Connected Autonomous Vehicle Systems MSc

 

Course Code

EECT097

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

 

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Start date

January 2023

How to apply
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Course overview

Study level: Postgraduate

This Connected Autonomous Vehicle Systems (CAVS) MSc course is designed to equip you with the required critical skills to produce robust and safe Automated Driving Systems (ADS) for use in Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) applications.

  • The course is intended for graduates with existing computer science related specialisations at degree level, or individuals with prior industrial experience who are looking to specialise or transition into the CAV sector.
  • Coventry University’s current connection and delivery with HORIBA MIRA is a unique offering, distinguishing the course from others in the market.
  • The course is designed to help develop and nurture vital organisational, planning, and policy skills. These include presenting and project planning, as well as developing a contextual understanding of CAV technology in areas such as ethics and its societal impact.
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Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

  • Enables you to explore the current and emerging technologies and applications for CAVs.
  • Provides qualified software engineering and science graduates with the opportunity to advance their software engineering proficiency and develop new skills and knowledge within the area of CAVs.
  • Aims to prepare you to make significant contributions to your profession, the economy and society.
  • The course uses industry-led learning, underpinned by research inspired teaching to provide you with a transformative learning experience.
  • Aims to provide a great educational environment that gives access to both academic and industrial experience within the field of CAVs.
  • Provides you with the opportunity to deal with complex issues and to demonstrate self-direction and develop transferable skills such as teamwork, professional communication, leadership, and management approaches, upon successful completion.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

CMI Chartered Management Institute

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2022-23 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.

Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.

Partners in Learning

MIRA Technology Institute

What you'll study

Modules

  • The aim of this module is to introduce you to the concept of vehicle safety and how this particularly applies in the context of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, including its place within the vehicle design and electronic system design processes. You will be exposed to the latest guidelines, standards and legislation.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your critical knowledge in the field of verification and validation with a specific view of the challenges in the context of CAVs and ADAS.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your critical knowledge in the field of automotive cybersecurity, which poses a major challenge to connected and autonomous vehicles. The module addresses the wider challenge of increasing digital and software components on connected platforms, focussing specifically on threat intelligence and engineering aspects of automotive systems. Issues of policy and personal data are also explored.

    Compulsory

  • The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the key principles of Human Factors when considering autonomous vehicles, and specifically the interaction between such systems and the humans using them.

    Compulsory

  • The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the key principles of inter and intra vehicle communications with a specific focus on autonomous vehicles.

    Compulsory

  • Machine Vision is concerned with the capture of an image, its presentation, enhancement and analysis to permit decision making. This module introduces the models, algorithms and hardware involved, providing practical experience with image data. Key mathematical concepts are introduced within the module to allow you to appreciate the background to the methods being studied. Emphasis is placed on the selection and use of appropriate techniques in the context of the application area of Connected Autonomous Vehicles.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with a fundamental understanding of vehicle dynamics as applied to automotive vehicles, covering the areas of vehicle kinematics and dynamics from analytical and practical viewpoints.

    Compulsory

  • The module covers the concepts required for vehicle perception of the surrounding environment using active sensor systems, most notably those sensor systems capable of capturing high-resolution 3-dimensional data.

    Compulsory

  • The project is intended to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate competence in applying the knowledge and skills acquired during the taught part of the course. The project may be a solution to a practical industry requirement or focus on a research topic. The module will require investigation and research as core activities, leading to analysis, final summations and insightful recommendations. The project will culminate in a comprehensive, thorough and professional report.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to manage change using creativity and innovation in different types of organisational scenarios. You will critically assess strategies for change and change management and explore the leadership skills required to lead such successfully.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This course is a one-year full-time course. Teaching is expected to take place at the MIRA Technology Institute located on the MIRA Technology Park near Nuneaton. MIRA Technology Institute is a bespoke global centre for specialist skills in key areas of emerging automotive technology.

Modules will be delivered as a combination of lectures, practical laboratory sessions, online learning, problem classes, seminars, discussions and tutorials, as appropriate for the topic.

The individual project involves research and analysis of current advances and issues in the CAVS industry, with a view to producing a substantial piece of work in the field of connected autonomous vehicles.

Teaching contact hours

Modules will be taught following a block delivery pattern over one year. Module material is delivered in a single week, followed by two weeks of self-directed study and completion of coursework. The teaching week is Monday through to Friday, whole days with breaks.

A 15-credit module will typically have about 30 hours of contact time associated with it. This will include a combination of, but may not be limited to, lectures, group sessions, laboratory sessions and support sessions. In addition, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include practical coursework, phase tests, viva and both individual assignments and group-work elements. Formative assessment is used throughout the course through timetabled tutorial and lab activities.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Applicants applying to the MSc Connected Autonomous Vehicle System course will ideally have:

  • Been awarded an honours degree in Computing, Computer Science, Software Development, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or any other relevant discipline (minimum 2:2) or hold an equivalent qualification.
  • Programming experience ideally in C++ and/or Python, although this may have taken the form of a foundational CPD.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Computing will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Applicants applying to the MSc Connected Autonomous Vehicle System course will ideally have:

  • Been awarded an honours degree in Computing, Computer Science, Software Development, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or any other relevant discipline (minimum 2:2) or hold an equivalent qualification.
  • Programming experience ideally in C++ and/or Python, although this may have taken the form of a foundational CPD.

Some international students may require an ATAS certificate to study this course. For further information see our ATAS Certificates web page.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component area

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2022/23 Tuition fees

Student Full time Part time
UK £10,600 per year Not available
International £18,250 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Facilities

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities4:

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The Library

The Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

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Jaguar Centre

Our refurbished Jaguar Centre has been specifically designed to provide facilities and services to support our postgraduate students including: social spaces, computer suites and separate areas for small group study.

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TheHub

TheHub is the centre of student campus life. It's also home to: The Health and Wellbeing Centre, The Spirituality and Faith Centre, The Tank Studio, The Careers and Add+vantage Office and the Enterprise Hub.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Determine and apply appropriate security methods to ensure responsible development of CAV systems.
  • Critically assess the use of communications technologies for inter/intra vehicle communications.
  • Demonstrate the application of legal and ethical requirements associated with CAVs in an industrial and/or societal context.
  • Select and apply appropriate methods to solve complex CAV vision problems.
  • Determine and implement appropriate testing and validation strategies to ensure responsible development practices.
  • Identify and apply appropriate solutions to ensure safe and responsible control of CAV systems.
  • Critically assess the use of CAVs to address and mitigate societal challenges, improving environmental and social welfare at the local and global level.
  • Select and implement appropriate methods to solve complex CAV sensor fusion problems.
  • Effectively communicate research, concepts, solutions and recommendations, and demonstrate a professional approach to presentations, teamwork and leadership.
  • Apply the necessary study and research skills to support the analytical, critical and reflective requirements of written assessments.

This course has been designed in collaboration with HORIBA MIRA to prepare you for the rapidly growing industry of Connected Autonomous Vehicles.

The focus on the systems that allow these vehicles to operate aims to prepare you for potential careers in connected autonomous vehicle design, infrastructure development and much more in this exciting and expanding field.

How to apply

  • 1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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