This module gives students the opportunity to study the latest smart technologies that can work and integrate together towards building the smart city and providing smart building applications. The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the range of technologies that can be used to: (i) sense and measure physical parameters, (ii) put the acquired data in the right format to be processed and analysed, and (iii) make appropriate decisions and give suitable instructions based on the available information. To achieve this many technologies will be involved such as Data Acquisition, Telecommunications, Wireless Sensor Networks, Internet of Things … etc. The module will also explore and evaluate how these technologies can contribute to various smart cities/buildings applications such as Energy Management, Health, Safety, Security, and Entertainment.

A portfolio of weekly tasks (1000 word equivalent) 30%. (Learning Outcomes 1 – 5)

A 3000 word equivalent (but not limited to) report demonstrating a smart cities/building case studies 70%. (Learning outcomes 1 – 5).

The module will run over 12 weeks. This will normally include 4 weeks for you to complete the assessments to be graded. Over this period you will work through weekly self-instructional material (a mixture of text and video based materials and web resources) provided via the VLE. These materials will provide a structured programme of specific activities and tasks which you will be asked to complete. This will involve reading and critically engaging with key texts, papers and other information sources. This work will mainly be undertaken on an individual basis, but at regular points throughout the module you will be expected to interact and share material, ideas and thoughts with the tutors and other students. It is expected that students allocate a minimum of 15 hours to engage and interact with their tutors and peers on the module.

Shengwei Wang, (2010), Intelligent Buildings and Building Automation. Spon Press. (ebook edition)

Yingshu Li & ¿My T. Thai, (2008), Wireless Sensor Networks and Applications, Springer Science & Business Media. (ebook edition)

Cuno Pfister, (2011), Getting Started with the Internet of Things, Maker Media, Inc. (ebook edition)

Ovidiu Vermesan & Peter Friess, (2013), Internet of Things: Converging Technologies for Smart Environments and Integrated Ecosystems, River Publishers.

Mark Deakin & Husam Al Waer, (2012), From Intelligent to Smart Cities, Routledge.

Access to the VLE used for delivering the module, access to e-library resources provided by Staffordshire University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.