The School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) Together we can achieve more
uel.ac.uk/ace
4 Dean’s welcome 6 About the School 8 Our programmes 14 Research 20 Specialist facilities 22 Outreach 24 Working with our students 26 Improving business
Contents 1
2
3
4
Welcome to the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering Welcome to the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) – one of the largest academic Schools on campus and located in the stunning waterfront setting of London’s Docklands. ACE is proud to be a part of the University of East London (UEL), a global learning community with over 23,000 students from over 120 countries worldwide. Our vision is to be an enterprising, international university bringing transformational opportunities to individuals, communities and businesses through diversity, partnership and excellence in teaching and research. We create accredited multidisciplinary programmes to meet the needs of industries today and tomorrow. We inspire our students to think independently and foster a powerful research community. We understand it is the combination of theoretical knowledge; commercial acumen and creative thought that our students will need to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems.
This brochure provides an overview of the many ways in which you can benefit from working with us. If you have ambitions for your own or your organisation’s future then talk to us about how we can help make them a reality. Whether you’re a prospective student, corporate partner or donor, I hope you enjoy learning more about our approach and look forward to welcoming you to our School.
Professor Hassan Abdalla PhD FRSA Dean of the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering.
We are pioneering, innovative and progressive, working with an extensive range of organisations in diverse ways to realise the potential of our ambitious students, academic expertise and influential network.
5
About the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering ACE is a dynamic School committed to maintaining high standards of quality and innovation in all our teaching and research activities. This is reflected in the diversity of the programmes we offer. Our industry links are extremely important to us. We work closely with a range of industrial partners and professional bodies to ensure our graduates have the appropriate skills and knowledge to be highly employable. We offer a range of programmes in architecture, product design, computing and engineering, supported by state-ofthe-art facilities, industry-level technologies and staff who have won numerous awards for their outstanding work. Our business and innovation services allow organisations to benefit from our specialised knowledge, expertise and access to research. We are dedicated to supporting our students and offer a wealth of knowledge and experience that provides them with excellent employment opportunities after graduating. Additionally many of our programmes are professionally accredited, giving our students access to graduate-level jobs in their chosen industry.
6
We are committed to our research, which has been recognised both in the UK and abroad, with a number of projects being funded internationally. We have worked in collaboration both with industry and with government bodies and a number of research councils.
7
Our programmes Architecture Architecture is pivotal to the world around us. The visual landscape and the built environment is a continuing challenge affecting everyone. From the need for sustainability to the effects of climate change, we are constantly required to make decisions on how we use resources, consider people’s needs now and into the future, and work within the economic climate. Such challenges allow our students and research staff to enhance and develop their understanding of architecture, as well as explore and find solutions to the challenges it presents. Our architecture programmes are among the most pre-eminent in London, with a reputation for a hands-on approach, working with the physical exploration of materials and the processes of site and context. As a counterpart to our focus on the physical, ACE also has a number of dedicated computer studios where more theoretical and virtual models of architecture can be explored. Our courses are recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Architects Registration Board (ARB). This accreditation enables our students to receive a standard of teaching and practice that provides them with the platform to become fully qualified architects.
8 016
RIBA Stirling Prize 2013 Winners The RIBA Stirling prize for the best architectural project nationally and internationally was won by Witherford Watson Mann Architects. UEL was proud to have three of its graduates working on the project Jan Liebe, Jeorg Maier and Lina Meister. Astley Castle was chosen from six shortlisted buildings to win the annual award, which is the Royal Institute of British Architects’ highest accolade.
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Architecture, (ARB/RIBA Part 1), BSc (Hons)
Architectural Design, Diploma
Architecture and Design, Foundation Studies
Architecture: Computing and Design, MSc
Architectural Design Technology, BSc
Architecture: Design, MA
Interior Design, BA (Hons)
Architecture, (ARB/RIBA Part 2), MArch
Product Design, BSc (Hons)
Architecture: Interpretation and Theories, MA Architecture: Sustainability and Design, MA Architecture: Urban Design, MA Landscape Architecture, MA Professional Landscape Architecture, MA
9
10 06 016
“I graduated with a Master’s in Information Security and Computer Forensics at UEL and have since been progressing my professional career as an information security architect at the New York Stock Exchange Euronext. “The skills and experience I picked up during my studies at UEL were not only applicable during my degree but have been transferrable to other aspects of my professional career. “Throughout my time at UEL I developed a strong professional network of individuals and industry personnel which, years after my studies, continues to be a resource pool from which I can draw ideas and knowledge.”
Fred Mpala Information Security Architect, New York Stock Exchange
Computing Today, computer systems play an invaluable part in our lives, with well-engineered, reliable and practical systems crucial to the survival of most organisations and the modern world. We have never been so dependent upon computers for the delivery of services such as healthcare, transport systems, finance and creative industries. People, who can design, implement and maintain these ever-evolving systems are in constant demand. Our courses cover theory, practice and applications of computing and information systems. They develop knowledge and practical skills for both hardware and software applications and how these adapt to technological change. Our programmes are designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the IT industry, commerce and government. ACE holds Cisco Networking Academy, Microsoft IT Academy and CompTIA Academy status, giving our programmes recognition within the sector and our graduates credibility when entering the workforce. To complement the teaching of the CISCO Professional Qualification ACE has a fully compliant Professional Qualifications Laboratory that is set up with state-of-the-art equipment and resources in line with the latest industry standards, allowing students to learn and work in a professional environment.
Undergraduate
Computer Networks, MSc
Computer Networks, BSc (Hons)
Cyber Crime, MSc
Computer Science, BSc (Hons)
Data Science, MSc
Computer Science MComp
Data Science, Professional Doctorate
Computing, BSc (Hons)
e-Health, MSc
Computing for Business, BSc (Hons)
Enterprise Architecture, MSc
Computing, Foundation Studies
Information Security and Computer Forensics, MSc
Software Engineering, BSc (Hons)
Information Security, Professional Doctorate Information Technology, MSc
Postgraduate
Software Engineering, MSc
Business Information Systems, MSc Business Information Technology (distance learnning), MSc
017 11
Engineering There is an ever-increasing demand for engineers and engineering services, both within the UK and abroad. On a daily basis we rely on infrastructure around us, from buildings, tunnels, bridges and roads to planes, medical equipment, electronics and drainage systems. Engineering and engineers are vital to the continual development of our economy and society. Our programmes are designed by industry professionals who have extensive experience in delivering engineering programmes that will equip students with the skills and knowledge for a successful career in the field. Students benefit from a learning environment that is decked out with the very latest equipment and resources, preparing them for progression into industry. The main teaching laboratory has a large flume for open channel work, with pumped supply and fundamental flow measurement by weighing tank. Other equipment includes, amongst others, a perspex model surge tower with computer data logging, an irrigation channel with laser doppler anemometer, hydrology apparatus for simulation of rainfall and highway runoff, and an Ahlborn tank for open channel and scour investigations. Our programmes are accredited by some of the largest professional bodies, including the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) and the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM).
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Civil Engineering, BEng (Hons)
Civil Engineering, MSc
Civil Engineering, MEng
Computer Systems Engineering, MSc
Civil Engineering and Construction Management, FdSc
Electrical and Electronic Engineering, MSc
Civil Engineering, BSc (Hons)
Mobile Communications, MSc
Civil Engineering and Surveying, BSc (Hons)
Radio Frequency and Microwave Engineering, MSc
Construction Management, BSc (Hons)
Structural Engineering, MSc
Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BEng Electrical and Electronic Enginereing, MEng Electronic Engineering, BSc (Hons) Engineering, Foundation Studies Surveying and Mapping Sciences, BSc (Hons)
12
“I completed my civil engineering degree at UEL with first-class honours in 2012 and am currently close to completing my Master’s degree, which will help me gain chartership with the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). “Learning from experienced industry professionals at UEL provided me with a valuable insight beyond pure academic learning. Together with insightful lectures and field trips, I gained a practical understanding of what it takes to design practical engineering solutions.”
Luke Smith Structural Project Engineer, BCS Consulting
13
Advanced Software Protection: Integration, Research and Exploitation Project (ASPIRE) Dr Paolo Falcarin of UEL has been awarded over €460,000 in funding to lead research into developing solutions for software protection. The study is a three-year, EU-wide research programme funded by the European Commission to Improve mobile software security. ASPIRE addresses major issues concerning the security of mobile services in application domains like multi-screen mobile TV, software licensing and credentials and sensitive data stored on mobile devices. It aims to develop techniques that provide software protection that matches the strength of existing hardware, reinforcing lines of defence such as obfuscation and information hiding, anti-tampering code, remote attestation, software diversity and renewability.
Research Our research is driven by three main aims: to develop practical solutions to realworld problems; to foster knowledge-transfer partnerships with industry; and to ensure that our study programmes enable our students to contribute to research in ways that are both challenging and exciting. ACE has ambitious plans to continue and extend its research through more externally funded projects as well as knowledge transfer and consultancy activities supported by UEL’s Knowledge Dock. Our collaborative activities with industry continue to thrive as we reap the benefits of using industry as our laboratory. ACE’s research papers reflect the applied nature of our research and its potential and actual economic and social impacts. Staff within ACE lead and participate in a number of externally funded research projects. The majority of our academic staff are research active in their specialist areas, publishing the outcomes of their investigations at conferences and in books and international journals. Innovative designs have resulted in a number of patents.
Architecture, Built Environment and Planning Our architectural research has developed a distinctive ethos focused around social and environmental contexts. This develops our pedagogical commitment to social responsibility into practice-based or ‘action research’, frequently resulting in knowledge exchange and consultancy roles.
14
Our research groups are driven by the belief that architecture and practice can effectively challenge and shape policy, delivering material interventions that bring socio-cultural value and wellbeing to local people though the regeneration of the public realm and shared spaces. Our Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) group works on projects to research and develop the application of innovative ecoefficient technologies and processes, with a focus on changes in the physical infrastructure that benefit the environment and promote a carbon-neutral society.
The Environmental Research Group (ERG) within SRI possesses expertise in both landscape and urban ecology. It connects intrinsic issues of place to the definition of appropriate sustainable strategies and urban green space policies, developing tools to enhance urban resilience and sustainability. The Place Research Lab (PRL) is dedicated to researching the concept of places and their complexities. PRL works at defining new cultural understandings of urban ecology through place-based and material
collaborations with architecture practices, communities and the public/third sector. The work of PRL has been recognised by the United Nations University as part of its London Centre for Excellence in Place-based Education.
Computer Science and Informatics Our research work in computer science and informatics is driven mostly by the Software Systems Engineering research group, whose work follows the theoretical-to-applied axis and largely focuses on software engineering and security engineering. We have particular interests in areas such as software systems security and serviceoriented computing. Our work in the former area focuses on the domains of requirements engineering, where we have pioneered work in security requirements elicitation and reasoning, and threats analysis and code and protocol development, where we have pioneered work in source code obfuscation and security protocols analysis. Our work in the latter area focuses on the development of novel telecommunication platforms, optimisation techniques and security in the Cloud.
Engineering Engineering at UEL has long-standing strengths in innovation, knowledge transfer and industrial consultancy, which is now reflected in our academic outputs and environment. Our research covers wide range of areas of expertise including: sustainable design and manufacturing; earthquake engineering and signal processing; structural, construction and coastal engineering; materials and mechanical engineering; telecommunication engineering; and electric power and control. We have made significant progress in developing a sustainable research culture within the School that can support our research vision and further develop our research activities. We have a number of research activities established on the School calendar and have hosted numerous visiting researchers and academics, including Charles Johnson (Atkins), Ken Shuttleworth (Director of Make Architect and the designer of the Gherkin in London), and Paula Walsh (Technical Director of Arup).
We have developed external partnerships allowing the transfer of our specialist knowledge in these fields to a wide range of industrial, commercial, policy-making and governmental departments, as well as to broader public audiences. As a result, our work informs, influences and improves the delivery of myriad processes, IT products and services, and has enhanced public awareness of important social, political and financial issues relating to our fields of interest.
15
The Pan-European Data Centre Academy (PEDCA) UEL and the Data Centre Alliance (DCA), an international Industry association based in Europe, have been awarded â‚Ź1.7 million by the European Commission to help define the training and research needs of the data centre industry and to create a new European Data Centre Academy. PEDCA will see UEL lead on the creation of the Academy to support the fast-growing data centre industry, driving much-needed innovation and creativity in the areas of new technology, skills enhancements and improved practices. Other supporters of UEL include industry leaders Telecity, Telehouse and training company Cnet.
16
17
s
e
Specialist facilities ACE provides current, state-of-the-art equipment that benefits students throughout their course. All teaching is delivered at our Docklands campus in modern lecture theatres, seminar rooms and purpose-built studio spaces. Dedicated engineering, computing and computer laboratory facilities are housed in new, bespoke laboratories within the Knowledge Dock at Docklands.
Architecture As well as excellent studios, there are extensive wood, metal and digital fabrication workshops, photographic darkrooms, and printing and computer suites which our students benefit from. Our workshops provide a range of professional and hand tools including bench saws, pillar drills, sanding wheels and band saws. The wood workshop has facilities for making stretchers for paintings as well as other woodworking jobs. The sculpture workshop allows for the use of all common sculptural processes, with facilities for working in plaster, clay, wax, steel and wood, providing mixing and working areas for plaster and clay work. The metalworking facilities allow for welding, cutting, bending and casting. We also maintain a bronze-casting foundry and a kiln for firing clay.
Civil engineering Civil engineering, hydraulics and related subjects are served by our main teaching laboratory, which has a large flume for open channel work, with pumped supply and fundamental flow measurement by weighing tank. Other equipment includes a perspex
18
model surge tower with computer data logging, an irrigation channel with laser doppler anemometer, a smaller flume and a number of water benches for standard experiments carried out by students to gain a good practical understanding of these subjects. The adjoining laboratory houses the hydrology apparatus for simulation of rainfall and highway runoff, an Ahlborn tank for open channel and scour investigations, a spillway model, settling column and sedimentation tank.
Computing ACE has a fully compliant Professional Qualifications Laboratory, located in the Knowledge Dock, to complement the teaching of the CISCO Professional Qualification. The devices and lab are set up to the latest industry standards and allow students to undertake practical tasks as per the approved curriculum. The lab is also used by students on other networking-related programmes throughout the School. Our Network Teaching Laboratory has been designed and configured with the latest equipment. There are dual-boot PCs (Windows and Linux),
LAN devices (hubs, switches, and servers), WAN devices (routers) and wireless devices. Several LANs can be created therein and these can be configured into a fully fledged WAN. Software and hardware configurations for this computer lab are extensive. This lab is utilised by students on our computer-related programmes and complements the hands-on teaching of network security, computer networks, systems (devices and applications) configurations, operating systems, end-user support and distributed systems.
19
Specialist facilities
Electrical and electronic engineering Our dedicated facilities for electrical teaching include communications and electronic computer-aided design (CAD) suites, a control and power electronics laboratory and an electrical principles and electronics laboratory. These facilities provide an excellent resource base to support the teaching activities and offer appropriate equipment for demonstrations, practical assignments and project work. The School resources used in the delivery of our programmes consist of a number of specialised computer laboratories and IT facilities. The School has specifically designed labs for the needs of students studying these programmes, as well as a specialist laboratory for digital signal processing and integrated circuit design. Laboratory PCs are utilised for teaching, research and project work and are supported by technical staff.
20
Product design
Surveying
The product design facilities include state-of-the-art computer-aided design (CAD) design suites utilising an array of two- and three-dimensional programs to produce rendering and prototyping information. The School also has a fully equipped modelmaking workshop run by skilled and experienced technicians. The workshop supports the product design exploration process and encourages sketch and refined model-making for testing, evaluating and presentation purposes.
The specialist surveying laboratories of the School provide facilities for students in the areas of photogrammetry (mapping using photographs), measurement and information technology. The photogrammetric section holds two analogue stereo plotters, a monocomparator and an analytical stereoplotter together with the modern digital image processing systems.
To support the development of workshop skills and modelling, the course also runs a number of prototyping services such as the fused deposition modelling machine, which builds 3D models from layered CAD data, and lasercutting that enables the production of sophistication presentation material.
The measurement area supports the testing and calibration of a range of measurement equipment, including laser and electronic levels, digital theodolites, alignment lasers and a laser interferometer, as well as frequency meters and oscilloscopes, amongst others. These facilities are supported by a 300-metre multipillar baseline which is used in the calibration of distance measuring equipment.
The computing provision consists of specialist hardware to support surveying, mapping and GIS software. These include UNIX-based workstations, with PCs with digitisers and scanners for mapping, and highresolution graphics to support the processing of digital photography and satellite imagery. Students also have use of electronic total stations from Leica, Sokkia, Topcon, Trimble and Nikon, including reflectorless and robotic instruments, with the necessary ancillary tripods, tribrachs, targets and prisms. Alternative optical theodolites from Wild, Kern, CTS and Zeiss are also available. There a number of global positioning systems (GPS) available, offering a range of modes including geodetic and differential (DGPS) receivers from Leica, Trimble and Garmin.
Students benefit from dedicated studio space, equipped with CAD facilities and supporting material for photography, projection and presentation purposes.
027 21
ACE in the community ACE is committed to working within local communities to help raise the aspirations and attainment of young people. We work closely with schools and colleges, primarily in London and neighbouring regions, to encourage young people from under-represented groups to enter higher education. Our work focuses on breaking down perceived barriers of entry to higher education, as well as encouraging young people to study STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The aim of our activities is to develop the creativity and the problem-solving and employability skills of young people to prepare them for higher education and future careers in the STEM fields. Our outreach activities include: • visits to our campuses to introduce students to higher education facilities • taster days • specialised STEM-related workshops • school/college visits to deliver lectures and classes • customised services for schools and colleges on request.
22
We are always looking for avenues in which to expand our partnerships portfolio with students and teachers in secondary schools and colleges. If you or your institution is interested in forming a partnership with us, please contact us and we can discuss a programme to suit your needs.
23 Photos from the Big Bang Fair 2012
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering student Barbara Rola secured a prestigious work placement with Atkins, where she worked on various projects, including upgrading and refurbishment of the Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) in Chatham. Her responsibilities included working on site on the design and quality assurance of structural design and details. She also worked on calculations and did specialised research on concrete shrinkage. “The engineering knowledge acquired at UEL, and the skills gained in the laboratories and through the UEL internships at Thames Water and Atkins, have helped me to secure a job with Canary Wharf Group after my graduation. I’m so grateful to UEL for believing in me and providing the opportunities.”
Barbara Rola Trainee Design and Structural Engineer, Atkins
Working with our students A placement through UEL can provide not only the opportunity for an undergraduate to put theory into practice, but can also bring your organisation a new perspective and a fresh approach to your business. As part of their degree, our students have the option to complete a relevant one-year placement for their sandwich courses. The placement is also flexible to allow customised placements to be arranged if necessary.
• Get assistance with future recruitment processes, as interns often end up in full-time employment with the placement providers. • Gain a valuable collaboration with UEL in regards to the students, staff and reputation.
Our students are eager to learn and want to be challenged to help nurture their development into employment, so we are flexible when it comes to the type of work we consider. Getting involved in our internship programme brings a number of key benefits to your organisation.
We also offer employers services including: • free online job vacancy system • employer events on campus • recruitment of placement students • profile raising through sponsorship of events and publication.
• It allows you access to a talented workforce on a temporary basis, enabling you to pursue projects that may not otherwise have had the time or resources for completion. • You gain access to the latest academic knowledge which can be brought into the workplace. • You can plug a skills shortage, gaining specific skills from an intern that are required on a temporary basis.
We currently work with a range of organisations, from blue-chip companies and industry leaders to public-sector bodies and charities, placing students within their internship programmes.
Some of our key partners include:
Hardman Structural Engineers
For more information on our placements and to recruit, please visituel.ac.uk/eet or email ace.epo@uel.ac.uk
25
Improving business performance We value our relationships at UEL, and it is through partnerships with organisations around the world that we have been able to transform knowledge into solutions. With a growing and maturing network, we play a key role in our partners’ drive for innovation and research. We are committed to building effective partnerships with industry. We recognise the importance of continually ensuring that our programmes equip students with the necessary skills for their chosen career. We can only do this by listening to our industry partners, and ensuring that we develop programmes and professional development opportunities that reflect industry requirements.
We have helped companies improve their performances, operations and increase profitability. And we can work closely with your organisation to ensure that we offer a customised package for the challenges you face whether it’s technical, operational or knowledge-based. With a range of services which focus on specific needs of your business, our aim is to help you to achieve your ambitions.
We work with our industrial stakeholders in a number of ways, including: • collaborative research in engineering and technology disciplines • industrial advisory boards to inform curriculum planning and development • guest lectures from industry • experiential learning opportunities for students through summer and year-long placements • industry-led case studies and site visits • raising aspirations and widening participation work in the London area.
The services we offer focus on developing practical skills and knowledge that can be applied in the workplace. Some of the services we can offer include: • presentations on campus • guest speaker appearances for staff • global collaboration/partnerships • tailored CPD courses, workshops and masterclasses • access to talent (students and alumni) • access to latest research and research collaboration • knowledge transfer partnerships • access to specialised facilities • brand visibility on corporate marketing materials.
For more information and a tailored package to suit your organisation, please get in touch with us.
26
The Prince Salman Institute, responsible for managing and implementing research at the University of Majmaah, attended a two-week CPD programme at ACE designed to equip delegates with the skills and knowledge required for information management in the digital environment. The Institute is supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince and Minister of Defence in Saudi Arabia. One of the senior academics commented: “The knowledge and expertise that was presented to us was impressive and inspiring. We received world-class service from ACE and our staff benefitted from the specialist knowledge taught. We look forward to coming again.�
Prince Salman Institute Saudi Arabia
27
28
Contact us School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering University of East London Docklands Campus University Way London E16 2RD Tel: 020 8223 2041 Fax: 020 8223 2963 Email: ace@uel.ac.uk Š University of East London, November 2013
uel.ac.uk/ace