Lancaster University

General knowledge,
  understanding and skills

Knowledge and Understanding

The course builds on
  fundamental electronic engineering science that forms a pre-requisite for
  this MSc. The students will build on this to learn the basics behind the
  behaviour of structures and components at submicron dimensions, the
  fundamentals of design, the process and fabrication technologies involved and
  the control structures needed to enable these systems to interact with the
  user and environment.

Intellectual Content

The course will
  encourage creativity driven from knowledge of the underpinning science to
  smart system applications. Students will learn how to utilise basic theory
  and principles to design problems and solve problems related to specific
  technologies and components. Students will undertake these studies in
  parallel to gaining a broader understanding of the smart systems market

Practical Skills

Students will
  explore the field of microfluidics through a dedicated training platform.
  They will build simulation models of microstructures and design control
  electronics using high level languages and bench top equipment. Students will
  have the opportunity to carry out practical work within their projects linked
  to industry.

Transferrable skills

The course will deliver knowledge of the smart systems markets and
  supply chains and feature technical management content in the form of a
  dedicated module and through management content within individual projects. Group
  working skills will be gained through the Linking project and presentation
  and report writing skills through assignments.

subject specific
  knowledge, understanding and skills

Underpinning science

Students will learn how scaling can be applied across the electronic,
  mechanical, electro-magnetic and fluidic domains and the fundamental
  properties that scaling to nanometer dimensions involves. Fabrication
  processes capable of producing submicron feature sizes will be explored and the
  principles of electronic control covered in detail

Engineering Analysis

A range of simulation and modelling tools will be
  used in addition to characterisation methods. Tools will includeMATLAB, SIMULINK, COMSOL, ANSYS and CADENCE. Electronic design is supported through VHDL
  based simulation and a range of structures explored through reduced order
  structural models.

Design

Design tools and methodologies for both system on chip and mixed
  signal systems will be explored together with design exercises around
  micro-mechanics, fluidic mixing and separation. Also the design methodology
  for embedded HW/SW systems will be addressed. Design skills will also be
  delivered through individual projects and the linking (group) project

Economic, social and environmental context

The emerging
  market for smart systems will be explored together with technical and marketing
  roadmaps. All modules will feature case studies from industrial partners that
  illustrate current trends. Applications in environmental monitoring and
  energy will be core to the course.

Engineering Practice

New and expected
  developments are fundamental to all modules, commercial constraints are built
  into projects and knowledge of a wide range of materials and components
  reflects the multi-disciplinary nature of the course