Syllabus - Master's Programme in Intelligent Embedded Systems

Outcomes

An overriding objective for the programme is to produce students, with spearhead competence in Intelligent and Embedded Systems, who have a holistic view of system construction, and who have a mastery of project management in groups of people with different competencies.

Knowledge and Understanding

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge (“state of the art”) in the areas of real-time systems, intelligent systems, along with hardware  and software development of embedded systems,
• demonstrate understanding and experience of industrial embedded systems (“state of the practice”) and in-depth methodological knowledge of the development of intelligent embedded systems,
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental design paradigms, architectures, possibilities and challenges for  embedded systems from both a software  and hardware perspective, and
• demonstrate knowledge of the methods and tools required to satisfactorily carry out minor and major project assignments within the subject.

Aptitudes and Accomplishments

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability critically, independently and creatively to identify and formulate problems
• demonstrate the ability critically and systematically to integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, problems and situations, even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to plan, and with adequate methods to carry out, advanced assignments within given timescales and also to evaluate this work, and thereby contribute to the development of knowledge,
• demonstrate the ability, in national as well as international contexts, orally and in writing, clearly to account for and discuss the conclusions arrived at, the knowledge and the arguments which form the basis of these in dialogue with others,
• demonstrate such skills as are required to participate in research and development work or independently to work in any other advanced activity, and also
• practically be able to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge to design, analyse and implement an intelligent embedded real-time system.

Ability to Evaluate and Assess

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

• be able to take responsibility for his/her own knowledge development and demonstrate the ability to identify his/her need of further knowledge,
• demonstrate the ability to make assessments, within the main field of study and its specialisation, with regard to relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects, along with demonstrating awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work, and also
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the responsibility of human beings for how this is used.

Language of instruction

The main language of instruction is English, which means that all teaching, course literature, documentation, reporting etc. shall be in English.

Contents

There are two clear parts of the programme: project-oriented learning in cooperation with companies, and the range of theoretical courses required respectively. A large part of the programme will be carried out in the form of problem-based learning within the framework of a number of cutting-edge projects in cooperation with industry and the community. The project component’s link to industry and the community is very strong, and is intended to prepare the students for a working life outside the University. Participation from companies and organisations within the project component can be more or less extensive, and can cover everything from the formulation of relevant problems, mentorship, placement, degree project places, through being a host company for one or more of the cutting-edge projects which will be conducted within the programme, to “adopting” one of the programme students as its own.

To attain the required depth, however, a good deal of theoretical knowledge is required to solve the problems facing the students. The programme contains courses within four areas:
1) Methodology – aims to give the students the necessary tools to carry out projects satisfactorily, e.g. project work methodology, report methodology, along with knowledge of methodology within the areas of measuring, testing or verification.
2) Embedded systems – gives specialised knowledge of embedded systems, such as for example the development of time critical real-time applications, energy efficiency, testing and debugging of embedded systems, asynchronous communication, and synchronisation in distributed embedded systems.
3) Intelligent systems – gives basic knowledge of advanced sensor systems as well as advanced decision-making and adaptivity in systems. The learning objectives in intelligent systems include knowledge of metrology, signal processing, learning systems and adaptive systems for dynamic environments.
4) Hardware gives basic knowledge of how hardware aspects set limits on, or open possibilities for, realisation of embedded systems. The learning objectives in hardware include understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of hardware solutions along with the opportunities to make design decisions based on limited resources, resource efficiency and considerations of price and performance.

Year 1
Computer Science
Project Methodology, 7.5 credits
Embedded Systems I, 7.5 credits
Embedded Systems II, 7.5 credits
Project in Embedded Systems, 7.5 credits
Intelligent Systems, 7.5 credits
Hardware for Embedded Systems, 7.5 credits

Elective, 15 credits:
Computer Science
Project in Intelligent Embedded Systems, 15 credits
Degree project, 15 credits

Year 2
Computer Science
Degree Project, 30 credits

Mathematics/Applied Mathematics
Numerical Methods with MATLAB, 7.5 credits

Elective, 22.5 credits:
Computer Science
Project in Advanced Embedded Systems, 22.5 credits

or

Computer Science
Safety Critical Systems, 7.5 credits
Research Methods in the Natural Sciences and Engineering, 7.5 credits

Electronics
Sensor Technique, 7.5 credits

Choices within the program

The programme consists of recommended courses. It is possible to end the programme after one year, in which case a degree project (15 credits) is selected in semester two instead of the project course. In semester three, courses within Computer Science and Electronics are selected. The choice of courses can affect the possibility of fulfilling the degree requirements. If other courses than those presented above are selected, this shall be done in consultation with the programme coordinator to ensure the fulfilment of requirements for a degree. The students are given the opportunity to read parts of the programme abroad (for a maximum of one academic year), at one of the University’s partner universities which have corresponding programmes in embedded systems. The courses are selected in consultation with the programme coordinator and will be able to be counted towards a degree at MDH, in the same way as corresponding courses at MDH.

University degree

The degree programme is so designed that the studies will lead towards fulfilment of the requirements for the following degree(s):

• Master of Science (120 credits) in Computer Science with Specialization in Embedded Systems.
• Master of Science (60 credits) in Computer Science with Specialization in Embedded Systems.

If a student does not select courses in consultation with the programme coordinator, or if a student chooses not to complete a certain course, the choices made can affect the possibility of fulfilling the degree requirements. For more information about degrees and degree requirements, consult the local degree regulations which are published on the University website.