WHY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING?

1.   INTRODUCTION

Engineering is one of the largest and diverse careers with engineers working on products as varied as oil rigs, aeroplane, bridges, telecommunications systems, and artificial limbs as will as on process, water purification and refining. There is a wide range of specialization within the industry such as mechanical, electronics, software, and systems engineering. Within these specialization there is a variety of different functions such as design, research and development and productions.
 

2.   SOME BRANCHES OF ENGINEERING

Systems Engineering is the study and practice of application of science for the control and use of power to the production of parts of machines working together in a regular relation as a system. System engineering comprises all engineering technologies and has application outside engineering as well.

Electronics and Electrical Engineering involves solving practical problems using electrical science. Electronics Engineering is concerned with the use of electricity for light-current applications like handling information, generally as electrical or optical signals. Electronic engineers design, manufacture, operate and monitor computers, telecommunications, control systems, such as satellite tracking devices. Whiles Electrical Engineering is concerned with the applications and use of electricity as a source of energy for heavy-current applications such as power generation and power supply. Electrical Engineers are involved in the production and distributions of the electricity to homes, factories, schools, etc., and the manufacture of equipment and transmission system to provide power. Their work is concerned with the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of electrical equipment on trains, aircraft, ships and road vehicles. In practice, there is a considerable overlap between the fields so that many engineers needs a working knowledge of both disciples.

Mechanical Engineering is the largest area of engineering and is concerned with the design, development, manufacture, operation and maintenance of machinery of all kinds from the largest power station space craft and car plant to the most delicate mechanisms required for scientific instruments, heart valves and micro-surgery.

Computer Science is the systematic study and knowledge of electronic devices for storing, retrieving information, analyse and performing calculations. To research, design, manufacture, install and service such complex electronic devices requires some engineers and computer scientist;

Microelectronics engineers research, design, develop, fabricate and test new electronic components and circuitry.

Hardware engineers create and produce new system architectures and equipment using microelectronics devices and other components.

Programmers or Software Engineer write, test, maintain and update computer programs and packages for electronics systems. They also develop new computing languages. Software engineer also design large systems using library routines.

System Analysts assess and specify the computing requirements of an organization and plan systems to ensure that work is undertaken more effectively.

Application Programmer write programs to enable computer systems to undertake specific tasks.

Computer Service Technicians install, service and repair computer hardware and software systems.
 

3.   AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Most of engineering courses have only a single disciple and systems are becoming more and more complex. For example engineering systems usually now have a mixture of electrical, electronic and mechanical components and may include chemical process as well. So System Engineering brings Computer, Control, Electronics, Electrical and Mechanical Systems together as Automatic Control Systems Engineering .

The role of the Automatic Control Systems Engineering department is to study, research and develop engineering systems. It provide student with the tools and skills needed to identify requirements, specify solutions, and to analyse, design, implement and validate reliable products safely and responsibly. Student are trained to analyse how complex systems fit together and interact, and have sufficient knowledge of each engineering technology within it to make the system work.
 

4.   COURSE STRUCTURE

There are five BEng/MEng courses available within the framework of Systems Engineering. Each one is based around a common core together with modules from other departments relevant to choice of degree.

Computer Systems Engineering is designed for student to develop an understanding of the use of computers, both in design and programming, within complex engineering systems and in many diverse applications. This distinguishes the course from standard Computer Science course.

Control Systems Engineering is intended for students who wish to gain a deep understanding of feedback control systems and their applications. The course covers advanced control system design technologies as well as standard approaches to systems engineering and computer control. Students do some courses from Electrical, Electronics and Mechanical departments.

Electronic Systems Engineering course is intended for students who wish to approach the analysis and design of sophisticated electronic systems from a systems philosophy rather than from individual component level. This new strategy has lead to an increasing demand for electronic, control and systems engineers from the telecommunications and electronics industry. This course provides you with a blend of traditional electrical and electronics coupled with a core of systems engineering forming an excellent preparation for careers in these areas.

Mechanical Systems Engineering is intended for students who wish to gain knowledge, skills and understanding of traditional Mechanical Engineering (subjects like applied mechanics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics) combine with Systems Engineering. The course embraces concepts such as advanced manufacturing systems, active control of vibration and robotics.

Medical Systems Engineering course is to provide students with the core skills of Systems Engineering and specialist skills in applications of engineering related to medical diagnostic and treatment procedures. Student do some courses from Electronics Engineering and Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering departments. The skills imparted to graduates from the course will make them capable of taking responsibility as Chartered Engineers for the creation, enhancement and maintenance of advanced modern engineering systems, and particularly those in medical applications.

WRITTEN FOR COURSE WORK BY GODWIN EYRAM KOFI AMPONSAH