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Electronic and Computer Engineering

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Entry Points (2017)
444

Course Overview

Electronics and Computing Engineering is a course that aims to integrate two separate engineering fields to meet the joint demands made by the electronics and computer industries in today's world. This programme combines coursework in different aspects of both fields over four years, with an emphasis on the design of computing systems. Electronics and computers, and their joint applications, are playing an ever-increasing role in our lives as Information Communications Technology (ICT), with everything from consumer goods to space shuttles using electronic hardware (circuits) and computer software integrated together. The increased use of ICT in every aspect of our lives ensures the continued relevance of this area of engineering.

Companies who design integrated electronics and computer systems require engineers who possess the software skills to complement traditional electronic hardware skills. The Electronic and Computing Engineering degree programme has been developed in response to these industry demads to develop students' hardware and software engineering skills in an integrated way and the analytical powers to apply them jointly.
Graduates of this course are ideally placed to pursue their specialism in ICT, which has wide applicability both nationally, with many indigenous technology companies and the multinational sector, and internationally. With the exponential development of ICT technologies worldwide, graduates will be at the forefront of people being employed in this area.
 
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Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science) or Technology, and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes. 

Additional Requirements

Students must obtain a minimum of Grade H4 in the Higher Level Leaving Certificate paper in Mathematics or, alternatively, obtain a pass in the Engineering Maths Qualifying Examination (held in the University).

For A-Levels: A minimum of Grade C in Mathematics is required
Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2018

A Level Grades (2017)

AAA or equivalent combination

Average intake

20

Closing Date

Next start date

September 2018

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY406

PAC code

Course Outline

Year 1

  • Engineering Calculus
  • Engineering Mathematical Methods
  • Engineering Mechanics
  • Engineering Chemistry
  • Engineering Physics
  • Fundamentals of Engineering
  • Engineering Graphics
  • Engineering Design
  • Engineering Computing

Year 2

  • Engineering Calculus
  • Engineering Algebra
  • Applied Maths I & II
  • Computer Programming
  • Electrical Circuits and Systems I & II
  • Analogue Systems Design
  • Operating Systems
  • Engineering Statistics
  • Engineering Numerical Analysis
  • Laboratory Exercises
  • Fundamentals of Electromagnetic Theory
  • Microprocessor Systems Engineering
  • Digital Systems I

Year 3

  • Embedded Systems
  • Application Programming
  • Communications Systems Engineering
  • Signals and Communications
  • Professional Studies
  • Business Management and Finance
  • Project and laboratory work
  • Engineering Electromagnetics
  • Infrastructure for Embedded Systems Programming
  • Digital Systems II
  • Laboratory exercise

Year 4

  • Advanced RF Engineering Electromagnetics
  • Applied Software Engineering
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Digital Systems Design and VHDL
  • Object-Oriented Programming
  • Telecommunications Software Applications
  • Plus a choice from a number of other courses
    • Graphics and Image Processing
    • Semiconductor Technology 
    • Electronic & Computer Engineering Project
    • Laboratory exercises

Year 5 - Optional

Follow chosen course of Engineering to Masters level.

Details for Masters level can be found here.

Students can choose from a number of advanced technology modules such as: signal and image processing, embedded systems, communications technologies, sensor systems, the Internet of Things, advanced system-on-chip design and artificial intelligence.

A range of Engineering Transferable Skills modules enable students to develop skills in business, innovation, regulatory and research methods, while also providing options in advanced mathematical techniques and information technology. These modules will prepare students for lifelong learning and development in a professional engineering career, either in industry or in a research environment. 

The programme will run over nine months from September–May, aligned with the academic year. It will consist of 60 ECTS divided into advanced Electronic & Computer technology modules, engineering transferable skills modules and a 20 ECTS individual project defined in one of the following research areas: signal and image processing, embedded systems, communications systems, consumer electronics, and biomedical electronics. 

Advanced Technology Modules provide students with a range of electronic & computing technology topics designed to complement proposed research project areas such as: signal and image processing, embedded systems, sensor systems for biomedical applications, communications systems, automotive applications, the Internet of Things, and advanced system-on-chip technologies.

A range of Engineering Transferable Skills modules enable students to develop skills in business, innovation, regulatory and research methods, while also providing options in advanced mathematical techniques and information technology as necessary. These modules will prepare students for lifelong learning and development in a professional engineering career, either in industry or in a research environment. 

The Electronic & Computer Engineering Project combines students’ technical experience in advanced electronic & computer engineering with professional skills of project management, report writing and presentation skills, where students will work to design and implement a system using advanced technologies and techniques. All projects will include components of design, modelling, analysis, prototyping and testing, building on current state-of-art technologies as identified in commercial and academic literature. In addition to technical development towards a demonstrator system, project deliverables will include an oral presentation, submission of a research abstract and presentation of a research poster at NUI Galway’s Research Day and a professionally written technical report. Efforts will be made to identify an industrial partner for each project.

Further Education

Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, suitably qualified students have the option to enrol and continue their studies to Masters or PhD level.

Students can advance to Masters level (ME) through our one year taught Masters programme (September-June) that builds on the successful completion of their undergraduate programme, subject to a sufficient standard (2nd Class Honours minimum). This programme is an integrated follow-on to the BE programme and is designed to meet Engineers Ireland’s criterion for Level 9 degrees, providing graduates with a route to Chartered Engineering status that will be recognised worldwide.

Masters degree education is becoming increasingly the norm internationally in Engineering, and this programme strengthens the ability of our graduates to compete nationally and internationally at the highest level for employment in industry and other sectors of the economy.

In our PhD programme, students develop highly innovative state-of the-art solutions to current problems in Electronic & Computer Engineering, particularly in technologies such as signal and image processing, embedded systems and communications. Many PhD students work closely with industry on the research and development of solutions in a diverse range of applications such as: automotive, biomedical, environmental, aerospace, energy and the Internet of Things.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Completing the NUI Galway/Engineers Ireland-accredited BE degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering offers a passport to national and international career opportunities in the wide and diverse range of industries, utilities and other organisations that use electronic and computer engineering expertise. This includes such areas as electronic system design, medical systems, healthcare, networking and distributed computing, telecommunications, automotive electronics, industrial automation, consumer electronics, broadcasting, management information systems and energy management systems. ICT expertise offers you the prospect of doing research or working in industry in these interesting, exciting and challenging areas.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

The Professional Experience Programme offers placement opportunities for students, who, in their third year, will undertake an eight month (January - August) off-campus work placement following completion of that year's study. If no external placement is available, students will be given projects on campus.

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,492 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Tuition

€4,268 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Non EU

€13,750 p.a. 2017/18
EU Fees 2017/18:
- Tuition: may be paid by the Irish Government on your behalf if you qualify for free tuition fees see - free fee initiative.
- Student Contribution: €3,000 - payable by all students but may by paid by SUSI if you apply and are deemed eligible for a means tested SUSI grant.
- Student Levy:  €224 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.

Find out More

Mary Costello
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
T +353 91 492 728
F +353 91 494 511
E mary.costello@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics

What Our Students Say

Shane

Shane Tuohy |   BE (Electronic and Computer)

..I'm studying Electronic and Computer Engineering and loving it. The department here is very well kitted out. The equipment in the labs is just top class and the lab technicians are amazingly helpful, they truly go out of their way to sort you out. The lecturers are friendly and definitely know their stuff. As part of the course you get to work on genuinely interesting projects and use cutting edge technologies. A great feature of the course is the five month PEP (Professional Experience Programme) in third year. I've learnt so much about how what I learn in lectures applies to the real world and what is expected of an Electronic Engineer in the field. Plus, I've made a bit of money for next year!...

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