Course Detail

Introduction to the Programme

The field of computer systems is one of the fastest growing fields of engineering and one that has a very visible impact on modern life. Our course opens the door to a career in computing wherever digital, mobile or network systems are involved.

Traditional computer systems engineering focuses on the engineering and integration of hardware and software systems which fulfill useful purposes. For example accessing video-on-demand, music and live TV coverage, as data can be distributed across the globe.

Now, with the rise of cloud computing and the latest generation of large-scale networked systems, computer systems engineering is at the cutting edge of a range of technological developments.

Why Study BEng Honours Computer Systems Engineering?

This BEng degree is the basis for a wide range of Engineering based careers. Our pioneering and specialist Computer Systems Engineering degree prepares students for entry into an exciting career. They will be taught in high-tech labs by experts and have access to specialist equipment. You will be part of a well-resourced department studying among like-minded and ambitious students.

The special features of the programme are:

Practical hands-on work in modern ESD protected labs to illustrate the application of theory and concepts.
Practical competencies in computer communication systems and computer networks.
Students have an edge as the University works with companies such as Microsoft, Dell EMC, IBM, Oracle and SAP in addition to being Cisco Net Academy – meaning the student will have access to the latest equipment, and can make use of specialist teaching materials and workshops.
Programme content is enriched by providing industry engagement opportunities to students through industry speakers and field trips.
Enrolment into the CISCO academy and opportunity to complete CCNA course.
Develop project management skills related to engineering and computer networks projects and opportunity to implement these skills in the final year project.
Develop transferable technical skills as well as a strong background in professional ethics.
Career coaching is available through the Careers and Employability Service.
Option to transfer to London campus.

Course Fees : AED 157,500

Programme Content

Students will study core modules such as computer networks, fundamentals of STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics), data communications, digital communications and systems, software engineering, internet scale and real time systems development.

The course will focus on the design of systems and services such as the use of cloud computing technology for data storage and distribution, that enable effective, secure and reliable global communications. Students will have the opportunity to put what you have learned to practical use and make valuable industry contacts. Throughout the course they will build confidence to develop and implement modern technologies relevant to electronic products and systems.

Please refer to our Academic Calendar for further information: http://www.mdx.ac.ae/life-at-university/academic-calendar

Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.

Year 1
- Programming for Data Communication and Problem Solving (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module introduces fundamental computational concepts and programming constructs relevant to understanding and use of a range of widely used programming languages. The main aim is to provide you with the opportunity to learn to program effectively. This takes place in the context of learning to solve a range of problems arising in the context of the processing, storing and transmitting data. You will understand the role of a basic but important range of data structures and types, and their use. Several data structures of interest within CCE will be considered, for example those to represent RTP packets and associated operations on these in order that audiovisual data can be sent using transport protocols such as the UDP protocol. The concept of an algorithm is introduced early on together with the techniques for program implementation. You will be encouraged and supported in undertaking - both individually and within a small group setting - a variety of laboratory-based problem solving tasks.
- Fundamentals of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  The overall aim of the module is to provide students with the knowledge and skills required for the theoretical understanding of inter-communicating computer systems. This is achieved through the study of relevant general mathematical and scientific principles. These principles are applied to illustrate the operation of hardware components such as logic gates, processors, controllers and data storage devices; communication channels and network concepts. The module ensures that students are suitably equipped with the theoretical underpinnings needed for the proper understanding of subsequent course modules.
- Computer Networks (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module provides students with the basic skills needed to succeed in networking-related degree programs and also helps students develop the skills necessary to fulfil the job responsibilities of network technicians, network administrators, and network engineers. It provides a theoreticallyrich, hands-on introduction to networking and the Internet. The primary focus of this module is on learning the fundamentals of networking and on routing and routing protocols. The student will learn both the practical and conceptual skills that build the foundation for understanding basic networking. The student will gain an understanding of the layered approach to networks and examine the OSI and TCP/IP layers in detail to understand their functions and services. The student will become familiar with the various network devices, network addressing schemes and the types of media used to carry data across the network. The student will develop an understanding of how a router learns about remote networks and determines the best path to those networks. This module includes both static routing and dynamic routing protocols. The student will gain a better understanding of each of the individual routing protocols and a better perspective of routing in general, learning the configuration of routing protocols, developing an understanding of the routing concepts, implementing, verifying, and troubleshooting routing operations.
- Computer Systems Architecture and Operating Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  The aim of this module is to provide students with fundamental concepts and principles of computer hardware and operating systems in order to explain the structure and operation of modern computers. By taking this module, students will gain an understanding of how the computer s hardware enables it to function as a networked, multi-media machine. The module will focus on the understanding of concepts, theory and associated terminology. Practical hands-on laboratory experiments will be used to illustrate the application of theory and concepts. Consideration will also be given to likely future developments in the area of computer architecture. The development of a range of transferable skills with respect to communicating and demonstrating relevant knowledge will be encouraged and supported throughout.
Year 2
- Research Methodology and Professional Project Management (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  The aim of this module is to enable the students to gain knowledge of professional project management in the context of their degree and likely future profession. It will enable them to use this knowledge by participating in a real world group project which is relevant for their level of study. It will focus on all aspects of professional practise including project management. In addition the students will study ethical, legal, regulatory, organisational and business issues in order to further the student s employability within the computer and communications fields.
- Protocols and Network Performance Simulation (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- Fundamentals of Computer Systems Engineering (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  The main aim of this module is to introduce you to the concepts and abstractions central to the development of real-life and contemporary computing systems, with an emphasis on system software that controls interaction between devices and other hardware and on application programs. Development often requires knowledge and understanding of programming, processors, operating systems, and a variety of digital and analogue and other components typically needed to realise the intended system; this module provides you with the essential concepts for that purpose. The module s main aims are to: 1. Extend your understanding and skills acquired at Level 4 to enable you to construct computer-based systems typically involving the integration of several different components typically drawn from hardware and software subsystems. Starting from a set of real-life requirements and constraints, the target is to develop a system meeting those requirements. 2. Develop your understanding and skills to enable you to design and to integrate digital subsystems each fulfilling a specific set of requirements, and that meet real-life constraints for applications demanding digital functionality, and how these can be rapidly prototyped using reconfigurable logic platforms.
- Engineering Software Development (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  The overall aims of this module are twofold: firstly, to provide you with an understanding of the use of one or more types of programming language appropriate for developing the software element within engineering applications. Secondly, to address the principal technical and non-technical issues involved in designing and creating computer based systems which involve typically involve communication between hardware and software components to realise an application that satisfying specific sets of requirements and constraints. The module intends to provide an opportunity for developing a range of practical skills needed within each stage of a system s development. Recognised system development methodologies are introduced, with a focus on the practical and conceptual activities required to move from initial design to the development of tested software systems. The module addresses the discipline of computer system development, including development processes, life-cycle models, quality issues, requirements analysis, design techniques, testing, and computer systems project management.
Year 3
- Real-time Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to introduce you to the design and creation of computer based systems having distinctive software and hardware components and whose overall operation is subject to potentially stringent real-time operational behaviour. Examples of such systems range from the removal of packet-delay jitter to determining for audio-visual playout or high-speed compression/decompression mechanisms in the context of IP-based streaming for outside broadcast, to systems implementing collision detection or avoidance algorithms, projectile tracking and real-time response sub-systems. The principles underpinning of real-time hardware and software are addressed and deployed. The focus is on structured design principles and techniques that yield, cost-effective, ad hoc and testable systems whose development typically involves the integration of custom hardware, software or hardware interfaces, IP devices or peripherals, one or more processors, and software. A real time system can be viewed as a collection of interconnected components that meets exacting timing requirements. This module adopts a systems level approach to analysis or design of complex systems having a digital core.
- Internet Scale Applications and Development (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  The main aims of this module are to provide an understanding of the software, hardware and network principles underlying high-performance software-server construction, to evaluate the performance and function of a range of P2P systems, and to gain knowledge and understanding of the performance and architectural requirements of systems that provide globally accessible Internetbased services including data storage and multimedia communications. Finally, you will learn how to develop a range of high-performance servers and clients and evaluate their performance within general Internet, Cloud and other environments. You will be able to identify a range of critical design principles required to develop scalable Internet applications and analytical tools and methods for understanding the structure and operation of a range of server and P2P-based systems, appreciate the requirements of modern processor and network infrastructure and be able to apply your understanding to such systems as DNS, Akamai, Amazon, Google, GFS, BigTable, Chubby and AppEngine.
- Individual Project (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  Aims This module provides you with the opportunity of choosing and working on a project that reflects your interests and aims and outcomes of your programme. It should constitute a practical problem-solving project relevant to current network or communication technology. The primary aim of the module is to consolidate and deepen your understanding of material taught on your programme, to exercise professional judgement, to undertake individual research and to conduct an investigation and/or develop a product, process or application relevant to the focus of your programme. It provides you with the opportunity of engaging in significant system development, the typical output of which represents the solution of a problem akin to those that you as a fledgling professional practitioner are likely to encounter in future employment. The module intends that your choice of individual project will provide you with a significant opportunity to reflect on your learning progress and to develop your learning for life-long and career development.
- Embedded Linux System and Application Development (30 Credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module takes a comprehensive look at embedded systems using the Linux kernel. It attempts to cover the hardware, system software and applications for Embedded Systems. The course therefore covers a large number of topics and students are required to be proactive and take the initiative in terms about finding out more about this rapidly expanding field.
  
  On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to: Build and evaluation an Operating System for Embedded Systems; Develop a list of requirements, software and hardware to build an Embedded System; Design software that allows an embedded system to interface to a Computer System; Write applications that can make use of Embedded Systems.

Teaching

Taught sessions are held at our Dubai Knowledge Village campus (Block 16, 17, 04 and 19) during the week (Sunday to Thursday) between 8:30am and 6:30pm. Additional sessions might be scheduled over weekends or holiday periods and you can expect to receive plenty of notice for these. Attending scheduled weekly classes is an important requirement for completion of this programme.

You will be actively involved in a range of learning, teaching and assessment approaches as part of your programme. Such active approaches aim to put you at the centre of your learning so you are involved and engaged in all aspects of your assessment and learning. Your programme will require your active participation in learning activities and engagement with your fellow students both individually and collaboratively, working and learning with other students as part of a small group. Learning activities may also occur both within and outside the classroom.

Your learning will also be supported by technology. Increasingly your tutors will be using existing and emerging learning technologies to engage you in e-learning activities. Your programme may be facilitated using a variety of media and online tools (My Learning on UniHub, podcasts, wikis, etc.) which could allow you flexible access to a diverse range of online resources, quizzes and learning materials as well as collaborative tools with which you can engage and learn with your peers.

Not confined by the time and space associated with traditional teaching methods you may take part in online discussions and learning activities from wherever you are studying. By engaging with e- learning you will also be developing skills which are essential for your learning and are also highly valued by employers. These include but are not limited to: working flexibly, communication, understanding of IT, team working and creating shared understandings based on quality resources and access to global expertise.

Entry requirements

We accept students with a diverse range of entry qualifications and from varying backgrounds. The following international qualifications are normally considered for admission:

Successful completion of the Middlesex University International Foundation Programme (IFP)*** (equivalent programmes from other Universities/Colleges/Institutes will be considered).
Indian Secondary School Certificates issued by the CBSE/ISC boards/NIOS/All State Boards may be considered: minimum grade of 55% overall
British A-Levels: minimum two, maximum three subjects with grades of C,C,C (three subjects) or with A*B, A A (two subjects)
International Baccalaureate: completion of IB diploma with good grades

GCSE (or equivalent for other education systems) English and Maths with a minimum of Grade C are required

UAE’s General Secondary Education Certificate Examination Grade 12 (Tawjihiya) plus successful completion of the Middlesex University International Foundation Programme (IFP)*** or equivalent programmes
Pakistani National Curriculum: completion of Year 1 at a recognised post-secondary institution (university / college). Candidates that have successfully completed FSC/HSC are admitted to the Middlesex University’s International Foundation Programme (IFP)***
Iranian Pre-University Certificate: minimum overall grade of 12. Students completing the High School Diploma are admitted to the International Foundation Programme (IFP)***
Nigerian Senior School Leaving Certificate: Candidates are admitted to the International Foundation Programme (IFP)***
National Curriculum of the countries of Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan: Candidates are admitted to the International Foundation Programme (IFP)***
West African GCE: Candidates are admitted to the International Foundation Programme (IFP)***
BTEC Level 3 qualifications***** (suite of qualifications known as Nationals) may be considered for direct entry into an undergraduate programme

Note: *** International Foundation Programme (IFP) is a one year programme to prepare students for entry to Undergraduate programmes

***** BTEC qualifications (QCF) (suite of qualifications known as Nationals) are acceptable both on their own and in combination with other qualifications. Applicants are expected to have studied for the Diploma or Extended Diploma. The Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma and 90 Credit Diploma are expected to be studied in combination to equal that of at least the Diploma (for example, the Subsidiary Diploma would need to be offered in combination with either a Diploma or two GCE A levels).

This list shows only a selection of qualifications. If your high school system does not appear here, please contact our Admissions Office admissions@mdx.ac.ae and we will be able to advise you further.

English Language Requirements (Undergraduate)

All programmes at Middlesex University Dubai are taught in English and applicants with previous education outside of English-speaking countries (such as the UK, the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand), must demonstrate English language proficiency as follows:

English Language Test	Entry Requirement
IELTS Academic	6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
TOEFL Internet-based	72 (17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading)
PearsonPTE Academic	51
PearsonPTE General	Level 3

Additionally, students with the following qualifications may be considered as having met the English language requirements:

English Language	Entry Requirement
GCSE/IGCSE/O-Level English (as a first or second language)	Grade C or Higher
CBSE/ISC boards/NIOS/All state boards	Minimum grade of 70% in English
International Baccalaureate	Minimum grade 4 in English A1 (Standard or Higher Level) in IB OR a minimum of grade 5 in English B (Higher Level)
West African/Nigerian Curriculum WAEC/WASSCE/SSSCE	Minimum grade “C6“

For admissions related enquiries, kindly contact our admissions team on 0097143678100 / 0097143751212 alternatively you can email on admissions@mdx.ac.ae

Future Careers and Employability

The degree prepares you for a wide range of careers. Graduates will have excellent career prospects and the range of potential employers will be vast across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. There is also the potential to develop their entrepreneurship skills and establish their own business. This course opens the door to a career in computing wherever digital, mobile or network systems are involved. Recent graduates have progressed onto masters courses or have secured jobs with global companies in wireless and digital design, network design and implementation, network planning, mobile internet applications and services development. Careers include key roles as an Application Developer, ICT Manager, Network Engineer, Software Engineer, Systems Developer and IT Project Manager. Links with the employment market is established through visiting speakers from relevant sections of the industry. Our industry partners offer internships, deliver visiting lectures, assist with field trips and recruit at the University’s Careers Day each year.

Profiles

What our students say

Boris Sieklik - graduated in 2012, BEng Computer Systems Engineering

Boris Sieklik

"I found studying at Middlesex to be a great experience, from incredibly knowledgeable lecturers to the level of access I had to industry equipment. One of the other excellent opportunities available to me was networking, and I don't just mean computers!

It was actually through professional networking that I was able to develop such a strong proposal to Google that resulted in receiving the scholarship two times in a row. The first time I was working on a project for a different organisation that was funded by Google. However, the second time, I worked directly on an interesting academic project that I proposed and was directly related to material I came across during my degree. Working with Google gave me the opportunity to learn new things and to work with the best people in the industry from one of the biggest companies in IT."

Alumni

Middlesex graduate Damian Milkins is president and co-founder of Control Circle, a global IT services company. Watch a video of Damian discussing his time at Middlesex and his thoughts on our investment in the latest facilities and equipment.

Search mdx.ac.ae

BEng Honours Computer Systems Engineering

Introduction to the Programme

Why Study BEng Honours Computer Systems Engineering?

Programme Content

Year 1

Programming for Data Communication and Problem Solving (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Fundamentals of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Computer Networks (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Computer Systems Architecture and Operating Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Year 2

Research Methodology and Professional Project Management (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Protocols and Network Performance Simulation (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Fundamentals of Computer Systems Engineering (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Engineering Software Development (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Year 3

Real-time Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Internet Scale Applications and Development (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Individual Project (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Embedded Linux System and Application Development (30 Credits) - Compulsory