Course Summary
The BEng (Hons) in Electronics and Self-Driving Technologies Programme aims to prepare students to work in rapidly changing technology environments, in areas such as robotics/autonomous systems, computer vision, machine learning and extended realities. The up-and-coming area of Autonomous devices (cars, trucks, forklifts, etc.) is an obvious fit for graduates of this course. The mix for theoretical and practical aspects of the Programme will provide students with an understanding of the multidisciplinary engineering concepts required to progress future design in areas that requires skills in electronic, mechanical, mechatronics and embedded systems engineering.
Electronics technology is incorporated in almost all aspects in our daily lives and has led to the invention and enhancement of consumer technology, mobile phones, medical devices, computers, intelligent agriculture, musical equipment and entertainment. The BEng in Electronics and Self Driving Technologies provides students with the skills required to invent the next generation of electronic devices for all sectors and applications by gaining engineering and electronic design skills while applying these skills to an exciting new chapter of automotive and robotic technologies – Self Driving Technologies.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
This course brings together interdisciplinary concepts such as electronics design, artificial intelligence, robotics and augmented reality to provide future engineers with the skills required to design the next generation of electronics and self-driving technologies. A 6-month Work Placement is built into the course and occurs during the second half of third year. Graduates of this course will gain employment as design engineers in a wide range of industries such as the automotive, health care, entertainment and advanced manufacturing industries.
YEAR ONE
First year modules are common across all Level 8 Engineering programmes, giving the students a taste for each of the engineering disciplines and also allows for friendships between courses to develop. Modules consist of the foundation blocks of engineering – the sciences, maths, graphic design, programming, mechanics and project work.
YEAR TWO
Students begin to specialise in electronics. They take modules such as Analogue and Digital Electronics, programming, networks and data communications, and control systems. All modules rely on problem solving skills, and many modules contain a high percentage of practical work.
YEAR THREE
In third year, students start to explore the exciting area of image processing, the first step to understanding how an autonomous vehicle/robot ‘sees’. The digital signal processing module explores how a computer/processor would process such signals, and extract intelligence from them. From January, the students go on a six-month work placement, where they get to put their newly acquired skills to practise.
YEAR FOUR
The final year allows the student to explore and deepen their knowledge in relevant areas of electronics and self-driving technologies. Modules such as Cybersecurity, Virtual and Augmented reality, Sustainable Technologies, Machine Learning, Robotic Path Planning are undertaken. The year culminates with the development of a Capstone project.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for CAO courses at IT Sligo are available for download below:
- Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
- Download Entry requirements for all programmes
H5 in Higher Level Maths
or
IT Sligo Entrance Maths Exam
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this programme are in high demand. Companies such as Intel, Analog Devices, Abbott and Medtronic all hire graduates from IT Sligo. In addition, the autonomous/robotic market within Ireland and Internationally is expected to reach $54.23 billion by 2026 – meaning graduates from a programme like this will be in high demand.
Upon completion, the graduates can work as an engineer in a wide variety of roles. Although primarily directed at robotics/autonomous systems, many of the skills gained from this Programme (such as Machine Learning, Pattern Detection, Computer Vision, Extended Realities) are highly sought after for R&D roles in industries such as the medical, agricultural and high-volume manufacturing.
Further Study
The BEng (Hons) in Electronics and Self-driving technologies is the recommended direct route to the Masters of Engineering in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Both programmes were developed by German and Irish Industry to ensure they are a direct fit for what is required in today’s market.
Masters of Engineering in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Testimonials
Hear what employers have to say about Engineering graduates from IT Sligo. Plus, see some of the projects our students have worked on.
Did you know?
If you don't have Higher Level Mathematics, then you can join SG337 BEng in Electronic and Computer Engineering. From this, you can then progress into Year Three of the BEng (Hons) in Electronics and Self-driving technologies.
In third year, students go on a six-month work placement where they get to put their newly acquired skills into practise. Students can apply to complete their work placement in Kempten University in Germany, who have close links with car manufacturers such as BMW.
In fourth year, students combine all the skills they have acquired to complete a Capstone project.
This course is designed to complement IT Sligo's Level 9 in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, creating a path for CAO students to gain a Master's degree. The level 9 first ran in 2018 with IT Sligo’s new autonomous vehicles course being a first for Europe *, and Silicon Republic described Ireland’s west coast as being in the driving seat when it comes to autotech, and IT Sligo as a leader of autonomous driving education in Ireland **.
*https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/autonomous-vehicles-course-it-sligo
** https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/autotech-ireland-west-snapshot-galway-limerick-sligo
Students can also exit at the end of Year Two with a Higher Certificate Level 6 award or at the end of Year Three with a Bachelor of Engineering Level 7 award.
Enjoy a common first year across our Level 8 engineering degrees to give you an understanding of all aspects of engineering and the flexibility to change direction in Year Two if desired. Students can choose from Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Automation or Electronics and Self Driving Technologies.
Course Format
Semester 1
Title | Credits |
---|---|
Mathematics 101H | 05 |
Introduction to Engineering | 05 |
Engineering Graphics & Computer Aided Design | 05 |
Engineering Physics | 05 |
Engineering Mechanics 101 | 05 |
Introduction to Programming | 05 |
Semester 2
Title | Credits |
---|---|
Mathematics 102H | 05 |
Multi-Disciplinary Project | 05 |
Electrical Principles Engineering | 05 |
Engineering Chemistry | 05 |
Engineering Mechanics 102 | 05 |
Introduction to Professional Engineering | 05 |
Semester 3
Title | Credits |
---|---|
Procedural Programming | 05 |
Mathematics 201H | 05 |
Control Systems 301 | 05 |
Analog Electronics | 05 |
Digital Electronics | 05 |
Introduction to Networks | 05 |
Semester 4
Title | Credits |
---|---|
Embedded Systems 1 | 05 |
Mathematics 202H | 05 |
Data Communications | 05 |
Analog Electronics 2 | 05 |
Digital Electronics 2 | 05 |
Control Systems 302 | 05 |
Semester 5
Title | Credits |
---|---|
Object Oriented Programming | 05 |
Image Processing | 05 |
Digital Signal Processing 1 | 05 |
Work Placement Preparation | 05 |
Software Engineering | 05 |
Data Analytics and Visualisation [E] | 05 |
Mathematics 4 [E] | 05 |
Semester 6
Title | Credits |
---|---|
Sustainable Vehicle Technologies | 05 |
Six Sigma 2 Statistical Control | 05 |
Work Placement | 20 |
Semester 7
Title | Credits |
---|---|
Vehicle Cybersecurity and V2X | 05 |
Computer Vision | 05 |
Digital Signal Processing 2 | 05 |
Principles and Practice of Extended Realities | 05 |
AV Sensor Systems | 05 |
Startup Engineering | 05 |
Semester 8
Title | Credits |
---|---|
Embedded Systems 2 | 05 |
Deep Learning for Computer Vision | 10 |
Robotic Path Planning | 05 |
Project 400 | 10 |
[E] = Elective Module. Modules subject to availability.