Computer, Communications & Interactive Systems

The Department of Computer, Communications and Interactive Systems (CCIS) led by Professor Tom Buggy consists of five major subject groups;

• Communication Networks & Security Engineering
• Computer and Electronic Systems Engineering
• Digital Media Design
• Interaction Design & Engineering
• Software Engineering

CCIS brings together an exciting blend of advanced skills in 21st century electronic technologies (micro and optoelectronic systems and sensors, optical and wireless communications, embedded software and signal processing, digital security, pervasive and mobile systems, the Web and Cloud Computing) with significant creative talents in design for electronic technologies and digital media (HCI, audio, music and video, 2D and 3D graphics and animation, visualisation and interaction with complex spatially distributed and time dependent data; VR and immersive experiences).

The result is a collection of engineering and design skills that are essential ingredients of many of the innovative technologies that underpin modern society, from smart phones and computer game consoles to medical imagers and reliable energy and communications infrastructures. It is these same skills and talents that drive forward technological evolution eg smart buildings and vehicles, technology assisted living, smart power and communications grids.

Teaching

Our taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes emphasise technology and design and are grounded in an “employment led” philosophy, corresponding to recognised professional career pathways and focussing on technical specialisms and skill sets and transferrable skills that are particularly in demand.  We have developed close links with many of the organisations who set national and global technology and professional standards in our areas of interest: for example Texas Instruments, Freescale, QNX, Cisco, EMC, Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, Prince, Red Hat, VmWare, 7safe, e-skills, and skillset.  This allows us to offer teaching programmes that have a strong practical focus because they provide exposure to technology standards and, where available, incorporate professional industrial certifications.  Wherever possible, our programmes are also accredited by professional bodies such as the British Computer Society and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

We have some of the best equipped teaching laboratories in our discipline areas in the UK, in areas such as microelectronics; network engineering; ethical hacking and digital forensics; and computer games development (software, animation, design).

Each CCIS subject group offers popular taught undergraduate and advanced postgraduate programmes of study related to their area of expertise and, as a result, the Department is able to offer a unique learning environment where technologists can interact with creatives and experiences ranging from those strongly grounded in engineering and technology (e.g. computer and electronic systems engineering; audio technology and electronics; network engineering; wireless communications engineering; network security; ethical hacking and digital forensics; .NET and Web systems development; computer games software development) to programmes with a significant creative dimension (e.g. graphic design for digital media; 3D computer animation; computer games design; computer games art and animation; design practice and management). 

Commercial Activity

CCIS has a dynamic and vibrant community of researchers and advanced practitioners with a strong track record in, and commitment to, working closely with companies and public sector institutions in applied research and consultancy. Particular areas of strength within CCIS currently include:

• Design, Process and Manufacture
• .

Examples of current and recent commercial activity being undertaken by the department:

• Bespoke HV electronic instruments - the PDS100 and Power Tracker- for Doble Engineering
• A multi-million pound research partnership into reliable subsea monitoring installations with FMC Technologies
• Real-time video communication and processing systems for Shearwater Marine Services Ltd.
• Wireless environmental condition monitoring systems for energy efficient housing for Applegreen Homes
• Virtual and augmented reality systems for medical and surgical support for the Royal Colleges
• Multimodal human computer interfaces for stroke rehabilitation with the UK Lifelong Health and Wellbeing programme
• The first fully-integrated first aid system mobile app with the British Red Cross
• Games-based learning and social media to support young carers for the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare
• Use of computer games in music education as a means of enhancing gamer performance and engagement.
• Biometrics for smartcards

The high level of advanced practice and competency in information and communication technologies within CCIS has allowed GCU to establish its own Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Academy. 

The Caledonian ICT Academy is dedicated to providing accredited professional development for leading industrial certifications from Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, VMware, and 7Safe. The academy hosts a purpose built centre that offers both Pearson VUE and Prometric testing for these and other leading industrial certifications.

The Caledonian ICT Academy is possibly the largest university based CPD centre of its kind in Scotland.

Research and Development Labs

CCIS has a thriving community of research students and fellows and access to a number of dedicated research labs including:

• The FMC Optoelectronics Lab
• Texas Instruments and Freescale Semiconductor Labs
• The eMotion Lab
• The Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing Lab
• The Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab
• The High Performance Grid and Cooperative Computing Lab
• The Centre for the Creative Industries

All of these (and other) labs are accessible to research students pursuing programmes of advanced learning as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking research projects are part of their taught programme of study.