schemes visit: www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/phdfunding

There are also self-funded place available.

Fees and funding: fully-funded studentships are available for UK applicants. Tuition-only studentships are available for EU residents. International students are welcome to apply but there is no funding available

Career destinations: graduates are prepared to become leaders in the emerging Digital Economy from cybercrime experts to internet law specialists

Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs)PhD (3 years ft)Becoming a PhD research student in ECS ensures your research will take place in a stimulating environment, you will gain rigorous research training, will be able to take advantage of outstanding facilities, and will be surrounded by enthusiastic and highly committed people from a range of different and interesting backgrounds.

We offer a wide range of PhD research themes and projects and many of these are linked to our six world-leading research groups and research centres.

Assessment Assessment is through a thesis

Key informationPhD Admissions Coordinator: Dr Klaus-Peter Zauner

Start date: late September 2014 (but possible throughout the year)

Entry requirements: first or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent


Total intake: 70

Fees and funding: applicants receiving a formal offer are considered (subject to eligibility) for the following studentships – contract scholarships, ECS studentship (full fees and maintenance), EPSRC doctoral training awards

Career destinations: our alumni go on to gain leading positions in academia and industry including with ECS spin-out companies; and postdoctoral and senior positions at leading universities worldwide

Integrated PhD in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering/Electronic Engineering (4 years ft)This programme is specially designed for international candidates and offers a one-year, specialist-taught MSc course, followed by a three-year PhD programme.

We will provide you with the knowledge and skills required for a career as a researcher and teacher, or a career in a public or private research organisation.

Year 1You will get a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

− Advanced theoretical foundations of Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or Electrical Engineering

− Techniques for design and evaluation of computing, electronic and/or electrical systems

− Current important research issues and recent research developments in specialised areas

Years 2-4You will complete a full, PhD-level thesis

AssessmentAssessment in Year 1 is through examinations, projects and dissertation, and in Years 2-4 is through thesis and viva voce examination

Key informationStart date: late September 2014

Entry requirements: first or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent


Total intake: 10

Fees and funding: applicants must be self-funded or have been awarded an external scholarship (there is no ECS funding available for this programme)

Career destinations: our alumni go on to gain leading positions in academia and industry

PhD and Integrated PhD

“PhD graduates from ECS are in strong demand. In my subject area (High Voltage Engineering), the UK has a real skills crisis. Couple this with the strong reputation which Southampton has in this industry and many of our PhD graduates will find themselves with a wide range of career options when they reach the end of their studies.”

James PilgrimStudied BEng and PhD in Electrical Engineering


30 31

MSc Artificial Intelligence (1 year ft)This research-led MSc incorporates traditional and state-of-the-art aspects of artificial intelligence and machine learning, through a contemporary approach which covers the fundamental aspects of traditional symbolic and sub-symbolic aspects.You will gain a range of data analysis skills that are in high demand from the academic research community and a wide range of industrial companies from the biotechnology to finance sectors.

AssessmentAssessment is through examinations and coursework, including a three-month independent research project culminating in a dissertation

Programme structure

Core modules − Intelligent Algorithms − Research Methods in Computing − Evolution of Complexity − Foundations of Artificial Intelligence − Independent Research Review − MSc Project and Dissertation

Optional modules − Knowledge Technologies − Robotic Systems − Computer Vision − Machine Learning − Semantic Web Technologies − Advanced Machine Learning − Computational Finance − Advanced Computer Vision − Biologically-Inspired Robotics

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Dr Richard Watson


Entry requirements: upper second class honours degree or higher or equivalent in an appropriate subject discipline such as mathematics, physics, engineering or computer science


Total intake: 350 (across all programmes)

Fees and funding: www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/mscmoney

Career destinations: our graduates go on to gain jobs in both the academic and industrial sectors such as bioinformatics, chemoinformatics, financial services and web applications

MSc Cyber Security (1 year ft)Cyber security has emerged to be a topic of critical importance to commercial and academic organisations, to governments, and to their citizens. This MSc offers a multidisciplinary programme aimed to address the shortage of skilled practitioners of cyber security, in particular those who have a well-rounded, multi-disciplinary view of the subject area, by embracing not only technical subjects but also aspects of risk management, law, criminology and other social factors.The programme is primarily a broadening qualification for computer science graduates, but is also one that may appeal to suitable graduates from other disciplines. Where possible, the MSc dissertation/project is conducted in conjunction with an industrial partner.

AssessmentAssessment is through examinations, coursework and a dissertation/project

Programme structure

Core modules − Foundations of Cyber Security − Applied Cyber Security − Cyber Crime − Management of Corporate Security − Corporate Risk Management Processes − Research Methods and Project Preparation − Internet Law

Optional modules − Secure Systems − Cryptography − Criminal Behaviour − Biometrics − Project Risk Management

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Dr Tim ChownStart date: late September 2014Entry requirements: upper second class honours degree or higher or equivalent in an appropriate subject discipline such as mathematics, physics, engineering or computer scienceLanguage requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each competencyTotal intake: 350 (across all programmes)Fees and funding: www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/mscmoneyCareer destinations: this programme provides an excellent platform for either immediate employment in the cyber security field or further research in industry or academia

MSc Software Engineering (1 year ft)Engineering high quality, secure and reliable software systems has never been so challenging. The modern world is driven by an astonishing variety of interconnected software, from phone apps to systems that control critical utilities and infrastructure.

At Southampton we produce sought-after graduates who can create the next generation of software systems and who go on to work with some of the world’s biggest technology companies. The course features core modules that focus on rigorous development methods for high quality software. We also offer a wide range of optional modules taught by leading experts as well as the opportunity to engage in a substantial research project.

AssessmentAssessment is through examinations, coursework and dissertation

Programme structure

Core modules − Research Methods in Computing − Agile and Object Oriented Development − Safety Critical Systems − Software Project Management and Quality Assurance − Formal Design of Systems − MSc Project and Dissertation

Optional modules − Intelligent Algorithms − Enterprise Web Development − Topics on Web Services − Types and Programming Languages − Hypertext and Web Technologies for Masters − Advanced Web Development − Assistive Technologies and Universal Design − Applications of Security in Information Technology − Intelligent Agents − Semantic Web Technologies − Aspect-Oriented Programming to Program Generation − Advanced Machine Learning − Social Networking Technologies − Cryptography − E-Business Strategy

Key information − Programme Coordinator: Dr Julian Rathke


Entry requirements: first degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related subject. You should also have programming experience and be familiar with modern software development techniques




Career destinations: our students go on to work in software engineering research or advanced software development projects

Computer Science and Software Engineering MSc Programmes

“After my MSc in software engineering I went on to study the topic at PhD level. The interest I developed while studying was helped by the guidance and support available from the faculty members. Yet, other factors including ECS’s ranking among the top schools in the UK, the beautiful Highfield campus, with all the facilities provided by the University and the vibrant city of Southampton also played a part.”

Ali GondalMSc Software Engineering


32 33

MSc Web Technology (1 year ft)This programme is taught by leading experts and covers the current and emerging technologies supporting web-based software systems. You will explore the social and collaborative applications of the Web, as well as the semantic web.

There is also the chance to study the foundations of the Web, its architecture and the principles of the social and semantic web, as well as their applications in e-business, security, cryptography, intelligent agents, interaction design, and mobile applications.

MSc Web Technology is complementary to the MSc Web Science. Whereas web technologists are expected to program the Web, web scientists are expected to analyse the Web and its human impact.


Programme structure

Core modules − Enterprise Web Development − Research Methods in Computing − Topics on Web Services

− Hypertext and Web Technologies for Masters − Assistive Technologies and Universal Design − Applications of Security in Information Technology − Semantic Web Technologies − MSc Project and Dissertation

Optional modules − Advanced Web Development − Intelligent Agents − Social Networking Technologies − Innovation and Technology Transfer − E-Business Strategy − Rich Internet Applications



Entry requirements: upper second class honours degree in computer science, software engineering or a closely related discipline. You are also expected to have programming experience and be familiar with a modern programming language and at least one modern web development technology




Career destinations: this programme provides an excellent platform for further research in either industry, the digital economy or academia

MSc Systems, Control and Signal ProcessingThis programme focuses on core areas such as signal processing, with specialisms in control and systems theory, image processing and machine learning. You will develop skills that are sought after by the academic research industry, as well as the biotech, financial services, systems engineering and medical imaging industries.

The high mathematical content and strong computational-base of the programme will help you build good transferable skills in algorithmic development and programming.


Programme structure

Core modules − Intelligent Algorithms − Control Systems Design − Research Methods − Signal Processing − Image Processing − Project Preparation − Advanced Systems and Signal Processing − MSc Project and Dissertation

Optional modules − Machine Learning − Computational Finance − Computational Finance A − Digital Control System Design − Advanced Computer Vision

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Dr Bing Chu






Career destinations: this programme provides an excellent platform for further research in either industry or academia

MSc Web Science (1 year ft)Web Science analyses the impact of the Web on business, government, law and science itself. Pioneered as a joint initiative by the University of Southampton’s Electronics and Computer Science in the UK and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the USA, Web Science uses multidisciplinary techniques to explore the impact of the Web on all aspects of human society, from the individual right through to a global scale.

This high-level course investigates both the engineering techniques and technologies that are used to build the Web and also the analytical techniques from economics, psychology, law and sociology that show how it is changing society.

MSc Web Science is complementary to the MSc Web Technology. Whereas web technologists are expected to program the Web, web scientists are expected to analyse the Web and its human impact.


Programme structure

Core modules − Foundations of Web Science − Independent Disciplinary Review − Hypertext and Web Technologies for Masters − Computational Thinking − Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods − Research Methods Group Project − Further Web Science − Interdisciplinary Thinking − Semantic Web for Web Scientists − Social Networking Technologies for Web Science − MSc Project and Dissertation



Entry requirements: first degree in any of computer science, information technology, mathematics, a social science or the humanities




Career destinations: this programme provides an excellent platform for further research in either industry, the digital economy or academia

“Web Science was perfect for me – I graduated with a BSc in Computer Science from Southampton having transferred from Applied Social Sciences, so the combination of social and technical topics brought all my interests together. The Web is such a prevalent part of everyday life that it was obvious that it was a great opportunity to really start to understand the effect it is having, which will be a unique expertise that I can take forward into my future career.”

Chris Phethean Web Science PhD Student Now works for TIBCO Software Inc.


34 35

MSc Bionanotechnology (1 year ft)Bionanotechnology is an important and distinct specialisation of nanotechnology and is the functional integration of nanofabricated structures biological molecules and microsystems.Research and investment in bionanotechnology is driven across disciplinary divides by engineering, physics, chemistry, the life sciences and medicine, to produce the next generation of biosensors, Point of Care medical diagnostic devices and in-situ environmental sensing. You will learn the fundamentals of this multidisciplinary field and how to design and build the next generation of groundbreaking biodevices.


Programme structureCore modules

− Introduction to BioNanotechnology − Research Methods − Lab on a Chip − Microfabrication − Nanofabrication and Characterisation − Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory Project − Biosensors − Project Preparation − MSc Project

Optional modules − Integrated Circuit Design − Nanoelectronic Devices − Introduction to MEMS − Photonic Devices − Instrumentation and Sensors − Logic and Quantum Devices − MEMS Laboratory Project − Nanoelectronics Laboratory Project − Memory & Spintronic Devices − MEMS Sensors & Actuators

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Dr Nicolas Green





Fees and funding: www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/mscmoneyCareer destinations: this programme provides an excellent platform for further research in either industry or academia

MSc Energy and Sustainability with Electrical Power Engineering (1 year ft)In order to design and develop our future energy networks, we must have knowledge and understanding of the current infrastructure. This MSc course considers aspects of sustainable energy generation and the issues concerned with bulk electrical energy transport to the ultimate user.

You will get a solid grounding in generation, transmission and distribution engineering, as well as considering the wider issues of energy, renewable generation and sustainability.


Programme structure

Compulsory modules − Major MSc project − Power Systems Analysis − Conventional Generation Technology − Transmission and Distribution − Fundamental Principles of Energy − Research Methods & Project Preparation

Optional modules − Advanced Electrical Materials − High Voltage Insulation Systems − Power Electronics for DC Transmission − Nuclear Energy Technology − Advanced Photovoltaics − Electrochemical Energy Conversion: Modern Batteries − Renewable Energy from the Environment

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Dr Paul Chappell


Entry requirements: first class honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject discipline such as engineering, physics or applied mathematics




Career destinations: this programme provides an excellent base for students considering a career in the electrical power industry

MSc MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) (1 year ft)Electronic technologies have evolved to the extent that modern device features are measured in nanometres. As a result many new device concepts, fabrication methods and characterisation techniques have emerged.

This programme exploits the techniques developed by the microelectronics industry to produce micron-scale mechanical devices such as accelerometers and micropumps on silicon wafers.


Programme structure

Core modules − Introduction to MEMS − Research Methods − Lab on a Chip − Microfabrication − Independent Research Review − Instrumentation and Sensors − MEMS Laboratory Project − MEMS Sensors and Actuators − MSc Project

Optional modules − Integrated Circuit Design − Introduction to Bionanotechnology − Nanoelectronic Devices − Photonic Devices − Nanofabrication and Characterisation − Bionanotechnology Laboratory Project − Logic and Quantum Devices − Nanoelectronics Laboratory Project − Memory and Spintronic Devices − Biosensors

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Professor Steve Beeby







Electrical and Electronic Engineering MSc Programmes

“The Nano group is one of the best places to study Nano-electronics and Nano-engineering while ECS is leading the world in its research disciplines. The teaching materials are taken directly from the latest research. Studying here means you learn up to date techniques being widely used in both industry and research. You will gain valuable experiences using the latest techniques and facilities that will help in your future career or further postgraduate education.”

Yudong WangStudied MSc NanotechnologyCurrently studying PhD in Nanotechnology


36 37

MSc Microelectronics Systems Design (1 year ft)The field of microelectronic systems design embodies many of the key skills relating to integrated circuit design and electronic systems engineering. Our cutting-edge programme produces highly regarded graduates that are sought after by commercial enterprises and universities worldwide.

The course examines aspects of system integration and discrete device properties and is an excellent platform for further research in the Nano group and the Electronics and Electrical Engineering group.


Programme structure

Core modules − Integrated Circuit Design − Nanoelectronic Devices − Digital Integrated Circuit Design − Research Methods − Digital System Design − VLSI Design Project − MSc Project

Optional modules − Nanofabrication and Characterisation − Analogue and Mixed Signal CMOS design − Digital Systems Synthesis − Integrated Radio Frequency Transceiver Design − Medical Electrical and Electronic Technology − Logic and Quantum Devices − MEMS Laboratory Project − Nanoelectronics Laboratory Project − MEMS Sensors and Actuators

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Dr Peter Wilson







MSc Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology (1 year ft)Nanoelectronics and nanotechnology include making commercially available logic and memory devices such as MOSFETs, SRAM, FLASH and hard disk drives that are only a few tens of nanometres long. This programme looks at developing new materials and effects that exploit the quantum mechanical nature of devices at that scale.You will learn about device operation and will also gain a strong grounding in how to make and characterise these devices.


Programme structureCore modules

− Nanoelectronic Devices − Research Methods − Lab on a Chip − Microfabrication − Nanofabrication and Characterisation − Logic and Quantum Devices − Nanoelectronics Laboratory Project − Memory and Spintronic Devices − Project Preparation − MSc Project

Optional modules − Integrated Circuit Design − Introduction to Bionanotechnology − Introduction to MEMS − Photonic Devices − Bionanotechnology Laboratory Project − Instrumentation and Sensors − MEMS Laboratory Project − MEMS Sensors and Actuators − Biosensors

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Dr Nicolas Green





Fees and funding: www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/mscmoneyCareer destinations: this programme provides an excellent platform for further research in either industry or academia

MSc System on a Chip (1 year ft)Systems in mobile telephones, computers, cars and aircraft are shrinking, with many parts of the design now implemented as a single integrated circuit. This course will give you the rapidly changing skills to support this.

You will focus on system-on-chip design techniques from conception to implementation, with extensive practical use of cutting-edge and industry-standard tools and methods.


Programme structure

Core modules − Digital Integrated Circuit Design − Research Methods − System on Chip Design Techniques − SoC EDA (Electronic Design Automation) principles

and practice − Digital System Design − VLSI Design Project − MSc Project

Optional modules − Formal Design of Systems − Nanofabrication and Characterisation − Analogue and Mixed Signal CMOS Design − Radio Communication Networks and Systems − Digital Systems Synthesis − Cryptography − Integrated Radio Frequency Transceiver Design − Medical Electrical and Electronic Technology − Logic and Quantum Devices − MEMS Laboratory Project − Nanoelectronics Laboratory Project − MEMS Sensors and Actuators

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Dr Peter Wilson








38 39

MSc Wireless Communications (1 year ft)This popular and intensive programme is taught in our world-leading Communications, Signal Processing and Control group that has made great advances on communications and information theory.

It is aimed at developing students’ technical skills and knowledge in wireless communications and mobile networks to an advanced level.


Programme structure

Core modules − Digital Transmission − Research Methods − Radio Communications Engineering − Signal Processing − Wireless and Mobile Networks − MSc Project and Dissertation

Optional modules − Radio Communication Networks and Systems − Personal Multimedia Communications − Cryptography − Integrated Radio Frequency Transceiver Design

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Professor Lie-Liang Yang







European Masters in Embedded Computing Systems (EMECS) (2 years)This two-year programme is run in conjunction with Kaiserslautern University and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology at Trondheim. Students will benefit from Southampton’s expertise in system-on-chip and electronics; Trondheim’s knowledge of electronics and communications; and Kaiserslautern’s strong track record in embedded systems.

The course consists of a core programme, an elective programme and a masters thesis. The core programme covers the fundamentals of embedded computing systems and is the same in all three institutions, while the elective programme reflects the specific profiles of the participating partner university and its associated research institute.

AssessmentTwo-year masters (120 ECTS credits) pursued at two of the three participating institutions; students spend one year at each of their selected universities and receive a joint degree from the respective institutions; language of instruction is English

Key informationCourse Leader: Dr Peter Wilson


Entry requirements: first degree (upper second-class degree or equivalent) in electrical and computer engineering, computer science and related disciplines


Duration: two years

Applying: http://mundus.eit.uni-kl.de

Closing date: January

Funding: scholarships available

Fees: [email protected]

Career destinations: our graduates go on to work as architects of hardware and/or software systems, or as specialists in design methodology or gain employment in companies involved in system-on-chip design, telecommunications, automotive systems and manufacturing

MSc by ResearchThis is an innovative, research-oriented degree delivered at the same academic level as our taught Masters (Msc).

One-third of the degree is taught, and includes technical modules that are freely drawn from across the whole spectrum of ECS MSc postgraduate courses in this brochure. The remainder of the course is dedicated to an individual research project, working directly with your supervisor and based in one of the specialised ECS research groups (See page 26- 27).

AssessmentAssessment is through examination, coursework and dissertation. MSc by Research students take 60 credits of taught modules, by agreement with their supervisor, and an extended 120 credit research project. These must be completed within 12 months of enrollment.

Programme structure

The MSc Research programme is available as one of three themes:

− MSc Research Computer Science − MSc Research Electronic Engineering − MSc Research Electrical Engineering

The programme will provide you with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

− Advanced theoretical foundations of Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or Electrical Engineering

− Techniques for design and evaluation of computing, electronic and/or electrical systems

− Current important research issues and recent research developments in specialised areas

Key informationProgramme Coordinator: Kees de Groot. Each student will then be allocated a supervisoraccording to their specific programme of study.

Start date: February 2014

Entry requirements: Our normal entry requirement is a first-class or upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline, such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related subject. Applications are only taken into account when all requirements have been met.



Fees and funding: MSc by Research is an advantage for students who have funding lined up for a phD. www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/mscmoney

Career destinations: This programme provides a stepping stone to a PhD, or can lead directly to an research and development career in industry.

“I worked as a systems designer before coming to study an MSc Wireless Communications. The faculty is very helpful and the staff’s doors are always open to students. Lectures introduce you to the topics while your own research completes the details. This is ideal because you can find topics which interest you most so you can become an expert in specific technologies, which is what employers are looking for.”

Alper AkarsuMSc Wireless Communications

Other MSc Programmes


40 41

General entry requirements

To apply for postgraduate study you must satisfy our general entry requirements and any specific requirements of your chosen programme. As well as academic qualifications and practical experience, we look for evidence of your interest in the course and an understanding of the rigorous demands of postgraduate study.

How to apply

Applications for research and taught programmes are made using our online application form.

Most programmes also have additional application requirements and some have specific application deadlines related to teaching timetables and funding opportunities. These are set out online at www.southampton.ac.uk/pgapply

Admissions policy

1. The University of Southampton will: − recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds,

who we believe have the potential to complete their programmes successfully and make a valuable contribution to university life

− attract applicants who enjoy the challenge of forward thinking, the excitement of research findings in their programmes and the high standards of learning and teaching we set ourselves

− foster a diverse learning community in which our students will meet people from different cultures, thereby enhancing their skills of critical reasoning, teamwork and communication, and thus preparing them for successful participation in their chosen careers and roles

2. The University is committed to a system of admissions that ensures fairness, transparency and equal opportunities within the legal framework of the UK and best practice. All reasonable effort will be made to ensure that no prospective or existing student is unreasonably treated less favourably on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender, marital or parental/carer status, political belief or social or economic class, or any other type of discrimination.

Tuition fees and funding

The University offers help and advice on funding for prospective postgraduate students. You will need to pay annual tuition fees to the University for your programme of study. These vary according to the type of programme you choose. Fees charged for full-time, non-EU international students include the full cost of tuition, examinations, Students’ Union membership and research support expenses, where applicable.

Tuition fees for 2014/15 students will be announced as soon as possible on our website.

MSc Fees

UK/EU (2013/14) full-time £5,940; International students (2013/14) full-time £16,590

Latest information: www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/mscmoney

PhD Fees

UK/EU (2013/14) full-time £3,900; International students (2013/14) full-time £18,270

Latest information: www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/phdmoney

ECS receives various funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). It is possible to apply to research councils directly. For more information visit: www.epsrc.ac.uk

The University also receives high levels of funding from external bodies specifically for postgraduate researchers. We also offer a wide variety of postgraduate scholarships and bursaries across the University for UK/EU and international students. For more details, visit our website www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/feesandfunding www.southampton.ac.uk/intscholarships

Details of current PhD and EngD studentships are advertised on the University’s job opportunities web page, see www.southampton.ac.uk/jobopps

International Office

Staff from our International Office attend educational exhibitions around the world as well as making numerous visits overseas and to colleges in the UK. Face-to-face contact is the best way of getting to know the University, so if you are unable to visit us in Southampton, make sure that you book an appointment to meet us at one of the exhibitions. For full details of locations and timings of our overseas visits, please contact the International Office.

We provide advice and information to anyone who is considering applying to Southampton. Our aim is to make the process of joining the University as simple as possible. Visit our website, which has information available in many languages, for an introduction to the University.

Welcoming our international students

Before leaving home and arriving in the UK, there are a number of things you should do to prepare for university life. These include having the right documentation, filling in forms and registering for various services and programmes. Make sure you read our information for international students on our website, or contact the International Office for advice.

International and EU Welcome Programme

We encourage all new international and EU postgraduates to register for our Welcome Programme, specifically designed for international and EU students. This takes place in September each year and includes general events to introduce you to our facilities, subject-specific events to begin your academic induction, and a range of social and cultural activities. The programme offers practical information and presents an opportunity to meet staff and other students.

On certain dates before the beginning of the academic year, we arrange to meet new international students from London Heathrow Airport (Meet and Greet Service). Our representatives will be there to meet you and transport you directly to the University for the Welcome Programme. www.southampton.ac.uk/welcome

Support

We have three specialist academic advisors, whose role is to support our international students with their studies. The Students’ Union Advice Centre also provides cultural and personal support.

Split-site PhD

Sometimes it may be possible to arrange split-site PhDs. This involves spending a minimum of 12 months in the UK and the remaining time in your home country.

Visas

Before you come to study in the UK, it is essential that you find out about the UK’s immigration procedures and how they will affect you. Our website provides information on student visas, police registration, working in the UK and links to other useful websites. www.southampton.ac.uk/visas

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate that you have reached a satisfactory standard in an approved English language test achieved in the past two years. If you need to improve your English language skills, you can apply to our pre-sessional English language courses. For more information on general English language requirements please visit our website.

Typical English entry requirements for ECS postgraduate taught courses are:

− IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in all competencies − TOEFL paper-based test 580 overall − TOEFL internet-based test 92 overall

Typical English entry requirements for ECS postgraduate research programmes are:

− IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all components − TOEFL paper-based test 553 overall − TOEFL internet-based test 81 overall

Applying and funding International postgraduatesYou may need funding confirmation before registering as a postgraduate student. Contact our admissions office for information about awards from research councils and other sponsors that may be currently available.

The University has a thriving international community. In 2011/12 we welcomed over 5,000 EU and international students from more than 130 countries.

Contact us

MSc enquiriesTel: +44 (0)23 8059 [email protected]

PhD enquiriesTel: +44 (0)23 8059 [email protected]

Contact us

International Office Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 9699 Email: [email protected]

www.southampton.ac.uk/international


4342

How to get here Find out more

Relevant web links are shown throughout this brochure. Please also consult www.southampton.ac.uk/ecs online for further details and/or any changes which have appeared since first publication of the Electronics & Computer Science Postgraduate programmes 2014 or phone +44 (0)23 8059 2969 for more information.

DisclaimerThe University of Southampton will use all reasonable efforts to deliver advertised programmes and other services and facilities in accordance with the descriptions set out in its prospectuses, student handbooks, welcome guides and website. It will provide students with the tuition, learning support, services and facilities so described with reasonable care and skill.

The University, therefore, reserves the right if it considers it to be necessary to alter the timetable, location, content or method of delivery of events provided such alterations are reasonable.

Financial or other lossesThe University will not be held liable for any direct or indirect financial or other losses or damage arising from changes made to the event timetable, location, content or method of delivery of various services and facilities set out herein.

Force majeureThe University will not be held liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from any delay, variation or failure in the provision of services and facilities set out herein, arising from circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control, including (but not limited to) war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, interruption in power supplies or other services for any reason, fire, boycott and telecommunications failure.

In the event that such circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the University arise, it will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise disruption as far as it is practical to do so.

© University of Southampton 2013This information can be made available, on request, in alternative formats such as electronic, large print, Braille or audio tape, and in some cases, other languages. Please call +44 (0)23 8059 7726 to request an alternative format.

www.ecs.soton.ac.uk

Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering Electronics and Computer Science University of Southampton Highfield Campus Southampton SO17 1BJ

MSc enquiries UK and EU ECS MSc enquiries: [email protected] Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 2630

International ECS MSc enquiries: [email protected] Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 9699

PhD enquiries All ECS PhD enquiries: [email protected] Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 2882

For the International Office: www.southampton.ac.uk/international

For the Accommodation Office: www.southampton.ac.uk/accommodation

For the Students’ Union: www.susu.org

By roadSouthampton M3 – exit M3 at junction 14, following signs for Southampton (A33). Follow the A33 into Bassett Avenue and follow map/signs to University campuses.

M27 (west or east) – leave M27 at junction 5 (Southampton Airport) and follow map/signs to University campuses.

Winchester M3 – exit M3 at junction 9 or 10.

By railFast trains from London including Gatwick and Bournemouth/Weymouth stop at Winchester, Southampton Central and Southampton Airport Parkway. Trains from Portsmouth and Bristol/South Wales stop at Southampton Central. The uni-link U1 bus service runs between Southampton Central and Southampton Airport Parkway via the University.

By coachThere is a regular National Express coach service from the central bus station at Heathrow airport to Southampton some of which stop at the University of Southampton’s Highfield Interchange.

Southampton’s main coach station is at Western Esplanade, in the city centre. uni-link U1 buses connect the University’s Southampton campuses and the city centre.

By airSouthampton Airport is about 20 minutes from the Southampton campuses by bus or taxi. There is a full UK domestic service, as well as flights to mainland Europe and the Channel Islands.


university of southampton ecs postgraduate prospectus 2014

Documents

web science

research programmes

computer science ecswelcome

engineering msc programmes

postgraduate programmes

annual ecs engineering

eu ecs msc enquiries

future world