E.B....@bham.ac.uk
Courses available
The first personal computer revolution put computers on to desktops and into homes. The second revolution is now giving people the power of the internet where and whenever they need it.
Mobile multimedia devices offer the possibility of learning, knowledge sharing and entertainment on the move. Everyday devices from watches to refrigerators are being connected to the internet to offer new services, such as location-based information, or automatic checking and ordering of goods. New interactive technologies, including virtual reality and online gaming, are being applied to aerospace training, telemedicine, advanced surgery, tourism and archaeology.
Designing such systems requires new interdisciplinary skills such as multimedia authoring and interaction design. Our courses provide a professional training in multimedia technology, human–computer interaction, educational technology and computer-mediated communication.
Internationally, Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Birmingham is a highly ranked department, having scored a maximum 24 points for teaching quality in the last Teaching Quality Assessment and a score of 5 (maximum is 5* or 6) for research in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. The department is housed in a newly refurbished building with dedicated, state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.
First and second years
You learn about multimedia technology, human-centred design, software design, data networks, electronic communications, electronics and systems.
Third and fourth years
You undertake a major individual project in your final year, providing an opportunity to develop a complete system such as a multimedia learning environment, a wearable computer, or a hand-held communicator. In the third year of the MEng or MSci degree, you also undertake a group project, as a member of a team of seven to ten students.
Year abroad
A year abroad is available, only in the third year of the four-year MEng/MSci programmes, provided it is taken at an approved overseas university.
Year in industry
A year-long industrial placement is also available; this adds a year to the duration of your degree and can lead to the award of a Certificate in Industrial Studies.
Teaching and assessment
The course modules are taught through lectures, corresponding to approximately 11% of the student’s time during term time; tutorial problem classes taking approximately 4% of the student’s time; and laboratory and/or project work taking approximately 27% of the student’s time. The remaining 58% of the student’s time is devoted to private study, which includes examination revision time.
The course modules are assessed through a mixture of written examinations (approximately 44% of the overall assessment), laboratory work (36%); and continuously assessed coursework (approximately 20%). These percentages change dramatically throughout the years of a degree; during the earlier years the course modules are directed more through lectures, and in the later years the final-year project work dominates.
Career opportunities
Through these degrees you acquire skills needed by the computer and engineering industries in the design of multimedia and interactive systems, from mobile phones to websites, and in the management of interdisciplinary development teams. More generally, you gain entry to an exciting and rapidly evolving discipline that could lead to a career in computing, software design, electronics, communications engineering or e-business.
Entry requirements
Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details
Contact details
For general information about open days
Main University Switchboard
Admissions
Student Recruitment
International Relations