Robotics and Smart Technologies

Program Overview

The Robotics and Smart Technologies MSc program at Staffordshire University equips students with the knowledge and skills to delve into the exciting world of automation, robotics, and smart technologies. This program focuses on various fields, including smart homes, transportation, internet of things, and more. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum incorporating current research and expert faculty guidance, ensuring students acquire the latest knowledge in this evolving field. Graduates are prepared for immediate employment in research and development, engineering consultancy, project management, and teaching, or further academic study at the PhD level.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Robotics and Smart Technologies MSc program at Staffordshire University equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to delve into the exciting world of automation, robotics, and smart technologies. This program focuses on various fields, including smart homes, transportation, internet of things, and more.

Program Objectives:

• To provide students with expert knowledge in the dynamic field of robotics and smart technologies.
• To equip students with the skills necessary to utilize robotics both inside and outside the industry.
• To impart practical understanding of embedded systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced robotic systems.
• To engage students with the development and application of network-enabled devices used in homes and autonomous vehicles.
• To enable students to undertake a major project in an area of interest to support their career goals.

Program Description:

This Master's program offers a comprehensive curriculum incorporating current research and expert faculty guidance. Students benefit from face-to-face teaching and access to specialized laboratories, ensuring they acquire the latest knowledge in this evolving field. The program fosters a practical understanding of robotics applications, delving into embedded systems, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and the internet of things. Additionally, the program emphasizes employability skill development by aligning with the needs of the growing robotics industry.

Outline:

Program Content:

The Robotics and Smart Technologies MSc program comprises eight modules and a major MSc project. All modules are designed for practical application, preparing students for immediate employment upon completion.

Study Schedule:

The program duration is 13 months for full-time enrollment and 25 months for part-time enrollment with a placement year option.

Course Modules:

Year 1 Compulsory Modules:

• Advanced Embedded Systems: Programming and Applications (20 credits)
• Artificial Intelligence (20 credits)
• Autonomous Intelligent Vehicles (20 credits)
• Internet of Things (20 credits)
• Modern Robotic Systems (20 credits)
• MSc Individual Project (60 credits)
• Professional Engineering Skills and Project Management (20 credits)

Module Descriptions:

• Advanced Embedded Systems: Programming and Applications: This module delves into applying electronics and telecommunications in various applications: smart homes, autonomous vehicles, internet of things, industrial automation, and more.
Students gain advanced knowledge via practical projects, including problem definition, hardware and software selection, and system implementation.
• Artificial Intelligence: This module equips students with essential skills for the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence(AI).
Focusing on modern statistical machine-learning methods, AI principles, and contemporary AI and machine-learning techniques, it prepares students for real-world challenges in AI.
• Autonomous Intelligent Vehicles: This module explores the rapid development of autonomous vehicles and covers aspects such as dynamics, control, guidance, navigation, decision-making, sensor and data fusion, communication, and networking.
Additionally, it examines electronic products using printed circuit boards (PCBs) and provides practical experience in PCB design and assembly.
• Internet of Things: This module covers solving real-world problems using an IoT based system.
As a team, students propose, design, and build an IoT-basedsystem utilizing suitable sensors, actuators, and wireless technologies. This includes problem definition, hardware and software selection, and complete system implementation.
• MSc Individual Project: Students design and independently implement a large-scale project of investigation, experimentation, and analysis.
This involves evaluating existing background knowledge and applying it to design problems, developing or improving processes and products, and utilizing practical measurement, design, and implementation skills based on sound engineering principles.
• Professional Engineering Skills and Project Management: This module enhances students' engineering prowess and project management skills.
It covers research methods and analysis, project management, engineering ethics, research writing, scientific report formatting, professional report presentation, advanced project management methodologies and tools for planning, executing and controlling engineering projects, and ethical considerations in engineering for professional integrity.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

The program utilizes both practice (formative) and formal (summative) assessments. Practice assessments allow students to test their understanding without impacting their final grade, while formal assessments at the end of each module contribute to the final mark. Students receive feedback following practice assessments to improve their understanding and performance. Formal assessments usually have a 20-day turnaround time for feedback, and the format may vary for each module.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

While traditional teaching approaches like lectures and tutorials are used, the program also incorporates problem-based learning to encourage students to apply their skills practically.

Faculty:

The program draws on the expertise of leading academics within the School of Digital, Technology, Innovation, and Business. This ensures the curriculum is current and integrates research into teaching practices. MSc students have the opportunity to participate actively in the research culture through their projects, which are supported by the research experience of the staff team.

Unique Approaches:

The program focuses on practical real-world applications, equipping students with immediate workforce readiness upon completion.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Research and development
• Engineering consultancy
• Project management

Admission Requirements:

A minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate honors degree or equivalent in a related engineering discipline like Electronic Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Robotics, or Mechatronics.

International Students:

• UK / Channel Islands - £10,300 per course
• International - £16,750 per course

Discounts:

Students who have previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree may be eligible for an alumni discount of up to 25% off their course fees.