Msc. in Electrical Engineering, professional focus in Neuromorphic Engineering

Programme content

Digital technology has revolutionized our civilization. The electronics branch of study focuses on the development of related technologies. At the end of their training, Civil Electrical Engineers will be able to use their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of electricity, electronics and computer science to capture, analyze, transform and transmit information and energy.

THE PROGRAM

The Master's degree has 120 credits, including 30 credits dedicated to the Electronics Systems and Devices specialization chosen by the student.

The "Neuromorphic Engineering" focus is part of a current approach to signal processing, taking as a model the way biological systems, such as the brain, process data. This neuromorphic approach allows the design of particularly efficient next-generation electronic systems.

An integrated 300-hour project is carried out throughout the first year of the Master's program, providing practical, cross-disciplinary knowledge. A multi-disciplinary team of students tackles a specific real-life problem. A recent project aims to implement solar panels that power a greenhouse, and follow the sun's movement to capture light in the best possible way. Another project aims to automate crop irrigation by measuring soil moisture with sensors.

It is also possible to carry out a short (40 days) or long (80 days) internship in a company, associated with the TFE, with a view to developing industrial experience.

Other possibilities at ULiège

Un Master ingénieur civil électricien à finalité spécialisée Neuromorphic Engineering est également proposé à l'Uliège. Vous en trouverez la présentation et le programme complet ici.

Le Master Ingénieur civil électricien, à finalité spécialisée "Smart grids" est présenté ici.

Learning outcomes

I.  Understand and be able to apply sciences and concepts within the field of engineering

Engineers master and are able to apply fundamental concepts and principles of various fields of science and technology. 

I.1 Master the concepts, principles and laws of the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, etc.).

I.2 Master the concepts and principles of the engineering sciences. In particular, have a solid background in the fields of electrical circuits, digital and analog electronics, electromagnetic energy conversion, electrical measurement systems, digital signal processing, analog and digital telecommunications.

II.  Learn to understand

Engineers have a strong capacity for autonomous learning, which enables them to seek out and appropriate relevant information to address emerging issues and to engage in continuous learning. They may also engage in research to advance the state of understanding.

II.1 Demonstrate autonomy in learning. In particular, know how to appropriate and summarise scientific and technical information from various sources (lectures, literature, references, manuals and technical documentation, online resources, etc.).

II.2 Research, evaluate and use (through scientific literature, technical documentation, the web, interpersonal contacts, etc.) new information relevant to understanding a problem or a new issue.

II.3 Carry out fundamental or applied research work to produce original scientific and technical knowledge.

III.  Analyse, model and solve complex problems

Engineers are capable of conducting structured scientific reasoning, demonstrating the capacity for abstraction, analysis and management of the constraints necessary to solve complex and/or original problems and thus to be part of an innovative process.

III.1 Formalise, model and conceptualise a scientific or technical problem related to or inspired by a complex real-life situation in rigorous language, e.g. using mathematical or computer language, to obtain results. Be capable of abstraction.

III.2 Critically analyse hypotheses and results and compare them with experimental reality, taking into account uncertainties.

III.3 Identify and manage the constraints associated with a project (technical constraints, specifications, deadlines, resources, customer requirements, etc.). 

III.4 Innovate through the design, implementation and validation of new solutions, methods, products or services.

IV. Implement the methods and techniques in the field to design and innovate while adopting an engineering approach

Engineers implement the methods and techniques specific to their field of specialisation and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop engineering projects and ensure the achievement of specific objectives in their working environment.

IV.1 Use a numerical/computational approach to investigate a problem and test hypotheses or solutions.  In particular, exploit numerical methods of calculation, data analysis and optimisation.

IV.2 Use an experimental approach to investigate a problem and test hypotheses or solutions. 

IV.3 Design and model a control system.

IV.4 Design and test electronic converters using the concepts of power electronics.

IV.5 Design embedded systems by developing the hardware and software aspects.

Depending on the chosen field of study, engineers are confronted with advanced technological fields ranging from microtechnologies to large electrical networks and are required to interact with specialists in the fields concerned.

IV.6 Engineers from the "Smart Grids" specialisation will be able to:

• understand how electric energy networks, including microgrids and HVDC networks, work and how to optimize their planning and operation;
• model and design electromagnetic systems;
• understand and analyse renewable energy production systems;
• understand the main principles of energy markets. 

IV.7 Engineers from the "Electronic Systems and Devices" specialisation will be able to:

• understand and model the behaviour of semiconductor devices;
• understand and design integrated circuits and microsystems;
• model and design electromagnetic systems;
• measure physical quantities using different sensors.     

IV.8 Engineers from the "Signal Processing and Intelligent Robotics" specialisation will be able to:

• understand and exploit the properties of signals in the time and frequency domains;
• understand the principles of machine learning and apply them to engineering problems such as computer vision or optimal decision making;
• understand the principles of information theory and use them in different contexts;
• understand advanced principles of systems and control theory.      

V. Develop their professional practice within the context of a company

Engineers are responsible members of society and the professional world. They integrate economic, social, legal, ethical and environmental constraints and challenges into their work. 

V.1 Integrate human, economic, social, environmental and legal aspects into their projects.

V.2 Position themselves in relation to the professions and functions of an engineer, taking into account ethical aspects and social responsibility. Adopt a reflective stance, both critical and constructive, with regard to their own way of acting, their approach and their professional choices.

V.3 Develop an entrepreneurial activity.

VI. Work alone or in groups

Engineers are able to work independently and collaborate within a group or organisation. They demonstrate responsibility, team spirit and leadership.

VI.1 Work independently.

VI.2 Work in a team. Be open to collaborative working. Make decisions together.

VI.3 Manage a team. Distribute work and manage deadlines. Manage tensions. Demonstrate leadership skills.

VI.4 Work in an environment with different hierarchical levels, different skill levels and/or different expertise.

VII. Communicate

Engineers are capable of communicating and sharing their technical and scientific approach and results in writing and orally. Their command of at least one foreign language, in particular English, enables them to work in an international context.

VII.1 Understand general and technical documents related to the professional practice of the discipline (plans, specifications, etc.).

VII.2 Write a scientific or technical report by structuring the information and applying the standards in place in the discipline.

VII.3 Present/defend scientific or technical results orally using the codes and means of communication appropriate to the audience and the communication setting.

VII.4 Understand and write general and technical documents in a foreign language.

VII.5 Understand and present a general or technical oral presentation in a foreign language.