BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Course overview

This programme provides a strong foundation in electrical and electronic engineering, covering key areas such as digital signal processing, microelectronics and VLSI design, robotics and intelligent systems, power systems, and advanced power conversion and control. The programme is delivered within a modern laboratory environment and supported by contemporary engineering tools.

The programme adopts the CDIO (Conceive–Design–Implement–Operate) framework, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge through practical “Design and Build” activities throughout their studies.

Key Information

Entry Requirements

All applicants are required to sit the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), which is typically held in June each year., Each applicant is required to take at least 7 exam subjects and achieve a minimum total score of 70 points. Chinese, mathematics, physics, and a foreign language are compulsory subjects, while optional subjects include history, politics, geography, chemistry, and biology.

At the end of June, applicants whose NCEE total scores have reached the minimum undergraduates control line set by Jiangsu Province are eligible to apply. Applicants must completethe application form, indicating their chosen university and programme. CIT typically conducts its admissions process in mid-July. Candidates who apply to Hertfordshire College at CIT will be admitted based on their NCEE scores, in descending order from highest to lowest.

All students are required to commence their studies at Level 4. Students who successfully complete the foundation year (which primarily focus on language development, including Pre-Sessional English course) may progress to level 4 of the UH programme.

No student will be admitted to the programme unless they demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to successfully undertake their chosen programme of study.

English Language Requirements：

Students entering the programme will be required to demonstrate a proficiency in English to IELTS 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each band or an equivalent recognised qualification (including pass the Pre-Sessional English course).

Students who failed to reach the minimum English level, will be given an opportunity to join an intensive English course in UH during the summer, or repeat the year in Hertfordshire College, CIT.

What you'll study

Whilst on the electrical engineering course, you will study a range of topics similar to those of more specialised courses but in a more flexible way, allowing you to develop a personalised course of study. Many of our students have an interest in one or more specialised areas and wish to combine them, and this route allows you to do so.

In your Foundation Year, you will focus on developing your academic English language skills and building the necessary foundation for studying engineering at undergraduate level.

In your first year, you will focus on the basic principles and practices needed in electronic engineering, and on developing relevant analytical, design and organisational abilities. You will learn about digital fundamentals, computing concepts and the problem-solving tools that you will need as the course progresses.

In your second year, you will explore in more depth the theories and techniques involved in product design and development, with particular emphasis on embedded real-time microprocessor systems, programmable logic devices and power control. You will learn to apply practical skills to design, implement and test solutions relevant to electrical and electronic engineering.

In your final year, the focus is on understanding more about the specialist technologies that are at the heart of today's advanced communication systems. Mobile communication concepts and computer networks, the design of high-speed analogue and digital electronics using integrated circuits, and radio frequency circuits and systems are all examined, along with key microprocessor topics, fuzzy logic and neural networks, and digital signal processing. You will also carry out an individual double-module project on a topic relevant to electrical and/or electronic engineering.

Programme Structure

At the Hertfordshire College, CIT, a BEng programme of study requires students to study several specific modules at various academic levels.

The academic levels are defined as levels 4, 5 and 6 (equating to the second, third and final years of the programme). The academic levels and years are shown below:

The programme offers BEng Honours final award in:

• BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering

For each award, there is a set of core modules that you must study. There are no optional modules.

Modules can either be 15-credit (representing around 150 hours of student effort), or 30-credit (representing around 300 hours of student effort). Each module has a ‘DMD Code’ for example 4FTCXXXX. The first digit indicates the academic level of the module, e.g. ‘4’ indicates this is a level 4 (first year of the programme) module.

The details of your programme of study can be found in the programme specification, which is available on the programme’s site on Studynet/Canvas. A programme specification is a collection of key information about a programme of study, identifies the aims and learning outcomes of the programme and lists the modules that make up each level. Additionally, it details the structure of the programme, its progression requirements, and any programme-specific regulations. These are important documents that you should read carefully and refer back to in the future.

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year focuses on developing students’ academic English skills and preparing them for undergraduate study in engineering.

Year 2 (Level 4)

In your second year, you will focus on the fundamental principles and practices of electronic engineering, developing analytical, design, and problem-solving skills. Topics include mathematics, circuit theory, programming, and engineering design.

Modules：

Engineering Mathematics: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module aims to enable students to explore mathematical techniques commonly used in engineering. Topics covered include functions frequently occurring in engineering applications, their manipulation and application, complex numbers, integration techniques, differentiation of functions of one or more variables, ordinary differential equations, determinants, matrices and vectors, statistics and probability. A range of applications will support the mathematical content of the module.

Digital Electronic Circuits: 15 Credits; Compulsory

'Digital Electronic Circuits' provides a comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of digital electronics. A range of fundamental key topics such as binary number systems, base conversion, codes, binary arithmetic operations and Boolean logic are covered. Common types of logic gates and flip-flops are introduced and the basic concepts and principles for the analysis and design of combinational and sequential digital electronic systems are presented. Finally, these and other topics are brought together in the context of computer and microprocessor systems, to introduce students to computer hardware and the principles of operation of peripheral devices.

Circuit Theory and Analysis: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module aims to provide students with a sound understanding of the fundamental concepts of electric circuit theory and the ability to apply these principles to solve engineering problems. Topics covered include basic electric circuits and components such as resistor, capacitor, inductor and their series and parallel connections with a comprehensive coverage of the basic laws and theorems to perform nodal and mesh analysis of DC and AC electric circuits. The module provides an in-depth introduction to AC fundamentals including voltage, current, and power in AC circuits and the concept of power factor correction with an overview of frequency response characteristics and the concept of resonance. Finally, the transient behaviour of basic first order and second order circuits including RL, RC and RLC is introduced.

Project Planning and Design: 15 Credits; Compulsory

Students will develop their practical skills from the knowledge learned in the relevant level and semester modules. Students will learn how to design and develop electronic system elements, from using discrete components through to designing systems and managing projects. Students will learn how to plan engineering projects that captures the operating requirements based on user specifications. Students will learn how to design against the captured requirements and produce a functional electronic design.

Professional Engineering: 15 Credits; Compulsory

Students will explore their individual responsibilities when embarking on their careers as professional engineers. Through relevant application of professionalism as students, they will develop skills and knowledge that will be directly relatable to industry practice and/or continued academic study. Using relevant academic research and industry examples, students will learn about codes of conduct, relevant legislation, compliance and ethics as well as developing an understanding of working in teams, leadership and project management. The aim is to develop in the students a personal responsibility for their own learning and professional career development. Through engaging with industry speakers and real-world case studies, students will gain valuable insights into how academic theories and discussions relate to professional discussions and situations.

Programming: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module introduces students to a variety of programming concepts and variables, constants and arrays. It is also included introductory material on more advanced concepts such as software design methodology. The module is taught both by lecture and practical exercises, with the practical work being largely centred on the use of a high-level language such as 'C'.

Analogue Circuits and Devices: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module introduces students to the fundamental properties of semiconductor materials and devices commonly used in modern electronics. Topics studied include diodes, bipolar and field-effect transistors with their different configurations and their biasing techniques. The module also covers the essentials on operational amplifiers and their applications in electronic circuit design. The students will gain an in-depth knowledge on construction, testing and analysis of analogue electronic systems.

Electronic Product Development: 15 Credits; Compulsory

The students will practise what they have learned including the electronic theories, analogue circuits, and project management to experience a complete cycle of a discrete component analogue electronic circuit design process, which includes conceptual design, breadboard implementation, circuit simulation, PCB fabrication, and components assembling. The students will be trained to use typical electronic laboratory instrumentation to perform the electronic circuit testing and debugging. These activities will be supported by the module team and lab technicians. The students will be provided with a variety of resources including relevant lab equipment and professional software packages. Students will be assessed, in groups as well as individually, by their ability to conceive, design, implement and test the electronic circuits.

Progression requirement:

Students must achieve a minimum of 90 credits to progress to Level 5.

Year 3 (Level 5)

In your second year, you will deepen your understanding of engineering theories and techniques, particularly in system design, embedded systems, and energy conversion. You will further develop your ability to design, analyse, and implement engineering

Modules：

Signals and Systems: 15 Credits; Compulsory

The students will be introduced fundamentals of signals and systems analysis techniques used in electrical, electronics, control and communication systems. The module covers continuous time signals, linear time-invariant systems, Fourier Analysis, convolution and Laplace transform etc., in mathematical terms alongside with engineering principles. Suitable software packages, such as MATLAB, will be used as an analysis tool to support practical activities.

Digital Design and Embedded Systems: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module extends coverage of digital design into the area of microprocessor, microcontroller, and programmable logic devices. The fundamental aspects of microprocessor system hardware design are covered along with programming. The module also introduces the study of digital systems using field programmable logic devices and modern computer-based tools such as VHDL that are used in the programming of such devices.

Electric Power and Energy Conversion: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module is designed to introduce students to the concepts underlying electric power generation, transmission, energy conversion systems and control of electrical systems and electrical machines. Each topic is presented in sufficient depth to enable students to develop their understanding of the fundamental principles, techniques, and methodologies for the analysis and design of electric power systems, electrical machines, and power electronics drives.

Analogue and Mixed-Signal Design: 15 Credits; Compulsory

The students will practise what they have learned during 'Digital Design and Embedded Systems' and 'Signals and Systems' to experience a complete cycle of a mixed-mode and FPGA based electronic circuit design process, which includes conceptual design, system implementation, simulation, and system deployment. The students will be trained to use typical electronic CAD/EDA to perform a digital FPGA electronics circuit testing and debugging. These activities will be supported by the module team and lab technicians. The students will be provided with a variety of resources including relevant lab equipment and professional software packages. Students will be assessed, in groups as well as individually, by their ability to conceive, design, implement and test the digital electronic circuits.

Real-Time Systems and Programming: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module extends knowledge of embedded systems with material on both the hardware design and software issues of real-time systems, including an introduction to aspects such as scheduling, system testing and response analysis.

Connected Systems and IoT: 15 Credits; Compulsory

The students will practise what they have learned during 'Real-time Systems & Programming' and 'Communication System Principles' to experience a complete cycle of an electronic circuit design process, which includes conceptual design, system implementation, simulation, and system deployment for the application of IoT. The students will be trained to use typical electronic CAD/EDA to perform a microcontroller-based circuit testing, debugging for IoT applications. These activities will be supported by the module team and lab technicians. The students will be provided with a variety of resources including relevant lab equipment and professional software packages. Students will be assessed, in groups as well as individually, by their ability to conceive, design, implement and test microcontroller-based circuits.

Mechatronics: 15 Credits; Compulsory

The aims of this module are to enable students to understand the basic mechanics, analogue electronics, control systems and electro-mechanical processes in line with wider mechatronics applications. Students should be able to apply problem solving and implement engineering solutions to optimise mechatronics systems. Students should also be able to demonstrate understanding of the multidisciplinary inter-link within mechatronics.

Communication System Principles: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module introduces fundamental concepts of communication systems and communications networks, including baseband signals, communication channel and noise, analogue modulation/demodulation, sampling and digitisation and communication network topologies. Theoretical study is supported by practical exercises and lab experiments and where appropriate, software-based simulation tools.

Progression requirement:

Students must achieve the required credits at Levels 4 and 5, including at least 90 credits at Level 5, to progress to Level 6.

Year 4 (Level 6)

In your final year, you will study advanced and specialised topics in electrical and electronic engineering, with a focus on modern communication systems, intelligent systems, and high-performance electronic design.

You will also complete an individual project, allowing you to apply your knowledge to a real engineering problem.

Modules:

Microelectronics and VLSI: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module aims to extend students knowledge of analogue and digital electronics into the area of integrated circuit design. Material is biased toward advanced high-speed analogue and digital IC technologies and circuits. The module also covers the way in which these concepts are used in the design of integrated analogue circuits and digital 'systems on chip'. Although treated in an analytical way, learning is supported by the use of modern relevant software design and simulation tools.

Intelligent Systems and Robotics: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module is designed to advance students' knowledge of control principles into robotic systems based on the use of fuzzy logic, neural networks and neuro-fuzzy systems. The fundamentals of these artificial intelligence techniques and systems will be covered in depth to provide the student with knowledge and practical basis for applying artificial intelligence techniques to the solution of complex problems in robotics.

Digital Communication Systems: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module further develops students' knowledge of digital communication systems. The emphasis is on digital aspects of communications, with study of typical digital modulation strategies. Also covered in the module is study of the effect of channel properties and of channel equalisation techniques.

Digital Signal Processing: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module introduces the student to modern concepts of digital signal processing. Material covered includes typical theoretical concepts as well as an introduction to typical hardware implementations. The theoretical study is supported by practical work using typical software tools for simulating DSP techniques as well as practical work in implementing simple algorithms on selected digital signal processors.

Power Systems and Renewable Energy: 15 Credits; Compulsory

Electric power systems around the world are undergoing a profound transformation as a consequence of the transition towards the adoption of clean and sustainable energy sources. This module provides an in-depth knowledge on electric power systems, renewable energy sources including solar, wind and other alternative sources and an advanced technical understanding of the technologies for renewable energy conversion, storage, and integration to electric distribution network. The module will also introduce the concept of smart grids, microgrids, smart metering and communication technologies.

Wireless Networking: 15 Credits; Compulsory

This module covers different types of wireless networks, e.g., local/wide area networks, mobile networks, sensor networks and IoT, including the analysis of requirements for hardware, software, methodologies to support data transmission and exchange services in wireless networks. Networking technologies, systems and protocols are included, together with recently developed local access and data communication techniques.

BEng Individual Project (Electrical): 30 Credits; Compulsory

The major individual project occurs in either third or fourth (sandwich awards) year of study can take several forms ranging from design-oriented work to investigative work and research projects and placing their findings in the context of the application of real world engineering. Students are highly encouraged to propose their own topics for investigation. The project title and topic are chosen and moderated to provide an intellectual challenge appropriate to an honours programme of study in a specific engineering field. The student is expected to firstly identify and elucidate the problems through a critical review of a subject area and then plan, organise, and execute a significant individual programme of work related to a chosen field of study through the analysis and synthesis of results. Students should demonstrate initiative and creativity in applying skills, knowledge and experience gained from previous work in an individual practical, problem solving project. Student will be subjected to both end-point assessments and a continuous progress assessment that will assess the learning outcomes.

Award requirement:

The award of the degree requires a total of 360 credits, including 120 credits at Level 6.

Assessment

The programme is assessed through a combination of:

§   Written examinations

§   Coursework

§   Practical work

§   Project work

Assessment methods vary by module and level.Further details for each module can be found in the Definitive Module Document (DMD) available on StudyNet.

Guidance and Further Information

Further details of module content, learning outcomes, and assessment methods are available in the Programme Specification PECICEEE - BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (CIT) (Full time, Semester A Intake) 2025-26.pdf and Programme HandbookProgramme Handbook - EEE-2024.pdf.