School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

Everything is connected to everything else! Systems engineering is a relatively new and very exciting field, quite different in its approach from conventional engineering disciplines.

Systems Engineers manage and implement complex, inter- disciplinary projects through all their phases including specification, design, development and maintenance.

To do this effectively requires in-depth knowledge across a wide range of subjects. Key skills are the ability to analyse a problem, taking into account all influencing factors, organise work on solutions into manageable elements and reintegrate these subsystems into an efficient and effective whole.

Not surprisingly, a systematic and holistic approach is central to this programme. Considering the ‘big picture’ means taking everything into account so multi-disciplinary is definitely the word! Topics such as human factors, ergonomics and engineering management play a prominent role alongside the main technical disciplines of electronic, electrical, mechanical, materials, aeronautical and software engineering

There are BEng and MEng variants of the course, each with the option to include the Diploma in Industrial Studies.

This programme is sponsored by BAE Systems, Selex Galileo and Frazer-Nash.

The University is pleased to be part of the Royal Academy of Engineering's Visiting Professor scheme for Integrated System Design.  This programme fosters industry–academia links and aims to help universities to teach engineering design to undergraduates in a way that relates to real professional practice. Professor Paul Davies from Thales joined the University in 2007.

For those who would like a good, readable introduction to what systems engineering is all about, the Academy has published an excellent  booklet, which sets out to demystify the design of complex projects. It lays down six simple principles covering the design of any integrated system and is intended as a guide for educators, students and practising engineers.

• 'Creating Systems That Work: Principles of engineering systems for the 21st Century' can be downloaded from the Academy's website
• The Department's own guide to Systems Engineering undergraduate programmes can be downloaded here.

This programme is accredited by: