Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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BA 4850 - Telecommunications

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
An overview is provided for both voice and data communications. This course examines the industry, develops technical understanding of the operation of various devices, and provides background on the legislative, judicial and regulatory aspects of the Telecommunications industry. A special emphasis is placed on Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs). (prereq: none)
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic workings of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of key legislation that has been passed by Congress that has affected the telecommunications industry
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the judicial decisions that have been decided by the courts and their effect on the telecommunications industry
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of regulatory bodies (FCC, PSC) and their impact on the telecommunications industry
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of electromagnetics and electromechanical devices, in as much as they relate to telecommunications
  • Demonstrate an understanding of multiplexing and line grooming in the process of providing a telecommunications transport infrastructure
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of digital communications and communication devices used in the PSTN
  • Demonstrate an understanding of multilayered network communication models and the use of TCP, IP, and Ethernet protocols in LANs and WANs
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research and write a term paper that details one aspect of telecommunications

Prerequisites by Topic
  • A fundamental understanding of computing systems and programming

Course Topics
  • Telegraph and telephone networks (2 classes)
  • The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) (6 classes)
  • The legislative, judicial, and regulatory history of the telecommunications industry (3 classes)
  • Introduction to electricity and magnetism (1 class)
  • Multiplexing, line compression, and grooming (2 classes)
  • Digital communications and devices (3 classes)
  • ISDN, ADSL, and CATV standards (3 classes)
  • LAN and WAN protocols (Ethernet, TCP/IP, X.25, FR, ATM, QoS) (5 classes)
  • Guest lectures (PSc commissioner; Computer Center tour) (2 classes)

Coordinator
Dr. Jeffrey Blessing



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