Embedded and Distributed Systems

State of the art embedded and distributed systems have been increasingly used by engineering and commercial companies for distributed control and management of their operations. Many large companies now rely on sophisticated real-time networks to distribute goods and services (water, electricity, retail goods, web retailing). This real-time network builds on modern embedded and distributed systems. It is possible because of the availability of computer networks which are now fast and reliable enough to cope with this kind of traffic. You will deal with the real-time, interaction and control of networked systems such as these.

The course is a technically specialist MSc aiming to provide graduates with the particular skill set to support these kinds of distributed embedded systems. The skill set includes: engineering the computer networks (hardware and software), electronic, instrumentation and measurement skills, and embedded system skills, theoretical knowledge of and practical experience with real-time (including distributed) applications.

Building on our extensive research in Telecommunications, Robotics and Nondestructive Evaluation, Bio-Engineering Instruments, and Applied Electromagnetics, the course contains the latest technologies such as VHDL and FPGAs.

This course also covers some Cisco Certified Network Associate and Cisco Certified Network Professional topics on computer networks.

Course modules

An indicative list of topics covered on this course are:

• Computer networks
• Microcontroller-based systems
• Object oriented programming for networking
• SCADA systems
• Distributed systems and internetworking
• System design on FPGAs
• Real-time and embedded systems
• Research, planning and management
• Major project

Career and progression opportunities

Employment prospects for graduates of the MSc Embedded and Distributed Systems are excellent, with demand outstripping supply. Successful graduates enter telecommunication companies or companies such as the major water, electricity and transport utilities, as members of technical teams designing and maintaining modern real-time distributed systems.

Entry requirements

Entrants to the course will already have a technically oriented undergraduate degree in electrical, computer related or other area with a strong scientific background.

You are required to have an honours degree in an electrical, computing or scientific subject.

If you are interested in studying at LSBU, please refer to our Standard Entry Requirements.

Additional entry requirements

Applicants for this course must also meet the following additional entry requirements.

You are required to have an honours degree in an electrical, computing or scientific subject.

How to apply

Application methods for undergraduate part-time and postgraduate study vary depending on the course you are applying for. When applying use the LSBU codes listed below.

LSBU - FullTime - 3442

LSBU - PartTime - 3443

Further information about how to apply for your course.