Embedded Systems

Why study Embedded Systems?

Electronic embedded systems are, quite literally, everywhere. From (smart) TVs to production lines, and from medical appliances to self-driving cars. These days, all kinds of devices contain a certain level of sensing, actuation, control, computing and communication capabilities. The Embedded Systems Master’s at TU/e trains you to design the intelligent, resource-efficient systems that power today’s semiconductor and high-tech industries. Jointly offered by Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, the programme seamlessly blends software and hardware expertise.
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Three unique strengths

The Embedded Systems Master's programme at TU/e offers distinct advantages:

• Integrated Expertise: The programme is jointly offered by Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, providing a crucial blend of software and hardware expertise needed to design complex embedded systems.

• Industry Leadership Focus: The curriculum is designed to prepare you to lead in research, industry, or innovation-driven tech. It focuses on solving modern challenges like resource-efficiency in high-tech manufacturing.

• Proximity to High-Tech: Located in the Brainport region, the programme offers incredible opportunities like internships at world-leading companies.  

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Connection with semiconductors industry

The connection with the semiconductor industry is central to the Embedded Systems Master's at TU/e. The programme is explicitly designed to serve the needs of this sector, which relies entirely on complex, efficient embedded systems for manufacturing and product functionality. The Systems on Chip specialisation directly addresses challenges in VLSI design, design automation, and formal verification crucial for modern chip development. Graduates are essential for designing the lithography machines and the chips themselves, making this programme a direct pipeline to companies like ASML.

Programme structure

The programme is a two-year Master's which blends hardware and software expertise. You choose one of four specialised streams to focus your studies:

• Systems on Chip (SoC): Addresses the design of complete Systems on Chip, focusing on VLSI design, programming, scheduling, and formal verification techniques.

• Embedded Software: Focusses on the development of embedded software, covering aspects such as model-driven design, domain-specific languages, and formal techniques for scheduling problems.

• Embedded Networking: Considers the architectures and protocols for distributed and networked systems, with applications in wireless sensor networks and the Internet of Things (IoT).

• Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS): Focusses on the integral, multidisciplinary design of systems with a tight coupling between embedded computer (cyber) systems and physical processes, specifically the control and signal processing aspects.

The Embedded Systems program also offers a specialized track in Edge Intelligence. The track aims to prepare graduates for research, industry, and entrepreneurial roles in fields such as Internet of Things, intelligent environments, (AI-driven) edge computing, and cyber-physical systems.

Career perspectives

Graduates of the Embedded Systems Master's at TU/e are highly sought after to fill roles such as Embedded Software Developer, System Architect, SoC Designer, and R&D Engineer in the global high-tech industry. The specialised knowledge in Systems on Chip and the strong links to the Brainport ecosystem ensure exceptional career prospects in the semiconductor, automotive (self-driving cars), medical appliances, and industrial automation sectors. You will be prepared to design the intelligent, resource-efficient systems that form the backbone of modern technology.