The University of Sheffield
Electronic and Electrical Engineering

MSc in Data Communications

The M.Sc. (Eng.) in Data Communications, offered jointly by the Departments of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, is a new course designed to provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of this rapidly developing field.

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The efficient transfer of information around the globe is one of the most dynamic business sectors. It encompasses a huge variety of technologies, including:

This diversity means that a course in this area can no longer be adequately presented by the expertise available in one discipline, but needs the combined resources of both Computer Science and Electronic Engineering.

This course at the University at Sheffield takes advantage of the strong complementary research interests of the Departments of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Both Departments received high research ratings in the recent UK assessment, indicating that the quality of knowledge and research in this field is of international standard. The M.Sc. in Data Communications will provide an excellent basis for graduates wishing to pursue research in this area, whether in industry or through some of the opportunities that exist within both Departments.

The primary aim of the course is to ensure its relevance to the industries operating in this field. All students will participate in a group project which is industrially driven, and may have the opportunity to carry out their individual M.Sc. project within industry. Furthermore the strong links between individual lecturers and companies operating in their fields of expertise means that all courses are continually up-dated with the most recent developments in each area. Students embarking on this course can expect a challenging year, learning in-depth about the operating principles and requirements of state-of-the-art and next-generation data communication systems through immersion in the technology that makes them possible.

The combination of research-led teaching and industrial relevance will ensure that graduates with an M.Sc. in Data Communications from the University of Sheffield will be excellently placed for a fulfilling career based on the knowledge learned and skills developed during their degree.

Entry to the Course

For candidates with a suitable bachelors degree level qualification, entry onto the M.Sc. course is straightforward. Unless you are notified otherwise, you may assume that you are registered directly for the M.Sc.

However, students with a less traditional background will be required to complete the course in three stages, with a formal evaluation of progress being made, effectively at the end of each semester. First, 60 credits must be obtained by completing a Postgraduate Certificate Program (PGC). This will allow the candidate to proceed to a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) from which a further 60 credits should be obtained. Those who perform satisfactorily will be allowed to proceed to the final project element of the course from which the last 60 credits may be obtained, leading to the award of an M.Sc.

Students lacking in linear systems theory are able to attend course EEE201 ("Signals and Systems") in order to acquire additional background information. This does not, however, provide extra credits and is optional. There is no necessity for students taking EEE201 to sit the exam in the subject.

For international students, general university requirements regarding English qualifications must also be satisfied. The current minimum English requirement for applicants is IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6 in each component).

Further Information

For further information about this course please contact:

The Graduate Admissions Officer
Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
University of Sheffield
Mappin Street
Sheffield, S1 3JD
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)114 222 5355
Fax: +44 (0)114 222 5143

email : infoeee@sheffield.ac.uk