Robotics and Embedded Systems Engineering (with integrated year in industry)

Why study Robotics and Embedded Systems Engineering at Aberystwyth University?

• Access to dedicated Linux, Mac OS X laboratories and central servers
• Access to robotic equipment including Arduinos, mobile robots and sailing robots
• Understand software and the underlying mathematics describing it
• Understanding of engineering mathematics and physics, such as instrumentation, forces, electricity and magnetism
• Understand the engineering of professional high quality software systems
• Hands-on experience of the engineering of robotics and embedded systems
• Gain a firm foundation in computing skills, with specialised skills in robotics, artificial intelligence and systems engineering

Our Staff

Almost all of the Department of Computer Science Lecturers and Teaching Fellows are qualified to PhD level, and those who are not have considerable research or industrial experience. All new Lecturers and Teaching Fellows are required to obtain the PGCTHE, and hence are Senior Fellows or Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. The department also employs a number of part time demonstrators and tutors and some student demonstrators, who are selected from our undergraduate and postgraduate students. Research fellows and research assistants (mostly PhD qualified) may also be involved in delivering occasional teaching when it is appropriate.

Our degree prepares you for a variety of careers:

You will develop confidence and gaining experience in the industry will stimulate your enthusiasm for the subject.

• Robotics
• Embedded systems design
• Software development
• Communications and networking
• Computer applications
• IT consultancy and management
• Systems analysis and development
• Education

What skills do I acquire from this degree?

Employability skills are core values of our degree.

As part of your degree you will be required to take part in a first year residential weekend where you and other students will work in teams to solve problems.

This activity will encourage and improve:

• Communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Time management
• Working independently and as part of a team
• Organisation skills
• Implementation skills
• Research skills
• Technical skills

Students taking an industrial year have the opportunity to join a second year residential weekend concentrating on skills to help you find a great placement. This includes:

• CV skills
• Interview practice
• Networking with employers

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

In your first year you will be introduced to:

• Programming
• Problems and solutions
• Calculus, algebra, differential equations
• Forces and dynamics

In your second year you will discover:

• Mathematical Physics
• Robotics and embedded systems
• Our software development life cycle module. This module will allow you to take a role which exists in the industry i.e. project manager, designer etc, you will be required to produce a working software product, following best current industrial practice at every stage.
• Data structures and algorithms
• Artificial Intelligence

In your third year, you will be taking part in your work placement:

•  This is with the assistance of the department. By the end of this placement you will have the knowledge and understanding to make a substantial contribution in the workplace
• You will also return to University with a greater sense of motivation

In your final year, you will undertake:

• Systems engineering
• Space robotics
• Applied control engineering
• Individual project, where you will develop a piece of software in an area of particular interest to you
• A range of further electives to specialise in areas of your choice (for example quantum information, semiconductor physics, machine learning)

How will I be taught?

Our enthusiastic staff will teach you through the medium of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and individual/ group based project work.

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, practicals, projects, workshops and examinations.

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) at Aberystwyth. This is a structured process of self-appraisal, reflection, and planning, which will enable you to chart your personal, academic and professional development throughout your time at university. By recording your academic performance, and highlighting the skills you already have and those you will need for future employability, the PDP portfolio will equip you with the necessary tools to plan effectively, develop successful approaches to study, and consider your future career options and aspirations.