M.Sc. MODULE OPTIONS


Artificial Intelligence and AI Programming (10 credits)

Aims:

The student should understand and assimilate terminology and concepts in artificial intelligence introduced in the module. The student should understand how these concepts are expressed mathematically and should be able to manipulate mathematical models to solve problems and predict effects. The student should gain appreciation of the relevance of the presented material to applications in machine reasoning and of its engineering significance. Also, the student should become familiar with AI programming languages and tools.

The module includes:

Artifical Intelligence eg: Historical Overview; Heuristic Search.
AI Programming eg: Theory of logic programs; Prolog Programming and Techniques.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book examination paper 85%
Programming Assignment 15%

Algorithmics & Advanced Programming (10 credits)

Aims:

To teach general approaches to algorithm design and assessment, using existing algorithms as illustration. To introduce object-oriented programming

The module includes:

Algorithmics eg: Basics of algorithmics; Approaches to algorithm design; Sorting & Searching methods.
Object-Oriented Design and Programming eg: Software design; Object Modelling; Dynamic modelling; Analysis; Design; CASE tools for OMT.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 90%
Programming Assignment 10%

Advanced Telecommunications Networks (10 credits)

Prerequisites:

Telecommunication Networks

The module includes:

0SI Networks eg: Local Area Networks; Wide Area Networks; Transport layer; Application oriented layers.
Performance Issues in Networks PS eg Connection oriented & connectionless services; Open Systems; Aloha; Analysis of Token Ring; Analysis of ARQ systems.
Broadband Network Design eg: Review of ATM; Traffic Sources & Characteristics.

Assessment:

By written, closed book, examination paper 90%
Extended Assignment 10%

Advanced Signal Processing (10 credits)

Aims:

To understand the principles of discrete linear systems. To consolidate and extend students' knowledge of random processes and to introduce applied statistical techniques for parameter estimation, signal filtering and prediction, and computer simulation. To develop an understanding of a detection process as a statistical hypotheses testing problem and to provide analytic tools to design a system, predict its performance, and evaluate the performance using computer simulation.

Prerequisites:

Mathematics of Signal Processing

The module includes:

Digital Filtering eg: Discrete Linear Systems; Discrete Filter Design.
Random Processes and Statistics eg: Statistical Signal Processing; Bayes Estimators; Statistical Computing.
Signal Detection eg: Detection as Statistical Hypothesis Testing; Bayes Detectors; Matched Filters.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 85%
Extended Assignment 15%

Computer Vision (10 credits)

Aims:

The student should understand and assimilate terminology and concepts in computer vision introduced in the module. The student should understand how these concepts are expressed mathematically and should be able to manipulate mathematical models to solve problems and predict effects. The student should gain appreciation of the relevance of the presented material to applications in machine perception and of its engineering significance.

The module includes:

Computer Vision MP eg: Human Vision; Colour Vision; Block-World Understanding; 2-dim Shape Analysis; Model Representation; Texture; Distance Estimate.
Imaging Geometry and Invariance eg: Geometry of Vision; 3D Motion; Mobile Robots.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 85%
Laboratory Work 15%

Discrete Maths & Concurrency 10 credits

Aims:

To cover the basic principles of Discrete Mathematics that form a basis for the more formal methods of Program Design.

The module includes:

Discrete Mathematics eg: Logic; Theorems and Proofs; Boolean Algebra; Algebra of sets; Induction and Recursion; Relations; Functions; Graph Theory; Trees.
Concurrency eg: Concurrent organisation; Multiprogramming; Resource Management.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 50%
In-course tests 50%

Mathematics of Signal Processing 10 credits

Aims:

To review the underlying mathematics of signal processing. To introduce fundamental concepts of probability and random processes, and to apply these to the solution of problems in statistical communications,telematics, and signal processing.

The module includes:

Signal Analysis eg: Signal Representation; Time & Frequency Domain Analysis.
Digital Signals eg: Digital Signal Representation; Properties of the z-transform Causality.
Random Processes eg: Probability; The Random Variable; Linear Systems with Random Inputs.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 75%
Two Assignments 25%

Multi-Media & Databases 10 credits

Aims:

The student should understand and assimilate terminology and principles of audio and video recording and storage technology for multimedia systems. The student should also understand and assimilate terminology and concepts of image database organisation and queries introduced in the module. The student should gain appreciation of the relevance of the presented materialto applications in multimedia systems and of its engineering significance.

The module includes:

Multimedia Systems eg: Memory and Display hardware; Input Devices; Applications; Future Developments.
Image Databases eg: Review of conventional data base systems; Image & Video Data Bases.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 60%
Seminar Presentation 15%
Assignments 25%

Mobile Communication Systems 10 credits

Aims:

To review system design for RF mobile systems

The module includes:

Radio Frequency Antennas eg: Radiation theory; Hertzian Dipole; Loop antenna; Yagi array; Helical antenna; Antennas for Mobile and personal communications; Patch Antennas.
Mobile Communication Systems eg: Operating Frequencies; Mobile and Radio relay Propagation; Techniques to overcome transmission loss due to fading; Modulation; Satellite Mobile Systems.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 85%
Laboratory Experiment 15%

Modulation & Coding 10 credits

Aims:

To study the principles of modulation and demodulation, ways of putting information on to an electromagnetic wave and then recovering it. Special emphasis is on digital signalling and applications to satellite communications.

The module includes:

Modulation eg: Basic digital communication; Analogue & Digital modulation; Elements of Demodulation.
Error Control Coding eg: Performance; Convolutial Codes; Trellis Diagram; Linear Block Codes; Decoding of BCH Codes; Bursty Channels.
Source Coding eg: Quantisation; Prediction; Redundancy Removal; Time and Frequency domain speech coding; Transform Coding.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 75%
Laboratory Work 25%

Microprocessor Architectures + Occam 10 credits

Aims:

This course examines existing microprocessor designs, especially later 16/32 bit processors, to explain why current designs take the form they do and to cover the basis for future developments. The course will introduce students to parallel programming using the message-passing paradigm as exemplified by the Occam language.

The module includes:

Microprocessor Architectures eg: Memory; Bus Systems; Processor Architectures; Floating Point Support; Memory Management Techniques; RISC; Digital Signal Processors.
Occam Programming eg: The Occam Programming Language; Occam Idioms; Case Studies.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 90%
Occam Programming Assignment 10%

Pattern Recognition & Neural Nets 10 credits

Aims:

The student should understand and assimilate terminology and concepts in statistical pattern recognition and artificial neural networks introduced in the module. The student should understand how these concepts are expressed mathematically and should be able to manipulate mathematical models to solve problems and predict effects. The student should gain appreciation of the relevance of the presented material to applications in machine perception and of its engineering significance.

The module includes:

Pattern Recognition eg: Elements of Statistical Decision Theory; Discriminant Functions; Estimation Theory; Classification error rate estimation; Feature Selection; Contextual Classification Methods.
Neural Networks eg: Artificial NN Models; Single-Layer & Multilayer Perceptrons; Self-Organising Systems; Temporal dependencies.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 85%
Laboratory Work 15%

RF Engineering 10 credits

Aims:

This course introduces the student to RF electronics including both signal and power applications.

The module includes:

Small signal amplifiers eg: Matrix Parameters; Stability/Gain; Matching Circuits; Distributed/Lumped techniques; Low Noise Design; Automatic Gain Control.
RF Components eg: Oscillators; Frequency Multipliers & Synthesisers; Phase Noise; Frequency detectors.
Radio frequency Power eg: Efficiency; Power Transistors; Non linear Circuits; Power Matching.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book examination paper 80%
Laboratory work 20%

Satellite Communications I 10 credits

Aims:

To provide an introduction to satellite systems; to develop all necessary link budget theory and to introduce various organisations and regulatory procedures. The course will provide a state-of-the-art review of satellite communications. To review satellite organisations, international regulations and operational/project costing. It draws on the industrial experience of a number of speakers to cover this important topic.

The module includes:

Satellite Communications eg: Introduction to Satellite Systems; Modulation and Coding.
Satellite Operations, Regulations and Financing (includes external speakers) Review of functions of major organisations; International Regulations + 5 linked Seminars.

Assessment:

Assignment 1 50%
Assignment 2 50%

Satellite Communications II 10 credits

Aims:

To cover the engineering of satellite communication systems; To introduce the principles and engineering of reflector antennas with special emphasis on satellite application. To familiarise the student with the basics of radiowave propogation for communication systems.

Prerequisites:

Satellite Communications I

The module includes:

Satellite Communications eg: Digital systems; Earth-Station Engineering; Mobiles.
Satellite Comms (2-day Short Course) Multiple Access, VSATs.
Antennas eg: Basic antenna theory; Reflectors; Earth-station & Satellite antennas; Spacecraft antenna performance.
Propagation eg: Mechanisms of propagation; Impairment Mechanisms; Radiowave propagation in mobile/cellular environment; Indoor propagation.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 80%
Laboratory Experiment 20%

Speech & Image Coding 10 credits

Aims:

The student should understand and assimilate terminology and concepts in speech and image compression and coding introduced in the module. The student should understand how these concepts are expressed mathematically and should be able to manipulate mathematical models to solve problems and predict effects. The student should gain appreciation of the relevance of the presented material to applications in speech and image communication and storage and of its engineering significance.

The module includes:

Speech Coding eg: Quantisation; Time & Frequency Domain speech coders; Real-time Implementation Considerations.
Image Coding eg: Image Coding Principles; Motion Estimation Techniques; New trends and emerging applications.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 85%
Laboratory Work 15%

Speech & Image Processing 10 credits

Aims:

The purpose of the course is to give the students a wide (but not superficial) overview of Image Processing techniques. On completion of the course students are expected to feel comfortable with the mathematical basis of such Processing. To introduce the basic concepts of speech production and perception and to show how fundamental signal processing techniques may be applied to speech processing.

The module includes:

Image Processing eg: Colorimetry; Image Transformations; Image Encoding and Compression; Image Segmentation; Edge detection.
Speech Analysis eg: Characteristics of Speech Signals; Speech Production & Perception; Signal processing techniques.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 85%
Laboratory Work 15%

Satellite Systems I 10 credits

Aims:

To introduce the student to those aspects of space mission analysis and design concerning the space environment as found in Earth-orbit. To give an understanding of orbital mechanics and awareness of the space environment encountered in a wide variety of useful orbits. To introduce the principles of satellite navigation systems. To familiarise the students with the basics of Remote Sensing (RS) as applied to Earth Observation (EO) by satellite. To give the student a broad understanding of the principles and design of microwave devices and components taking examples from practical satellite systems.

The module includes:

Orbits & space environment eg: Orbits; Space environment.
Microwave Fundamentals eg: Typical microwave transmission system; Microwave techniques; HPA technology.
Satellite Navigation eg: Global Positioning System; Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
Remote Sensing eg: Remote Sensing The Atosphere, Hydrosphere & Land.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 85%
Laboratory Experiment 15%

Satellite Systems II 10 credits

Aims:

To introduce the student to the engineering aspects of satellite and mission design, covering orbits & manoeuvres, the space environment and spacecraft sub-systems -including thermal control, power systems, attitude determination & control, tracking, telemetry & telecommand, on-board data handling, reliability and PA/QA. By the end of the course, the student should be capable of carrying out a preliminary mission analysis and design of an Earth-orbiting spacecraft.

The module includes:

Attitude determination eg: Spacecraft attitude determination & control.
Tracking, Telemetry & Command eg: Spacecraft power systems; Tracking, Telemetry & Command.
Payload Engineering eg: Transponders; Payload Elements; Low Noise Amplifiers; Power Amplifier Techniques.
Spacecraft Engineering (2-day short course) eg: Sat Comms System Architecture; Orbital Aspects & Launching; Communications Payload.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 85%
Laboratory Work 15%

Telecommunication Networks 10 credits

Aims:

To review the basic theory and current practice of telecommunication networks.

The module includes:

Network Transmission System Design eg: Signals and Impairments; Digital Speech Transmission; Coded Transmission Systems.
Digital Networks eg: Services; The Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchies; Broad-band ISDN and ATM.
Teletraffic eg: Markovian Arrival Process, Aloha; Use of Transforms; Switching Networks.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 90%
Extended Assignment 10%

Further Computer Architectures 10 credits

Aims:

This course will cover advanced issues in the design and implementation of computer systems. It concentrates primarily on parallel computers using real world examples, it presents the various choices made in the design process.

The module includes:

Parallel Computer Organisation; Advanced Processor Design; Networks for Parallel Computers.

Assessment:

By written, closed-book, examination paper 66%
Assignments 34%

MSc Project 40 credits

Aims:

This module allows the student to pursue a dissertation topic appropriate to their course of study.

Length of Project

Spring Semester & Summer Period

Assessment:

The assessment will be based on the following components:
Initial project report
Interim project report
Final report
Viva-voce examination

Extended MSc Project 60 credits

Aims:

This module allows the student to pursue a dissertation topic appropriate to their course of study. Its higher credit weighting is intended to reflect a significantly higher amount of project work that is required as, for example in many CAD oriented projects.

Length of Project

Spring Semester & Summer Period

Assessment

The assessment will be based on the following components:
Initial project report
Interim project report
Final report
Viva voce Examination

Research Oriented Project 80 credits

Aims:

This module allows the student to pursue a research topic appropriate to their course of study. It is expected that in addition to the final thesis the student will produce a short paper and have presented this to a departmental audience.

Length of Project

Whole Academic Year

Assessment:

The assessment will be based on the following components:
Initial project report
Interim project report
Paper + seminar presentation
Final report
Viva-voce examination

Dissertation (part-time students) 20 credits

Aims:

This module allows the student to write a dissertation on a topic agreed with an academic supervisor as appropriate to their course of study. It is intended for those students in full-time employment for whom their job precludes the preparation of a 'standard' MSc thesis.

Length of Project

Whole Academic Year

Assessment:

The assessment will be based on the following components:
Initial project report
Interim project report
Final Report
Viva-voce examination

Submitted Work (part-time students) 20 credits

Aims:

This module allows students in full-time employment to submit work performed within their course of employment and appropriate to their course of study. It is intended for those students in full-time employment for whom their job precludes the preparation of a 'standard' MSc thesis.

Length of Project

Whole Academic Year

Assessment:

The assessment will be based on the following components:
Report + viva-voce examination

A.Lewis@ee.surrey.ac.uk
6th November 1995