EE
MSc Sensing
Programme outline
Key information
Sensor R&D and applications have dramatically
increased over recent years and the technologies and
applications are extremely varied. This has been
driven by new sensor technologies, developments in
electronics and data networking enabling the collection
of data efficiently and the increased demand for
improved efficiencies which require active monitoring
and feedback. It is difficult to think of any area of
engineering which does not make use of sensing
technology. The aim of this programme will be to
provide students with a core understanding of the
generic instrumentation and signal processing
requirements common to all sensing applications
together with a choice of more specialised modules
relating to specific application areas and industries.
Duration of programme
Full-time: 12 months (six months of taught
modules on campus and six month individual
project, which may be carried out in industry or
on campus)
Taught modules and examinations/assessments are
completed during the six months October to March.
After successful completion students may then
progress to the six month individual research project
during April to the end of September. We endeavour to
place students with industrial sponsors for the duration
of their projects, with all other projects being
undertaken at the University.
For further information on this programme
contact the Programme Director:
Dr John Williams
j.a.r.williams@aston.ac.uk
Start date
October 2010
(subject to approval)
Intake
24 per year
Fees
UK and EU students: £4,350 (2010 fee)
International students: £12,250 (2010 fee)
A limited number of scholarships may be
available for this programme, subject to the
fulfilment of academic and other eligibility
criteria. Visit www.aston.ac.uk/eas/postgraduate/
fees-and-scholarships for more information.
Contact us
MSc Programmes Admissions Officer
Tel: +44 (0)121 204 3668
Fax: +44 (0)121 204 3676
E-mail: seaspgtaught@aston.ac.uk
How to apply
www.aston.ac.uk/eas/postgraduate/apply
Entry requirements
► A good first or second class Honours Degree
from a UK academic organisation in a
relevant engineering field, science or closely
related discipline.
► Qualifications from outside the UK or a
combination of qualifications and/or
experience will also be considered. The
course administration office can provide
advice on whether these qualifications are the
equivalent of the level of Honours Degree
required.
► International students whose native language
is not English will also need to demonstrate
English Language ability (e.g. IELTS 6.5,
TOEFL score of 600 or equivalent).
www.aston.ac.uk/eas
Modules
► Biological ,Chemical and Medical Sensing: Studying this module will learn fundamental knowledge and new
developments in bio/chemical sensor and sensing technology using optical techniques and nanomaterials.
► Electronic Sensors: To provide an introduction to the materials, technologies, devices and signal processing used
in electronic sensing systems.
► Optical Measurements and Fibre Sensing: This module will give the students a theoretical understanding and
practical experience of optical measurements and fibre sensing systems.
► Project Preparation: Through the development of a literature review and a project plan, this module ensures that
the student is fully prepared before undergoing the main body of their masters project.
► Remote Sensing of the Natural Environment: An introduction to the sensors and platforms used in remote sensing,
recovering geometrically correct images and extracting information from them.
► Sensing Infomatics: This module covers tools and techniques for handling and analysing sensor data, including
considerations of data quality, spatio-temporal context, sensor sampling design and decision-making.
► Sensing Networks: Provides an overview of the applications, characteristics, platforms and data processing
requirements of data sensing networks.
► Signal Processing: Analytical methods in signal processing for sensing applications. Design and implementation
issues. Sampling and reconstruction of signals. Multi-dimensional and multi-sensor processing.
► Structural Health Monitoring: The module examines the reasoning behind SHM; underlying sensing technologies;
integrated vehicle health management; applications in aerospace/defence, civil engineering/energy.
► MSc Project: Project work which develops the taught element of the programme therefore contributing to the student’s
personal development towards professional conduct and practice in the Telecommunications sector.
Learning, teaching and assessment
The taught section of the programme is assessed by formal examinations, course work and case studies. The project is
assessed through a dissertation, an oral presentation (viva) and an assessment by the project supervisor.
Teaching staff
Dr Lucy Bastin - Full Time Academic
Dr John Elgy - Full Time Academic
Dr Peter Foote - External Lecturer (BAE)
Dr Vladimir Mezentsev - Full Time Academic
Dr Alex Rozhin - Full Time Academic
Dr Kate Sugden - Full Time Academic
Dr David Webb - Full Time Academic
Dr John A R Williams - Full Time Academic
Dr Haitao Ye - Full Time Academic
Prof Lin Zhang - Full Time Academic
Programme Director
Dr John Williams
John Williams received his BSc in Physics and PhD on the development, characterisation and optimisation of various new
modelocked laser sources from Imperial College of Science and Technology, London.
He has been working in the Photonics Research group, Aston University since 1992 and has been a Reader there since
2000. He has authored and co-authored over 100 journal and conference papers in photonics related fields.
Dr Williams is a member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP), the Optical Society of America and the Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers (MIEEE) and the Institute of Electrical Engineers (MIEE).
John's current research interests include the design and fabrication of in-fibre Bragg Gratings and their application as
sensors, for the control of short pulses and for the processing and control of sub-carrier multiplexed microwave signals
www.aston.ac.uk/eas/postgraduate