Jay Keeley

MEng, Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Why did you decide to study your course?
I was always interested in technology and electronics. I studied electronics at GCSE and really enjoyed piecing together simple components to create something more complex.

Why did you choose to study this course at Leeds? I loved the campus and city, and was really impressed by the open day.

How did you find settling into university life?
I loved it and still do! I reveled in being away from home and being in charge of my own life and going out with my new friends.

What was the best aspect of the course/studying at the University so far and why?
The best aspect for me has always been the projects. I love getting hands on and involved with my work and having something to take home at the end. In first year, in a group project, we created a remote control blimp; complete with bomb door, sirens and laser targeting system. During the second year of my degree we undertook a programming project using PIC microcontrollers and could create almost anything we wanted, I chose to make a portable snooker scorer that allowed scores and fouls to be entered, but could also perform more complex functions, such as telling the user if there were enough points on the table left for them to win.

My 3rd year involved creating an iPhone app and a larger project that the entire second semester was devoted too. Our larger group project was an autonomous vehicle that could navigate using GPS to user specified locations and deposit sensors. Using a remote control with built in LCD the information from the sensors could be relayed to the user using Zigbee. The vehicle could also retrieve the sensors from the field afterwards. My part in the project was creation of the sensors and remote, including LCD programming, as well as developing and implementing methods of picking up and dropping off the sensors. My 4th year project involves researching into Terahertz quantum cascade lasers in Leeds University’s Terahertz lab. I get to work right at the cutting edge of current research though this project.

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What other activities outside your studies did you get involved with whilst you were at Leeds?
I have taken a major role in the Freestyle Dance Society this year, entering into competitions in Edinburgh and Loughborough, taking part in the Leeds University RAG fashion show and a flash mob in Leeds, and have an upcoming competition in Salou, Italy over the Easter break. I’ve also joined the photo and breakdancing societies. The societies have really given me a massive confidence boost and some of my best friends since coming to university, and I regret not joining sooner!

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What would you say to students thinking about coming to do the same course?
Just do it! You won’t regret it. As long as you’re willing to put the work in you’ll have a great time and really have something to show for it at the end of your 3 or 4 years.

1. Sensor design from 3rd Year project
2. Completed sensor
3. iPhone App
4. Remote from 3rd year project
5. Remote control design
6. Freestyle Dance and RAG fashion
7. On stage with Freestyle Dance at Edinburgh EUMDS competition