Explore our Communications and Information Engineering taught Master's degree.

P-H641

MSc

1 year full-time

2 October 2023

Engineering

University of Warwick

Our Communications and Information Engineering MSc will equip you for jobs within this field, including logistics and software. Warwick's School of Engineering, ranked 6th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2022 for General Engineering), will provide you with comprehensive training in the essential elements of modern communication and information engineering.

This course is accredited by the IET and InstMC. More information is available on the School of Engineering websiteLink opens in a new window.

Our MSc Communications and Information Engineering allows students to gain an understanding of the information- theoretic underpinnings alongside the physical-layer aspects of optical and radio transmission.

You’ll cover developments in radio network architectures and deployment and have the opportunity to study digital multimedia storage and communication technologies, data analytics and data mining in terms of algorithms and goals in real-world problems. Cross-discipline options from the Department of Computer Science offer key insights into approaches for dealing with the explosion in data collected in modern society (‘big data’).

After graduation you’ll be well equipped for employment opportunities in modern information and communication engineering, which is currently undergoing a revolution. Recent graduates from the course occupy positions in a variety of industries in the UK and worldwide, including core network provision, logistics, software support and data communication equipment/services, as well as banking, oil and gas, and fashion. The course is also the perfect platform for progression to a research degree.

The degree comprises eight taught modules and an individual research project. The individual research project is an in-depth experimental, theoretical or computational investigation of a topic chosen by you in conjunction with your academic supervisor.

Recent project titles include:

• Network coding for underwater communications
• Nanoscale communication networks
• Design of radio devices using metamaterials

Class sizes for lectures, practical laboratory sessions and seminars vary depending on the number of students taking the module.

The MSc degree (totalling 180 credits) comprises:

• Eight taught modules (15 credits each)
• A research project (60 credits)

The typical workload for a 15-credit module is as follows:

• 20-30 hours of lectures/seminars
• 5 hours of laboratory work
• 45 hours of private/directed study
• 70 hours of assessed work

The research project is valued at 60 credits and students should plan to execute around 600 hours of work towards the completion of the project dissertation.

A combination of coursework and written examinations.

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

A minimum 2:i undergraduate UK honours degree or equivalent international qualification, in an engineering, physical sciences or mathematical subject.

You can see how your current degree score or GPA equates to the British system in our Study pages in the equivalent scores table.

We are willing to consider applications from students with lower qualifications on a case-by-case basis, particularly when the applicant can evidence relevant employment, practical experience or strong performance in undergraduate modules related to their proposed postgraduate course of study.

To ensure you have the essential foundations for the course, and depending on your overall academic profile, we may require you to take a mathematical skills test.

• Band A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Advanced Wireless Systems and Networks

This module enables you to understand the performance of different wireless networks in modern cities, in the context of: functionality, architecture, resource allocation and mutual interaction. The systems considered include legacy 1G/2G/3G systems, as well as current 4G/5G/IoT systems.

Information Theory and Coding

The subject of Information Theory underpins all of modern communications and hence the connected world in which we live. This module provides insight into this important topic plus the compression and error-control coding schemes used in communication systems. It provides the means to quantify information; introduces entropy; presents a quantitative approach to the capacity of communication channels; investigates the methods and limits of source coding and reliable communications.

Radiowave Propagation and Wireless Communications Theory

The module will enable you to carry out project work in radio-wave propagation and wireless communications. It is the module's aim to present fundamental theory and its application in understanding the operation and design aspects of the physical layer of a wireless communications system.

Optical Communications Systems

This module is designed to present the key elements driving the growth in optical communication systems. The approach necessary includes not only an appreciation of device principles but also the broader picture of optoelectronic systems integration, essential to the future provision of high bandwidth for multimedia applications.

Within the module, the principles of optical fibre waveguiding and fibre transmission characteristics are presented. In addition, the operation of modern optical devices is described. Furthermore, the module also considers the detailed design, analysis and operation of optical fibre communication systems and networks. In particular, it presents detailed coverage of important optical fibre and free space networks for future communication applications, with both the facilitating technologies and the networks resulting from their integration being considered. The module aims to provide specialist knowledge of the strategies and techniques involved in the design and implementation of optical communication systems.

Individual Project

This module gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you have independently contributed primary data and/or a new analysis of secondary data, within your chosen advanced research topic.

Projects will be highly variable in nature to reflect the range of topics within the programmes of study but all will provide you with an opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes. Thus, projects may entail experimentation, modelling, analysis and literary survey skills to develop advanced skills in the discovery and occasionally creation of new knowledge. The module also offers the chance for you to pursue curiosity driven work guided by an academic supervisor.

Communication and Information Engineering Design Project

The Communication and Information Engineering design project is a group project aiming to give you experience of working within a team, and parallel the way engineers often work in industry. You will integrate your knowledge and understanding in order to specify and solve a Communication and Information Engineering problem (or user need), through the creation and development of a product, process or system.

The project also allows you to develop their understanding of project management, time management, ethics, sustainability, health and safety, risk management and intellectual property rights. You will develop effective communication and leadership skills, for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Research Methods and Professional Skills

The module aims to equip you with the research skills necessary to support masters’ level learning in engineering and facilitate engagement with the individual project through equipping you with a broad research skill set. In addition, this module will provide you with the professional and team skills to support the course and your career in engineering.

• Signal Processing
• Microwave Engineering and RF Circuits
• ASICs, MEMS and Smart Devices
• Image and Video Analysis
• Foundations of Data Analytics
• Data Mining

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