This MSc course, first introduced in 1994, has become widely recognised as an excellent and demanding course. Its content has been enhanced in the past two years with the addition of a new option stream in optical data communications, entrepreneurship training through the University's Research Enterprise and Development (RED) centre, and increased industrial involvement through collaborative industry-based research projects.
The programme is currently supported by leading industrial companies, including Bookham Technology Plc, ST Microelectronics, Micron Europe Ltd, Sony Broadcast Professional Research Labs, Defence Research Agency, Thales Research Ltd, Software Radio Technology, PipingHotNetworks, Hewlett Packard, and Snell and Wilcox.
The Bristol area has traditionally played host to a world-leading semiconductor design industry which continues to thrive today. The MSc in Advanced Microelectronic Systems Engineering has been designed to meet the needs of this local industry in response to a recognised shortfall in graduates with the qualifications and practical skills expected from professional semiconductor design engineers.
The programme is run jointly by the Department of Computer Science in collaboration with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering offering a range of taught core subjects such as Computer Architecture, Programming, Circuit Design and Design Verification, before progressing into more specialised areas, including Embedded and Real-Time Systems, Integrated Sensors and Actuators, Analogue Design and Mixed Signal Design.
Your final year research project will give you a flavour of what its like to do real research. If you like the idea of working at the cutting edge of new ideas then a PhD could be for you. There is government funding available for a PhD degree of around £12.5K per year (tax free) and with sponsorship from industry this can be very competitive with a graduate starting salary.
A PhD degree opens up many interesting career paths both inside and outside academia. If you like the University lifestyle you can stay an as a Postdoctoral researcher where you are employed on national and international research projects. After this you could go on to the teach the next generation and become a lecturer.
After a PhD you can also go into industry and you would typically go in at higher management level - or you might start up your own business with your great research idea !
