Electronic Product Development

Mode of attendance: Part-time: this course is only available by online distance learning.

Durations: 3 years: MSc, 2 years: PgDip & 1 year: PgCert

Start dates: October, February & June

Course overview

The MSc Electronic Product Development provides an advanced theoretical and practical treatment of specialist areas relevant to the design, development and production of modern complex electronic systems and sub systems. Design methodologies and techniques are demonstrated using industry standard computer aided design software, including thermal analysis (Flomerics), electromagnetic field plotting (Comsol) and advanced PCB design and simulation (Cadence). The course also considers how the many legal issues impacting on electronic based products should be addressed during product development.

The course has been created for system designers, circuit designers, PCB designers, technical managers, technical sales and technologists, as well as mechanical and production engineers operating in an electronics environment.

All study takes place over the internet. The course provides the opportunity for professional development and gaining a postgraduate qualification without a career break.

The range of options means the course supports learners with three distinct aims in mind: designers can acquire in-depth knowledge and practical expertise; manufacturers can acquire an understanding of relevant manufacturing issues; managers can acquire an appreciation of business and technological issues.

The teaching material for this MSc programme is located at: www.ami.ac.uk

About the course

The course is suitable for three groups of people: new graduates working in the electronics industry needing to broaden and deepen their knowledge; those currently working in the electronics industry wanting to make a career move into a design or development role; and those seeking an academic or research career in electronics.

Modules are studied over 14 weeks starting in February, June or October each year. All the modules can be studied on their own as professional development. As all study material is available over the internet, the course is particularly suitable for part-time study by practising engineers.

There are no formal written examinations. Modules are assessed by written assignments, often incorporating practical elements involving CAD packages hosted at the university. Tutors provide feedback for assessed work. You can check your progress through self-assessment questions (SAQs) and practical problems for which worked solutions are available. You will be encouraged to discuss any difficulties with the module tutor.

What you will learn

This course covers the key issues of engineering design for ease of manufacture and test, compliance with relevant legislation and meeting end user expectations are stressed. Included are environmental issues, PCB design, product fabrication, product assembly, test strategies and design for thermal issues. An overview of regulatory frameworks and requirements is covered for the EU, USA, Japan and the Far East.

You will also study signal integrity and EMC; these three inter-related areas are critical to the success of high speed digital systems and products. Electronic products must comply with the EMC and LVD directives of the European Union if they are to be marketed in Europe.

Additionally, you will examine business and management issues that are particularly relevant to electronic product development.

What you will study

The MSc involves studying seven modules and completing a substantial project.

MSc students must complete the following modules:

• Design for Product Build (AMI4945);
• Engineering Design (AMI4900);
• MSc Project (AMI5001).

They must also complete one of the following Signal Integrity and EMC modules:

• Signal Integrity and EMC (AMI4814);
• Design for Signal Integrity (AMI4823);
• Design for EMC and LVD (AMI4966).
• MSc students must also choose one of the following Technical Management modules:
• Industrial Management (AMI4088);
• Project Management for Microelectronics (AMI4040);
• Green Electronics (AMI4083).
• A wide range of optional modules on applications and technologies provides a choice of specialisms which may be explored further in the project element of the MSc.
• The optional modules that can contribute towards the MSc include:
• Design for Thermal Issues (AMI4917);
• Concepts of PCB Design (AMI4814);
• PCB Design (AMI4931);
• Microelectronic Design (AMI4202);
• Microelectronic Technologies & Applications (AMI4233);
• Advanced Electronic Design Automation (AMI4441);
• Digital Integrated Circuit Design (AMI4407);
• Systems Design using FPGAs (AMI4460);
• Analogue and Mixed Signal IC Design (AMI4409);
• Layout for Analogue and Mixed Signal Design Microcontrollers (AMI4655);
• Digital Signal Processing (AMI4622);
• Microsystems Technologies (AMI4255).

The MSc project provides the opportunity to pull together the themes of investigation, project management and technological advances developed through the taught modules. The project element of the MSc can extend into a PhD.

The award of postgraduate certificate is made when 60 credits have been gained. The postgraduate diploma (PgDip) follows at 120 credits. Finally the work of the MSc Project takes the total to 180 credits and the MSc is awarded.

Special features

The development of all the modules has been strongly influenced by people working in the industry. Consequently the modules tend to be focused to the needs of the professional working engineer.

A unique programme feature is the practical experience it gives in design and analysis. You use powerful industry standard software remotely from home, just as if they were working in an industrial design lab. This technique gives full and unlimited access to the specialist EDA tools, complete with libraries. Guidance on how to use the software is provided by means of worked examples where each step is described, interspersed by pictures taken from the screen.

Distance learning over the internet supports flexible study regimes and is especially suitable for people who are in full time employment and likely to travel. Modules can be studied without disrupting everyday work commitments.

Distance learning over the internet is also especially suitable for people for whom mobility is a problem and people who are temporarily out of work, or who are employed on a contract basis.

Careers and professional development

Bolton's graduates and postgraduates are in great demand worldwide due to their practical experience and relevant professional skills.

Completing a postgraduate course is often a life-changing experience. Some of the benefits of this particular course include the high demand for well trained electronic design engineers, interesting and well paid jobs worldwide, and the addition of academic and research potential to your career possibilities.

Professional recognition

The course is intended to enable graduates with a BEng (Hons) degree to complete the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. The course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Entry requirements

Normally, you should have an honours degree in electronics or a related subject.

You are also encouraged to apply if you have relevant industrial experience coupled with an alternative qualification (such as an HND) and can demonstrate you have the appropriate knowledge and skills to succeed on this course.

There are no formal academic requirements for those taking individual modules from this course as professional development but a level of prior knowledge and understanding equivalent to a honours degree will be required.

You will need to use your own PC or equivalent. It should be efficient in rendering modern web documents with multimedia and flash components and capable of supporting at least three applications concurrently in a stable and efficient manner. A 56k modem internet connection is adequate but if something faster is available then clearly it will be beneficial.

How to apply

Please apply directly to the University of Bolton using the AMI application form.

Further Information

For an informal discussion and further details about the course please contact:

Kevan Smart (AMI Course Enquiries)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903554
E-mail: K.Smart@bolton.ac.uk

Frank Mackin (Programme Leader)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903847
Email: F.Mackin@bolton.ac.uk

For further information and details of how to apply please contact:

Enquiry Team (Student Services)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903903
Email:enquiries@bolton.ac.uk