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SCHOOL OFENGINEERING AND

DIGITAL ARTSCanterbury

The UK’s European university

Graduatestudy

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INTRODUCTION

The School of Engineeringand Digital Artssuccessfully combinesmodern engineering andtechnology with theexciting new field ofdigital media. The Schoolwas established over40 years ago and hasdeveloped a top-qualityteaching and researchbase, receiving excellentratings in both researchand teaching assessments.

World-leading researchThe School undertakes high-qualityresearch that has had significantnational and international impact,and our spread of expertise allowsus to respond rapidly to newdevelopments. Our 32 academicstaff and over 130 postgraduatestudents and research staff formteams providing an ideal focus toeffectively support a high level ofresearch activity. There is a thrivingstudent population studying forpostgraduate degrees in a notablyfriendly and supportive teachingand research environment.

Research fundingWe have research funding from theUK Research Councils, Europeanresearch programmes, a numberof industrial and commercialcompanies and governmentagencies – such as the Ministryof Defence, among many others.

Research groupsResearch in the School is supportedby our four research groups:• Broadband and WirelessCommunications

• Instrumentation, Control andEmbedded Systems

• Image and InformationEngineering

• Digital Media.

For details of current research,see p21.

Postgraduate resourcesThe School is well equipped witha wide range of laboratory andcomputing facilities and softwarepackages for teaching and researchsupport. There is a variety ofhardware and software for imageacquisition and processing, as wellas extensive multimedia computingresources. The School has facilities

for designing embedded systemsusing programmable logic andASIC technology, supported byCAD tools and developmentsoftware from internationalcompanies, including Cadence™,Xilinx™, Synopsys™, Altera™,National Instruments® and MentorGraphics™. The SMT laboratory canbe used for prototyping and small-volume PCB manufacture. A well-equipped instrumentation researchlaboratory is also available.

Students studying communicationshave access to both commercialand in-house software toolsfor designing microwave, RF,optoelectronics and antennasystems (such as ADS™, CST™,HFSS™) and subsequent testingwith network and spectrumanalysers up to 110 GHz, an on-wafer prober and high-qualityanechoic chambers.

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Expert teachingOur teaching is informed by ourresearch, which means that you arelearning at the forefront of your field.Our academics have a wide rangeof experience, both in industry andacademia, which allows studentsto benefit from their real-worldexperience.

Industry collaborationWe ensure that all of ourprogrammes meet the currentneeds of industry and we haveworked with the world-leadingvisual effects company Framestoreto develop our Computer Animationprogramme. Our excellentreputation has allowed us tobuild up a wide range of contacts.

Our Electronic Systems DesignCentre and Digital Media Hubprovide training and consultancyfor a wide range of companies.Many of our research projectsare collaborative, and we havewell-developed links with institutionsworldwide.

Supportive environmentAs a postgraduate student, youare part of a thriving researchcommunity and receive supportthrough a wide-ranging programmeof individual supervision,specialised research seminars,general skills training programmes,and general departmental colloquia,usually with external speakers.We encourage you to attendand present your work at majorconferences, as well as takingpart in our internal conferenceand seminar programmes.

Dynamic publishingcultureStaff publish regularly and widelyin journals, conference proceedingsand books. Among others, theyhave recently contributed to:IEEE Transactions; IET Journals;Electronics Letters; Journal ofApplied Physics; Computers inHuman Behaviour. For details ofstaff research interests, see p23.

Students on the ComputerAnimation and Digital Visual Effectsprogrammes work in a dedicated,state-of-the-art suite, equipped withleading-edge PC workstationsrunning Alias™ Maya and FoundryNuke. There is also a photographicstudio and a production studio withgreen screen and motion capturefacilities. In addition, the School isequipped with a 3D body scanner– one of only two in the UK.

Students on the Information Securityand Biometrics Master’s coursehave access to state-of-the-artbiometrics equipment, which can beused for studying the characteristicsof the different biometric modalitiesintroduced during the course.

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Georges Haddad isstudying for a Master’sin Broadband and MobileCommunicationsNetworks.

What attracted you to Kent?I chose Kent because it was thebest fit for me. I am very interestedin 3G and 4G networks and theMSc in Broadband and MobileCommunications covers this area.

I also wanted to combine my studieswith a good social life and wasattracted to Kent as it is ‘the gardenof England’ – postgraduate studyis quite intense so I thought living insuch a beautiful place, with lots offriendly people would give me achance to relax. Also, Canterburyis just an hour from London.

How is the course going?I am very happy. We have learntabout the history of mobilenetworks, current networks andwhat is likely to happen in the future.The course is well-designed; in yourfirst two terms the modules youstudy give you the knowledge youneed to decide on the subject ofyour research project, and the basisfor building a successful career intelecommunications.

Tell us about your project.I have chosen the project Space-Time Coding and Decoding in LTE.I submitted a project proposal, aposter and a literature review andfortunately received good marks.I have begun my project and haveregular meetings with my supervisor,

where he makes sure I am onthe right track and, if I need help,points me in the right direction. Mysupervisor has told me that I am thefirst student to do a project on thisparticular integrated circuit (FPGA),so if I am successful it will be agreat thing for me and the Schoolas well; it will be difficult but it isalso exciting to try and succeed inbuilding something challenging. Formy practical work, I have access tothe Antenna Laboratory, a state-of-the-art lab containing the FPGAcircuit, powerful computers andan anechoic chamber where Ican conduct experiments andsimulations on the circuit.

Are the lecturers supportive?Yes. One of the reasons I choseKent was the detailed responsesthe professors gave to questions Isent them about the course. Oncehere, that level of engagement hascontinued. On a personal level, I amfrom Syria and the current situationhas led to some practical difficultiesfor me, but my supervisor has beenvery helpful and made sure thatI can concentrate on my studies.

What about the other students?We are a close group; duringrevision time we worked togetherand that was great. When the examswere over, we went out for a mealto celebrate and now that we areall working on our projects it is goodto have that supportive network.

What do you think of thefacilities?In addition to the excellent laboratoryfacilities, the library is also wellstocked for our subject. The Schoolhas a subscription to IEEE, an onlinedatabase for engineers, where allthe latest journal articles are placed.Access to this is essential for all ofthe students as we need the mostup-to-date information for ourprojects, but without the Schoolsubscription it would be veryexpensive for us.

What are your future plans?I would like to continue my studiesby doing a PhD. However, I need todecide whether it would be better toget some practical work experiencefirst. Ultimately, I will return to Syriaand, when peace prevails, hopefullybe a part of establishing fourthgeneration communication networksthere.

Any advice for future students?If you choose Kent, you will havemade a very good decision! Forpostgraduate study, it is importantto look at the course first and makesure it is exactly what you want. Myprogramme lasts one year but I amenjoying the experience so much,I wish it was two!

STUDENT PROFILES

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What does doing a furtherdegree give you that a firstdegree doesn’t?I think studying for a postgraduatedegree gives you the opportunityand the freedom to discover, learnand use your skills to improvescience.

What are you planning to donext?I have completed my PhD and amworking as a research associate atEDA at the moment. However, I planto work as an academician andestablish myself as an importantresearcher in the field of biometrics,and to make powerful and usefulcontributions to science and, ofcourse, to the world.

What advice would you give toanyone thinking about taking aresearch degree at Kent?I would say: you should know thatdoing a PhD is not a course of study– as your undergraduate degreewas – more it’s a kind of dream, aim,passion, and one of the biggest lifeadventures you will ever have!

Meryem Erbilek recentlycompleted her PhD inElectronic Engineering.

Why did you choose to studyat Kent?There are two reasons: first, Kentis in the top ten universities inthe UK in the field of electronicengineering; and second, theImage and Information Engineeringresearch group at Kent is one ofthe best in the UK for research inbiometric systems and security,which is the area I am mostinterested in.

What are you researching?My research covers the followingareas: iris segmentation andrecognition; signature featureanalysis and recognition; ageingeffects in biometric systems –especially in iris and signaturemodalities; predicting soft-biometricinformation such as age and genderfrom biometrics – especially from irisimages and signature samples; andanalysis of differences betweenhandwritten signatures and digitaltablets. I really enjoy being part ofa research group and doing theresearch itself.

How have you found thesupervision process?The supervision process has helpedme to improve my personal andresearch skills. I have learnt thatundertaking a PhD is not only aboutstudying and improving science butalso about improving my personaldevelopment through the power ofscience as well.

How have you funded yourstudies?The School of Engineering andDigital Arts (EDA) and the Universitygave me a full scholarship for threeyears to complete my PhD studies.Also, the School paid for me toattend an international conferenceand present my paper.

How does postgraduate studydiffer from undergraduatestudy?I think that through yourundergraduate studies, you learnabout your subject from experts inthe field who tell you what to studyand how to do it. Through yourpostgraduate studies, you workindependently to improve yourknowledge of your subject and,through your research, you expandthe knowledge base in yoursubject area.

How do you think your studiesat Kent will affect youremployment prospects? Through my studies, I have gainedboth personal and research skills.I have published several papersin international journals and atconferences. I am now employedas a research associate and workon several projects. I believe thisexperience has helped me to gainadditional skills to those usuallyacquired by PhD students andthink these skills will make memore employable in the future.

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IMPRESSIVE CAREER PROSPECTS

A postgraduatequalification from Kentopens up a wealth ofcareer opportunities byproviding an impressiveportfolio of skills andspecialist knowledge.

Employers recognise that apostgraduate qualificationdemonstrates a wide range ofskills. During your programme, youacquire a high level of academicknowledge and specialist practicalskills.

In addition, we provide acomprehensive package of skillsdevelopment training programmes,careers advice, and volunteeringand paid work opportunities to helpenhance your career prospects.

Transferable skills trainingToday, employers are lookingfor transferable skills such ascommunication, time management,analytical skills, business awareness,teamworking and problem solving.Dealing with challenging ideas,thinking critically, the ability to writewell and present your ideas are allskills you learn at Kent. This makesit possible to be successful withina wide range of careers, not justthose directly related to your studies.

The University’s Graduate Schoolco-ordinates the ResearcherDevelopment Programme forresearch students, providing accessto a wide range of lectures andworkshops on training, personaldevelopment planning and career

development skills. The GraduateSchool also delivers the GlobalSkills Award programme for studentsfollowing taught programmes ofstudy, which is specifically designedto consolidate your awareness ofcurrent global issues and improveyour employment prospects.

Exciting career options Graduates from our postgraduateprogrammes have excellentemployment prospects. Over 90%of Kent’s postgraduate studentswho graduated in 2012 found a jobor further study opportunity withinsix months.

Career prospects for EDA graduatesare wide ranging. Recent graduateshave gone on to work in areasincluding: web development anddesign; software, hardware orelectronic engineering; broadcastjournalism; teaching and lecturing;product development; ecommerce;and banking. They have become

airline pilots, managementconsultants, patent examiners,stockbrokers and researchscientists, and work for companiesincluding the BBC, British Airways,Mitsubishi, Lloyds Banking Group,Samsung and Madame Tussauds.Others have set up their owncompanies or consultancies.See opposite for case studies.

Careers and EmployabilityServiceOur Careers and EmployabilityService can help you to plan foryour future by providing one-to-oneadvice at any stage in yourpostgraduate studies. It also offersonline advice on employability skills,career choices and applications,and interview skills.

Further informationFor more information on the careershelp we provide at Kent, visit ourEmployability webpage atwww.kent.ac.uk/employability


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2009 became a ResearchScientist within BBC Research andDevelopment, where she researchescurrent and future trends withrelation to technology and media. Lizis able to implement the knowledgethat she gained studying at Kent andhas the satisfaction of knowing thather research guides current andfuture technologies, which will eitherhelp people to make programmesand other content, or to consume it –as such, it will have an impact onpeople all over the country.

The School also has an internationalreputation for its research ininformation security and biometrics.Raluca Vasilachi, a graduate of theMSc in this area has found herstudies at Kent to be of invaluablehelp in her career. She works forAccenture Technology Labs,Accenture’s research anddevelopment arm, where she isinvolved with the development ofinnovative biometric solutions suchas Automated Border Clearance,and the introduction of biometricvisas and residents’ cards. Ralucafinds this expanding field fascinatingand is happy to recommend Kent:‘I would encourage anyone with aninterest in IT security to look closelyat Kent’s Information Security andBiometrics MSc and this excitingtopic’.

These are just some examplesof our graduates’ successes;for more, see our websitewww.eda.kent.ac.uk/school/alumni-case_studies.aspx

Graduates from across ourprogrammes have gone onto use the skills learnt atthe School to great effect.

Our Computer Animation and DigitalVisual Effects Master’s programmesare designed with a strong focuson current professional practice,which has helped our graduatessecure jobs at some of the best filmproduction companies in the UK.

Recent successes have includedthree graduates of our Digital VisualEffects Master’s programme, RobinWalsh, Amz Rattan and JamesRustad, who worked on the highlyacclaimed James Bond movie,Skyfall. They were involved in one ofthe longest ever opening sequencesin an action movie, working onspecial effects, including modelling,animation, texturing, motion capture,lighting, rendering and compositing,all of which they gained experienceof on their programme.

Walsh and Rattan, who are bothemployed by Double Negative,a leading film and visual effectscompany, also worked on the filmadaptation of Les Miserables; whileJames Rustad, who works for TheMoving Picture Company, worked onthe helicopter computer-generatedeffects in the climactic scene ofSkyfall, and has previously workedon films including Man of Steel.

There is a strong research culturewithin the School, both at MSc andPhD level. Liz Valentine, followedher undergraduate degree inMultimedia Technology and Designwith a research Master’s. For herMaster’s, Liz worked on a mobilemuseum guide for the Museum ofCanterbury, which won several topawards in the BEA (BroadcastingEducation Association) Festival ofMedia Arts.

After her studies, Liz worked as aresearcher, a freelance multimediaproducer and a developer, and in

GRADUATE SUCCESS

Image courtesy of Sony/MGM/Eon

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TAUGHT PROGRAMMES

There is a range ofprogrammes availablewithin the School, whichallows you to choose theprogramme which bestsreflects your interests.Below we list theprogrammes on offer.

Advanced ElectronicSystems Engineering MScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A 2.2 or higherhonours degree in electronics,computing or related electronicssubject.

This programme reflects the latestdevelopments in electronic systemdesign and illustrates the use ofelectronic systems technologies ininstrumentation, measurement andcontrol. You develop the skills todesign and build complex electronicsystems, in a wide range ofapplications, using the appropriatetechnologies and techniques.

We have developed the programmewith a number of industrialorganisations, which means thatsuccessful students will be in astrong position to build a long-termcareer in this important discipline.

Core modules• Advanced Control Systems• Communication Networks• Computer and ReconfigurableArchitectures

• Research Methods and ProjectDesign

• MSc Project

You choose one further modulefrom:• Advanced Pattern RecognitionTechniques

• Advanced Sensors andInstrumentation Systems

• Embedded Real-time OperatingSystems

• Fundamentals of Image Analysis.

AssessmentAssessment is by examination andcoursework.

Architectural VisualisationMALocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A first or 2.1honours degree in architecture,animation or a multimedia-relateddiscipline or similar (or equivalent).

This programme is taught jointlywith Kent School of Architecture.You develop the technical expertiseand advanced knowledge andunderstanding of digital simulationand 3D modelling that allows you tooperate as a skilled professional inarchitectural visualisation.

Modules• Digital Visual Art Set-up (intensivefour-week introductory course)

• Digital Architecture Set-up• Film and Architecture

• High-Definition Compositing• High-Definition Video • Virtual Cities• Professional Group Work• Master’s Project

AssessmentAssessment is by coursework.

Broadband and MobileCommunication NetworksMScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A 2.2 or higherhonours degree in electronics,computing or related electronicssubject.

The University has been at theforefront of research activitiesinto the technologies that powerbroadband and wirelesscommunications for over 20 years.This programme is underpinnedby this research and reflectsthe latest developments in thetelecommunications industry,providing high-quality systemslevel education and training.

The programme takes advantage ofour extensive contacts with industryand includes a number of industrialseminars presented by outsidespeakers to ensure students are up-to-date with current techniquesand issues.

This programme begins inlate September and finishes inSeptember the following year.


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part of the programme is basedon project work. Two projects areundertaken, a group project of fourweeks duration followed by anindividual or group project, whichforms a suitable entree to aprofessional career.

Projects are professional briefscarried out in the School’s computeranimation suite under expertsupervision and with monthlyreviews with industry professionals.


• Acting in Animation• Action in Animation• Advanced 3D Modelling• Animation Principles• Computer Animation Project• Previsualisation• Professional Group Work• Visual Training


Digital Visual Effects MScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A first or 2.1honours degree in multimedia, artor design or a related subject. Allapplicants must present a portfolio.

This programme is entirely orientedtowards current industrial needs,technology and practice, and aimsto provide a direct route into adesirable and high-profile creativeindustry. We work closely withindustry professionals from studiossuch as MPC, Double Negative andCinesite to ensure the programmeremains relevant to industry needs.

The first part of the programmecovers 3D model building, texturing,lighting, rendering, procedural

Modules• Broadband Networks• Communication Networks• Communication Systems• Digital Signal Processing • Research Methods and ProjectDesign

• Signal and CommunicationTheory

• Wireless/Mobile Communications• MSc Project


Computer Animation MScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A first or 2.1honours degree in multimedia, artor design or a related subject. Allapplicants must present a portfolio.

This programme was developed incollaboration with Framestore, thelargest visual effects and computeranimation company in Europe. Theprogramme is entirely orientedtowards current industrial needs,technology and practice, and aimsto provide a direct route intoa desirable and high-profile creativeindustry.

The first part of the programmecovers 3D animation practice andprinciples, the animation pipeline,drawing skills for the time-based3D medium, storyboarding foranimation, the language of film andcharacter animation. The second

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TAUGHT PROGRAMMES (CONT)

animation (cloth, hair, fur, dynamics),advanced compositing and high-definition digital effects. The secondis based on project work. Twoprojects are undertaken, a four-week group project followed by anindividual or group project, whichforms a suitable entree to aprofessional career.

Projects are professional briefscarried out in the School’s visualeffects and computer animationsuite under expert supervision andwith monthly reviews with industryprofessionals.


• Advanced 3D Modelling• Effects Animation• High-Definition Compositing• High-Definition Video

• Previsualisation• Professional Group Work• Technical Direction• Master’s Project


Embedded Systems andInstrumentation MScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A 2.2 or higherhonours degree, or alternativeinternational qualification recognisedas equivalent, in electronics,computer science or a relatedengineering or science subject.

This programme reflects the latestdevelopments in embedded systemdesign and illustrates the use ofembedded system technology in

instrumentation, measurement andcontrol. You develop the skillsnecessary to develop embeddedsystems using a variety of differenttechnology platforms and use themin a wide range of applications.

We have developed the coursein collaboration with a number ofindustrial organisations, which putsyou in a strong position to builda career in this important area.

Modules• Advanced Control Systems• Advanced Sensors andInstrumentation Systems

• Communication Networks• Computer and ReconfigurableArchitectures

• Digital Signal Processing• Embedded Real-Time OperatingSystems


• MSc Project


Engineering with FinanceMScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A first or goodsecond class honours degree (orthe equivalent) in an engineering,scientific, computing or similardiscipline. Applicants should alsohave a proven mathematical abilityand knowledge of the basics ofstatistics and probability.


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You acquire skills required byinvestment analysts, financialanalysts, stockbrokers and marketrisk specialists.

Modules• Advanced Control Systems• Advanced Pattern RecognitionTechniques

• Digital Signal Processing• Financial Engineering• Portfolio Theory and Asset PricingModels for Engineers

• Probability and Statistics forFinance

• Project Design • Strategic Analysis of FinancialSystems

• MSc Project


Information Security andBiometrics MScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A 2.2 or higherhonours degree (or equivalent) in asubject with a strong IT component.We assess applicants on anindividual basis, with professionalexperience taken into consideration.

This programme is taught jointlywith the School of Computing.Both schools are at the forefront ofresearch in their areas: the Schoolof Engineering and Digital Arts hasan excellent reputation for researchin various aspects of biometrics,including individual biometricmodalities, the management of thecomplexity arising from the designof flexible biometric systems, andthe testing and evaluation ofbiometrics; while the School ofComputing has participated inthe development of the X.509international standard and was thefirst group in the world to build anX.509 privilege managementinfrastructure (PMI).

The programme is designed forpractitioners, professionals andgraduates, and provides a thoroughunderstanding of the theoriesconcepts and techniques for thedesign, development and effectiveuse of secure information systems.

Modules• Biometrics Technologies• Computer Security• Fundamentals of Image Analysis

This is the first MSc in quantitativefinance offered by a UK engineeringdepartment and provides abalanced mix of subjects inengineering and quantitativefinance. It has been designedmainly for engineering graduateswho wish to pursue a career infinance. While a significantproportion of graduates workingin the financial sector have anengineering background, mostof the relevant MSc programmesare offered by mathematicsdepartments or business schools.Some engineers may find theseprogrammes either too theoreticalor not quantitative enough.

Our MSc in Engineering withFinance, instead, teaches conceptsof finance at the level suitable toengineers, while also providingstrong knowledge of quantitativemethods to analyse real data.

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CONTINUED OVERLEAF

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TAUGHT PROGRAMMES (CONT)



• MSc Project

You choose two further modulesfrom those listed below:• Advanced Java Programming• Advanced Pattern RecognitionTechniques

• Advanced Sensors andInstrumentation Systems

• Computing Law, Contracts andProfessional Responsibility

• Industrial Context of Biometrics:Standards, Object-OrientedProgramming, Testing andEvaluation of Biometric Systems

• System Security• Trust, Security and PrivacyManagement.


Mobile Application DesignMScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A 2.2 or higherhonours degree in an engineering,multimedia, scientific, computing, orsimilar discipline. Applicants shouldalso be familiar with object-orientedprogramming methodology.

This programme combinestechnology, interface design andapplication development for mobileplatforms, with a particular emphasison developing iPhone and iPad appsand creating apps with high usabilityand reliability. All students areprovided with a personal MacBook

Pro for the duration of the course.On completion of the course, youwill have gained the expertisenecessary for success in this rapidlyexpanding and developing field.

The MSc begins in late Septemberand finishes in September of thefollowing year, and consists ofapproximately six months ofcoursework followed by a shortperiod reserved for examinationsand a four-month project.

Modules• HCI for Mobiles• iPhone Application Design• Mobile Application Design Project• Mobile Web Development• Research Methods and ProjectDesign for Mobile Applications

• MSc Project

You choose two further modulesfrom those listed below:• Economics of the ElectronicMarketplace

• Embedded Real-Time OperatingSystems

• Object-Oriented Programming.


Wireless Communicationsand Signal Processing MScLocation: CanterburyAttendance: One year full-timeStart: SeptemberEntry requirements: A 2.2 or higherhonours degree in electronics,computing or related electronicssubject.

This programme reflects thelatest developments in the wirelesscommunications industry, withparticular emphasis on digitalsignal processing using embeddedsystems. You develop advancedskills in the application of modernembedded systems design athardware, software and firmwarelevels using practical examples inwireless communication to illustratethe technology. Successfulcompletion of this programmeensures you are well placed todevelop a career in the mobile/wireless communications industry.

The MSc begins in late Septemberand finishes in September of thefollowing year, and consists oflectures, laboratories and projectwork, with the summer beingdevoted fully to the latter.

Modules• Communication Networks• Computer and ReconfigurableArchitectures

• Digital Signal Processing• Embedded Real-time OperatingSystems


• Signals and CommunicationTheory

• Wireless/Mobile Communications • MSc Project


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TAUGHT MODULES

Below is a list of modulescurrently on offer ontaught programmes inthe School of Engineeringand Digital Arts.

Acting in AnimationYou develop an understandingof how thoughts and emotions areclearly and engagingly conveyedusing 3D character models. In orderto be a good character animator, youmust not merely copy performancesand reproduce them; you must bean actor through the technology andthe techniques available to theanimator.

Action in AnimationYou look at the techniques usedto produce articulate motion whichis life-like and convincing – this isthe base of both comedic cartoonanimation and realistic animationfor compositing, for example, increating stunts or armies for actionand historical spectaculars, wherecost or danger prohibit live shooting.

Advanced 3D ModellingYou study character design andanimateable geometry, advancedUV surface mapping, fine surfacedetail and polygonal geometry,and the creation and application ofsculpted detail. You also look at thepractical aspects of handling largeimage and texture files.

Advanced Control SystemsThis module is concerned withthe design of practical feedbackcontrollers and robust control.Feedback is used in a control

system to enhance the performanceof the plant or process, and toreduce the sensitivity of the systemto uncertainty from external effects(for example, disturbance signalsand noise on measurements) andmodel uncertainty. The control issaid to be robust if the performancespecifications are achieved in thepresence of the expecteduncertainties.

Advanced Java forProgrammingThis module provides for well-qualified computer science studentsentering the MSc programme froma range of backgrounds. You willhave good programming skills butnot necessarily have used Java oranother object-oriented languageextensively. This module seeks toensure that you have the Javaand object-oriented design skillsnecessary for the rest of yourprogramme.

Advanced Pattern RecognitionTechniquesYou study advanced methodsfor pattern recognition with anemphasis on multi-source systems.A detailed analysis of the Bayesianclassification framework is followedby an introduction to errorestimation and advanced featureselection and extraction techniques,and their application to financialdata and systems. Multiple classifiersystems, including intelligent anddynamically adaptable classifiercombination strategies, such asgenetic algorithms, are studied asthe basis for the development ofstate-of-the-art systems.

Advanced Sensors andInstrumentation SystemsIn this module, you covermodern sensors and advancedmeasurement systems for a diverserange of industrial applications.General measurement principles

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TAUGHT MODULES (CONT)

and concepts are introduced. Themodule focuses on digital imagingand intelligent measurement andmonitoring techniques. Real-lifeindustrial case studies are includedto enhance your learningexperience in the design andapplications of cutting-edgeinstrumentation technologies.

Animation PrinciplesAnimation Principles is concernedwith fundamental animationconcepts. Originally developed byHollywood animators in the 1940s,these principles have been derivedfrom classical drawn animationand model animation, transposedinto the digital medium. Topicscovered include: rules of thumb,bouncing ball, weight, line of action,secondary animation and effects.

Biometrics TechnologiesThis module includes a detailedtreatment of the implementationof biometric systems includingexamples of systems using themajor modalities and an analysisof modality-specific features andfeature extraction, selection andclassification strategies.

Broadband NetworksIn this module, you acquireknowledge of broadband networkoperation, from access networks(xDSL, WiMAX, DOCSIS) to multi-service provision in IP networksusing differentiated services, MPLS,reservation protocols (such asRSVP) and protocols for real-timeinformation transfer (RTP/RTCP), tooptical networking and switching.

Communication NetworksThis module takes you throughcommunication network protocols,as used in local-area networks andwide-area networks. It includes theprotocols used in the wireless LAN(WiFi) standards, Ethernets, and IPnetworks. The analysis of networkperformance is also covered.A network simulator (OPNET)is used to reinforce the material,and to provide you with a meansof visualising protocol operationand network performance.

Communication SystemsThis module introduces andbuilds upon the physical aspectsof communications and appliesthem to microwave satellite, mobileterrestrial and optical systems.Problem solving and computersimulation are used to enhanceunderstanding.

Computer Animation ProjectYou build a show reel where all thetechniques that have been learntover the course are applied. Yourproject contains sophisticated,original articulate animationshowing a large variety of motionand emotion to a professionalstandard. The subject is either yourown concept developed with thehelp of your supervisor, or a brieffrom an industry professional. Thework in this module accounts forone third of your programme.

Computer and ReconfigurableArchitecturesYou are introduced to computerarchitectures including CISC, RISCand VLIW. FPGA technology isused to describe different formsof reconfigurable computingarchitectures that are importantfor many applications. Specificemphasis is given to computerarithmetic architectures and


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methods used in the design ofembedded systems. The moduleuses practical design examplesdeveloped in C and VHDL toillustrate the material.

Computer SecurityYou study cryptographic algorithmsincluding symmetric and asymmetrictechniques and the distinctionbetween encryption and signatures.You also look at mechanisms toprovide security such as firewallsand VPNs. The module also coversdistributed mechanisms, includingclient authentication, public keyinfrastructures and certification,digital rights management systemsand the security of Wi-Fi networks.

Computing Law, Contracts andProfessional Responsibility This module is concerned with thecomplex issues of contract law,legal processes and data privacylegislation. You acquire a practicalunderstanding of computer law.

Digital Architecture Set-upYou are guided through theprocedures of modelling andanimation needed for architecturalvisualisation. The module comparesthe available software packagesused in industry and gives youhands-on ability to model, animateand render architectural animations.

Digital Signal ProcessingYou acquire a solid background insignal analysis, frequency and timedomain representations usingMATLAB. You learn techniquesincluding: aliasing, anti-aliasing

and anti-imaging filters, ADCs andDACs, discrete Fourier transformand fast Fourier transform, Laplacetransform, pole-zero placementmethods for signal analysis, designand performance of finite impulseresponse and infinite impulseresponse (IIR) filters. Examples onhow these techniques are appliedto financial data are provided.

Digital Visual Art Set-upThis module has been designedto get all students up to speedregarding the complicated technicalprocesses that surround currentanimation practice. It covers theskills and procedures employedprofessionally such as modelling,rigging, skinning, muscle dynamics,texturing and lighting.

Effects AnimationThe skills of the Technical Directorin 3D animation rely on attention todetail, and setting up models so thatthey react accurately within a scene.In this module, you learn how to rigany model to automate secondaryanimation components such asdoors opening and wheels turning,accurately and controllably. Teachingis therefore focused around thedevelopment of fully rigged 3Dmodels.

Embedded Real-Time OperatingSystems You study the concepts ofscheduling algorithms, threads,multitasking and inter-processcommunication in detail usingpractical examples and casestudies. The module also includesadvanced topics in hardware/

software co-design together witha review of compilation technologiesand compiler techniques forspecialised architectures.

Film and ArchitectureYou review the representation ofarchitecture in film. With light beingsuch an important factor in bothdisciplines, the links between theindustries are explored, analysingfilms from early Germanexpressionist cinema through topresent-day utopian/dystopian films.You investigate how the cinematicprojection of architecture canalter the character of the builtenvironment and the way it isportrayed. You also explore therelationship of architecture to lens,and screen to audience.

Financial EngineeringYou are given a comprehensiveoverview of theoretical and practicalaspects of financial engineering.You gain a solid foundation instatistics applicable to finance:regression analysis, least squares,nonlinear regression and multipleregression analysis. You also learnhow to apply econometrics modelsto financial data.

Fundamentals of ImageAnalysisThis module focuses on imageprocessing; image acquisition,quantisation and representation.It also covers the fundamentalsof pattern classification and therole of classification in a varietyof application scenarios, includingsecurity and biometrics.

www.eda.kent.ac.uk

CONTINUED OVERLEAF

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HCI for MobilesThis module is concerned withdesigning mobile applications,taking into account usability,accessibility and sociability. Youevaluate current and future trendsof interaction design and interfacetechnologies in a mobile context,and develop an understanding ofthe differences between interactiondesign for desktop and mobileplatforms.

High-Definition CompositingThis module specificallyaddresses the technicaland artistic requirements forcompositing video and 3D elementsat a high resolution. Compositingis the artistic blending of severaldisparate elements from a varietyof sources into a single image,while making all the componentelements appear to be in thesame light space and shotwith the same camera.

High-Definition VideoThis module includes a sequenceof practical workshops whichintroduce the filming techniquesand editing tools used on thecourse. These are supported by aseries of lectures concerned withhigh-definition video technology. Yougain an understanding of the theoryand standards of colour models,and how they are applied to motionimaging in video, HDTV and digital-cinema, and become familiarwith the relevant broadcast andcompression standards that areused for high-definition digital video.

Finally, you work as part of a smallteam to produce a short digital film,in high definition.

Industrial Context of Biometrics You examine the importance ofstandards and regulation inbiometric systems and look atassociated standardisation bodiesand procedures. Issues related todata collection, volunteer samplingand ethical issues are alsoaddressed. Alongside the module,a number of industry-led colloquiaintroduce you to the currentindustrial context.

iPhone Application DesignThis module is concerned with thedesign, implementation and testingof applications for the iPhoneand iPad. You work at all stagesof the development life-cyclefrom inception to testing, whileconsidering usability and device

capabilities for a mobile applicationcapable of meeting a functionalspecification.

Mobile Web DevelopmentThis module is concernedwith developing websites andapplications for the mobile webbrowser and includes an overviewof the four main mobile platforms:RIM, iPhone, Windows 7 Phoneand Android.

MSc ProjectFor Advanced Electronic SystemsEngineering; Broadband andMobile Communication Networks;Embedded Systems andInstrumentation; Engineeringwith Finance; WirelessCommunications and SignalProcessingThe project may be carried outin industry or at the University.For industry-based projects, an


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industrial supervisor is responsiblefor day-to-day technical supervision,while your academic supervisoradvises on the requirements forUniversity assessments. University-based projects may be industriallysponsored or undertaken within oneof the School’s research groups.The project is assessed throughpresentations, and a dissertationat the end of the project period.

MSc ProjectFor Mobile Application DesignYou begin your MSc project at theend of May/beginning of June andcomplete it in mid-September (ifyou are studying full-time). Youconcentrate solely on your projectduring this time, which enablesyou to produce an advanced,successful project. The projectis examined mainly througha dissertation, but also througha final presentation.

Projects may be carried out in theresearch laboratories of the School,within research teams under thesupervision of an academicmember of staff, or may be carriedout in industry. In the latter case,an academic supervisor providesgeneral guidance, particularly onmeeting the requirements of thedissertation and presentation, whilean industry supervisor providesdetailed, day-to-day technicalguidance. Some projects carriedout within the research laboratoriesof the School may also be industry-sponsored.

Master’s ProjectFor Architectural Visualisation;Digital Visual EffectsUsing the experience gained onthe course, you produce a videoshort in high definition, whichshowcases your professional visualeffects skills and forms an entreeto a professional career. The subject,script, models and soundtrack of thepiece are agreed with the academicstaff, or could be a project from anindustrial collaborator.

MSc ProjectFor Information Security andBiometricsYour project gives you practicalexperience of the design of asignificant biometric or informationsecurity system. Projects mayinvolve working closely with anindustrial collaborator, which willprovide experience of securesystems design in an industrialenvironment, allowing you toappreciate the practical difficultiesin the development and utilisationof such systems. The project maybe carried out in industry or at theUniversity.

Portfolio Theory and AssetPricing Models for EngineersYou are introduced to currenttheories on portfolio managementand developing asset models toassist risk management of financialservices firms. You study: efficientmarket hypothesis, measures ofinvestment risk, portfolio theory,models of asset returns, asset

pricing models, Brownian motion,martingales, stochastic calculus,Ito processes and stochasticmodels of security prices.

PrevisualisationYou are given intensive exposure tothe current British and internationalfilm and television industry anddiscover how your specialism ispractically carried on within it.You tour two or three digital post-production animation studios inLondon and interview currentindustry professionals. On the basisof their advice, you develop a plan,including a previsualisation, for yourfinal project.

Probability and Statistics forFinanceYou study applications of statisticaltheory and methods in finance usingexamples, and investigate andanalyse the most commonlyused methods and models.Topics studied include: multivariatevariables and distributions, marginaland conditional distributions,independence, covariance,correlation, probability theory,discrete and continuous probabilitydistributions, conditional probabilityand Bayes’ Rule, hypothesis testing.

Professional Group WorkIn this module, a series of groupprojects replicate the experienceof working in a professional studioenvironment. In the spring term, youcomplete a series of one-day groupprojects which contribute to andlead into your major project, where

www.eda.kent.ac.uk

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all animation, digital effects andarchitectural visualisation studentswork together to produce ananimation and effects shots.Working in a simulated professionalenvironment to a four-weekdeadline, you become familiarwith the production process,chains of approval anddepartmental divisions.

Project DesignThis module prepares you for theMaster’s Project and for possiblefuture research work. It begins withan introduction to MATLAB andSIMULINK, which are tools used inmost taught Master’s modules atKent. It also includes details abouthow to write a literature review andproduce a viable project plan.You learn how to use tools such asRefWorks and EndNote to produceand maintain reference databases.

The module also addressesimportant issues concerning thedefinition of a project and theconsideration of ethical andintellectual property issues.Techniques and guidelines forwriting clear and concise Englishare discussed in detail.

Research Methods and ProjectDesignFor Advanced Electronic SystemsEngineering; Embedded Systemsand Instrumentation; Engineeringwith Finance; InformationSecurity and Biometrics; MobileApplication Design You gain a thorough appreciationof the methodologies of research,which are essential to engineers

involved in research anddevelopment projects. The moduleincludes lectures on literaturesurveys, research projectmanagement, the research process,computer-based data analysis,research publications, presentationskills, intellectual property rights(IPR) and research ethics. Inaddition, working under thedirection of your project supervisor,you write a full project proposal priorto the start of your MSc project.

Research Methods and ProjectDesignFor Broadband and MobileCommunication NetworksYou acquire the skills necessaryfor your project, and complete thebackground learning and initialdesign stage.

Research Methods and ProjectDesignFor Wireless Communicationsand Signal ProcessingThis module introduces you to skillsrelated to your project work, andcomprises the background learningand initial design stage of yourproject.

Signal and CommunicationTheory You study optimal receiver design,advanced modulation such as QAM,transmission and performanceanalysis over wireless multipathfading channels, spread spectrumand multicarrier transmission, andadvanced channel coding suchas Turbo and LDPC coding.SIMULINK modelling of a digital

communication system is used toenhance your understanding ofhow the concepts are applied.

Strategic Analysis of FinancialSystemsYou work in small groups toresearch a real-world financial topic.You read financial journal articles,collect relevant financial data anduse applied mathematical methods,such as technical analysisindicators and portfolio theorymodels, to propose analyses andforecasts.

System SecurityYou develop an increasedunderstanding of the motivation,design and operation of modernsystems for encryption,authentication, authorisation andidentification, and gain anawareness of the importance oftaking a systems-wide approachto maintaining information security.

Technical DirectionThis module is concerned withthe use of lighting and shadingfor storytelling and visualcommunication. You gain anunderstanding of the fundamental,theoretical concepts in digitallighting as well as the necessaryskills and experience to producecustomised light and shadingmodels, which provide aestheticpossibilities not available from off-the-shelf packages. Through thismodule, you become expert in theuse of various renderers such asRenderMan and mental ray.


19

Trust, Security and PrivacyManagement A holistic view of securitymanagement is taken, startingwith risk management and theformulation of security policies.Technical subjects include adescription of the varioussecurity models, digital rightsmanagement, and an illustrationof how authorisation policies canbe automatically enforced.

Virtual CitiesYou develop skills in visualcommunication and presentationdealing with 3D computermodelling, as well as modellingskills, learning materiality, lightingand high-quality rendering skills.The module draws from professionalpractice in a number of industries,including architecture, film and

games, highlighting the emphasisthat each field places on themodelling and rendering process.

Visual TrainingThe exact configuration whichmakes up a particular facialexpression, the exact state of themuscles of a body under differentcircumstances, the exact nuanceof meaning conveyed by differentgesture positions, are all elementsthat go to distinguish superior frommediocre animation. The mosteffective way to develop suchobservational and outputting skillsis through traditional drawing andsculpture, which is frequentlyreflected in studio hiring policies.This module uses traditional arttechniques to develop your digitalanimation abilities.

Wireless/MobileCommunicationsHere, the latest mobile and wirelesscommunication technologies,techniques and protocols arecovered, particularly cellularnetworks such as 3G and 4G mobilesystems. The latest protocols fornext generation wireless networks,and the techniques which willenable them, such as microcellularmobile concepts and interference,adaptive modulation and coding,soft handoff, wireless multipleaccess techniques, multiuserdiversity/scheduling, wirelessresource allocation and MIMOsystems, are also covered.

www.eda.kent.ac.uk


Professor Yong Yan isProfessor of ElectronicInstrumentation andDirector of Research atthe School of Engineeringand Digital Arts. He is anIEEE Fellow and has wona number of awards forhis work.

What do you like about teachingat Kent?The campus is beautiful and therelaxed environment makes it agood place to work and study. Moreimportant though is the collegiateacademic environment at Kent.

What do you think Kent has tooffer postgraduate students?Many things. The staff here are verycommitted and professional. Thereis a strong academic culture thathas been built up over many years.The School also has excellent ITfacilities, a well-resourcedmechanical workshop and severalrecently upgraded laboratories,which allow our students to testtheir ideas in a practical way.

Our research students benefitfrom being supported by a team ofpeople; usually a first and secondsupervisor as well as the head ofthe relevant research group whoacts as a supervisory panel chair.

Our research groups hold regularseminars so that students can learnnot just about their topic but aboutother areas of interest within theirfield. We also invite external

researchers to give presentationson their work. Biannually, weorganise a research conferenceat the School, where studentsgain experience of networkingand socialising with academicsand many have the opportunity topresent their work and exchangeideas with fellow researchers.

Also, each PhD student is financiallysupported by the School toparticipate in at least one majorinternational conference (normallyoutside the UK) during their studies.

What do you enjoy aboutworking with postgraduates?First, I get a tremendous senseof professional satisfaction fromthe feeling that I am training theengineers and academics ofthe future; I really enjoy it.

Second, I enjoy being part of ateam. A project works best whenthere is a good mix of experiencedand young researchers who arekeen to learn.

Does your research feed intoyour teaching?Absolutely. When I teach Master’sstudents, I use real-life case studiesin my lectures to illustrate how thetheory works in practice. Thesecase studies are often derived fromresearch projects we are working onand the students enjoy the fact thatthe knowledge they are gaining isvery current. The majority of ourMaster’s and PhD projects arebased on externally funded orindustry-sponsored research.

How do the School’s links withindustry and business work?We have been working closely withindustry for many years and havebuilt up an excellent internationalreputation so people come to uslooking for solutions. In the areaof instrumentation, we undertakeapplied research in collaborationwith the power generation industryand also with companies andorganisations in the health caresector. We involve our students inthis type of research and they enjoyworking on real projects, testingtheir ideas on a full-scale powerplant or in a clinical environment.For students, knowing their work canmake a difference in the real worldis a great incentive and good fortheir future careers.

The School has establishedexcellent links with China. Howdid that come about?I did my first degree and Master’sdegree in China and my PhD inthe UK so I know both educationsystems well. Collaborating withChinese institutions in both researchand teaching is part of ourinternationalisation strategy. Wehave several joint research projectswith leading universities in China,including Zhejiang, Tianjin andXi’an Jiaotong universities. We havereceived funding for collaborativeresearch from various sources in theUK and China. Such collaborationis beneficial to both sides andenhances our internationalreputation.

STAFF PROFILE

21www.eda.kent.ac.uk

RESEARCH DEGREES

The School of Engineeringand Digital Arts isengaged in high-qualityresearch with significantnational and internationalimpact, offering excellentopportunities for graduatestudies.

We have consistently attractedsubstantial research funding fromthe UK Research Councils,European research programmes,industry, commercial companies,government agencies and others,and our spread of expertise allowsus to respond rapidly to newdevelopments.

We offer higher degree researchprogrammes on a full-time or part-time basis. We have a thrivingstudent population studying forpostgraduate degrees in a notablyfriendly and supportive learningenvironment within a dynamicresearch culture. The skills, abilitiesand enthusiasm of our studentsare vital elements in our researchactivities and we foster them aseffectively as we can through theprovision of an excellent researchtraining programme during theirgraduate studies.

Our research programmesThe School offers the followingresearch degree programmes:• Electronic Engineering MSc,MPhil, PhD, EngD

• Digital Arts MSc, MPhil, PhD.

Entry requirementsA first or 2.1 honours degree inelectronics, computing or a relatedelectronics subject.

Collaboration withindustryThe School has established strongindustrial links, which are usedextensively to deliver and enhanceyour research project. Industrialseminars are regularly presentedby outside speakers, ensuring thatyou are aware of current techniquesand trends within the industry.

Research groupsAs a postgraduate researchstudent, you will join one of our fourresearch groups.

Broadband and WirelessCommunicationsThe Group’s research interestsinclude antennas, microwaveand millimetre wave circuits andmeasurements and optoelectronics.The Group’s work has attractedsignificant funding from theEngineering and Physical SciencesResearch Council (EPSRC) andindustry of over £2 million in thepast five years. Over £1.1 million hasbeen invested in equipment recently.

The antennas research coversfrequency selective surfaces,printed and microstrip antennasand photonic band gap materials.Work covers frequencies rangingfrom 1MHz to 900GHz and findsapplications in vehicle telematics,

mobile communication systemsand radar and satellite technology.Research into high frequencytransmission lines and circuitintegration is developing novelguiding and packaging technology.Modelling and simulation tools arewidely used in the research, verifiedby experimental work.

The research carried out in the fieldof optoelectronics includes work onoptical communications systems,optical sensors and imaging andnovel optical components andis based in both the School ofEngineering and Digital Arts andthe School of Physical Sciences.The aggregation of optoelectronicactivities significantly strengthensour research base in terms ofknowledge cross-fertilisation andequipment and facilities. It is partof a long-standing strategy ofcollaboration between physicistsand engineers.

Instrumentation, Control andEmbedded SystemsThis Group comprises a mixture ofexperienced and young academics,working in complementary researchthemes – Instrumentation, Controland Embedded Systems. TheGroup has established a strongreputation in recent years insolving challenging scientific andtechnological problems acrossa range of industrial sectors.

The Group has links with manyEuropean countries throughEU-funded research programmes.

CONTINUED OVERLEAF

The main expertise of the Grouplies in sensors, instrumentation,condition monitoring, control, imageprocessing, signal processing,neural networks and systems onchip.

There is a well-equippedInstrumentation ResearchLaboratory in which there are anumber of flow and combustiontest rigs. The Group is also involvedin medical instrumentation researchin the area of non-invasivephysiological measurement; mostlycarried out in collaboration withclinicians, who are experts in theirfield.

The Group has strong links with theElectronic Systems Design Centre,which is linked to the School andactively promotes industrialcollaboration and technologytransfer in embedded systemdesign.

Image and InformationEngineeringThe Image and InformationEngineering Research Grouphas wide interests in developingtechniques for image processing,image analysis, pattern recognition,and in applications of thesetechniques. A principal area ofinterest is the development ofgeneric techniques for optimalmulti-classifier design for patternrecognition applications.Handwriting analysis is not onlyan application domain of intrinsicinterest but is also relevant to other

important areas of research. Forinstance, it can be valuable inassessing neurological functioningin clinical environments, in theassessment of stroke patients andin the analysis of developmentalco-ordination disorder in children.

Document processing, withparticular emphasis on documentsecurity (including documentstructures to support securetransactions) and distributedelectronic documents, digitalwatermarking and intelligentencryption is a related strandof work. In addition, formalspecification techniques in artificialneural system design represent animportant contribution to work onclassifier implementation. Currently,however, a major research themeis in biometrics and security.Biometrics of particular interestinclude fingerprint, facial images,iris patterns, handwriting andpersonal signature analysis.Additional areas of interest includecolour and texture processing, facedetection and recognition (2D and3D), image compression, videoannotation, visual guidance andtracking.

Our links with industrialorganisations and our wideinteraction with other researchersin Europe and worldwide provideexcellent opportunities formaintaining state-of-the-artawareness and for broadeninghorizons.

Digital MediaThe Group’s particular strength isin emerging digital technologies,including 3D virtual worlds, naturaluser interfaces (including gestureand facial interactions) and cutting-edge interaction paradigms (egbrain-computer interfaces and eye-tracking technology). The Group hassubstantial experience in interactiondesign (eg usability andaccessibility), social computing (egsocial networking and computermediated communication), mobiletechnology (eg iPhone, android,tablet computing) and video games,particularly in serious games.

Apart from these areas, theGroup also focuses on standardtechnologies, such as web designand development, includinge-commerce, e-learning, e-health.In the area of time-based media,the Group has substantial interestin digital film capture, editing andmanipulation, on to fully animated3D modelling techniques as usedin games and feature films.

The Group is linked to the DigitalMedia Hub, which brings togetherthe creativity of the School’sacademics and students withbusinesses in the region.

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RESEARCH DEGREES (CONT)



ACADEMIC STAFF

The School of Engineeringand Digital Arts comprises32 academics who supportteaching and researchacross a range of areas.

Full details of staff researchinterests can be found on ourwebsite: www.eda.kent.ac.uk/school/staff_directory.aspx

Dr (Jim) Chee Siang AngLecturer in Multimedia/DigitalSystems Human computer interaction;usability and playability design;computer game studies andinteractive narrative; socialcomputing and sociability design;virtual worlds; online communitiesand computer-mediatedcommunication.

Dr John BatchelorReader in Antenna TechnologyDesign and modelling of multi-bandantennas for personal, on-body andmobile communication systems;passive RFID tagging/sensing andskin mounted transfer tattoo tags;reduced-size frequency selectivestructures (FSS and EBG) forincorporation into smart buildingsfor control of radio spectrum.

Ania BobrowiczSenior Lecturer in Digital ArtsHuman-computer interaction;computer-mediated communication;feminism and art history.

David Byers BrownSenior LecturerAnimation; digital visual effects;directing.

Dr Farzin DeraviReader in InformationEngineeringPattern recognition; informationfusion; computer vision; imageprocessing; image coding; fractalsand self-similarity; biometrics;bio-signals; assistive technologies.

Dr Christos EfstratiouLecturer in Social/UbiquitousComputingContext aware electronic guides;systems to monitor health andsafety.

Professor Michael FairhurstProfessor of Computer VisionImage analysis; computer vision;handwriting analysis; biometricsand security; novel classifierarchitectures; medical imageanalysis and diagnostics; documentprocessing.

Professor Steven GaoProfessor of RF/MicrowaveEngineeringSpace antennas, smart antennas,microwave circuit and systems.

Dr Nathan GomesReader in BroadbandCommunications Optical-microwave interactions,especially fibre-radio networks;optoelectronic devices and opticalnetworks.

Dr Richard GuestSenior Lecturer in MultimediaTechnology and Design Image processing; biometricstechnologies including usability,cybermetric linkages andstandardisation; automated analysisof handwritten data; documentprocessing.

Dr Sanaul HoqueLecturer in Secure SystemsEngineeringComputer vision; OCR; biometrics;security and encryption; multi-expert fusion and documentmodelling.

Dr Benito Sanz IzquierdoLecturer in Electronic SystemsAntennas and microwaves.

Dr Gareth HowellsSenior Lecturer in ElectronicEngineeringBiometric security and patternclassification techniques, especiallyderiving encryption keys fromoperating characteristics ofelectronic circuits and systems.

Stephen KellySenior Lecturer in ElectronicEngineering Medical electronics, including:electrocardiology; speechassessment; telemedicine andcomputer-based assessment ofclinical conditions.

CONTINUED OVERLEAF

ACADEMIC STAFF (CONT)

Peter LeeSenior Lecturer in ElectronicEngineering Embedded systems; programmablearchitectures; high-speed signalprocessing; VLSI/ASIC design;neural networks; optical sensorsystems and applications; imageprocessing using VLSI.

Dr Gang LuSenior Lecturer in ElectronicInstrumentation Advanced combustioninstrumentation; vision-basedinstrumentation systems; digitalimage processing; conditionmonitoring.

Dr Gianluca MarcelliLecturer in EngineeringThe understanding of complexsystems, in particular, biologicaland financial systems; usingmathematical modelling such asmolecular simulation, Browniandynamics and network theory.

Dr Richard MisekLecturer in Digital MediaScreen technologies and aesthetics;post-production; remix cinema;digital spacetime; urban space;video art.

Robert OvenLecturer in Electronic Engineering Modelling of ion implantationprocesses and ion diffusioninto glass for integrated opticapplications.

Professor Ted ParkerProfessor Emeritus of RadioCommunications Microwave antennas; frequencyselective surfaces for microwaveand millimetre wave multibandantennas (dichroics); radomes andfrequency dependent screening forsecure buildings.

Dr Matthew PepperSenior Lecturer in ElectronicEngineering Medical instrumentation;in particular in-shoe forcemeasurement for gait analysisand rehabilitation engineering.

Dr Konstantinos SirlantzisLecturer in Image Processing andVision Pattern recognition; multipleclassifier systems; artificialintelligence techniques; neuralnetworks, genetic algorithmsand other biologically inspiredcomputing paradigms; imageprocessing; multimodal biometricmodels; handwriting recognition;numerical stochastic optimisationalgorithms; nonlinear dynamics andchaos theory; Markov chain MonteCarlo (MCMC) methods for sensordata fusion.

Professor Mohammed SobhyProfessor Emeritus of Electronics Analysis and applications ofnonlinear electronic systems.

Professor Sarah SpurgeonProfessor of Control Engineering;Head of School of Engineeringand Digital Arts Fundamental developments in thearea of nonlinear control andestimation, with a particular interestin variable structure and slidingmode systems; industrial andbiomedical application of nonlinearcontrol and estimation techniques.

Dr Les WalczowskiSenior Lecturer in ElectronicEngineering, Director of Learningand Teaching The development of dynamic webapplications, mobile applicationsand e-learning technology.

Winston WallerSenior Lecturer in ElectronicEngineering, Director ofEnterprise Design for test; analogue and digitalVLSI design; medical applicationsof VLSI and low power voltagecircuit design.

Dr Chao WangLecturer in Electronic SystemsOptical communications, microwavephotonics and biophotonics.



Professor Jiangzhou WangProfessor ofTelecommunications; Director ofGraduate Studies Modulation; coding; MIMO; mobilecommunications; wireless sensornetworks. Recent publicationsinclude: High-Speed WirelessCommunications: Ultra-wideband,3G Long Term Evolution, and 4GMobile Systems (2008).

Dr Xinggang YanLecturer in Control EngineeringNonlinear control; sliding modecontrol; decentralised control; faultdetection and isolation.

Professor Yong YanProfessor of ElectronicInstrumentation; Director ofResearch Sensors; instrumentation;measurement; condition monitoring;digital signal processing; digitalimage processing; applications ofartificial intelligence.

Dr Paul YoungLecturer in Electronic Engineering Design and modelling of microwaveand millimetre-wave devices andantennas, especially substrateintegrated wave guides and smartantennas.

Dr Huiling ZhuLecturer in CommunicationsWireless communications andnetworking, especially OFDMA,radio resource allocation, distributedantenna systems, wireless relaynetworks, user-centric networks,and co-operative communications.

APPLYING TO KENT

General entryrequirements If you wish to apply for a higherdegree, you must normally havea first or second class honoursdegree in a relevant or appropriatesubject, or the equivalent from aninternationally recognisedinstitution (for more informationon requirements for internationalqualifications, visit www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent/country)

For specific entry requirements,please refer to individualprogramme entries.

English languageThe University requires all non-native speakers of English to reacha minimum standard of proficiencyin written and spoken English beforebeginning a postgraduate degree.

You should provide us with one ofthe following: an IELTS certificatewith a minimum score of 6.5,including 6.0 in reading and writing,and 5.5 in listening and speaking;a TOEFL certificate with a minimumof 90, including 22 reading, 21writing, 21 listening and 23speaking (internet-based); or aPearson Test of English Academic(PTE Academic) with a score of 62,including 60 in all four subtests.

If you do not reach the requiredstandard, you can apply for oneof our pre-sessional courses. Forfurther information, please seewww.kent.ac.uk/international-pathways

Only English language tests takenup to a maximum of two years priorto the date of registration will beaccepted for admission to theUniversity. Please note that ifyour university studies have beencompleted entirely in English,you may be exempt from providingan English test certificate. Pleasecontact International Developmentfor clarification (www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent/contact.html)

Making an application You can apply for a Kent higherdegree electronically via ourwebsite at www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgrad/apply

If you do not have access to theweb, please contact the Recruitmentand Admissions Office for advice,see details right.

If you are applying for a researchdegree, it is strongly recommendedthat you contact the School ofEngineering and Digital Arts in thefirst instance so that you have anopportunity to discuss your studyplans with the programme director.

Application deadlineThere is no fixed deadline forapplications. We stronglyrecommend that you apply as soonas possible and no later than threemonths before the start of term. Ifyou wish to apply for on-campusaccommodation, an applicationmust be made online by the endof July.

Tuition feesFor the most up-to-dateinformation on tuition fees, visitwww.kent.ac.uk/finance-student/fees

School enquiriesFor further information, pleasecontact:Postgraduate Admissions Officer,School of Engineering and Digital Arts,Jennison Building,University of Kent,Canterbury,Kent, CT2 7NT, UK

E: [email protected]: +44 (0)1227 827323

Admissions enquiriesT: +44 (0)1227 827272E: [email protected]


Terms and conditions: the Universityreserves the right to make variations to thecontent and delivery of courses and otherservices, or to discontinue courses andother services, if such action is reasonablyconsidered to be necessary. If theUniversity discontinues any course, it willendeavour to provide a suitable alternative.To register for a programme of study, allstudents must agree to abide by theUniversity Regulations (available onlineat: www.kent.ac.uk/regulations).

Data protection: for administrative,academic and health and safety reasons,the University needs to process informationabout its students. Full registration as astudent of the University is subject to yourconsent to process such information.


LocationCanterbury

FacultyFaculty of Sciences

SchoolSchool of Engineering andDigital Arts

ContactSchool of Engineering andDigital Arts, Jennison Building,University of Kent,Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NT, UK

T: +44 (0)1227 827323E: [email protected]

ApplicationsOnline at www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgrad/apply

European connectionsKent is known as the UK’s Europeanuniversity. Our two main UKcampuses, Canterbury and Medway,are located in the south-east ofEngland, close to London, andwe also have study locations inBrussels, Paris, Athens and Rome.

We have a diverse, cosmopolitanpopulation with 140 nationalitiesrepresented. We also have stronglinks with universities in Europe,and from Kent, you are just over twohours away from Paris and Brusselsby train.

World-leading researchA great deal of the University ofKent’s research has been ranked asworld-leading in terms of originality,significance and rigour, accordingto the Government’s most recentResearch Assessment Exercise(RAE, 2008). Kent staff were foundto be engaged in research ofinternational and world-classstanding.

Strong academiccommunityKent’s postgraduate studentsare part of a thriving intellectualcommunity. In addition to lectures,seminars and one-to-onesupervisions, our students benefitfrom a rich and stimulating researchculture. We have also invested inWoolf College, a modern facility onthe Canterbury campus dedicatedto postgraduates, which combinesaccommodation with academic andsocial space.

A global outlookKent has a great internationalreputation, attracting academic staffand students from around the world.Our academic schools are engagedin collaborative research withuniversities worldwide and we offera range of opportunities to studyabroad and an approach that istruly global.

The Graduate SchoolAs a postgraduate student, you alsohave the support of the GraduateSchool, which promotes youracademic interests, co-ordinatesthe Researcher DevelopmentProgramme and the Global SkillsAward and facilitates cross-disciplinary interaction and socialnetworking.

FundingKent provides a variety offinancial support opportunitiesfor postgraduate students. Theserange from research studentships,location-specific funding, sport andmusic scholarships, and fundingspecifically for overseas fee-payingstudents. For further information,see www.kent.ac.uk/pgfunding

Enhanced careerprospectsAt Kent, we want you to be in agood position to face the demandsof a tough economic environment.During your studies, you acquire ahigh level of academic knowledgeand specialist practical skills. Wealso help you to develop keytransferable skills that are essentialwithin the competitive world of work.

Further informationFor information about applyingto Kent, or to order a copy of theGraduate Prospectus, pleasecontact:Information, Recruitment andAdmissions Office, The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ, UKT: +44 (0)1227 827272F: +44 (0)1227 827077E: [email protected]

The University also holds OpenDays and postgraduate recruitmentevents throughout the year. Pleasesee www.kent.ac.uk/opendays

GENERAL INFORMATION

COME ANDVISIT US

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 E: [email protected] www.kent.ac.uk

We hold Open Days and postgraduateevents throughout the year.

For more information, see:www.kent.ac.uk/opendays

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