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ENGI4527: Communications Networks 4

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Type	Tied
Level	4
Credits	10
Availability	Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap	None.
Location	Durham
Department	Engineering

Prerequisites

ENGI3451

Corequisites

As specified in programme regulations.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

As specified in programme regulations.

Aims

This module is designed solely for students studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
To provide an overview and explain some of the challenges facing designers of communications networks.
To provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of key networking technologies used in modern communication networks.
To understand the principles underpinning the design of communications networks.
To provide a firm foundation for a broad range of careers in communications networks.

Content

Layered architectures
Data link layer protocols
Local area networks (LANs) and personal area networks (PANs)
Network layer protocols
Transport layer protocols
Network Security

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

An understanding of the fundamentals of communications networks.
An appreciation and understanding of the operation of current widely used communications technologies and protocols.
An understanding of the importance of security in communications networks.

Subject-specific Skills:

An awareness of current technology, analysis methods and industrial practises along with the ability to apply those methods in novel situations.
An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their own work effectively.
An ability to understand the design of complex engineering systems.

Key Skills:

Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
Specialised numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.
Problem solving skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

The module content is delivered in lectures and is reinforced by problem sheets, equipping students with the required problem solving capability.
Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign up sessions available for up to one hour per week per lecture course.
Written timed examinations are appropriate because of the wide range of analytical, in-depth material covered in this module and allow students to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total
Lectures	21	Typically 1 per week	1 Hour	20
Tutorial Hours	As required	Weekly sign-up sessions	Up to 1 Hour	10
Preparation and Reading				70
Total				100

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Written Examination	2 hours	100	No

Formative Assessment

N/A

More information

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