Course description
MSc
Accredited by the British Computer Society
The explosion in demand for telecommunication services has led to enormous growth in employment opportunities in the telecommunications industry. The Mobile and High Speed Telecommunication Networks course offered by Oxford Brookes is designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge of modern high-speed telecommunication systems and personal communications.
The course has two main components: 2G/3G mobile communications, and fixed high-speed and multiservice networks. Emphasis is given to developing essential industrial and commercial skills. The project is a major element of the course and gives you the opportunity to enhance your career prospects by acquiring in-depth knowledge of a key aspect of telecommunications technology.
Graduates from the programme have the skills to pursue careers in many areas of the telecommunications industry.
Teaching is based in our new purpose-designed engineering building on the Wheatley Campus.
Course content
The course is structured around three time periods: Semester 1 runs from September to December, Semester 2 from January to May, and the summer period completes the year until the beginning of September.
To qualify for a master's degree you will need to pass the following modules and the Dissertation with its associated Research and Study Methods module.
* Digital Mobile Communication covers the principles and techniques of digital communications with particular emphasis on its applications in GSM mobile networks. Network infrastructure, communication protocols, multiplexing techniques, signalling, call set-up, data structures, system design and environmental considerations are also covered.
* Network Principles introduces the principles and practice of computer networking, with emphasis on data communications and local area network technologies.
* High Speed Mobile Communications examines the technology behind the third generation of mobile communication systems. The module covers the network infrastructure, signalling systems and multiplexing technologies.
* Multiservice Networks explores the principles of high-speed multiservice network design and technology, illustrated with case studies and state-of-the-art practice.
* Optical and Broadband Networks teaches the design and principles of operation of the individual components in an optical fibre communication system, and examines the performance analysis of complete systems and networks.
Research and Study Methods underpins work carried out for the Dissertation. The module, delivered in a seminar style, provides you with research skills, planning techniques, progress management and review, and ability to use ICT support materials. You will be given guidance on the analysis and technical presentation of research material.
The Dissertation involves individual research and development work on a topic closely related to your programme of study. The work may be undertaken in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation.
During the induction period before the formal start of the course, you may take a limited number of primer modules relevant to your course.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The taught modules include lectures, seminars, library and internet research, and practical design and experimentation. Assessments include coursework exercises, presentations, essays and examinations (maximum 80% for taught modules).
Laboratory facilities include network and optical hardware and the latest industry-standard software modelling tools, such as Asset3G, GSM and 3G monitoring equipment, MATLAB, OPNET, and OptSim.
Quality
Teaching staff are drawn primarily from the School of Technology and include experienced academic staff and recent recruits from the telecommunications industry. Visiting speakers from business and industry help to maintain relevance to the evolution of the industry.
