Section 1 - General Course Information

Transcription

1 ourse nformation Form (F) The F provides core information to students, staff teams and others on a particular course of study. Section 1 - General ourse nformation ourse Title Qualification Telecommunications and Network Engineering BEng (Hons) ntermediate Qualification(s) Awarding nstitution University of Bedfordshire Location of Delivery Mode(s) of Study and Duration ore Teaching Pattern AD University ampus Milton Keynes Full-time over 3 years Part-time pathway typically over 6 years core pattern one FHEQ Level 6 Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditation or endorsement PSRB Renewal Date University of Bedfordshire Employability accreditation Route ode (STS) Subject ommunity UAS ourse ode Relevant External Benchmarking The nstitution of Engineering and Technology - The ET 31-Aug-2016 to be confirmed BETNEADF Telecommunications and Network Engineering H641 QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Engineering. QAA FHEQ level descriptors. ourse nformation Form (F) - February QAP0021 Page 1 of 10

2 Section 2 - Published nformation Material in this section will be used on the course web site to promote the course to potential students. The text should be written with this potential audience in mind. ourse Structure The units which make up the course are: Unit ode Level redits Unit Name ore or option S Foundations of Electronic Systems and core omputer Networks S Fundamentals of omputer Studies core S ntroduction to Software Development core S Engineering Mathematics core S Digital ommunications and Software core Engineering S Microwave and Optical ommunications core S ircuit Analysis & Signal Processing core S Wireless ommunication and Networking core S Research Methodologies and Emerging core Technologies S Real-time communication core S Social and Professional Project Management core S Undergraduate Project core Why study this course The recent advances in digital telecommunications are rapidly changing all aspects of human activity including business, education, lifestyle and politics. People can communicate anytime and anywhere, plus they can exchange traditionally separate media like data, voice and video through one wholly capable system. This has created a demand for telecommunication specialists with a solid understanding of new technologies, able to analyse, design and manage today s and tomorrow s telecommunication systems. This course is designed to reflect these challenging demands of the telecommunications and networking industry. You will gain knowledge and skills in the areas of telecommunication, wireless networks, signal processing, mathematics and programming. You will also learn project management skills and practice solving real-world problems. Plus, our strong industry links with local and regional partners will present you with opportunities to gain valuable professional experience. You will be supported in both theoretical and practical units by a knowledgeable, experienced and friendly teaching team. Teaching facilities are also stellar, with a new lab equipped with cutting-edge communications measurement equipment and software. Our comprehensive, vocational approach will give you a competitive edge in the job market, opening doors to the telecommunication and networking industries as well as other related research and development areas. ourse Summary Educational Aims The course aims at preparing high quality, employable telecommunication professionals. The graduates of the course will have a solid fundamental knowledge in telecommunications and network engineering and specialist knowledge in the areas of wireless/microwave/optical communication; network engineering, as well as communication and team-working skills. The knowledge and skills gained in this course will enable graduates to innovatively solve real-world telecommunication problems. This course aims to produce graduates who will be able to: Understand the mathematical foundations and the broad knowledge of signal processing, circuit analysis and communication technologies. Have skills to continuously update the knowledge. ritically analyse the assumptions, results and the available methods when solving engineering problems. Design creative solutions to real-world engineering problems taking into account trade-offs, ourse nformation Form (F) - February QAP0021 Page 2 of 10

3 alternative solutions, available techniques and best practices. ommunicate in a professional manner both orally and in writing. Understand the cultural, social, political, economic and ethical implications in the telecommunications and network engineering. Entry requirements Standard entry requirements for UK students, students from the European Union and international students. Standard entry requirements for UK students Students from the European Union - nternational students - n addition at least 80 UAS points are expected from STEM subjects. PSRB details ET re-accreditation in progress. Graduate mpact Statements The course has been designed to develop graduates who are able to: Exhibit an advanced understanding of methods, concepts and technologies that deal with the modern telecommunications and engineering on a large scale in an enterprise and real-world context. ontribute specialist expertise productively to a multi-specialist development team working on solve real-world engineering problems, in terms of analysis, design, implementation, testing and management. Learn and use new ideas and techniques as they appear within an evolving industry. Higher Education Achievement Report - Additional nformation This course is one of three BEng courses within the Department of omputer Science and Technologies. Students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge by interaction with their peers in cognate courses that specialise in areas such as Electronic Engineering, omputer Systems Engineering, or omputer Networking. The Department creates numerous interfaces where this interaction can happen. Learning and Teaching The overall teaching and learning methodology employed is a theoretical exposition accompanied by tutor supported practical activities. This is accomplished by a combination of lectures, tutorials, e-conference discussion and support, and tutor-directed practical activities in dedicated laboratories which can be assisted by the use of teaching packs in various multimedia forms. There are guided research activities which are closely related to tutors research projects and technique development projects associated with local and regional industrial partners. The particular form of support is unit specific, however, all are characterised by tutor support and practical activity. All teaching resources are available in a website a Virtual Learning Environment that includes references and links, general course and unit information, discussion groups, tests and assessments. This VLE is available outside of the University to enrolled students. Our teaching is centred upon students, aiming to build their confidence by providing timely and informative feedback under the guidance of their teacher. The approach to teaching and learning begins with student centred methods and progresses towards independent learning. The students will gain foundation knowledge in telecommunications and network engineering in their first year of study on this course. They will focus on the application of computer techniques to the engineering domain in detail, broadening their knowledge at Levels 5 and 6 of this course. n addition, during their final year projects, students should be able to demonstrate various in-depth skills including project management and the production of an artefact. ourse nformation Form (F) - February QAP0021 Page 3 of 10

4 Project supervision involves regular tutorial meetings between groups/individuals and their staff supervisor. The project is a required part of the degree that guarantees the Honours element, and is seen both in the University and outside as an indication of the overall abilities and performance of the student. Developing your employability Employability is understood widely as encompassing knowledge, skills and a professional attitude which your tutors expect you to display in all your units. All University of Bedfordshire courses aim to help you to be prepared for the world of work. The areers Service is there to support you throughout the three years of your study. Our curriculum gives you skills that are valuable for a career within Telecommunications and Network Engineering in particular but is also relevant for a much wider range of applications such as omputer System Engineering or Telecommunication Management. The final year unit Social and Professional Project Management in particular requires you to work in a team so as to apply a current project management methodology that embraces all of these knowledge areas in an integrated way while going through the stages of planning, execution and project control; you will work as part of a team, take responsibility and make autonomous decisions that impact on the project team performance. n addition and somewhat complementary the honours project fosters independent and autonomous study: you learn to take up the responsibility of conducting your project, typically derived from your own ideas, in collaboration with a dedicated member of the teaching staff as project supervisor. The course has been designed so that students will be educated about the professional standards of their field. A number of academic staff in the department of omputer Science and Technology are members of professional organisations such as BS, ET or EEE, which can enable embedding the professional standards into learning activities and assessments. Wherever possible, there is an input from practicing professionals from the telecommunications and networking industries. Department (s) Department of omputer Science and Technology. Assessment The assessments are designed to assist students in meeting the required learning outcomes and their own learning needs in relation to each unit. The assessments provide you with opportunities to diagnose their skills, abilities, academic/occupational background and level to give you an early indication of what specific learning practices may help you more in some particular areas of study, starting from student induction period in conjunction with Fundamentals of omputing unit and throughout the entire in-course period of study. There will be frequent opportunities to get feedback both from tutors, peers and via self-assessment, and some assessments will allow for draft submissions to be considered by a tutor or peers to identify aspects in need of development prior to final hand-in. The assessments are to be inclusive such that a variety of methods will be used in assessing students to ensure that no particular group of students are advantaged or disadvantaged. The methods include portfolios, laboratory practical work, group and individual production projects, individual and group written reports and formal written exams. Mini-projects and case studies provide you with real-world problems. You are expected to find solutions to the problems following the process of analysis, technique evaluation, design and syntheses, and solution evaluation. These mini-projects and case studies are designed in both group work and individual work fashions to allow you to practice your communication skills and team working skills, and to develop the capability of working individually. They are also design in the way in which you need to connect together different elements taught within a unit and also across different units with helps from the course team who explain to you how individual units make up of the course. Written exams focus on theoretical knowledge and the application of the knowledge to engineering problems. After Graduation Graduates of this degree will be able to embark on a graduate career within telecommunications, networking and T industries. The theoretical foundations taught in the course will enable you to continue your studies ourse nformation Form (F) - February QAP0021 Page 4 of 10

5 and register on taught or research based Masters courses in courses such as MSc Embedded Systems, MSc Telecommunications Management, MSc Mobile omputing, MSc omputer Security and Forensics, as well as MSc by research and PhD programmes. Student Support during the course At institutional level, the university has in place a range of easily accessible support structures for new and existing students. The Student nformation Desk (SiD, offers confidential advice on all aspects of academic study. t provides information about other areas of university-wide student support such as extenuating circumstances, housing, health, counselling, study support, special needs and disability advice, and careers service. The Personal Academic Development (PAD) provides workshops and one to one support for academic skills. The university chaplaincy runs regular meetings, social events and trips. The Student Union provides additional support and activities. ourse specific support is also in place. First year students receive a comprehensive induction in the week prior to the commencement of the academic year. n addition to this, course co-ordinators will meet with their student groups to explain the course structure and other issues relating to the student experience. These introductions will give you outlines of your course and units, a description of the ways you will be encouraged to develop your knowledge and skills, and signpost resources and materials to assist the process of your learning and success. An important part of this induction is the training to use BREO (Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online). BREO is your personalized virtual learning environment that contains lecture notes, links for online assignment submissions, staff contact details, links to central student services and much more. We expect that you use BREO regularly, and that you use your university where we send you updates about all aspects of your course which need your attention. All students will be allocated a personal tutor when they join the course. This academic will be responsible of monitoring your academic progress throughout your first year and beyond, and will help you with any academic or personal issues that might come up. The personal tutor is your consistent point of contact for support and guidance, but will on occasion refer you to other university staff for specific issues. Further support is provided by lecturers who have office hours and by the course administration team. Students may be required, at the discretion of the course coordinator, to undergo diagnostic testing for academic English language abilities, and may further be required, at the course coordinator s discretion, to participate in academic English support workshops or classes laid on by the University. Our PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) scheme will provide additional support to new students from students at levels 5 and 6. Students with disabilities This course makes intensive use of computing equipment (desktop or laptop computers) and so if you have difficulty accessing these you should discuss this with the Disability Advice Team in conjunction with the course team at the outset to ensure that appropriate support is in place. The University of Bedfordshire is committed to ensuring that curricula across all courses are inclusive to all students. The Disability Advice Team which is associated with the Student nformation Desk is available to discuss any issues students may have and can provide services such as dedicated accessibility software, sign language interpreters, note takers, dyslexia screening/tuition and support with mobility on campus. They offer confidential advice and information about academic and personal issues, adjustments in examinations, applying for the Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) and buying suitable equipment. The Disability Advice Team communicates regularly with unit and course co-ordinators to ensure the needs of students are covered. All students concerned that their studies may be affected by disability are encouraged to contact either their Portfolio leader, ourse co-ordinator or Personal Tutor for advice at whatever point in their course the need to do so becomes apparent. ourse nformation Form (F) - February QAP0021 Page 5 of 10

6 Assessment Map Unit ode S038-1 S018-1 S020-1 S034-1 S071-2 S072-2 S047-2 S022-2 S013-3 S020-3 PJ- Art, Gr, Oral S015-3 S017-3 Weeks /O Lab W- S & - PT - B & Lab Gr/P R-Or WePor t Gr & Lab Oral Gr & Pr- Oral Prob & Lab Oral PJ- Proj & PRviva Gr W- Port & Oral - B - B ourse nformation Form (F) - February QAP0021 Page 6 of 10

7 Section 3 - Academic nformation This section will be used as part of the approval and review process and peer academics are the target audience. ourse Learning Outcomes LO1: Demonstrate knowledge of mathematical foundations related to communications, signal processing and networks. LO2: Demonstrate knowledge of the scientific principles of wireless, optical and microwave communication technologies. LO3: Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of real-time communication and its application to telecommunication. LO4: ritically apply engineering knowledge, methodologies, mathematical methods and best practices to solve real-world telecommunication problems. Use appropriate tools, software and equipment to solve problems. ritically evaluate and document the solutions. Develop skills for continuous development of knowledge. LO5: Apply modelling techniques to study and analyse engineering problems. LO6: Design computer programs to solve engineering problems. LO7: ommunicate in a professional manner both orally and in writing. LO8: Apply a project management methodology to a real-world project and to use the tools and techniques of methods efficiently and effectively. LO9: Demonstrate a critical awareness of the ethical and social implications of telecommunications. ourse-specific regulations n/a Teaching, Learning and Assessment Our teaching is centred upon students, aiming to build their confidence by providing timely and informative feedback under the guidance of their teacher. The approach to teaching and learning begins with student centred methods and progresses towards independent learning. The students will gain foundation knowledge in telecommunications and engineering in their first year of study on this course. They will focus on the application of computer techniques to the engineering domain in detail, broadening their knowledge at Levels 5 and 6 of this course. n addition, during their final year projects, students should be able to demonstrate various in-depth skills including project management and the production of an artefact. Project supervision involves regular tutorial meetings between groups/individuals and their staff supervisor. The project is a required part of the degree that guarantees the Honours element, and is seen both in the University and outside as an indication of the overall abilities and performance of the student. The assessments are designed to assist students in meeting the required learning outcomes and their own learning needs in relation to each unit. The assessments provide you with opportunities to diagnose their skills, abilities, academic/occupational background and level to give you an early indication of what specific learning practices may help you more in some particular areas of study, starting from student induction period in conjunction with Fundamentals of omputing unit and throughout the entire in-course period of study. There will be frequent opportunities to get feedback both from tutors, peers and via self-assessment, and some assessments will allow for draft submissions to be considered by a tutor or peers to identify aspects in need of development prior to final hand-in. The assessments are to be inclusive such that a variety of methods will be used in assessing students to ensure that no particular group of students are advantaged or disadvantaged. The methods include ourse nformation Form (F2013-4) Page 7 of 10

8 portfolios, laboratory practical work, group and individual production projects, individual and group written reports and formal written exams. Mini-projects and case studies provide you with real-world problems. You are expected to find solutions to the problems following the process of analysis, technique evaluation, design and syntheses, and solution evaluation. These min-projects and case studies are designed in both group work and individual work fashions to allow you to practice your communication skills and team working skills, and to develop the capability of working individually. They are also design in the way in which you need to connect together different elements taught within a unit and also across different units with helps from the course team who explain to you how individual units make up of the course. Written exams focus on theoretical knowledge and the application of the knowledge to engineering problems. Additional Academic nformation ourse nformation Form (F2013-4) Page 8 of 10

9 Peer-assisted learning (PAL) Peer-assisted learning is provided within the first year unit Fundamentals of omputing and Software Engineering. t will be aligned with the PAL arrangements already used for the other undergraduate courses within omputer Science and Technology. nitial Assessment S018-1 Fundamentals of omputing and Software Engineering mproving students learning Several units allow students to use work and feedback from the first assessment to perform best in the second. All units benefit from weekly practical sessions or supervisor meetings that provide a constant learnerteacher interaction process which also serves to reflect on learning styles. The Undergraduate Project in the final year features an interim report as Assessment 1 which is formative in nature and provides an opportunity of structured feedback on the approach taken by the students for their honours project. Academic ntegrity Academic practice is introduced in the first year as part of the unit S018-1 Fundamental of omputer Studies and then further applied and critically reflected upon the units in the final year, in particular the honours project and the Project Management unit (S015-3). While most of the interaction in the honours project is one-to-one between student and supervisor there will be some dedicated lectures to the class on key issues such as referencing or utilizing library resources. HEAR implementation The Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) is intended as a formative document used with students during the course of their studies. ourse teams have constant access to the transcript of students, results and progression through the STS e-vision system, and in addition to this formal statistical outline of individual progress, students are encouraged to have regular meetings with their Personal Tutor to assist the reflective process in monitoring progress. nternationalisation Teaching and learning of the courses align with the University s policies of inclusion and internationalisation. Much of the content of project management is internationalised through the use of a number of internationally recognised project management techniques. Similarly, most if not all of the omputing materials are non-country specific, so skills taught to the students here are international by their very nature. Sustainability Modern telecommunications play a central role within sustainable development and manufacturing. Across the curriculum and in particular in the units S047-2 ircuit Analysis and Signal Processing, S022-2 Wireless ommunication and Networking, and S020-3 Real-Time ommunication, discuss mathematical techniques, network protocols and standards that are highly relevant to building modern smart technology. The final year honours project creates the opportunity to develop these ideas further. ourse nformation Form (F2013-4) Page 9 of 10

10 Section 4 - Administrative nformation This section will be used as part of the approval and review process and peer academics are the target audience. Faculty reative Technologies and Science Portfolio Department/School/Division ourse oordinator Undergraduate omputer Science and Technology omputer Science and Technology Dr Vladimir Dyo Version Number 1/15 Approved by (cf Quality Handbook ch.2) Date of approval (dd/mm/yyyy) mplementation start-date of this version (plus any identified end-date) University Panel Transition Event March 2015 AY 15/16 Form completed by: Name: Dr Vladimir Dyo Date: January 2015 Authorisation on behalf of the Faculty Teaching Quality and Standards ommittee (FTQS) hair: Date:... ourse Updates Date (dd/mm/yyyy) Nature of Update FTQS Minute Ref: ourse nformation Form (F2013-4) Page 10 of 10