University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Engineering > Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering > Optical Communications and Signal Processing (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 4EENG007T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Martin Cryan
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Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
School/department | Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements. (http://www.theiet.org/) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
This programme aims to
• Offer well qualified entrants the best possible learning experience in a research environment;
• Equip students with the knowledge, technical skills and transferable skills to enable them to play a leading and creative role as engineers in industry, academic research, or elsewhere;
• Encompass a wide range of fundamental material, together with a selection of advanced topics in the final semester, reflecting the strengths of the relevant research groups;
• Provide the educational requirements for the matching section of Chartered Engineer status for students from appropriate BEng first degree programmes.
Programme-specific aims:
• The MSc in Optical Communications and Signal Processing (OSSP) aims to provide students with a range of advanced topics drawn from optical communication systems and devices and optics related signal processing (including associated enabling technologies).
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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1 & 3 are acquired through lectures and taught laboratory activities, mainly in the first semester. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Assessment comprises a combination of unseen written examinations (1-3), together with assessed coursework (1-5) in the form of laboratory experiment write-ups (1-3), computer-based tests (1-3), presentations (2,3), oral examinations (1 [some subjects]), and project dissertations (2-4). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Analysis and problem-solving skills are assessed through unseen written examinations and through computer-based tests. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Practical skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Practical skills are assessed through laboratory experiment write-ups, computer-based tests and project dissertations. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level M/7 - Masters |
The students are expected to attend eleven taught units, 10 worth 10 credit points and 1 worth 20 credit points (stage 1). These units enable the students to acquire the fundamental and specialist skills related to optical communications and signal processing. Having completed stage 1, students will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and will show originality in tackling and solving problems. At the end of stage 1 students are expected to be able to show originality in the application of knowledge, and to understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will acquired the skills and knowledge required to tackle their individual research project (stage 2). Students are also expected to complete the background research for their project in stage 1 and must submit a project specification and design pro-forma. |
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For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
The MSc in Optical Communications and Signal Processing (OCSP) is a challenging one-year taught Masters Degree programme with specialisation in optical communications and its associated signal processing. It provides an excellent opportunity for graduates in physics, engineering, mathematical and other numerate disciplines to acquire the necessary skills to enter careers in some of the most dynamic fields in optical communications and signal processing.
The programme is taken on a full-time basis over twelve months in two twelve week blocks plus a separate research project over the summer period. Research projects may be undertaken at the University or in collaboration with one of the programme's many industrial supporters.
Students have a unique learning experience supported by caring and supportive staff. The criteria for awarding an MSc are given in the following sections. Students begin by studying a common module in communications systems to ensure uniformity of basic knowledge across the cohort. The students then take 11 compulsory units (combining both fundamentals and subject specific specialisations). The programme ends with a major individual research project, which is performed over a 3 month period from mid-June until mid-September.
Most staff members are internationally recognised in their research fields and this is reflected in the up-to-date nature of the units. The facilities available within the department for individual research projects are outstanding. Many of the students, moreover, benefit from working with local industry and thereby attain skills which maximise their employability on graduation. Students have, for example, worked with Motorola, ST and Toshiba and with state-of-the-art equipment provided by Texas Instruments.
The education, training and assessment of the MSc programmes extend over a 50-week period, starting in September each year with the Introductory Week. During this week students meet the programme staff and their personal tutors, and some of the fundamental unit material is presented through a compulsory lecture programme entitled 'Principles of Communication Systems'. The taught modules and associated assessment (including examinations) occur in the first 35 weeks and the research project runs full-time during the latter 15 weeks of the programme. The taught material is presented over 2 semesters, each of 12 weeks' duration, excluding the Christmas and Easter vacations of 8 weeks in total. Further, the examinations are held in January and May/June each year. During the second semester the students take the unit Engineering Research Skills, which prepares them for their project and requires them to do an in-depth literature review.
The taught material is arranged in units extending over a 12-week period (a semester) with 2 lectures per week, each of 50 minutes duration. The assessment of this material is via both continuous assessment (usually laboratory assignments) and a formal examination. Most units are worth 10 credit points (CP) with Engineering Research Skills worth 20 CP and there are a total of 120 CP in the taught phase of each programme. The research project is worth 60 CP, thereby yielding a total of 180 CP for the complete Masters programme.
Special Features for this MSc include:
" State of the art hardware facilities in optical communications and signal processing.
" MSc exposes students to an active research culture.
" Students work alongside PGs and RAs (project phase) in an environment engaged in leading-edge research.
" Students offered a broad range of industrial projects.
" Destinations following the MSc include industry as well as further PhD study.
Professor Martin Cryan, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Programme Director)
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Principles of Communication Systems | EENGM0033 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
Networking Protocol Principles 3 | EENG30002 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Optoelectronic Devices and Systems (M) | EENGM6020 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Digital Filters and Spectral Analysis (M) | EENGM1400 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Advanced Optoelectronic Devices | EENGM6000 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2C |
Optical Communications Systems and Data Networks | EENGM2001 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2C |
Research Project | EENGM8000 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Optical Networks | EENGM0003 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Engineering Research Skills | EENGM0004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Data Center Networking | EENGM0008 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Mobile Communication Systems | EENG30010 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Advanced Networks | EENGM4211 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
MSc Optical Communication Networks and Signal Processing | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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