MSc System-on-a-Chip

Institution University of Southampton, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics, School of Electronics and Computer Science
Method At the institution
Location Southampton
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MSc System-on-a-Chip

Objectives Systems within mobile telephones, PDAs, cars and aircraft are shrinking in size to the extent that the majority of design is now required to be implemented as a single integrated circuit. The skills required of an engineer to support this level of design are rapidly changing. This course is designed to prepare you for these changes. The SoC programme shares many features of our more established Microelectronics System Design programme; however, the focus within SoC moves away from discrete device considerations and nanotechnological issues and instead focuses on integrated system approaches including electronic design automation (EDA).
Entry requirements Upper second class honours degree or higher or equivalent in an appropriate subject discipline (for example, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or Computer Science)
Academic title MSc System-on-a-Chip
Course description The first semester of the programme focuses on the basic principles of analogue and circuit design and introduces EDA. The second semester builds upon these areas and provides a range of optional subjects including RF Transceiver design and Microsystems Technology. Summer projects are carried out within the Electronic Systems Design group.

This popular course produces highly regarded graduates who are sought after by commercial enterprises and universities alike. The syllabus is updated every year but this list will give you a rough guide to modules offered at present.

Semester 1

-System on Chip Design Techniques (Compulsory)
-SoC EDA (Electronic Design Automation) principles and practice (Compulsory)
-Digital System Design (Compulsory)
-Digital IC Design (Compulsory)
-Research Methods (Compulsory)

Semester 2

-Digital Systems Synthesis (Compulsory)
-VLSI Design Project (Compulsory)
-Formal Design of Systems (Optional)
-Integrated RF Transceiver Design (Optional)
-Analogue and Mixed Signal CMOS design (Optional)
-Radio Communication Networks and Systems (Optional)
-Cryptography and Data Compression (Optional)
-Microsystems Technology (MST): From Lab on Chip to Mobile Phone Applications (Optional)

Semester 3/Summer

-MSc Project (Compulsory)