Course description
Course Description
This course has been running for over 25 years and, in that time, has educated over a thousand communications specialists. Starting from the concept of a signal, the course covers the fundamentals of how signals are acquired, processed and transmitted over a wide range of media — electronic, optical and radio. Laboratory work shows how these principles are put into practice. Software development skills are developed through a series of lectures, exercises and assignments. Building on this, a number of state-of-the-art topics are explored in detail though optional modules, giving students an opportunity to tailor what they learn according to their interests and chosen career. A good first degree in electronic engineering or a related discipline is required for admission to this degree; graduates typically work in major telecommunications companies around the world.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
ADVANCED AND ULTRA-FAST OPTICS
ADVANCED TRANSPORT NETWORKS
CELLULAR AND WIRELESS NETWORKS
Compulsory: COMMUNICATION LABORATORY
Compulsory: INTRODUCTION TO JAVA
Compulsory: NETWORK CONCEPTS
Compulsory: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Compulsory: THEORY OF SIGNALS AND SYSTEMS
Compulsory: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
Core: MSC PROJECT/DISSERTATION
MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
OPTICAL NETWORKING
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Fundamentals of theory of signals, systems, and networks including problem solving techniques.
A2 : A broad range of principles and techniques governing the analysis, design and implementation of communication and information systems and subsystems.
A3 : Advanced mathematical, experimental and computational methods relevant to communications including networks, network architecture and services.
A4 : Advanced topics in selected areas of modern optical and wireless networking hardware and software, and switching for current and future communication systems.
A5 : A selected current research area including the development of the area.
Teaching Methods
A1 is developed through lectures and course work.
A2-A3 are developed through lectures, course work, and practical work.
A4 is developed through mainly lectures where in some cases industrial lecturers are involved in order to emphasize the current industrial practices.
A5 is developed principally through a research project.
Assessment Methods
A1-A3 are examined through coursework, tests, and exams.
A4 is assessed through exams, one module through exam and coursework and project.
A5 is assessed by means of a written report and oral defence.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Integrate knowledge and information in order to explain and evaluate networking technologies.
B2 : Explain, evaluate and compare modern communication technologies.
B3 : Use knowledge and data in order to plan and evaluate parts of communication networks.
B4 : Assimilate and link information presented in different courses.
B5 : Plan and conduct an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisor.
Teaching Methods
B1-B3 are developed principally through lectures, problem classes, seminars, and practical work.
B4 is mostly developed through problem classes, research project, course work and practicals.
B5 is developed through research project guided by the supervisor.
Assessment Methods
B1-B3 are assessed through written examination and oral assessment in the networks laboratory.
B4 & B5 are assessed through reports on practical work, the project report, and examinations.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : To set-up experimental communication systems and to use specialised measurement equipment.
C2 : To develop specialised computer programmes and simulation software.
C3 : To develop and/or make effective use of mathematics and/or mathematical software packages for communications.
C4 : To write and report complex technical concepts, issues and results of investigations.
C5 : To work in group contributing to a practical/research work.
Teaching Methods
C1 is developed through practicals and the research project.
C2-C3 are developed through practicals, problem classes, research projects, and lectures.
C4-C5 are developed through practicals, course work and the research project.
Assessment Methods
C1 and C2 are assessed in reports on laboratory experiments.
C3 is assessed principally in the project report, and to a lesser extent in reports on experiments.
C4 and C5 are assessed through oral examination of selected practicals and the project oral.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : To report effectively, both written and oral, in structured fashion on independent and group work.
D2 : To use current computer systems for communication, data acquisition, data management and data analysis.
D3 : To analyse technical problems involving numerical values.
D4 : To learn top-down/bottom-up approach and systematically explore, combine, deduce techniques for solving complex problems.
D5 : To work as part of a group to set-up experiments and do measurement, and analyse the associated results.
D6 : To evaluate background knowledge, assess learning pace, plan work with realistic targets.
Teaching Methods
D1, D2 are developed through course work and project work and project reports.
D3 and D4 are developed through problem classes, project work, and course work.
D5 is developed through practicals.
D6 is developed through project work, practicals, and course work.
Assessment Methods
D1 is assessed through oral and written project report and laboratory report.
D2 is assessed through project work, laboratory work, and course work.
D3 is assessed mainly through the examination.
D4 is assessed through the examination, project work and coursework.
D5 is assessed through the laboratory work.
D6 is assessed through project.
