Modular MSc Courses


Background

From September 1995 the University divided its teaching into two 15-week semesters plus a summer project period.

The Department decided to take this oportunity to modularise its long standing and successful MSc courses so as to allow students to more closely tailor their courses to their vocational needs

Each module is a unit of teaching and assessment and carries a certain number of credits. A typical module consists of a series of lectures, example classes, usually some course-work, and an examination, all within a 15-week semester. However, there are many variations on this theme (see our short courses). Module assessment results in a percentage mark for the student. A student proceeds through the course by taking chosen modules until enough credits are accumulated. Then "the chips are cashed in" for a degree. The number of credits and the overall mark determines the type of award; the actual modules determine the award title.

An MSc requires 120 credits - Post Graduate Diplomas require 80.

For the MSc a certain number of credits must have been obtained from a project or dissertation - generally 40 such credits are needed though special arrangements exist for those taking the course part-time.


Entrance Requirements

The various taught MSc courses are intended to supplement a previous first degree education in Electronic Engineering or a related subject - however the university welcomes applications from those with other qualifications and/or industrial experience.

The courses will provide a specialised knowledge and training beyond that normally encountered in a first degree course and are intended to be suitable for new graduates wishing to specialise or for older graduates who need to update or to make a career change into a new specialism.

The courses are not intended for graduates of non-scientific disciplines, but good honours graduates of mathematics, physical sciences and engineering disciplines should all be suitable.

University regulations generally require the possession of a B.Eng (or equivalent) at a 2.ii level or better - other qualifications such as C.Eng are also acceptable.

For graduates from a non-UK university system some approximate equivalents are:

For other qualifications please enquire.

If your native language is not English then you must also hold one of the following qualifications:

Qualification Minimum level
Cambridge Proficiency Grade C
GCE Ordinary Level Grade C
British Council IELTS Band 6,0
TOEFL 550
The University English Language Institute run a number of short courses prior to the start of the Semester to improve your English.

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Full-time Study

Full-time students register for 120 credits over a period of 12 months from September. Most pathways require a selection of eight modules from the list of about 20 - however time-tabling and various prerequisites may restrict the choice. Students also undertake a project corresponding to some 500 hours of work which is submitted at the end of August.


Part-time Study

Part-time students register for less than 120 credits within any one academic year. There is a range of options - one day a week release will allow completion of the modules within 2 years; half-day release will allow completion within 4 years.

We also intend to offer many of the modules as short 1 week courses which can be taken any time (subject to prerequisites) within a 4 year period.

Project work should be done within industry and may be started after successful completion of 3 modules.

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Pathways

We have specified certain 'pathways' which, in our opinion, provide a coherent set of modules - these pathways, which lead to specific degree titles, are based on the MSc courses offered over the last ten years or more. If you present a choice of modules outside of one of these pathways then you will be awarded an MSc in Electronic Engineering.

The following pathways are based on 8 taught modules (80-credits) plus a 40-credit project.

The Microelectronics and Computer Engineering pathway is based on 6 modules (including 2 at level-3) plus an extended project of 60-credits which should be based around a VLSI design exercise.

TheAdvanced Semiconductor Devices pathway consists of two large modules (each of 30 credits) plus an extended project normally performed within the SSDIBT research group.

In addition to these schemes the Department (with the CSER) also offers a series of research oriented MSc's in which a student takes 4 taught modules together with a nominal 1000 hour research oriented project. Entry to these courses is generally restricted to those students having a 2.i, or better, first degree and, in the case of project work in CSER, there may be an additional bench fee.

Part-time students are only admitted if their employer is able to guarantee that time and facilities will be given to allow suitable project work to be done.

The course titles are:

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Awards

The usual award is that of MSc in the specific area studied.

An award of a Post Graduate Diploma may be given either for 80 credits (at the same average mark as needed for an MSc) or for 120 credits at a lower average mark than that needed for an MSc. Students are not accepted directly into a programme terminating at the award of a Post Graduate Diploma.

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Modules

A standard MSc requires the completion of 8Modules .

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Application Procedure

After an inital request for information on one of our MSc courses the student will be sent an information pack and application form from the department. Once this has been completed it should be sent to the University Registry as requested on the top of the form with a transcript of your degree if an overseas student.

Registry record it and pass it to the department for references to be taken up. The application will not be acknowledged due to time restraints. In the case of overseas students a transcript of the first degree may be asked for if it has not been included. Once references have been received the admissions tutor will make a decision to accept (unconditionally or with certain conditions) or reject based on all the information provided.

The official letter is sent from the Registry and the student is asked to provisionally accept. This provisional acceptance is not binding and students may provisionally accept to go to various institutions. Later in the year a letter requesting fees will be sent to all students who have provisionally accepted or to all students having late offers. If the acceptance is conditional upon exam marks etc. it is up to the student to provide proof of having met the condition. It is not until the student has provided fees or proof of how fees will be paid (for example, a scholarship, EPSRC award etc.) that he/she is considering to be fully accepted on the course and accommodation details and joining instructions will be sent.

Although a date in the middle of August will be given by which date fees must be paid, anyone with an offer can come on to the course on the first day and provide their fees on arrival - however, we do not encourage this and accommodation etc. can be a difficult issue.


F.Coakley@ee.surrey.ac.uk
Last Update: 14th December 1995