Telecommunications Engineering
| From | To | UK Fee * | International Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Oct 2012 | 31 Dec 2013 | £4050 | £9400 |
| 28 Jan 2013 | 31 Mar 2014 | £4050 | £9400 |
* Exceptions may apply. Please see Fees and Finance for further information.
Introduction
*60 weeks full-time (including an eight-week summer vacation). You can start this programme in February or October.
This programme will enhance the skills and career prospects of those with existing qualifications in a science or engineering discipline.
The programme provides a wide range of theoretical and practical skills of relevance to modern organisations. In particular, the student will gain knowledge and skills related to Telecommunications Engineering.
The course aims to produce graduates who are able to work as professionals as Network Managers or Network Designers.
Course Content
The course consists of eight taught modules and an individual practical project that is often based in industry/commerce.
Please note that the final course structure and mode of delivery may be modified during the validation procedure.
A possible program of study is shown below to illustrate how the course could possibly operate.
Stage 1 - Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)
- Network Simulation
The use of standard simulation packages to predict network performance prior to installation. Simulation of network protocols stacks TCP/UDP, applications FTP and CBR video streaming, performance analysis bandwidth allocation and packet loss.
- Research Skills and Academic Literacy
The purpose of this topic is to link research and academic work. Research methods, search tools, library and web, referencing. Research into telecommunications technology. How to write a research paper.
- Digital Telephony
PSTN infrastructure, circuit switched versus packet routed, PBX and special services, dialling and signalling, network protocols RTP, RTCP, cRTP, H323, session initiation protocol, low cost systems, softphones, phone emulators, open source solutions, TPONs, techno economic factors
- Wireless Communications
Cellular concept and operation, Radio channel properties and fading. Analogue systems, Digital systems: GSM, standards. GSM network infrastructure, GSM channels, Cellular Network management, Third generation mobile system: UMTS, WAP
Stage 2 - Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)
- Local and Wide Area Networks (Double Unit)
WAN facilities, Circuit switched and packet switched data networks. IP VPNs, MPLS IPsec, IPv6
- Network Security
Network protocols TCP, UDP, ICMP, RTP, IPv4, IPv6, secure sockets, authentication, firewalls, gateways, NAT, filters, IPSec, SSH, VLANs, VPNs, virtual computing, data encryption, secure socket layer SSL, message digest, digital signature, SSH
- Broadcast Systems
Digital Media, Broadcasting and Data Networks, Video streaming and servers, Wireless or digital terrestrial TV, Satellite broadcasting - microwave systems, geostationary satellites, DVB broadcasting
Stage 3 - Masters (MSc)
- Projects
Students complete an individual project that is quite often sponsored by industry or commerce.
Entry Requirements
The normal entry requirement for the course is a good first degree or equivalent in Science or Engineering, such as: Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical or Electronic Engineering.
Fees and Finance
The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.
Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.
For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.
Teaching and Assessment
Various methods of teaching and learning are employed in the course, for example: lectures, group work, directed reading, research, tutorials and practical laboratory sessions.
Students will make extensive use of computer based resources. In most modules students are required to complete two written assignments. In some cases a practical test replaces the written assignment.
Note
In this programme students are not required to learn a computer programming language in the taught course
Work Experience
When it can be arranged students are given the opportunity to take up a short student placement in industry/commerce whilst working on their project.
A large proportion of projects are industrially sponsored, and the Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology (CET) has very strong links with industry and commerce.
A number of major organisations have agreed to help support the ongoing development of the MSc Telecommunications Engineering programme, for example:
CET has established close working links with Cisco Systems. A total of three new telecom/network systems laboratories have been installed within CET. Students will gain practical experience of telecommunication and network systems.
CET has also established a close working relationship with Microsoft (MS). MS software will be used extensively to support teaching and learning.
BT Labs and BT Exact Technology are providing developmental support, access to network software and, in addition, project placement support.
Computer Associates are providing software support via their Academic Partnership Programme (APP).
Career Opportunities
This programme will develop skills and knowledge to enable graduates to either puruse a career as a Network Manager or as a Network Designer.
As a Network Manager you will be able to design, specify, build and manage a large telecommunications network, or as a Network Designer you will be to design, test and implement a telecommunications system.
Supplemental Information
A number of recent surveys have shown that there is a very strong demand for staff with up-to-date skills in telecommunications engineering.
The University has recently installed a large cluster computer, with 160 processor cores, that will be used to demonstrate server farm and distributed system administration.
A number of recent surveys have shown that there is a very strong demand for staff with up-to-date skills in telecommunications engineering.
Facilities
*World Class Web/Design Tools*
The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.
Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 (CS4) Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.
CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.
Further information is available from:
http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/
For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.
If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.
Please visit:
http://www.student-software.co.uk/