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S.89-39
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
MEMORANDUM
To:
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Senate ?
From:
L. Salter
Chair, SCAP
Subject:
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Proposal for Certification of
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Date: ?
November 9, 1989
Non-Credit Programs
Reference: SCAP 89-24
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Committee on
Continuing Studies gives rise to the following motions:
MOtIon 1:
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of Governors
as set forth in S.89-39 the proposal to establish recognized University
Certification for Non-Credit Programs."
Motion 2:
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the Bard of Governors
as set forth in S.89-39 the proposal for a Certificate Program in
Telecommunications Engineering"
0
Proposal for Certification of Non-Credit Programs
Description:
The University offers, in addition to degree programs and certificate and
diploma programs made up of degree related courses, specialized programs of
non-degree courses in areas of professional practice. The Program in
Telecommunications Engineering for the British Columbia Telephone
Company, developed by the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Continuing
Studies in conjunction with the University of California at Los Angeles, is a
notable example. The educational needs of some groups, such as the B.C.
Telephone engineers, cannot be met by traditional university offerings. Their
area of interest is too specialized to be met by existing university programs and
the traditional 13-week format is unsuitable for both the curriculum and the
working lives of practicing professionals. In most cases, such individuals have
advanced degrees and neither seek nor need credit toward a university degree.
Nonetheless, participants in such programs would like some recognition of
satisfactory completion of programs which are academically rigorous and taught
at a university level.
There is a strong desire on the part of students enrolled in such programs, and
associated business and professional organizations, that the University formally
recognize satisfactory academic performance. To this end, it is recommended
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that the University Senate approve the granting of certificates to participants in
approved programs of non-credit courses who demonstrate academic
competence at a level comparable to that acceptable in courses which are part
of degree programs.
The existence of specialized programs, such as the Program for
Telecommunications Engineering, has benefits for organizations, including
corporations and government agencies; for the professions; and for the
University. The organizations and professions benefit from being able to obtain
high quality professional development programs. The University and individual
faculty membersbenefit from close contact with practicing professionals
working, in many' cases, on problems of theoretical, as well as practical, interest.
Both working professionals and their employers say that university recognition
is important in gaining financial support and acceptance for such professional
development programs. Official recognition of academic competence
contributes also to a sense of commitment on the part of students and a feeling
of accomplishment on completion. University certification seems appropriate in
cases in which instruction and evaluation procedures and curriculum content
are academically comparable to other university programs.
Many universities in Canada, including the Universities of British Columbia and
Victoria and. three Alberta universities, already offer Senate approved
certificates for programs of non-credit courses.
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Criteria for the Establishment of Certificates for Successful Completion of
Program of Non-degree Courses:
1.
A program should be initiated only if thetbjptjnatter is such that the
University appears to be the most appropriate body to offer the instruction.
2.
A program must have a clearly defined educationaLobjective and
ration
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ale. The rationale should include a statement of required University
resources and community needs.
3.
A program must be under the direct and ongoing supervision of an
academic department of the University.
Proposed Guidelines for Certificate Programs of Non-degree Courses:
1.
Each program would be the specific responsibility of a department, school,
Faculty, or centre. The department would be responsible for ensuring the
academic rigour of the curriculum and the quality of instruction. In cases of
interdisciplinary programs, responsibility may be shared.
2.
Programs being proposed as suitable for certificate granting status are to
be submitted to the Senate Committee on Continuing Studies for
consideration and, if accepted, forwarded by that Committee with its
recommendations to SCAP and to Senate for approval. A description of
the course/s which make up the program must be submitted, including
information on: the content and duration of each course; the proposed
instructors; and the means of evaluation.
3.
Students would be expected to maintain satisfactory performance in each
course to remain eligible for a certificate.
4.
Programs would consist of courses which may vary in length and format
from standard university credit courses but would include a minimum
number of 120 contact hours in total (including lectures, labs, seminars,
and tutorials).
June 15, 1989
Prepared by Mark Selman, Director, Extension Credit at Harbour Centre
c.
MEMORANDUM
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY ?
FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
DATE: November 15, 1989
TO:
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Dr. Walter Wattamaniuk
Secretary, Senate Committee on Academic Planning
FROM: Dr. Donald A. George
Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences
RE:
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Certificate Program in Telecommunications Engineering
I am writing to confirm that we are seeking approval of this
program as a Certificate Program in Telecommunications
Engineering. Much of the documentation on the program is
associated with the B.C. Telephone Company which has funded
program development and its delivery to 120 of their engineers,
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but we look forward to offering the program to a much wider
group. It is in this generic context that we are presenting the
proposal to Senate.
L
Dr. Donal A. Jorge
DAG / 1 c
cc: J.L. Hoegg
J.R. Landsburg
3.
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND CONTINUING STUDIES
Pro aram in Telecommunications Enaineerina-
Simon Fraser University, in association with the University of
California, Los Angeles, is developing and presenting a major
program in telecommunications engineering to a select group of
professional engineers. The Program will be administered as part
of Continuing Studies' applied sciences program area, in
association with the School of Engineering Science. Its purpose
is to ensure that this group has up-to-date knowledge of the
newest developments in telecommunications.
The Program comprises eight one-week courses on basic
communication systems, digital concepts, voice networks, computer
technology, data networks, fibre optics and video networks,
telecommunication standards and ISDN. Each course lasts five
days, Monday to Friday, with typically three days of lecture and
two days of other activities such as laboratory work, group
projects and field trips.
Evaluation plays a critical role in the Program. A reading
assignment preceding each course is the basis of a student
pre-test, assignments are graded and a final test measures the
students' overall understanding. Ongoing throughout are
evaluations of the course content and presentations, coupled with
course revisions.
This exciting university/industry venture is another example of
the ties being developed between Engineering Science and the
advanced technology industry as part of SFU's strong commitment
to the renewal of individuals and organizations through
mid-career education. In its first offering, the Program is
being given to engineer employees of the B.C. Telephone Company
which has contracted with SFU for both development and delivery.
Applied Sciences Program
Continuing Studies
Simon Fraser University
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B.C. TELEPHONE COMPANY
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PROGRAM IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING
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COURSE OUTLINES:
Course 1 Basic Communications Systems (SFU)
Dates Offered: May 29 - June 2,
Contact Hours: 40
Outline and Objectives: It is the purpose of this course to serve as an
introduction to the program as a whole, to review a number of topics
basic to telecommunications engineering. As a result, students will
enter subsequent courses not from a 'cold start" but with a benefit of a
good review of the basics. Topics include fundamental electrical and
electronic concepts, electromagnetics, elements of communication
systems and telecommunication networks, digital concepts and data
communications, and the basics of computer programming.
Course 2 Digital concepts (SFU)
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Dates Offered July 31 - August 4
Contact Hours: 40
Outline and Objectives: Carrying on from Course 1, the Digital Concepts
course aims to ensure that the program participants become familiar
with the basics of digital signalling in the telecommunications industry.
Beginning with the digitalization process, the course emphasizes signal
encoding and decoding, modulation, system performance, Shannon
theory, forward error correction, and switching.
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Course 3 Voice Networks
Dates
Offered: October 16 - 20
Contact Hours: 40
Outline and Objectives: The existing voice network is studied in some
detail which includes switching apparatus, traffic routing, transmission
technology, network architecture and system administration. New
applications and services will be described with emphasis on the user
perspective.
Course 4 Computer Technology (SFU)
Dates
Offered: January 22 - 26
Contact Hours: 40
Outline and Objectives: This course will provide an overall view of
computer systems and their primary elements such as the central
processing unit, permanent and temporary storage and input/output
devices. The general characteristics of operating systems software,
languages, computer systems and application packages will be discussed.
Current trends in computing will provide an insight into anticipated
future developments in both hardware and software.
Course 5 Data Networks (SFU)
Dates Offered: May 7- 11
Contact Hours: 40
Outline and Objectives: Building on the digital signal concepts presented
earlier, this course will focus on data communications. Topics will
include data modems, network configurations and virtual circuits,
protocols, telco data services and system performance.
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Course 6 Fibre Optic Transmission and Video Networks (UCLA)
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Course Dates:
August 13 - 17
Contact Hours: 40
Outline and Objectives: Fiber Optics is the most recent transmission
medium to come into use in the telephone industry. This course will
present the fundamentals of fibre optic transmission, system
characteristics and performance interfaces, basic electro-optic technology
applications and future trends. In the same course will be a distinct but
related topic: video networks. Beginning with the basic structure of
video signals, material will be presented to define the nature of video
networks, servicesprovided, network functions and performance, and
current developments such as digital TV and high-resolution TV.
Course 7 Standards and Common Channel Signalling (UCLA)
Dates Offered: December 3 - 7
Contact Hours: 40
Outline and Objectives: This too is a two-topic course. Part of the week
will be devoted to standards: the need, standardization processes and
agencies, and the principal telco standards. The remainder will deal with
common channel signalling (CCS) including network architecture,
operation and performance. Particular emphasis will be given to CCS
No. 7, its applications, current status and future developments.
Course s Integrated Systems Digital Networks (ISDN) (UCLA)
Dates Offered: March 18 - 22
Contact Hours: 40
Outline and Objectives: Building on Course 7, this course will deal with
both Narrowband and Wideband ISDN. The ISDN concept will be given
particular emphasis along with customer services, network aspects, and
trends. In Wideband ISDN, transport and switching technologies will be
discussed as well as future prospects. This course, which completes the
program, will put particular emphasis on the telecommunication
networks and services of the future.
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INSTRUCTORS:
Vijay K. Bhargava, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
University of Victoria
Vladimir Cuperman, Professor, School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University
John Dickinson, Director, School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
John Dickson, Director School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
John C. Dill, Professor, School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University
Anthony H. Dixon, Assistant to the Director, School of Computing Science, Simon Fraser
University
Paul Franidin, Lecturer, School of Computing Science; Simon Fraser University
Donald A. George, Director, School of Engineering Science and Dean of the Faculty of
Applied Sciences, Simon Fraser University
David J. Gregson, Engineering Manager, Sierra-Misco Environment Limited
Gary W. Hall, Research Scientist, Centre for Systems Science, Simon Fraser University
James M. MacFie, Manager, Network Systems Engineering Department, MPR Limited
Margaret F. Hope, Communications Instructor, Lions Gate Communications Inc.
Wo-Shun Luk, Professor, School of Computing Science, Simon Fraser University
Patrick Ogmundson, Member of Technical Staff, Voice and Data Products, MPR Limited
Robert G. Pettigrew, Graduate Student, School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser
University
Andrew I. Spoisky, Program Manager, Radio and Satellite Network Planning, MPR
Limited
Shawn Stapleton, Assistant Professor, School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser
University
Norman P. Steinberg, Director of Special Projects, ESE Inc., Simon Fraser University
Lloyd Watts, Graduate Student, School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University
Leslie Webster, System Design Engineer, MPR Limited
David J. Gregson, Engineering Manager, Sierra-Misco Environment Limited
PROGRAM EVALUATION
William Glackman, PhD, R. Psych., Director, Criminology Research Centre, Simon
Fraser University
STUDENT EVALUATION
Students receive grades on their work in the Program, whether undertaken as an individual
or as a team member. Usually team members receive the same grade on group work,
however, the individual continues to be responsible for his or her participation. The
grading scheme at Simon Fraser University is used. Sample exams and grade histograms
are attached.
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The British Columbia Telephone Company
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Certificate Program in Telecommunications Engineering
1•
Course 1, Basic Cómmunication Systems
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CLASS A
Pretest, Monday, 10:30 to 12 noon Closed Book
Schedule: ?
10:30 to 10:40
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Instructions and preparation
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10:40 to 11:10
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Individual answer period
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11:10to 11:20
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Team organization
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11:20 to 12:00
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Team answers all parts of
all
questions
Each of these questions has equal value and will be marked A, B, C, D or F.
Question 1:
Briefly define five of the following terms:
.
.
a)
semiconducting material
b)
ROM
C)
pulse amplitude modulation
geo synchronous satellite
e)
by-pass technologies
f)
multiplexing
g)
deciBel
h)
coaxial cable
i)
teleconference
J) ,
radio spectrum
Question 2: Briefly compare three of the following pairs:
a)
dumb and intelligent terminals
b)
ring and tree networks
C) ?
terrestrial microwave and satellite communications
d)
voice and data communications
e)
narrowband and broadband communications
F) ?
radio dispatch and cellular systems
Question 3:
The assigned pre-reading from Course Readings, Volume 1,
presented an overall view of telecommunications for homes
And businesses which is more all-encompassing than basic
telephone service. Describe one of:
a)
the basic types of communication functions discussed,
b)
the role of corporate network management,
or
C) ?
possible changes to communication services in the home.
The British Columbia Telephone Company
© 1989
T.
The British Columbia Telephone Company
?
V
Certificate Program in Telecommunications Engineering
Course 1, Basic Communication Systems ?
CLASS A
Sample Final Examination
Time: Two hours ?
Open Book
A hint for out-of-practice exam writers: limit yourself to a maximum of 20 minutes per
question, and then use the remaining time for reviewing or to go back to any questions
which you did not complete to your satisfaction.
Questions:
(1)
What changes would be needed in the processing of the single link point-to-
point data system described in the notes if the data transmission speed is
2400 bits per second instead of 1200?
(2)
A common problem in programming is the correct termination of an iterative
process to input a sequence of values. Two approaches are:
1.
Input a count of the number of data values to be input, and then use
that Count to control the number of iterations of the loop;
2.
Include a special value called a sentinel' at the end of the data values.
At the beginning of each iteration a value is read and tested to determine
whether it is equal to the sentinel value. If so, the loop is terminated.
a.
Draw flowchart segments to illustrate the steps required to input
a sequence of numeric values and output each value as it is read,
using each of the two approaches described.
b.
Write BASIC program segments (not complete programs) which
implement each of the approaches described using only the WHILE
statement for iteration.
An additional iterative statement type provided in BASIC is the
FOR ...
NEXT statement. This syntax permits the definition of a
loop whose body is to be performed a specified number of times.
For example, the following syntax illustrates how to define a loop
that is executed N times:
1200 for I - 1 TO N
1210 (...first statement of loop...)
1220 (...second statement of loop...)
1290 (...last statement of loop...)
1300 NEXT I
Write
BASIC program segments to implement each of the two approaches
above for reading a sequence of at most 1000 numbers using only the
FOR ...
NEXT statement for iteration.
/2
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d. From your answers to questions b and c, which syntax for iteration
would be preferred in each approach? Justify your choices.
(3)
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Draw a basic block diagram for a digital communications link from the information
sink to the information source, given that the signal being communicated is
analog voice. Briefly explain the function of each step in the process.
(4). ?
Describe Maxwell's four equations.
(5)
The folloving technical description has some flaws. List all the technical mistakes -
each correct answer gives you one point toward the final grade, each wrong answer
will decrease the final grade by 0.5 point.
"An advanced technique for narrow-band digital voice"
"According to the proposed procedure, the speech signal is first sampled at
a rate of 2 KHz and quantized using an 8 bit linear A/D converter. This results in a
digital stream of 16 Kbirls, which is applied to the input of a 16-ary QAM
modulator. The QAM modulator will have a symbol of 4 ksymbol/s. Hence, the
minimum channel bandwidth for this digital voice system is 2 KHz. The system
robustness may be improved by adding one parity bit to each 8 bits of data. This
increases'the required bandwidth by only 12.5%, while correcting any single
error in the sequence of 8 bits".
The British Columbia Telephone Company
©1989
1/.
The British Columbia Telephone Company?
Certificate Program in Telecommunications Engineering
Course 1, Basic Communication Systems
CLASS A
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0
Final Examination
May 2, 1989
Time: Two Hours
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Open Book
IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF A PROBLEM, MAKE YOUR
OWN INTERPRETATION, STATE THIS CLEARLY, AND PROCEED WITH YOUR
ANSWER.
A hint for out-of-practice exam writers: read over the exam and start with the question
which you think you can best handle.
1)
Describe the concept of moding in a fibre optic cable.
2)
(a) In asynchronous transmission at 1200 bits per second, how badly out-of-sync
does the clock of the UART in the remote station have to be in order to cause the
station to miss one bit (out of 8 bits)?
(b) Assume that a message for synchronous transmission consists of 1000 bytes of
data (1 byte = 8 bits), 3 bytes for SYN header and trailer and 32 bytes for CRC.
Show that synchronous transmission is more "efficient" than asynchronous
transmission, based on a definition of efficiency supplied by you.
3)
The following technical description has some flaws. List all the technical mistakes -
each correct answer gives you one point toward the final grade, each wrong
answer will decrease the final grade by 0.5 point.
"An advanced technique for narrow-band digital voice"
"According to the proposed procedure, the speech signal is first sampled
at a rate of 2 KHz and quantized using an 8 bit linear A/D converter. This results in
a digital stream of 16 Kbit/s, which is applied to the input of a 16-ary QAM
modulator. The QAM modulator will have a symbol rate of 4 ksymbol/s. Hence,
the minimum channel bandwidth for this digital voice system is 2 KHz. The
system robustness may be improved by adding one parity bit to each 8 bits of data
This increases the required bandwidth by only
12.5%,
while correcting any single
error in the sequence of 8 bits".
4)
Chapter 12 of Digital Network Notes described two evolutionary patterns for
network growth, the overlay approach and the island approach. In the Notes,
the two techniques were described as they applied to the evolution of the Telecom
Canada network from analog to digital. Now imagine that BC Tel has announced
a long-term goal of providing switched broadband (i.e. video) services to each
business and household. Describe how the overlay and island strategies would
apply in the case of evolution from today's network to the broadband goal.
Compare and contrast their possible advantages and disadvantages.
...../2
/Q.
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5) ?
The IF stement examined in the workshop is
an
example of what is referred to as
a "two-way branch". Sometimesasituation will arise where it is more convenient
to select from more than two alternatives. Many programming languages provide
the syntax to define a "multi-way branch". The selection of alternatives is then
based on the value of an expression. In BASIC, this capability is provided by the
ON...GOTO
statement. The following example illustrates its use. Assume X
has an integer value. The expression X \ S specifies the quotient obtained when
X
is divided by 5 (ie. 2 \ 5 =
0,
11\5=2,20\5 =4,
etc.):
1200
ON X \
5
GOTO 1300, 2200
1210 ?
(...next statement...)
The value of the expression X \
5
is used to determine where control is
transferred, as follows:
• If X \ 5 <0 or X \ 5 > =
256,
an error occurs;program halts.
• If X \ 5 = 0, control transfers to the statement after the ON ... GOTO
(1210)
• If
X \
5 = 1, control transfers to the FIRST statement number
(1300).
• If X \ 5 = 2, control transfers to the SECOND statement number (2200).
• If 2 <X \ 5
<256,
control transfers to the statement following the
ON ...
GOTO (1210).
Up to 256 statement numbers can be specified in a single ON ... GOTO. In the
example only two were given.
Sa. Show how the example of the ON ... GOTO given above can be drawn as a
flowchart segment, using two-way decision boxes. This proves" that
multi-way branches are accommodated by the Bohm-Jacopini programming
constructs.
b. Write a short BASIC program using ON...GOTO to calculate and print the
Federal and Provincial Income Tax using the following table, given the net
income as input:
TAXABLE INCOME
?
FEDERAL TAX
$27,500 or less
$27,500
to,
$55,
$55,000 or more
Total Tax
where
17%
)00
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$4,675 + 26% on remainder
$11,825
+
29% on remainder
Federal Tax
+ Surtax +
Provincial Tax
Surtax = 3% * Federal Tax
Provincial Tax = 51.5%
*
Federal Tax
c.
Write a short BASIC program to perform the task described in (b) WITHOUT
using the multi-way branch statement ON...GOTO.
d.
Comment on which implementation (b or c) is preferable and justify your
answer.
The British Columbia Telephone Company
©
1989
/3.
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