Course Descriptions

Telecommunications Technology Course Descriptions

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(Enter Datatel Course Numbers with the dash. i.e. ENGL-100; use commas to separate multiple Course Numbers)

TCOM-120 - A+ PART 1: COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ESSENTIALS  3 credits
This course covers content related to the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam. Students are provided with the basic skills to properly install, build, upgrade, repair, configure, troubleshoot, optimize, and diagnose problems with PC hardware and operating systems. Extensive demonstrations and videos provide the illustration and guidance to help student’s master hardware and software skills even without access to actual computers.
TCOM-140 - ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THEORY  5 credits
This course serves as an introduction to the theory of DC and AC electrical circuits. Students learn the fundamental concepts of voltage, current, resistance, and power and energy, and the relationship between them. Methods of circuit analysis using Ohm's law, Kirchoff's laws, and network theorems are studied. Concepts of AC, capacitance and inductance are presented. Impedance, R-L-C circuits, impedance networks, and transformers are introduced. The understanding of circuit theory is reinforced by performance of laboratory activities and the extensive use of computer software for circuit analysis and simulation. COREQUISITE: MATH-132
TCOM-150 - INTRODUCTION TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS  1 credit
This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of telecommunications. The existing tuned voice network is explored and defined with existing limitations. Next, the concept of transmitting data on the existing voice network and limitations are explained. Broadband methods, ADSL, and cable modem are then described and contrasted to data transmission over the tuned voice network. Finally, local area networks and wide area networks are introduced and discussed. One hour lecture. PREREQUISITES: ESET-111, ESET-141, ESET-145.
TCOM-210 - FUNDAMENTALS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS  3 credits
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of telecommunications. A brief history of the telecommunications industry will be followed by a description of present public and private telecommunications networks. Concepts of analog and digital signals, frequency spectra, bandwidth, modulation and multiplexing techniques will be explored. Next, the hardware of a telecommunications system will be introduced; coverage includes transmission and reception technology, switching systems and transmission media. The laboratory portion of the course will allow students to verify concepts introduced in class. PREREQUISITE: ESET-141, ESET-145, ESET-111; CO-REQUISITE: TCOM-210L.
TCOM-220 - A+ PART II  4 credits
This course covers content related to the CompTIA A+ 220-602 exam. Students are provided with knowledge of basic computer hardware and operating systems, including installation, building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing and preventive maintenance, with additional elements of security and soft skills. The course is targeted for individuals who work or intend to work in a mobile or corporate technical environment. PREREQUISITE: TCOM-120
TCOM-235 - INTRODUCTION TO TCP/IP  4 credits
The course presents an introduction to TCP/IP along with advanced topics. This course requires knowledge of the networking fundamentals (such as protocols, network design and implementation, and troubleshooting and support) covered in the Introductory Networking Course. COREQUISITE: TCOM-240
TCOM-240 - NETWORK PLUS  3 credits
This course presents current coverage of networking hardware and software along with the skills necessary to succeed in the field of networking. This course is introductory, with thorough explanations of networking fundamentals such as protocols, network design and implementation, and troubleshooting and support. The course will also prepare student for CompTIA’s most recently revised 2005 Network+ certification exam and will also offer mapping features to the exam objectives. PREREQUISITE: TCOM-120
TCOM-310 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1  4 credits
An introduction to the techniques, principles, and terminology of voice telecommunications will be pre­sented. Public and private telecommunication networks will be examined. Telecommunication equipment, switching, and transmission technology will be demonstrated. The frequency spectrum, modulation schemes, and multiplexing techniques will be explored. Lectures, interactive learning, and demonstrations will be employed. Lab exercises will be required. PREREQUISITE: ESET-140 or permission of instructor.
TCOM-315 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS  4 credits
This course consists of a study of the physical layer, the hardware and transmission media used for the transmission of digital data and multimedia information, of high speed data transmission systems. After a short review of the seven-layer OSI model, the student is introduced to the basic components of a telecommunications system through a block diagram model. Then the fundamental concepts of signals, noise, bandwidth, and channel are introduced. Telecommunications sub-systems which are peculiar to the physical layer are covered with emphasis give to their effect on data transmission rate. The Concept of signal modulation is now discussed with emphasis given to the most important legacy and present day systems with emphasis given to modern digital modulation schemes like OFDM that are used to obtain high data transmission rates The theory of operation behind each system. The practical implementation and the relative merits of each are presented. The course concludes with a discussion of modem physical layer multiplexing and assess techniques and an introduction to the transmission of signals via EM propagation, wireline transmission line and fiber-optic telecommunications systems. Overviews of present day telecomm networks: Cable, DSL and FIOS are presented. The lab portion of the course will provide hands-experience with many of the topics discussed in the lecture. PREREQUISITE: Senior standing in TCOM or instructor permission. COREQUISITE: TCOM-315L
TCOM-316 - PHYSICAL LAYER TRANSMISSION  4 credits
This course consists of a study of the physical layer, the hardware and transmission media used for the transmission of digital data and multimedia information, of high speed data transmission systems. After a short review of the seven-layer 051 model, the student is introduced to the basic components of a telecommunications system through a block diagram model. Then the fundamental concepts of signals, noise, bandwidth, and channel are introduced. Telecommunications sub-systems which are peculiar to the physical layer are covered with emphasis given to their effect on data transmission rate. The concept of signal modulation is now discussed with emphasis given to the most important legacy and present day systems with emphasis given to modern digital modulation schemes like OFDM that are used to obtain high data transmission rates. The theory of operation behind each system, the practical implementation, and the relative merits of each are presented. The course concludes with a discussion of modem physical layer multiplexing and access techniques and an introduction to the transmission of signals via EM propagation, wireline transmission line, and fiber-optic telecommunications systems. Overviews of present day telecomm networks: Cable, DSL and FIOS are presented. The lab portion of the course will provide hands-on experience with many of the topics discussed in the lecture. PRE-REQUISITES: Senior standing in TCOM or instructor permission.
TCOM-320 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2  4 credits
An introduction to the techniques, principles, and terminology of data communications will be presented. Public and private networks will be examined. Data communication equipment, multiplexing, and trans­mission technology will be demonstrated. Lectures, interactive learning, and demonstrations will be em­ployed. Lab exercises will be required. PREREQUISITE: TCOM-310 or permission of instructor.
TCOM-325 - PHYSICAL LAYER TRANSMISSION  4 credits
This course consists of a study of the physical layer, the hardware and transmission media used for the transmission of digital data and multimedia information and high speed data transmission systems. After a short review of the seven-layer OSI model, the student is introduced to the basic components of a telecommunications system through a block diagram model. Then the fundamental concepts of signals, noise, bandwidth, and channel are introduced. Telecommunications subsystems that are peculiar to the physical layer are covered with emphasis given to their effect on data transmission rate. The concept of signal modulation is now discussed with emphasis given to the most important legacy and present day bandwidth efficient digital communication systems. The theory of operation behind each system, the practical implementation, and the relative merits of each are presented. The course concludes with a discussion of modem physical layer multiplexing and access techniques and an introduction to the transmission of signals via EM propagation, wire line transmission line, and fiber-optic telecommunications systems. Overviews of present day telecomm networks: Cable, DSL and FIOS are presented. The lab portion of the course will provide hands-on experience with many of the topics discussed in the lecture. PREREQUISITE: Senior Standing in TCOM or instructor permission.
TCOM-330 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS ELECTRONICS  4 credits
This course presents material about the basic theory and operation of analog electronic devices used in the telecommunications industry. Topics covered include diodes, power supplies, BJT and FET transistors, biasing techniques, and operational amplifiers. Applications of the Op-Amps and other linear integrated circuits (ICs) are introduced with coverage of amplifiers, waveform generators, active filters, voltage regulators and signal converters. The laboratory portion of the course gives the student experience with the construction, simulation, and testing of analog electronics systems. Three hours lecture. PREREQUISITE: ESET-141, ESET-145; CO-REQUISITE: TCOM-330L
TCOM-335 - CCNA I  4 credits
This course is designed to train students in the organization, architecture, setup, hardware and software aspects of interconnecting local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Topics include: the OSI model, network devices. TCP/IP, IP addressing router and IOS basics, router startup and configuration and routing protocols. A hands-on approach using the Cisco IOS will be taken, with team projects throughout. PREREQUISITE: TCOM-240 and TCOM-235.
TCOM-336 - ACTIVE DIRECTORY  3 credits
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, and administer Microsoft Windows Active Directory services. Active directory is used to provide a network “single sign on” network service that allows a large number of desktop and server computers to be managed from a centralized location. The course also focuses on implementing Group Policy and understanding the Group Policy tasks required to centrally manage users and computers. Students will design and implement their own Active Directory, design a system for an organization, and be able to replicate and backup the configuration. After creating an Active Directory domain controller, students will create and assign users, groups, permissions, rights, policies and profiles. To perform well in this class the student should be familiar with Microsoft Windows and some basic TCP\IP networking. CSCO-100 and CSET-256 are recommended prerequisites if the student does not have this background. Prerequisites: Senior standing in TCOM or the instructor’s permission.
TCOM-360 - WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS  4 credits
This course introduces the student to mobile and wireless communications networks. Introductory topics peculiar to the wireless channel included within the course are: the fundamentals of wireless communications systems, wireless sub-systems, wireless digital modulation techniques, and an overview of transmission lines, EM propagation, and antennas. Starting with a short history of modern wireless services, course emphasis quickly shifts to present day wireless technology. The two major areas of course coverage are cellular systems and the IEEE wireless technologies. Topics covered from the cellular world include: GSM and CDMA systems, their 3G implementations, and an introduction to proposed 4G systems. Topics covered from the IEEE technologies world include: wireless LANs (802.11), PANs (802.15), WANs (802.16), RANs (802.22), and proposed future wireless systems. Also covered in this course will be issues of WLAN security network setup and configuration, and network management. The lab portion of the course will allow the student to gain experience with wireless networking technology. Three hours lecture. PREREQUISITE: Senior standing in ICOM or instructor permission; COREQUISITE: ESET-360L
TCOM-410 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS 3  4 credits
An introduction to the technology and terminology of local area networks (LANs) will be presented. The topologies, transmission media, network interfaces, and access methods will be examined. Shared resources and interconnecting of LANs will be explored. Lectures, interactive learning, and demonstrations will be employed. Lab exercises will be required. PREREQUISITE: TCOM-320 or permission of instructor.
TCOM-415 - VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS  4 credits
This course and lab will serve as an introduction to the transport of video signals over communications networks. The convergence of voice, video and data over today’s vast communications networks has led to a variety of new technologies, especially in the video area. The course will begin with and introduction to video and television, exploring the variety of transport methods and technologies used. The practical aspects of video over lP will then be investigated, including transport methods, compression techniques, streaming and multicasting. Also discussed will be lP Video, file transfer, security and network administration issues. PREREQUISITE: Senior standing or permission of instructor,
TCOM-420 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS 4  4 credits
A survey of current and emerging technologies in telecommunications will be presented. Lectures, interac­tive learning, demonstrations, and site visits will be employed. Lab exercises will be required. PREREQUI­SITE: TCOM-410 or permission of instructor.
TCOM-425 - VOICE AND VIDEO SYSTEMS  4 credits
This course examines the encoding and transmission of voice and video data streams. The course begins with a brief overview of the traditional analog telephone system, private branch exchanges (PBX), circuit switching, analog video encoding and transmission. We will cover the evolution of these technologies to IP phones, the voice over IP (VOIP) protocol, call center management software, video encoding and decoding (codec) for transmission over data networks, video conferencing, and video monitoring systems. A brief introduction and overview of TCP\JP networking is intended to provide the students with enough networking knowledge to configure an IP telephone system. The lab (3 hours) portion of the course will provide hands-on experience with many of the topics discussed in the lecture. PRE-REQUISITES: Senior standing in TCOM or the instructor’s permission. Co-Requisite: TCOM-425L
TCOM-430 - LIGHTWAVE COMMUNICATION  4 credits
This course will introduce the student to photonics and the fundamentals of fiber optic networks. Topic coverage will include laser diodes, photodiodes and phototransistors, driver and detector circuitry, and RF modulators. Additionally, optical communications systems will be examined in detail. Detection techniques, power measurement, wave length division multiplexing (WDM) systems, and design considerations for fiber systems will be discussed. The laboratory portion of the course will allow the student to gain experience with the construction and testing of fiber optic networks. PREREQUISITE: Senior standing or permission of instructor
TCOM-435 - CCNA II  4 credits
This course is designed to further train students in the organization, architecture, setup, hardware and software aspects of interconnecting local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Topics include: advanced routing protocols, network services, access lists, PPP and frame relay, basic switching and switch configuration, advanced switching concepts and security. A hands-on approach using the Cisco IOS will be taken, with team projects throughout. Prerequisite: TCOM-335
TCOM-444 - SYSTEM AND NETWORK MONITORING  4 credits
Good system administrators know about network and computer problems before they become critical problems. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, and administer an enterprise network monitoring solution. Larger networks are composed of many network devices, servers, printers, and desktop systems. Our goal is to monitor the events on an existing network from a central location. We begin by examining the local network, determine what needs to be monitored, examine our security needs, and then create a project plan. Students will then implement the monitoring system in lab. To perform well in this class the student should be familiar with Microsoft and Windows, some basic TCP\IP networking. CSCO-l00 and CSET-256 are recommended prerequisites if the student does not have this background. Three lecture and 3 lab hours. PREREQUISITE: Senior Standing or instructor permission.
TCOM-450 - VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VOIP)  4 credits
This course and lab will serve as an introduction to the transport of voice signals over communications networks using VoIP. The convergence of voice, video and data over today’s vast communications networks has led the rapid growth of this technology. Introductory topics include an explanation of why VoIP is necessary and how it has developed. Further developed topics include VoIP packet construction and configuration, real-time transport, VoIP Protocol Suite Model, Codecs, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) servers, private and public services, security and quality of service. Simple VoIP networks will be investigated in the laboratory. PREREQUISITE: Senior Standing