The general aim of the programme is to provide the opportunity for graduate scientists/engineers to develop expertise to meet the increasing demands of the new technologies in Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave Engineering. The programme intends to promote and engender a positive interest in current practice and through the dissertation an understanding of research methods. This is to encourage students to respond to changes and developments and allow them to contribute to future developments

We have a long history of awarding Engineering degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and have developed programmes, which are current and will give you the opportunity to develop your understanding and skills. With a large proportion of computer laboratory and other practical work you will reinforce the theories and practices learnt in the classroom with 'hands on' experience. Our programmes offer you the opportunity to study the advanced knowledge and theories required for Radio Frequency and Microwave Engineering and apply these to the practical work environment.

The entry requirement for the MSc programme is normally satisfied by possession of one of the following:

1.    A 2:2 or higher honours degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Communication Engineering, Applied Mathematics or Physics.

2.   A degree qualification of a subject and standard equivalent to 1., obtained after a programme of full-time study extending over a period of not less than three years in a recognised university outside the UK.

The programme will be delivered across two semesters of 15 weeks duration for the taught modules of the full-time mode of study, with the project dissertation being completed during the following semester A or B or C. The part-time provision will span two academic years for the taught modules and followed by the project dissertation. UK students opting for the part-time mode of study can accumulate credits over a longer period of time and can obtain the MSc award in no more than six years.

The programme benefits from access to communication and electrical/electronic engineering laboratories, an integrated circuit design suite, and IT labs. Teaching is delivered through formal lectures, tutorials, workshops, practical classes and laboratory sessions. Most lectures are supported by programme notes, which allow the student to concentrate on the lecture and complete some independent studies of his/her own. Group work is also encouraged in some modules.

Assessment varies from module to module but will include examinations, coursework, and project work, and tests on competence in practical sessions.

The School has strong links with industry and benefits from vocationally based programmes designed to meet the needs of industrial partners. Each year we host a number of visits at which informal interviews for full and part-time employment opportunities often take place. We have an Industrial Placement Tutor who will assist in making applications.

The research dissertation is a key element of this programme and as such counts as a double module. Research topics are often developed from work based problems and many are supported by industrialists.

The objective of the dissertation is to develop the student's ability to study independently, making their own critical appraisal of the chosen subject and drawing conclusions from there.

Students will be required to demonstrate that the research undertaken has been completed to an appropriate level for a Masters award. The dissertation must therefore, in general terms, include elements of research, independent work, the derivation of a product (through laboratory testing, critical analysis or computer programming) and the analysis of data.

The research will be required to make a contribution to the understanding of the field studied and will be supervised by a member of staff with an interest in the field.

The Masters degree provides a CEng applicant, who has attained an accredited BEng(Hons) award, with exemplifying  qualifications for CEng registration.

It is anticipated that the MSc students will have a careers in RF/Microwave Engineering, Communications Engineering and computing industries or higher study in the UK, Europe and the USA.

The School prides itself on its student support systems. Personal Tutors and Programme Leader will monitor your progress and provide assistance and advice on academic and personal problems.

The School facilities include an electronic laboratory, a telecommunication laboratory and computer laboratories, which you are allowed to use, as long as they are not required for a class. Technical support is readily available supported by academics. There is also a dedicated telecommunication laboratory with more than 50 site licenses of commercial electronic design automation (Agilent Advanced Design System & Agilent Genesys) for RF & Microwave design, analysis and simulation, 6 vector network analysers dedicated for teaching, spectrum analysers, etc. Loan copies of commercial EDA software are also make available for students who wish to work off campus.

Employer links are maintained through regular liaison with industries and employers are invited to attend the University to talk to students about careers. The professional bodies also visit the University regularly and provide details on the qualification process and the advantages available to members.

The proximity of London means that UEL is ideally placed for developing links with a wide range of well-established, prestigious and innovative employers. The Knowledge Dock based at the Dockland Campus provides a natural channel between business and higher education, by making the knowledge and expertise of UEL available to local employers.

This programme is designed to provide you with a sound theoretical and practical knowledge in RF and Microwave engineering. It provides depth for further research as well as knowledge and skills for employment in RF and Microwave Engineering and related fields in Communication Engineering.

The programme also gives an in-depth understanding of the practical RF & Microwave design process, the analysis of RF & Microwave System, technology appropriate to wireless communication systems, the RF signal propagation. It is expected that the knowledge you gain will be vital to become a professional working in the areas of RF and Microwave Engineering and Wireless Communications Engineering.

At the end of this Programme, students will be able to:

Knowledge

• Evaluate a range of RF and microwave devices
• Model RF signal propagation in wireless communication channel
• Apply computer aided design tools to improve the efficiency and reliability RF & Microwave design life cycle.
• Extend knowledge to capture the latest development in RF and wireless communication systems and evaluate and model different RF devices

Thinking skills

• Exercise appropriate engineering judgement in decision-making processes.
• Systematically analyse problems and implement effective solutions

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Plan and implement a major engineering project, write critical evaluations and defend the work undertaken.
• Apply and develop expertise in RF & Microwave design and analysis

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Demonstrate an ability to study independently and effectively and be able to convey technical information to others.
• Develop interpersonal skills and be able to contribute and work effectively in a team environment

The duration of this programme is one year full-time if the enrolment is in September and the dissertation is completed in the summer semester C.  For enrolment in February the overall duration is slightly longer, to complete the dissertation. The maximum registration period is four years for full-time students. 

UK students opting for the part-time mode of study undertake the taught modules in two academic years, followed by the research dissertation. Part-time students can accumulate credits over a longer period of time and can obtain the MSc award in no more than and six years.

It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments.  Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length.  A typical student registered in a full-time attendance mode will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a typical student registered in a part-time attendance mode will study one or two modules per semester.  The advanced independent research module may occur during the summer period.

The modules offered on this programme are as follows

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self study
• Tutorials
• Laboratory work

 Thinking skills are developed through

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self study
• Tutorials
• Laboratory work

 Practical skills are developed through

• Seminars
• Laboratory work

 Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Coursework/Assignment
• Project work

• Coursework/Assignments
• Written assessments
• Dissertation viva
• Dissertation thesis

 Thinking skills are assessed by

• Coursework/Assignments
• Written assessments
• Dissertation viva
• Dissertation Thesis

 Practical skills are assessed by

• Coursework/Assignments
• Dissertation viva

 Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Assignments
• Dissertation thesis

• there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
• adequate resources would be in place;
• the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
• the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
• the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
• the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

 This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

• external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• student feedback.

 Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation.  The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

 Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists.  The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions.  The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

• To ensure the standard of the programme;
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

 External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments;
• Attending assessment boards;
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
• Ensuring that regulations are followed;
• Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.

• Module evaluations
• Student representation on programme committees
• Informal discussions / meetings between students and teaching staff, year tutor and programme leaders

 Students are notified of the action taken through:

• circulating the minutes of the programme committee
• UEL-Direct leading to UEL Plus
• providing details on the programme notice board

• Industrial liaison committee
• Professional accreditation visit
• Employability and Placements Officer