MSc Digital Signal Processing and Communications

Course length: Full-time (1 year), part-time (2 years)

Course aims

This programme aims to provide an industry oriented Master course in digital signal processing and communications (DSPC), covering not only the theoretical but also the implementation aspects of the subject, thus allowing the students, upon completion, to be job-ready. Specifically, the students will have achieved the following outcomes at the end of the programme:

1. An in-depth understanding of the DSP and communications theory.
2. A thorough familiarisation with, and hands-on experience of, real-time or embedded DSP implementation.
3. An appreciation of current and future wireless communications systems (e.g. 3GPP, 802.11a/b/g, or WiMax).
4. An opportunity to interact with senior engineers or consultants from the industry, as some of the modules will be taught by external experts.
5. An easier choice for the next step in their career: they can either pursue a career in academia by continuing onto a PhD programme, or join the DSP or wireless communications industry immediately after their graduation.

Course structure

The programme consists of the following 12 taught modules/subjects and 1 MSc project:

Term 1: 60 credit points

1. DSP fundamentals
2. Digital Communications
3. Personal and mobile communications
4. Embedded DSP systems
5. Image Processing
6. DSP architecture

Term 2: 60 credit points

1. Advanced DSP
2. Advanced neural networks
3. Advanced wireless communications
4. DSP simulations for wireless communications
5. Communications for the real world: case study

Term 3: 60 credit points

1. MSc Project/Thesis

For further information please download the  course syllabus (PDF file).

Career prospects

Career prospects for the students of this course tend be strong as the industry oriented DSPC knowledge and skills acquired are very relevant to the current and future DSP and communications industry. Since DSP is now the technology underpinning most signal and sensor related industry areas and wireless communications has penetrated into almost every aspect of today’s society, the graduates are expected to be employed in a large variety of sectors. Some graduates will join large multinational companies (DSP companies and telecommunications manufacturers and operators); others join smaller companies and consultancies; and some may well choose to further their research interests either in the School of Systems Engineering or at other Universities.

Local employment opportunities

As an important part of the M4 industry corridor, Reading and the surrounding areas are home to many national and international ICT companies (such as O2, Vodafone, and Thales). As such, employment is much easier to find in Reading than in many other regions in the UK, making Reading less vulnerable to recession than most areas in the UK.

Opportunities for further study

Wherever possible, full scholarships will be offered to the best graduates of this programme so that they can proceed to a PhD programme.