Computer and Machine Vision - Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering MSc
Course descriptionCourse Description: The Computer and Machine Vision (CMV) option in Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering has been developed to deliver qualified engineers of the highest standard into the emerging field of digital signal and image processing who are capable of contributing significantly to this increased demand for both real-time and off-line systems operating over a range of mobile, embedded and workstation platforms.The CMV option of the MSc in Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering aims to develop your skill-base for the rapidly expanding engineering IT industry sector, not only in the UK but all over the world. Graduates in this option have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of careers embracing telecommunications, the automotive industry, medical imaging, software houses and industrial research where demand for skills is high. Start Months: SeptemberFull Time/ Part Time:Full-time/Part-timeSchool:School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing Theme:AerospaceEntry Requirements:A first or second class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) ideally in a related subject. Other recognised professional qualifications or several years relevant industrial experience may be accepted as equivalent; subject to approval by the Course Director. For further and specific information please visit the course page. English Language:If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. The minimum standard expected from a number of accepted courses are as follows: IELTS - 6.5 TOEFL - 92 Pearson PTE Academic - 65 Cambridge English Scale - 180 Cambridge English: Advanced - C Cambridge English: Proficiency - CIn addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low. We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date). Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test. Duration:Full-time MSc - one year, Part-time MSc - up to three yearsCourse Format:TaughtMScOverview: This specialist option of the MSc Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering has been developed to deliver qualified engineers to the highest standard into the emerging field of digital signal and image processing who are capable of contributing significantly to this increased demand for both real-time and off-line systems operating over a range of mobile, embedded and workstation platforms.Who is it for?:Developed for students interested in software development within the wide spectrum of industries in which digital signal processing and/or digital image processing plays a significant role. Suitable for candidates from a broad range of engineering backgrounds, including aeronautical, automotive, mechanical and electrical engineering in addition to the more traditional computational sciences background, who wish to both develop and complement their existing skill-set in this new area. Part-time students have a flexible commencement date.Why this course?:This option of the MSc in Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering aims to develop your skill-base for the rapidly expanding engineering IT industry sector, not only in the UK but all over the world. Graduates in this option have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of careers embracing telecommunications, the automotive industry, medical imaging, software houses and industrial research where demand for skills is high.This course additionally forms part of the ESTIA (Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées) Cranfield MSc programme which gives ESTIA students the opportunity to study this degree based either at Cranfield University or ESTIA in Bidart, South-West France.Cranfield University is very well located for visiting part-time students from all over the world, and offers a range of library and support facilities to support your studies. This enables students from all over the world to complete this qualification whilst balancing work/life commitments.Informed by Industry:The course is directed by an industrial advisory panel who meet twice a year to ensure that it provides the right mix of hands-on skills and up-to-date knowledge suitable for the wide variety of applications that this field addresses.A number of members also attend the annual student thesis presentations which take place at the end of July. This provides a good opportunity for students to meet key employers.The Industry Advisory Panel includes: Dr Adam Vile, Excelian Mr Darren Baldwin, Excelian Prof Chris Greenough, Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) Mr Ed Lambourne, Delcam International. Mr Matthew Breach, Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems Mr Nigel Sedgewick, Selex Mr Paul Mulvanny, Ent IT Mr Ray Goult, Ent IT Dr Sanjiv Sharma, Airbus UK Dr Steve King, Rolls Royce Dr Julian Turnbull, AV Mr Jon Loach, FACTSET.Your teaching team:Cranfield University is a leader in applied mathematics and computing applications, and you will be taught by experienced Cranfield academic staff including: Dr Karl Jenkins, Course Director Dr Yifan Zhao Professor Len Gelman.Our staff are practitioners as well as tutors, with clients that include: UK Ministry of Defence Home Office Scientific Development Branch Caterpillar Rolls-Royce Department of Transport (DfT). Our teaching team work closely with business and have academic and industrial experience. Knowledge gained working with our clients is continually fed back into the teaching programme, to ensure that you benefit from the very latest knowledge and techniques affecting industry.The course also includes visiting lecturers from industry who will relate the theory to current best practice. In recent years, our students have received lectures from industry speakers including: Jonathan Mckinnell, BBC R&D Mark Bernhardt, Waterfall Solutions Andy Lomas, Head of CG, Framestore.Course details:The course consists of 12 core modules, including a group design project, plus an individual research project. The course is delivered via a combination of structured lectures, tutorial sessions and computer based workshops. Mathematical and computational methods form the basis of the specialist modules, covering the theory and application of DSIP algorithms for the analysis, interpretation and processing of data in diverse fields such as computer vision, robotics, vibro-acoustic condition monitoring, medical diagnosis, remote sensing and data visualisation. This set of specialist modules are designed to provide students with the programming techniques necessary to develop, maintain and use core DSIP solution software over a wide range of industrial settings.Group project:The group project which takes place in the spring is designed to provide you with invaluable experience of delivering a project within an industry structured team. The project allows you to develop a range of skills including learning how to establish team member roles and responsibilities, project management, delivering technical presentations and gaining experience of working in teams that include members with a variety of expertise and often with members who are based remotely.Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a group project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the Course Director.Recent Group Projects include: Real-time Robotic Sensing Automatic Video Surveillance Face Recognition Systems Applied Digital Signal Processing for Gear Box Analysis Vibro-acoustic Analysis of Turbine Blades.Individual project:The individual research project allows you to delve deeper into an area of specific interest. It is very common for industrial partners to put forward real world problems or areas of development as potential research project topics. In general you will begin to consider the research project after completing 3-4 modules - it then runs concurrently with the rest of your work.For part-time students it is common that their research thesis is undertaken in collaboration with their place of work.Recent Individual Research Projects include: Vision Systems for Real Time Driver Assistance Pattern Recognition for Vibration Analysis Image Stabilisation for UAV Video Footage Presenting Driver Assistance Information Using Augmented Reality Real-time Object Tracking for Intelligent Surveillance Systems 3D Stereo Vision Systems for Robotics and Vehicles.Assessment:Taught modules 45%, Group project 5%, Individual research project 50%Funding Opportunities: A significant level of bursary support to cover UK/EU fees only is available to full-time students with a 1st class or 2.1 honours degree in a relevant and appropriate discipline from a UK/EU university. Limited funding may be available to other EU/UK students and each case is assessed on academic merit. Please contact the Course Director for details. Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS) To help students find and secure appropriate funding, we have created a funding finder where you can search for suitable sources of funding by filtering the results to suit your needs. Your career: The MSc in Computer and Machine Vision attracts enquiries from companies all over the world who wish to recruit high quality graduates. There is considerable demand for students with expertise in engineering software development and for those who have strong technical programming skills in industry standard languages and tools. Graduates of this course will be in demand by commercial engineering software developers, automotive, telecommunications, medical and other industries and research organisations, and have been particularly successful in finding long-term employment. Some students may go onto degrees, on the basis of their MSc research project. Thesis topics are most often supplied by individual companies on in-company problems with a view to employment after graduation - an approach that is being actively encouraged by a growing number of industries. A selection of companies that have recruited our graduates include: BAE Systems European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Orange France Microsoft EDS Unigraphics Delcam GKN Technology Logica Oracle Consulting Services National Power Altran Technologies Earth Observation Sciences Ltd Oracle Consulting Services Easams Defence Consultancy Xyratex