UK University Guides

Lancaster University - Deptartment Of Communication Systems: Communicate and Innovate !

Networks, Mobile Phones and the Power of the Sun...

Nestled in the rolling countryside at the edge of the Forest of Bowland and with the mountains and lakes of the Lake District National Park just a few miles to the north, Lancaster is a pretty idyllic location. However, newcomers might be forgiven if thoughts of computer game design, mobile phone technology or studying the aurora borealis aren’t the first things that came to mind when visiting here.

The Department of Communication Systems at Lancaster University is at the forefront of the current revolution in technology that has seen the internet, computer gaming and mobile phones all become part of mainstream society. Researchers at Lancaster study all aspects of communication systems, from designing the codes which carry satellite signals to the games played on mobile phones.

Some less well-known aspects of communications systems are also investigated. ‘Storms’ of particles from the Sun can crash into the atmosphere and cause the aurora borealis or ‘northern lights’, but these particles play havoc with communication systems, and the strongest storms can ‘cook’ satellites orbiting the Earth. GPS positional signals used in numerous modern gadgets may also become highly inaccurate during these solar storms - a fact not widely reported - and workers at Lancaster attempt to understand and model these storms to mitigate their effects.

For those studying here, the benefits are pretty obvious. A high-tech, state-of-the art building designed specifically for teaching and research in computing and communication systems.  Couple that with a vibrant student lifestyle and a location in some of the best scenery in the UK and Lancaster is the No. 1 choice for a subject that is enjoyable, challenging, and at the cutting edge of current science and technology.

Modules available in the department address all applications of communication systems and include Software Design and Specification, Video Production, Java/C++ Programming and Networking and Security. The hands-on approach of teaching subjects with practical applications ensures students are very well-equipped for rewarding careers following graduation. For those wishing to further their studies after graduating, MSc, MPhil and PhDs courses are available.