(BEng) Bachelor of Engineering
Neural Engineering with Psychology (including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
BENGH170
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- GCSE: Mathematics C/4.
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554. Our Maths requirement can be met with either: 4 in Standard level Maths; 3 in Higher level Maths; or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Prof Sandra Dudley
Professor of Communication Systems
London South Bank University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To equip students with the knowledge and skills required to become leaders in the development of novel technologies and applications for the rapidly developing and innovative neural engineering industry .
- To enable students to also acquire a solid background in biomedical, electronic and software engineering that will make them highly employable in the corresponding industries .
- To give students a basic understanding of human-factors and psychological aspects associated with neural engineering and more generally biomedical engineering.
- To provide students with a foundation for further study and research .
- To develop the students' ability to make an effective contribution to team-based activity.
- To encourage students to adopt an investigative approach and develop autonomous study skills in order to ensure their continuing professional development.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin their education in their engineering discipline, to enable appreciation of its scientific and engineering context, and to support their understanding of relevant historical, current and future developments and technologies.
A2: Knowledge and understanding of mathematical and statistical methods necessary to underpin their education in their engineering discipline and to enable them to apply mathematical and statistical methods, tools and notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of engineering problems.
A3: Knowledge and understanding of signal processing and electronic systems as applied to neurological interfaces
A4: Basic psychological theory, research methods and statistics.
A5: Psychological theory within the core domains as outlined by the BPS. These are Biological Psychology; Sensation and Perception; Cognitive Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Social Psychology and Research Methods
A6: Principles and techniques in those areas in which the student has chosen to develop special expertise including economics.
A101: An experience based understanding of work roles is developed through the placement year.
Learning methods
Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles involved in the majority of the learning outcomes. Students are also directed to reading from textbooks, academic papers and material available on-line. Understanding is reinforced by means of exercise classes, discussion groups, laboratories, assignments and project work.
Specialist knowledge is further developed during supervision of the final year individual project which must be in the area of neural engineering. It should be noted that students will also be carrying out neural engineering specific project work in the earlier project modules CE101-4-FY and CE201-5-FY where team work will be an element.
Assessment methods
Achievement of knowledge outcomes is assessed primarily through unseen examinations, and also through marked coursework. An assessment of the understanding of underlying concepts and principles forms part of the overall assessment of the final year individual project report and oral presentation.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of their own engineering discipline.
B2: Understanding of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key engineering processes.
B3: Understand and evaluate business, customer and user needs, including considerations such as the wider engineering context, public perception and aesthetics.
B4: Investigate and define the problem, identifying any constraints including environmental and sustainability limitations; ethical, health, safety, security and risk issues; intellectual property; codes of practice and standards.
B5: Work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain and quantify the effect of this on the design.
B6: Apply advanced problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and understanding, to establish rigorous and creative solutions that are fit for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
B7: Apply engineering design principles to the design and operation of neurological interfaces and systems.
B8: Employ evidence-based reasoning to produce coherent research plans and hypotheses.
B101: A capacity to connect subject specific theory to practice in a work environment
Learning methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures, and they are developed by means of recommended reading, guided and self directed study, assignments, laboratory and project work.
Assessment methods
Achievement of intellectual skills is assessed primarily through unseen examinations, and also through marked assignments and project work.
C: Practical skills
C1: Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques.
C2: Ability to apply quantitative and computational methods in order to solve engineering problems and to implement appropriate action.
C3: Understanding of, and the ability to apply, an integrated or systems approach to solving engineering problems.
C4: Plan and manage the design process, including cost drivers, and evaluate outcomes.
C5: Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (eg operations and management, application and development of technology, etc).
C6: Knowledge of characteristics of particular materials, equipment, processes, or products.
C7: Ability to apply relevant practical and laboratory skills.
C8: Ability to design, construct and analyse neurological interfaces and systems.
C9: Effectively test research hypotheses using standard statistical techniques (e.g., t-test)
C10: Use a range of psychological tools, such as specialist software and laboratory equipment
C101: Communicate with a range of colleagues and clients in a working environment
Learning methods
Practical skills are developed in exercise classes, laboratory classes, assignments
and project work. Specialist practical skills are further developed during the final year individual project which must be in the area of neurological systems. It should be noted that
students will also be carrying out neurological engineering specific project work in the earlier project modules CE101-4-FY and CE201-5-FY where team work will be an element.
Assessment methods
Achievement of practical skills is assessed through marked coursework, project
reports, oral presentations and demonstrations of completed systems.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate their work to technical and non-technical audiences.
D2: Understanding of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering and a knowledge of professional codes of conduct.
D3: Knowledge and understanding of the commercial, economic and social context of engineering processes.
D4: Knowledge and understanding of management techniques, including project management, that may be used to achieve engineering objectives.
D5: Understanding of the requirement for engineering activities to promote sustainable development and ability to apply quantitative techniques where appropriate.
D6: Awareness of relevant legal requirements governing engineering activities, including personnel, health and safety, contracts, intellectual property rights, product safety and liability issues.
D7: Knowledge and understanding of risk issues, including health and safety, environmental and commercial risk, and of risk assessment and risk management techniques.
D8: Understanding of the use of technical literature and other information sources.
D9: Knowledge of relevant legal and contractual issues.
D10: Understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards.
D11: Awareness of quality issues and their application to continuous improvement.
D12: Ability to work with technical uncertainty.
D13: Understanding of, and the ability to work in, different roles within an engineering team.
D14: Problem solve and reason scientifically analyse complex problems and design effective solutions
D15: Improve own learning and performance i) Organise activity and time in an effective way. ii) Study independently.
D101: Capacity to work in a team within a work environment
D102: Improve personal professional practice through a reflective approach within a work environment
Learning methods
Students learn key skills in research, problem solving, communication and team project work in the first year project module CE101-4-FY, and thereafter the development of key skills forms an integral part of their overall learning activity.
Assessment methods
Assessment of the key skills is intrinsic to subject based assessment. The assessment of project work includes specific allocations of credit for project management and the quality of presentations. An individual's contribution to team projects is determined by means of a submission containing reflective and self-assessment components. The assessment of the final year individual project report includes specific allocation of credit for the quality, extent and relevance of a bibliography, including internet sources.