One of my son's friends was never particularly strong at maths and only got a grade C at GCSE. He is completely lost when it comes to traditional A Level topics like calculus and trigonometry but excels at certain types of 'recreational' maths and logic problems. Last year he was introduced to the workings of error correcting codes for data transmission which he found fascinating. Since then he has acquired a solid knowledge of the various types of block codes, convolutional codes, and turbo codes through study of them and has written software to encode and decode data. Now he is wondering if it is possible to form a career around codes. What sort of companies employ people with such knowledge? He has expressed interest in an MSc in data communications but they only seem to be available for people already with a degree.

Are engineering courses that are specifically focused on a particular subject hard to find in the UK that don't require a Batchelors degree beforehand?

The person in question has no interest in studying advanced calculus, electromagnetism, semiconductor physics, or analogue circuits. His interests include data communications and networks. He already has a computer networking qualification.

Another option would be to consider something in the Control Systems line. Lots of this type of equipment has requirements for coding, often using a script type of language that is a variant of C++. There is a list of manufacturers of Control Equipment on this site: http://www.instmc.com/component/sobi2/?catid=128. My main job is designing / developing / installing / commissioning Control & Monitoring equipment for a DNO. This includes everything from the equipment out on site in the substations to the Control Room video displays.

Regards,

Alan. MIET MInstMC