Robotics (with a Year in Industry) BEng (Hons) (with Foundation Year)

The Foundation Year is a great opportunity if you have the ability and enthusiasm to study for a degree, but do not yet have the qualifications required to enter directly onto our degree programmes. A significant part of the Foundation Year focuses upon core skills such as academic writing at HE level, becoming an independent learner, structuring academic work, critical thinking, time management and note taking.

Successful completion of the Foundation Year will enable you to progress into the first year (Level C) of your chosen honours degree. Further details can be found here.

In the first year, you will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that underpin Robotics. Topics studied include:

• Engineering Principles: This provides the fundamental blocks for the curriculum and covers topics such as electromagnetism, circuit theory, analogue and digital electronics, mathematics and engineering programming. You will also develop a small microcontroller based robotics project.
  
  
• Computing Principles & Professional Development: Professional Development prepares you for learning and study in an engineering discipline and also introduces the fundamental practices, values and expectations of an engineer. Computing principles introduces the fundamental aspects of computer systems and databases along with the principles of algorithm design and programming.

In the second year, you will develop a broader understanding and knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of Robotics. You study:

• Robotics platforms: You gain hands-on experience with real robots, learning how to program them and you will develop a robotics project.
  
  
• Robot Operating System (ROS): ROS is the industry standard software architecture for the control of robots and you will gain practical hands on experience.
  
  
• Kinematic and mechanics: You study the motion of an object in 3D which leads to understanding the relationship between a robot's joint coordinates and its spatial layout in robotics kinematics. 
  
  
• Microcontrollers: Microcontrollers are everywhere and are fundamental to your course. Being able to program microcontrollers and interface them to sensors and actuators are critical skills. 
  
  
• Control theory: Control systems are fundamental to the stable and reliable operation of electronic and electromechanical systems.
  
  
• Computer vision: Vision is generally accepted as the key sensor modality in robotics and you will study image sensors [for use on a robot] and the main aspects of image processing, including image formation and preprocessing. You will be equipped with a comprehensive and solid understanding of image processing techniques and mechanics.
  
  
• Professional skills: A range of topics are covered in this block, more generally equipping you for working in industry.
  
  
• Applied electronics: This block of study builds on introductory electronics, looking more in-depth at transistors, operational amplifiers and application circuits, with an emphasis on sensors, signal conditioning and control of actuators.

You spend your third year on a compulsory placement in industry.

Your fourth year helps you develop a deeper understanding of the theoretical aspects of Robotics and be able to critically select appropriate tools and techniques to solve problems. Topics will depend on latest developments, but will include areas such as:

• Intelligent Systems: The course focuses on artificial intelligence, with a particular emphasis on machine learning. You will begin with foundational knowledge of different ML models, moving toward metaheuristics (genetic algorithms) and reinforcement learning. You will then move toward natural language processing and more exotic models within machine learning, such as meta-learning and semi-supervised learning.
  
  
• Machine learning hardware: You will study the use of hardware systems to accelerate machine learning algorithms using computing architectures that are more appropriate for artificial intelligence.
  
  
• Electronics systems: You will study embedded systems including the use of a hardware description language and programmable logic such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), control systems and mechatronics.
  
  
• Spatial computing: You will learn using the software commonly used for virtual reality development, i.e. Unity and Unreal Engine, but also touch upon other technologies, such as for VR in the browser. You will also have access to cutting edge technology to test out your creations.
  
  
• Internet of Things (IoT): You will broaden your knowledge to the emerging internet-of-things, whereby physical things in the world are part of the internet. As with VR, you will have access to a range of technologies on which to develop and test your ideas.
  
  
• Robotics systems: You will study advanced sensors and actuators, human-robot interaction and neurorobotics.
  
  
• Robotics Project: You will carry out a major, independent project that allows you to draw on your skills and learning and focus on an area of interest to you.