Course summary
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Photonic and Electronic Systems offers a four-year MRes + PhD (1+3) course in collaboration with University College London (UCL). The four-year course comprises an initial year undertaking the Photonic and Electronic Systems MRes programme, followed by a three-year PhD programme. Continuation on to the PhD is conditional on satisfactory performance in the MRes year. Full funding is available for eligible applicants. The programme is designed to produce engineering leaders with a high level of understanding and skills in photonic and electronic systems, in particular, the fundamentals of the field together with the necessary research expertise, and technology, systems and applications knowledge. Accordingly, the programme aims to: produce engineering leaders with a high level of understanding and skills in photonic and electronic systems, in particular, the fundamentals of the field together with the necessary research expertise, technology, systems and applications knowledge; develop strong business awareness in MRes graduates and foster an understanding of the foundations of management theory and the connections between technology, management and entrepreneurship; encourage an appreciation of applications drivers for photonic systems technologies and the business, road-mapping and cost analysis tools used to determine the adoption of new technological solutions; expose students to a range of technology areas and provide an experience of a variety of different research and development cultures; encourage students to study across discipline boundaries, with the resultant enhancement of interdisciplinary understanding; equip graduates of the programme with generic communications skills as well as research-specific training to enable them to make a seamless transfer to doctoral research programmes at either Cambridge or UCL. Learning Outcomes The MRes programme in photonic and electronic systems will equip its graduates with a wide range of skills and knowledge, fully equipping them for both further research and for industrial work in the area of photonic and electronic systems. Graduates will have developed a thorough technical understanding of photonic and electronic systems, with a firm grip of the fundamentals in the broad areas of communications, biophotonics, displays, lighting and processing. All students will be equipped with the fundamental concepts in this area and will have the opportunity to specialise in chosen areas (taught courses may include computer vision, image processing, RF circuits, network software, optical transmission networks, biosensors etc). They will also be equipped with an understanding of the business practice and commercial exploitation routes for ICT-based technologies. They will have cultivated a range of transferable and specialist skills allowing them to engage with business, innovation and technology development. These include: skills in the modelling, simulation and experimental evaluation of photonic systems; critically evaluating and finding alternative solutions to technical problems; carrying out surveys of existing technologies and research topics, and providing a detailed and critical overview of a technology or research area; academic research skills developed through practical experience in mini-projects; team-working and time-management; critical reasoning. By the end of the PhD, successful students will have produced original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in the area of photonic and electronic systems.
Assessment method
Thesis / Dissertation The doctoral thesis must be submitted by the end of the fourth year (the third year of the PhD programme). A compulsory viva voce examination will follow thesis submission. The length and format of the thesis will be determined by the requirements of the Degree Committee of the department/faculty in which the student is registered for the PhD. Essays Some of the modules available to MRes students are assessed by coursework, or by a combination of coursework and written examination. All students are required to complete two mini-project reports, each of not more than 10,000 words. The assessment of the first mini-project includes an oral presentation of the project work. Written examination Some of the modules available to MRes students are assessed by written examination, or by a combination of coursework and written examination. Practical assessment Some of the coursework involves substantial laboratory work. Other Students must submit a report of 10,000 to 15,000 words and have an oral assessment at the end of the second year of the degree (the first year of the PhD programme) as part of the normal requirements for probationary PhD students.
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree. If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country. Applications are invited from outstanding graduates in a relevant science (physics, mathematics, natural sciences, geology and geographical science, social sciences, materials science, etc) or in engineering (chemical, civil, electronic and electrical, mechanical, etc). Applicants with other relevant qualifications or extensive relevant industry experience who can show evidence of scientific and engineering research capability may also apply.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Cambridge
The Old Schools
Trinity Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1TN