Creativity, ingenuity and invention in the application of science were among the themes explored by sixth form students visiting the Department of Electronic Engineering for an inspiring taster day finding out what it’s like to study Electronic Engineering at Royal Holloway.

Students were able to experience university life for themselves with a programme of taster lectures on research interests, talks on the range of careers they can aspire to, UCAS and student finance advice, as well as an interactive workshop and Q & A session.

The College’s Student Ambassadors gave guided tours exploring the parkland campus at Royal Holloway from the stunning Victorian Founder’s Building to the modern academic and social spaces and exciting projects underway, including the new Library and student service centre opening next summer and the construction site of the new Science Building which will be home to the Department of Electronic Engineering.

Two students from Orleans Park Sixth Form Henry Miller and Owen Wainer summarised how they found the day:
“During half term, we went to the Royal Holloway University of London campus to attend the Electronic Engineering Taster Day. We arrived at 10 am along with other sixth form students from elsewhere and had a tour of the campus. The Victorian Founder’s Building was impressive and imposing. We had a general introduction to the course and heard about the development of a new building dedicated to Engineering that will open next year.

Then we attended a lecture on spintronics and nanotechnology. It was mindblowing because it involved quantum physics, where normal intuition breaks down, and we were taken to a deeper level of thinking. It was very interesting, and the breadth of topics made us realise that electronic engineering is about more than we thought. For example, later in the day, we went to a lecture on harmonics which showed a link between physics, maths, and music. The lecturer demonstrated how the notes related to the standing waves. We learned that there is a relationship between the length of the pipe and the pitch of a note. This lecture was the turning point in the day where we went from thinking “I can’t do this” to “this makes sense!”

The third lecture was about power production and the national grid, which was great because it was easily applicable to real life. There was a Q&A session and practical advice about UCAS and the admissions process. Overall the day was interesting and informative, and we are really glad we went. We now have a much deeper understanding of electronic engineering and what it involves. Taster courses are really worth doing and they are free. Even if you discover you do not want to pursue the subject, the day helps you realise that!”

Head of the Department of Electronic Engineering, Professor David Howard commented,
“The whole Department were thrilled that our visiting students found the day so interesting and worthwhile, and we hope that what they have learned about electronic engineering will help crystalise what they go on to do next – we wish them well as they take their next steps in education.”

The solutions for students who took part in the Taster Day resistor quiz can be found here.

Schools or individuals who are interested in getting involved with future Electronic Engineering taster days are invited to contact the Department by email at  electronicengineering@royalholloway.ac.uk.

More information on Electronic Engineering degrees at Royal Holloway and how to apply is here.