DT080 Student Handbook

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

B.Tech (Ordinary Bachelor Degree - NQAI L7) in

Networking Technologies

Programme Reference: DT080

STUDENT HANDBOOK

VERSION 0.0

FEBRUARY 2011

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Welcome 1 1.2 Introduction to the Institute 2

1.2.1 Introduction to the School 2 1.2.2 History of the School 2

2 Programme Details 4

2.1 Programme Timelines 4 2.2 Staff Listing 4 2.3 Programme Structure 6

2.3.1 Summary of Modules - Stage 1 7 2.3.2 Summary of Modules - Stage 2 8 2.3.3 Summary of Modules - Stage 3 9

2.4 Class Timetables 10 2.4.1 Stage 1 Semester 2 10

2.5 Textbooks 11 2.5.1 Stage 1 Essential Reading 11

2.5.1.1 ELEK1101/ ELEK1201 Physical Computing 1 and 2 11 2.5.1.2 COMP1101 Computer Hardware & Security 1 11 2.5.1.3 ELEC1101 Electronics 11 2.5.1.4 DTEC1101 Digital Age Technology 1 11 2.5.1.5 NETW1101 Network Fundamentals 1 (CCNA1) 11 2.5.1.6 COMP1201 Web Development 1 11 2.5.1.7 COMM1201 Applied Data Networking 1 11 2.5.1.8 PROJ1201 Information Literacy Project 11 2.5.1.9 NETW1201 Routing Protocols and Concepts (CCNA2) 11

2.5.2 Stage 2 Essential Reading 12 2.5.2.1 MICR2101/ MICR2201 Microcontrollers and Electronics 1 and 2 12 2.5.2.2 PROJ2101 Project 12 2.5.2.3 NETW2101 LAN Switching & Wireless (CCNA3) 12 2.5.2.4 COMP2101 Operating Systems 12 2.5.2.5 SOFT2201 Problem Solving with C 12 2.5.2.6 NETW2201 WAN Technologies (CCNA4) 12 2.5.2.7 PRJM3602 Project Management 12

2.5.3 Stage 3 Essential Reading 12 2.5.3.1 COMP3101 Server-side Web Development 12 2.5.3.2 NETW3205 Network Management 12 2.5.3.3 BUS3101 Financial Management 12 2.5.3.4 NETW3201 Fundamentals of Network Security (CCNA Security) 12 2.5.3.5 NETW3203 Fundamentals of Wireless Technologies (CCNA Wireless) 12 2.5.3.6 NETW3202 Advanced IP Routing (CCNP Route) 12 2.5.3.7 SOFT3201 Programming for Networked Systems 12 2.5.3.8 MICR3201 Networked Embedded Systems 13

2.6 Examinations and Assessments 13 2.6.1 General Schedule of Examinations and Assessment 13 2.6.2 Module List and Weightings of Modules 13 2.6.3 Re-Checks and Appeals 15

2.7 Progression, Module Exemptions and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 15 2.8 CISCO Certification 16

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3 Programme Management 18

3.1 Programme Committee 18 3.2 Examination Board 18

3.2.1 Module Board 18 3.2.2 Progression and Award Board 18

3.3 Internal and External Examiners 18 3.4 Programme Quality Assurance and Enhancement Procedures 19

4 Guidance to Student 20

4.1 Planning study programme and study techniques 20 4.1.1 Time Management 20

4.2 Support for Individual Student Needs 21 4.2.1 Maths Learning Centre 21 4.2.2 Student Services Office 21 4.2.3 Disability Service 21 4.2.4 Counselling Service 22 4.2.5 Chaplaincy 22 4.2.6 International Student Office 22 4.2.7 Mature Student Support Office 22 4.2.8 Careers Service 22 4.2.9 Access Office 23 4.2.10 Health Service 23 4.2.11 Webcourses and e-Learning 23 4.2.12 Student’s Union 24 4.2.13 Cafeteria 24 4.2.14 Mentoring Programme 24 4.2.15 The Engzone (http://engzone.dit.ie/) 24 4.2.16 WAVES (Women A Voice in Engineering Society) 24 4.2.17 School Website and Network drives http://www.electronics.dit.ie/ 25 4.2.18 Industrial Work Placement 25

4.3 Safety Information and Regulations 25 4.3.1 Specific Safety Rules for Laboratories 25 4.3.2 Student Assessment Regulation 26 4.3.3 Regulation for Usage of Computer Facilities 26 4.3.4 Regulation for Usage of Library Facilities 27

4.4 Teaching Locations 27 4.4.1 Plan of the School 27 4.4.2 Laboratories 27

4.5 Relevant Student Clubs 28 4.5.1 Electronics Society 28

5 Appendices 29

5.1 Laboratory Assessment 29 5.2 Project Assessment 33

5.2.1 Marking Scheme 33 5.2.2 Project Weekly Report Card 35 5.2.3 Report Check List 37

5.3 Community Based Learning Documents 39 5.3.1 Guidelines for Student 39

5.4 Work Placement Documents 41

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5.4.1 Guidelines for Student 41 5.5 Academic Calendar 42

List of Tables and Figures

Figure 4-1 Plan of the School......................................................................................................................27

Table 2-1 List of lecturing staff, modules taught, contact details and areas of interest ................................6 Table 2-2 Stage 1, Semester 1 .......................................................................................................................7 Table 2-3 Stage 1, Semester 2 .......................................................................................................................7 Table 2-4 Stage 2, Semester 1 .......................................................................................................................8 Table 2-5 Stage 2, Semester 2 .......................................................................................................................8 Table 2-6 Stage 3, Semester 1 .......................................................................................................................9 Table 2-7 Stage 3, Semester 2 .......................................................................................................................9 Table 2-8 Stage 1, Semester 2 Timetable ....................................................................................................10 Table 2-9 Stage1, Semester 1 ......................................................................................................................13 Table 2-10 Stage 1, Semester 2 ...................................................................................................................14 Table 2-11 Stage 2, Semester 1 ...................................................................................................................14 Table 2-12 Stage 2, Semester 2 ...................................................................................................................14 Table 2-13 Stage 3, Semester 1 ...................................................................................................................14 Table 2-14 Stage 3, Semester 2 ...................................................................................................................15 Table 4-1 Laboratories in the School ..........................................................................................................28

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DT080 Student Handbook 1 of 43 February 2011

1 Introduction

1.1 Welcome Welcome to the School of Electronic and Communications Engineering at the D.I.T.

You are now starting to take a further step in a career in one of the most exciting and rapidly

changing industries in the world. During your time in the School we will prepare you for your

career by helping you to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for success. The School is

proud of its graduates, many of whom are leaders within industry, both in Ireland and abroad.

During your time in the School you will also develop new friendships with your fellow

students that will serve you well in your career and beyond.

The staff of the School welcomes you and wish you every success in your chosen programme

and career.

Prof. Gerald Farrell

Head of School

Welcome to the DT080 programme. As Programme Committee Chairperson I have

responsibility for coordinating the activities of the staff, ensuring that the programme aims

and objectives are realised and, monitoring the operation of the programme.

This handbook will provide you with most of the information which you might require this

year. I will be your main adviser during your period with us. So, if there is any additional

information you require please don’t hesitate to contact me at 4022893 or call to my office

(KE-4-030).

Lejla Rovcanin

Programme Committee Chairperson

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1.2 Introduction to the Institute

1.2.1 Introduction to the School

The School is located on the DIT campus at Kevin Street in Dublin and is one of the nine

Schools within the College of Engineering and Built Environment. The School consists of

three departments: Electronic Engineering, Communications Engineering and Computer

Engineering. The School currently has a total academic staff complement of 35, inclusive of

the Head of School and the Heads of Department. There are a further 10 technician support

staff and two administrative staff.

The School offers a variety of engineering programmes at higher certificate, ordinary degree,

honours degree and taught masters level. A number of part-time programmes are also

available. The School is active in research in areas such as Antennas, RF & Microwave,

Pervasive Computing, DSP, Liquid Crystals, Optical Communications and VLSI.

Opportunities for research at Masters, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral levels are available.

1.2.2 History of the School

The School of Electronic and Communications Engineering is the oldest school of electronic

engineering in Ireland, with the first programmes in wireless telegraphy inaugurated in 1911.

Other programmes in Radio Communications were established prior to 1918 and were

directed primarily at the requirements of Marine and Aircraft Radio Officers. In the late 1930s

professional and more broadly based programmes in Electronics and Radio Engineering were

established. These professional programmes prepared students for external examinations

conducted by the British Institution of Radio Engineers (Brit IRE), which was re-named the

Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers IERE) and finally merged in the 1980s with The

Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE). The Technician Programmes were mainly directed

towards qualifications of the City & Guilds of London Institute.

In the 1960s it was recognised that the existing City and Guilds programmes did not fully

meet the requirements of the developing electronics industry in Ireland and abroad. This

resulted in the decision of the Institute to confer its own Ordinary degree awards. The first

Ordinary degrees were awarded in 1971 and up until 1995 two technician ordinary degree

programmes were run. In 1995 both of these ordinary degrees were replaced by a new

ordinary degree, entitled the "Ordinary degree in Applied Electronics" (Programme DT287).

This programme was a three-year technician ordinary degree with options in electronic

engineering or communications engineering.

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In the 1980s there was an increasing demand for technicians who had followed a shorter

"systems approach" general electronics programme. In response to this demand a two-year

ab-initio programme commenced in 1985, entitled "Higher certificate in Electronic &

Computer Systems" (Programme reference DT089). In 2009, due to changing demands, this

was re-designed as a “Higher Certificate in Networking Technologies”. In 1996 a one-year

programme entitled "Ordinary degree in Electronic Systems" (Programme reference DT080)

was added to the suite of programmes operated by the School, intended for graduates of

programme DT089, or equivalent. In 1999 the School began to offer a four-year degree

programme in Computer Engineering (DT081), which is aimed at providing graduate

engineers for the computer and telecommunications industries. Finally in 2003 the School

began to offer for the first time a three-year ordinary degree in Electronic and

Communications Engineering (DT008). In 2006-2007 the School launched a new taught

masters programme in Electronic and Communications Engineering (DT086). In 2008,

DT089 was totally restructured and renamed into “Higher Certificate in Networking

Technologies.” In 2010-2011, DT080 was review and merged with DT089 into an ab initio

Bachelor of Technology in Networking Technologies.

This student handbook is prepared by DT080 Programme Committee for distribution

(electronically or in hard copy) among the students of the programme.

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2 Programme Details

2.1 Programme Timelines This section indicates the duration of the programme and minimum and maximum periods of

registration.

The programme is delivered over 3 stages. Minimum period of registration is 2 years.

Each academic year is divided into two semesters, with each Semester containing a number of

modules. Exact dates for the start of Semester I and Semester II and their associated exams

periods are contained in the DIT Academic Calendar, available on the DIT website

http://www.dit.ie/services/academic/calendar/. The calendar can be found in Section 5.5.

Currently, the first Semester starts in the third week of September with lectures finishing

before Christmas. Semester I continues with an exam period in January, starting in second

week of January. You will be informed of the outcome of the Semester I exams soon after the

exams are complete. Semester II starts in early February, continuing until May, with an exam

period in May. You will be informed of the outcome of the Semester II exams in mid-June.

2.2 Staff Listing This section contains the list of staff teaching on programme, the modules taught by each of

them and their areas of interest and contact details.

Name/email Module Room Phone extension

Areas of Interest

Dermot Clarke [email protected]

Network Fundamentals CCNA 1 Routing Protocols and Concepts CCNA 2 LAN Switching & Wireless CCNA 3 WAN Technologies CCNA 4 Computer Hardware & Security 1

KE-3-025 4799 PC hardware

CISCO and Ntworking

Niall Coakley [email protected]

Project KE-4-002 2895 Electronics

Ruth Coffey [email protected]

Problem Solving with C KE-4-027 4960 Software Development

Thomas Freir [email protected]

Applied Data Networking 1

KE-4-002 4659 Electronics and Telecomms

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Derek Gillmor [email protected]

Project KE-3-024 4793 Instrumentation and Test Systems

Tony Grennan [email protected]

Microcontrollers & Electronics 1 Microcontrollers & Electronics 2 Networked Embedded Systems

KE-4-002 4574 Microcontrollers and Embedded Systems

Joseph Kellegher [email protected]

Web Development 1 Server-Side Web Development Work Placement

KE-3-025 4801 Networking and Web Development

Paula Kelly [email protected]

Programming for Networked Systems

KE-4-002 2896 Software Development and Distributed Systems

Seán O'Fearghail [email protected]

Electronics Information Literacy Project Network Management

KE-4-027 4959 Electronics, Community Based Education

Martin O'Hanlon [email protected]

Operating Systems 1 KE-4-027 4962 Operating Systems and Software Development

Brendan O’Sullivan [email protected]

Project Management KE-4-015 4658 Entrepreneurship and Project Management

Yuri Panarin [email protected]

Projects KE-4-027 4963 Electronics

Barry Redmond [email protected]

Projects KE-4-030 2894 Software Development, Telecommunications

Lejla Rovcanin [email protected]

Web Development 1 Server-Side Web Development

KE-4-030 2893 Software and Web Development

Tom Scarff [email protected]

Physical Computing 1 Physical Computing 2

KE-3-024 4791 Electronics

Michael Tully [email protected]

Digital Age Technology 1 KE-3-024 4790 Electronics and Infinity Project

Richard Heywood Jones Richard.heywood.jones@

Financial Management A-3-049 7042 Economics

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dit.ie Marc Gallagher [email protected]

Business Management 1 Business Management 2

A-4-071 7054 Business Management

Eugene Lynch [email protected]

CCNA Security CISCO Option Module

KE-3-025 4081 Business and CISCO Education

Table 2-1 List of lecturing staff, modules taught, contact details and areas of interest

2.3 Programme Structure Each academic year is divided into two semesters. The duration of each semester is

determined by the current DIT Academic Calendar. The current version of the Academic

Calendar is provided in Section 5.5 of this handbook. The class contact time over the three

years is on average 21 hours per week. You will take a total of 28 modules. One Stage 3

module is an option, while the other modules are core modules. All modules are one semester

long except:

o the Project (Stage 2). For more details on Project assessment see Section 5.2,

o Project Management and Server Side Web Development (Stage 3, Semester 1) and

o Work Placement module that will be of 4 to 7 months of duration, as described in

DT080 Work Placement Document.

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2.3.1 Summary of Modules - Stage 1

Module Title Weekly Hours ECTS Assessment Module code Allocation Examination Format

Pre - requisite

Lecture Laboratory, tutorial

Continuous Exam Duration

(hours)

No of questions

ELEK1101 Physical Computing 1 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 COMP1101 Computer Hardware &

Security 1 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3

DTEC1101 Digital Age Technology 1 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 ELEC1101 Electronics 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 NETW1101 Network Fundamentals

(CCNA 1) 2 3 10 100%

Total in Semester 10 11 30 67% 33% Table 2-2 Stage 1, Semester 1


Pre - requisite

Lecture Laboratory, tutorial

Continuous Exam Duration (hour)

No of questions

COMP1201 Web Development 1 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 ELEK1201 Physical Computing 2 1 3 5 100% 2 3 out of 3 ELEK1101 COMM1201 Applied Data Networking 1 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 PROJ1201 Information Literacy Project 2 2 5 100% NETW1201 Routing Protocols and

Concepts (CCNA 2) 2 3 10 100% NETW1101

Total in Semester 9 12 30 83% 17% Total in Year 60 75% 25%

Table 2-3 Stage 1, Semester 2

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Pre - requisite

Lecture

Laboratory, tutorial


No of questions

SOFT2201 Problem Solving with C 1 3 5 70% 30% 2 3 out of 3 ELEC1201 MICR2101 Microcontrollers & Electronics

1 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3

PROJ2101 Project 4 See Sem 2 BUS2101 Business Management 1 2 2 5 100% NETW2101 LAN Switching & Wireless

(CCNA 3) 2 3 10 100%

Total in Semester 7 14 30 80% 20%



Pre - requisite

Lecture



No of questions

COMP2101 Operating Systems 1 2 2 5 80% 20% 1.5 2 out of 2 MICR2201 Microcontrollers &

Electronics 2 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 MICR2101

PROJ2101 Project 4 10 100% BUS2201 Business Management 2 2 2 5 100% BUS2101 NETW2201 WAN Technologies

(CCNA4) 2 3 10 100% NETW2101

Total in Semester 8 13 30 86% 14% Total in Year 60 83% 17%


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Pre - requisite

Lecture



No of questions

COMP3101 Server-side Web Development 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 COMP1201 PRJM3602 Project Management 2 2 5 100% WKPL3602 Work Placement 20 100% Total in Semester 4 4 30 92% 8%



Pre - requisite

Lecture



No of questions

NETW3201 CCNA Security 2 2 5 100% NETW2201 NETW3202 CCNP Route – option 2 2 5 100% NETW2201 NETW3203 CCNA Wireless – option 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 NETW2201 MICR3201 Networked Embedded Systems 1 4 5 100% MICR2201 SOFT3201 Programming for Networked

Systems 1 4 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 SOFT2201

NETW3205 Network Management 2 2 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 BUS3201 Financial Management 2 0 5 50% 50% 2 3 out of 3 Total in Semester 10 14 30 75% 25%1 Total in Year 60 83% 17% Total in Programme 180 80% 20%


1 The percentage is correct when NETW3202 Option is running

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2.4 Class Timetables Current timetables for each stage and semester are available on the notice board.

Timetables are also available online. Log on through your Internet Browser (Explorer, Opera,

Firefox, Chrome, etc), type in the following address:

http://webtimetables.dit.ie

Username: students

Password: timetables

A short Timetabling Guide is available at:

http://www.dit.ie/media/documents/registrations2010/Quickguide to viewing Student

Timetables.pdf

Sample timetable (current DT089/1 Semester 2 timetable) is provided below.

2.4.1 Stage 1 Semester 2 Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Table 2-8 Stage 1, Semester 2 Timetable

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2.5 Textbooks This section indicates recommended and reference textbooks.

2.5.1 Stage 1 Essential Reading

2.5.1.1 ELEK1101/ ELEK1201 Physical Computing 1 and 2 Noble, Joshua J., (2009) Programming interactivity: a designer's guide to processing,

Arduino, and open Frameworks, O'Reilly.

Banzi, Massimo, (2009) Getting started with Arduino, O'Reilly

Arduino homepage http://www.arduino.cc/

2.5.1.2 COMP1101 Computer Hardware & Security 1 “CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs”, 2nd Edition Mike Meyers,

McGraw-Hill, 2007

2.5.1.3 ELEC1101 Electronics John Bird, (2001) Electrical Circuit Theory and Technology, Newnes, Oxford, England

Peter H. Beards, (1991) Analogue and Digital Electronics (A First Course), Prentice Hall

2.5.1.4 DTEC1101 Digital Age Technology 1 Orsak, G.C., Wood, S., Douglas, S., C.,(2004). Engineering Our Digital Future. 1st Ed.,

Pearson Publications.

Wood, S. L., Christensen, M. P.,(2008) Laboratory Manual

2.5.1.5 NETW1101 Network Fundamentals 1 (CCNA1) Odom & Knott (2006) Networking Basics – CCNA 1 Companion Guide, Cisco Press

McReynolds (2007) Networking Basics – CCNA 1 Labs and Study Guide, Cisco Press

2.5.1.6 COMP1201 Web Development 1 Duckett, Jon (2009) Beginning HTML, XHTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Wrox Programmer to

Programmer

2.5.1.7 COMM1201 Applied Data Networking 1 Robert Shimonski, Richard Steiner, Sean Sheedy, (2006), Network Cabling Illuminated,

Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

2.5.1.8 PROJ1201 Information Literacy Project Andrew Northgate, Jeff Thomas, Andrew Lane, Alice Peasgood (2002) The Sciences Good

Study Guide, The Open University

2.5.1.9 NETW1201 Routing Protocols and Concepts (CCNA2) Odom & McDonald (2006) Routing Protocols and Concepts – CCNA 2 Companion Guide,

Cisco Press

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2.5.2.1 MICR2101/ MICR2201 Microcontrollers and Electronics 1 and 2 Katzen, S.J. (2008) The Quintessential PIC Microcontroller Springer Verlag

2.5.2.2 PROJ2101 Project Dependent on the technical content of the project. Details of the technical area are given to

the student by the project supervisor in question, who will also propose all essential and

supplemental reading material.

2.5.2.3 NETW2101 LAN Switching & Wireless (CCNA3) Lewis (2008) LAN Switching and Wireless – CCNA 3 Exploration Companion Guide, Cisco

Press

2.5.2.4 COMP2101 Operating Systems William Stallings (2009) Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles, 6/E, Prentice

Hall

2.5.2.5 SOFT2201 Problem Solving with C Delores M. Etter, (2005) Engineering Problem Solving with C, 3rd Ed, Prentice Hall

2.5.2.6 NETW2201 WAN Technologies (CCNA4) Reid (2006) WAN Technologies - CCNA 4 Companion Guide, Cisco Press

2.5.2.7 PRJM3602 Project Management Meredith, J. (2006) Project Management – A Managerial Approach (6th Ed.), Wiley


2.5.3.1 COMP3101 Server-side Web Development Robin Nixon, (2009) Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript, O'Reilly Media

2.5.3.2 NETW3205 Network Management Clemm, Alexander (2007) Network Management Fundamentals, Cisco Press

2.5.3.3 BUS3101 Financial Management C. Gowthorpe (2005) Business: Accounting and Finance for non Specialists, Thomson

2.5.3.4 NETW3201 Fundamentals of Network Security (CCNA Security) Watkins & Wallace (2008) CCNA Security, Cisco Press

2.5.3.5 NETW3203 Fundamentals of Wireless Technologies (CCNA Wireless) Carroll (2009) CCNA Wireless, Cisco Press

2.5.3.6 NETW3202 Advanced IP Routing (CCNP Route) Odam (2010) CCNP Route, Cisco Press

2.5.3.7 SOFT3201 Programming for Networked Systems Paul Deitel & Harvey M. Deitel (2009) C: How to Program (6th Edition), Prentice Hall

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2.5.3.8 MICR3201 Networked Embedded Systems E-learning tools in laboratory 423 from Matrixmultimedia (see link also)

http://www.matrixmultimedia.com/LearningCentre/index.php

RFID Solution Student Course Notes (from Matrixmultimedia)

ZIGBEE Solution Student Course Notes (from Matrixmultimedia)

2.6 Examinations and Assessments This section is based on General Assessment Regulations 2009 (June 2009, effective from

September 2009) and provides the general schedule of examinations and assessments, relative

weightings of modules, re-checks and appeals.

2.6.1 General Schedule of Examinations and Assessment

The final marks are based on both continuous assessment and final exam performance. The

programme is structured so that 82% of all module marks are obtained through continuous

assessment and 18% though written examination.

Continuous assessment is carried out in accordance with the School of Electronic and

Communications Engineering general laboratory assessment procedures as defined in the

latest version of the document Laboratory Assessment Procedures, see Section 5.1 of this

handbook.

These procedures are reviewed at the start of each academic year and are thus liable to change

during the lifetime of the programme. The students will be informed of such changes.

Written examinations are held at the end of each semester, in January and in May. Repeat

written examinations take place in August. Exact examination dates will be circulated by post

and published on the Exams notice board (opposite the main entrance to Kevin St building).

2.6.2 Module List and Weightings of Modules

Tables 2-1 to 2-6 list the modules of the programme and their weightings:

Code Title Links ECTS ELEK1101 Physical Computing 1 ELEK1201 5

COMP1101 Computer Hardware & Security 1 5

DTEC1101 Digital Age Technology 1 5

ELEC1101 Electronics 5

NETW1101 Network Fundamentals (CCNA 1) NETW1201 10

Table 2-9 Stage1, Semester 1

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Code Title Links ECTS COMP1201 Web Development 1 5

ELEK1201 Physical Computing 2 ELEK1101 5

COMM1201 Applied Data Networking 1 5

PROJ1201 Information Literacy Project 5

NETW1201 Routing Protocols and Concepts

(CCNA 2)

NETW1101 10


Code Title Links ECTS SOFT2201 Problem Solving with C COMP2101 5

MICR2101 Microcontrollers & Electronics 1 MICR2201 5

PROJ2101 Project (Continues in Semester

2)

BUS2101 Business Management 1 BUS2201 5

NETW2101 LAN Switching & Wireless (CCNA 3) NETW2201 10


Code Title Links ECTS COMP2101 Operating Systems 1 SOFT2201 5

MICR2201 Microcontrollers & Electronics 2 MICR2101 5

PROJ2101 Project (Continued from Semester 1) 10

BUS2201 Business Management 2 BUS2101 5

NETW2201 WAN Technologies (CCNA4) NETW2101 10


Code Title Links ECTS PRJM3602 Project Management 5

COMP3101 Server Side Web Development COMP1201 5

WKPL3602 Work Placement 20

Direct entry to Stage 3 students A number of modules selected from the list of option modules

20


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Code Title Links ECTS NETW3201 Fundamentals of Network Security (CCNA

Security) NETW2201 5

NETW3202 Advanced IP Routing (CCNP Route) – option NETW2201 5

NETW3203 Fundamentals of Wireless Technologies (CCNA Wireless) – option

NETW2201 5

MICR3201 Networked Embedded Systems MICR2201 5

SOFT3201 Programming for Networked Systems SOFT2201 5

NETW3205 Network Management 5

BUS3201 Financial Management 5


2.6.3 Re-Checks and Appeals

A candidate wishing to have an examination paper rechecked should make a formal request

(on form A/R 1) which should be returned together with the requisite fee to the Examinations

Office within three working days of the publication of provisional examination results.

A candidate who has discussed his/her examination script with an examiner or member of the

examination office may seek a re-mark of the examination paper by submitting form A/R 2

together with the requisite fee to the Examinations Office.

An appeal must be lodged with the relevant Faculty Administrator on the Appeals Form

(Form A/A 1) within seven working days of the publication of the provisional examination

results. The application must be accompanied by the appropriate fee which shall be refunded

if the appeal is successful.

The appeals process provides for appeal by a candidate against a decision of the Examination

Board on the grounds specified here:

1. that the Regulations of the Institute have not been properly implemented;

2. that circumstances exist which may not have been specifically covered by the

Regulations;

3. that there is new, attested, documented and relevant information, that was not made

available to the Examination Board for justifiable reason, and therefore not

considered.

These are the only grounds on which an appeal may be made.

2.7 Progression, Module Exemptions and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Progression from Semester 1 to Semester 2 in either Stage is automatic. Progression from

Stage 1 to Stage 2 normally requires the students to have successfully completed all Stage1

DT080


assessments. Similarly, progression from Stage 2 to stage 3 normally requires the students to

have successfully completed all Stage 2 assessments. The option of carrying modules is

regulated with the current version of DIT General Assessment Regulations.

For more details refer to the General Assessment Regulations (June 2009) available online at:

http://www.dit.ie/media/documents/academicregistrar/academicregistrar/studentassessmentre

gulations/gar_june09.doc

If you fail a Semester I exam, you are allowed to continue into Semester II. However you

must repeat any module exams failed in either Semester I or Semester II at the Supplemental

exam session, starting at the end of August each year.

If you fail to pass any exam at the Supplemental exam, you are not allowed to continue

into the next academic year.

2.8 CISCO Certification This section contains details on the recognition of the programme by appropriate professional

bodies.

The programme includes several modules from the Cisco Networking Academy. The Cisco

Networking Academy is a global education program that teaches students how to design,

build, troubleshoot, and secure computer networks for increased access to career and

economic opportunities in communities around the world. Networking Academy delivers a

comprehensive, 21st century learning experience to help students develop the foundational

ICT skills needed to design, build, and manage networks, along with career skills such as

problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. Cisco Networking Academy courses are

taught at more than 9000 academies in 165 countries worldwide. More than 900,000 students

world wide develop ICT skills through the program each year.

The modules are supported by an online learning system. Courses are supported by classroom

instruction, hands-on learning activities, and online assessments that provide personalized

feedback. Students complete hands-on learning activities and network simulations to develop

practical skills that will help them fill a growing need for networking professionals around the

world. All of our Cisco modules courses are taught by Cisco Certified Instructors.

This program will use modules mainly from the Cisco Certified Network Academy (CCNA)

Exploration curriculum. The CCNA Exploration curriculum provides an integrated and

comprehensive coverage of networking topics, from fundamentals to advanced applications

and services, while providing opportunities for hands-on practical experience and soft-skills

development. The curriculum teaches networking based on technology, covering networking

concepts using a top-down, theoretical, and integrated approach – from network applications

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to the network protocols and services provided to those applications by the lower layers of the

network.

CCNA Exploration is designed for students with advanced problem solving and analytical

skills. The curriculum offers a comprehensive and theoretical learning experience for

analytical students, and uses language that aligns well with engineering concepts. Interactive

activities are embedded in the curriculum, along with detailed, theoretical content. Advanced

labs build critical thinking and problem solving skills and encourage exploration and

research.

Students who successfully complete the Cisco modules will be entitled to Cisco Course

Completion Certificates which will make them eligible to take various Cisco professional

examinations which award the CCNA qualification, validated by CISCO Systems Inc. At

present the School of Electronic and Communications does not offer these professional

exams, however there are several exam centres in Dublin region.

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3 Programme Management

3.1 Programme Committee The programme control and organisation is in accordance with the latest version of the DIT

Handbook on Quality Enhancement. It is managed by a Programme Committee comprising:

a. Programme Committee Chairperson;

b. Head of the School of Electronic and Communications Engineering (or nominee);

c. Head of the Department of Computer Engineering;

d. Heads of the Departments of Communications and of Electronic Engineering, as ex

officio members;

e. appointed Year Co-ordinators;

f. representatives from each of the Schools, which service the programme;

g. other named coordinators (RPL, CBL, Project, Work placement);

h. student representatives from each stage of the programme.

The Programme Committee meets at least once per semester.

3.2 Examination Board The approval of marks and grades and the agreement of awards is the responsibility of the

appropriate Examination Board of the Institute.

The Institute has a two-tiered examination board structure consisting of the Module, and

Progression and Award Board

3.2.1 Module Board

The purpose of the Module Board is to review the marks awarded to each student whose

performance in the module has been assessed and to agree a final mark for each student. In

addition, in the case of a failure by a student to achieve a pass in any module, the Board will

agree and specify any re-assessment that might be required.

3.2.2 Progression and Award Board

The purpose of the Progression and Award Board is to review the overall performance of each

student and to make a decision on progression between the stages of the programme of study.

It is also the purpose of the Board to consider the performance of candidates for awards to

determine whether an award will be made and the classification of such an award.

3.3 Internal and External Examiners The role of internal and external examiners is defined by DIT General Assessment

Regulations.

Internal Examiners are members of Academic staff appointed by the Institute on the

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recommendation of the Head of School, and approved by the College Board. Internal

Examiners prepare and assess assessment materials as are required by the Institute for the

proper conduct of modules(s) assigned to them.

The programme has two external examiners – a representative from industry and a

representative from academia. Both examiners are presented with continuous assessment

assignments, exam questions, examination and project work and final results. Typically, the

external examiners will visit School in early Autumn, when the collected evidence is

reviewed over a day or two-day period. The external examiners also meet teaching staff and

student representatives and participate in student assessment and award.

Therefore the examination for each module is normally set and marked by the lecturer who

teaches that module on your programme. If there are two or more lecturers for a module, the

paper is jointly set and corrected by both lecturers. In the final year of the programme one or

more external examiners approve the questions set and reviews the marks awarded.

3.4 Programme Quality Assurance and Enhancement Procedures The programme quality assurance and enhancement procedures are defined by DIT Handbook

for Academic Quality Enhancement.

To provide regular academic quality assurance and enhancement of each programme, an

annual monitoring report (Q5) on the functioning of the programme in the previous academic

year is prepared by the Programme Committee based on the feedback from students, internal

and external examiners. Each module is evaluated through the completion of a Q6A (Student

Feedback) form by each student on that module. The lecturer responsible for that module then

summarises this feedback on the Q6B form, which is submitted to the Programme Committee.

As a part of the Q5 process, an action plan is drafted with the view to further improve the

learning process and environment.

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4 Guidance to Student

4.1 Planning Study and Study Techniques As a new student you may confront difficulties with third level education. There is, however,

a well-developed infrastructure for helping students within the Institute and it is important to

remember that you should never be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Good study skills will allow you to learn material thoroughly.

You should learn how to organise and plan your time. Start by working out how much time

you have and then plan a realistic schedule. Don’t leave practical work assignments to the last

minute, this is a recipe for disaster in college and will put you under a lot of unnecessary

pressure. Get assignments done early and out of the way.

If you come across material that you don’t understand, make a note of it and then ask your

lecturer / tutor to explain it to you. If you have difficulty concentrating when reading, get in

the habit of asking yourself questions about the text. If you can’t think of any, then turn the

headings into questions and this will help you to concentrate.

4.1.1 Time Management

Your success or failure in college largely depends upon how you use your time. Therefore

time management is an excellent skill to master. You should pay careful attention to the

following:

• Study notes soon after lectures as it aids retention

• When an assignment is long and seems overwhelming, divide it into smaller units that

you can work on immediately

• Plan your time into blocks – 50 minutes studying and 10 minutes break

• Study your difficult or most tedious topic when you are at your best

• Start jobs ahead of time. This avoids discovering that you cannot produce a 1500 word

report in three hours the evening before it is due

• Don’t jump from topic to topic or from subject to subject

• Make a list of things that need to be done and give some priority over others. Try to

achieve your high priority goals every week

For more information see:

http://studyskills.dit.ie/Survival Guide/Survival Guide/Home/Homepage.html.

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4.2 Support for Individual Student Needs This section lists School/College support and Institute-level support for individual student

needs, ie mature students, students with disabilities etc.

For more information wee the following link: http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/

4.2.1 Maths Learning Centre

The Students' Maths Learning Centre (SMLC) is an initiative to provide additional

mathematical support to DIT students from the Faculties of Science, Engineering and

Business. A maths learning centre is located within Kevin Street Library and provides 9

contact hours per week which can be availed by those experiencing difficulties with any

aspect of mathematics. The Students’ Maths Learning Centre (SMLC) aims to provide

mathematical support in a relaxed, non-judgemental environment. The service is available to

all students from the College of Engineering, Science and Business. First year students are

especially welcome. Support is given through one-to-one tuition offered on a drop-in basis.

Times and locations for drop-in sessions can be found by clicking on the relevant menu

option (http://www.maths.dit.ie/mlc/). There is no need to make an appointment in advance.

Additionally, there is an extensive online support system in operation, consisting of detailed

notes on various common areas of difficulty in mathematics, both on this website and on

Webcourses. For more information see:

http://www.maths.dit.ie/mlc/.

4.2.2 Student Services Office

The DIT Student Services Office is located at the Institute headquarters - 143-149 Lower

Rathmines Road. It administers a wide range of services in all of the DIT centres, including

Kevin Street, and oversees the distribution and expenditure of the Student Services Fund,

which is used to provide finance for welfare and medical services, clubs and societies, and the

Student's Union.

4.2.3 Disability Service

The Disability Services Office provides a range of support services to students with

disabilities at DIT. A disability liaison officer is available in every College. Learning Support

Tutors are made available to students with specific learning difficulties. A range of Assistive

Technology is available, including access to computers and specialised software for students

with visual impairments, dyslexia and other disabilities. Also, extra tutorials, and a Sign

Language Interpreters Loop system is available to hearing impaired students. Finally, access

to Faculty based Disability Advisors allows arrangements to be made to record lectures, allow

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alternative methods of note taking and to make special provision for exams. The nearest

Disability Liaison Office is located in Aungier Street building. For more information see:

http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/disability/.

4.2.4 Counselling Service

The DIT Student Counselling Service is available to all DIT students, full time, part time,

undergraduates, post-graduates and apprentices. There is a Counselling Office in each of the

main DIT Centres. In addition, telephone support is provided to distance learners. The service

provides free access to a team of eight counselling psychologists to confidentially discuss

personal concerns and academic difficulties. For more information see:

http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/counselling/.

4.2.5 Chaplaincy

The DIT Chaplaincy is an inter-faith ecumenical service. It is made up of men and women

from a number of religious traditions and offers spiritual support and guidance to all students

and staff of the DIT. For more information see: http://chaplaincy.dit.ie/.

4.2.6 International Student Office

The International Student Office provides information, advice and assistance to international

students from the time of their initial enquiry until they leave the Institute. The Office can

arrange placement with a host family for international students and can arrange collection at

the airport. In addition, the Office assists in the provision of Medical Insurance cards, and in

the drafting of letters for employers, applications for PPS numbers and visa applications. For

more information see:

http://dit.ie/study/internationaloffice/.

4.2.7 Mature Student Support Office

The DIT has one full-time member of staff dedicated to the particular needs of mature

students. The purpose of the Office is to act as a first point of contact for mature students,

defined as those over 23, as they adapt to the changes in their financial and personal

circumstances as a result of returning to education. For more information see:

http://www.dit.ie/study/mature/.

4.2.8 Careers Service

The careers service, based in DIT Aungier St., adjacent to the School, offers advice and

assistance to students staff and graduates in a range of areas, including changing programme,

career decision-making, job seeking, CVs, letters, applications, interview preparation and

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choosing postgraduate study options . They also provide interview and CV training to

placement and internship students of this School to help them prepare for interviews for their

work experience period For more information see: http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/careers/.

4.2.9 Access Office

The Access Office exists to promote third level education in disadvantaged second level

schools and to facilitate access to third level for students from socio-economically

disadvantaged backgrounds. It offers a programme of visits to schools, visits to DIT,

shadowing days, information sessions at parent's evenings, sponsorship of achievement

awards and introduction to college activities. It also operates the Higher Education Direct

Application Scheme (HEDAS) for disadvantaged students in second level schools. 75 access

students enter DIT each year under the programme, which delivers a range of supports to

access students including grants, a study skills programme, individual support, tutorials and a

peer mentoring programme.

4.2.10 Health Service

The DIT health service provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to health, providing

oncampus health care to students pursuing full time and apprenticeship courses. The service

incorporates physical, psychological and social aspects of student health and health

promotion. Health Services for Whole-time Students in the School of Electronics and

Communications Engineering are available at the Health Centre in DIT Aungier St., three

minutes walk from the School. The Health centre is staffed by Nurses and Doctors also attend

the Health Centres each day. If the Doctor advises consultation with a specialist physician or

medication is required, schemes are available to provide assistance with the cost. Assistance

with the cost of routine Dental and Ophthalmic treatment may be provided to needy students.

For more information see:

http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/studenthealthservice/.

4.2.11 Webcourses and e-Learning

Webcourses (Web Course Tools) is a VLE used by DIT to assist lecturers in making

programme materials available for students on the Internet. The package integrates

administration, content, assessment and other electronic resources in a single online learning

environment, and provides e-mail, discussion and bulletin boards to enhance student-to-

teacher and student-to-student communication. Students also have access to online study

skills & exam tips modules, and other common resources, all from within Webcourses.

Students can gain access to Webcourses from college or home. For more information see:

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www.webcourses.dit.ie.

4.2.12 Student’s Union

The DIT Student’s Union offer advice on Accommodation, Exam appeals and Grants

Schemes and financial assistance. The Student’s Union also acts as a first point of contact for

referral to other services and administers over 150 sports and social clubs throughout the DIT.

They also run a shop on the Ground floor in Kevin Street, selling snacks and stationary. For

more information see:

http://www.ditsu.ie/.

4.2.13 Cafeteria

A fully equipped canteen, located on the ground floor, serves the Kevin Street campus. The

canteen provides full hot meals at mid-day and evening times and snacks and beverages

during the day and evening. The cafeteria remains open throughout the year.

4.2.14 Mentoring Programme

The School runs a mentoring service for all first year students. Lecturers are assigned to

individual students during induction week and the lecturer keeps in contact during the year in

an attempt to address or even pre-empt any problems, which can arise during the initial stages

of the student’s academic career. If necessary, the student will be referred on to professional

support at Institute level.

4.2.15 The Engzone (http://engzone.dit.ie/)

The Engzone induction website http://engzone.dit.ie/ This is a comprehensive Faculty of

Engineering resource, developed by the staff of this School, providing information to first

year students when entering College for the first time. Induction week timetables, Programme

information, the Academic Calendar, DIT locations and transport information, tips on finance

and finding accommodation and campus life information are all available on the site. There

are links from the site to the Student's Union, Mature Students and International Student

Office.

4.2.16 WAVES (Women A Voice in Engineering Society)

The Engineering Faculty at DIT introduced the Role Model Day for schoolgirls in 2006 to

allow them meet female engineers and find out what a creative and exciting career

engineering has to offer. The event has run three times now with over 200 students attending

each year and has played a major role in helping female students decide to study at DIT.

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4.2.17 School Website and Network drives http://www.electronics.dit.ie/

The School has an extensive website which acts as a key repository of information for

students and staff. Programme information documents, a module catalogue, syllabi, School

news, information on research and career information are all available here. There is a staff

directory with links to individual staff member’s pages. On these, many of the staff have

made available electronic versions of notes, lab exercises and free software downloads,

allowing students to install design tools at home or on the student’s own laptop.

All students have access to a common internal network drive, offering an alternative, more

secure, delivery channel for notes and supporting material. In addition, they have the ability

to store information on their own personal drive on the School network.

4.2.18 Industrial Work Placement

A work placement period of four to seven months begins in the first semester of the third year

of the programme. Payment of the student for the placement is a matter of negotiation with

the industrial sponsor. The work placement programme is included to offer students the

opportunity to put their academic theory into practice and to reinforce the value of their

academic subjects. In addition, the experience contributes greatly to the development of

communications and interpersonal skills and gives the student ‘real world’ experience of

teamwork. Each placement student is allocated an academic supervisor, usually from the

School, and a work supervisor from within the company. For more information refer to

Section 5.4 Guidelines.

4.3 Safety Information and Regulations This section contains the information on laboratory safety, production of reports, regulations

for usage of computer facilities, library, other DIT facilities.

4.3.1 Specific Safety Rules for Laboratories

General Rules of Conduct in Laboratories can be found in Section 5.1 of this Handbook.

a. You must not damage or tamper with the equipment or leads.

b. You should inspect laboratory equipment for visible damage before using it. If there is a

problem with a piece of equipment report it to the technician or lecturer. DO NOT

return faulty equipment to a storage area

c. You should not work on circuits where the supply voltage exceeds 40 volts without very

specific approval from your lab supervisor. If you need to work on such circuits, you

should contact your supervisor for approval and instruction on how to do this safely

before commencing the work.

d. Always use an appropriate stand for holding your soldering iron.

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e. Turn off your soldering iron if it is unlikely to be used for more than 10 minutes.

f. Never leave a hot soldering iron unattended.

g. Never touch a soldering iron element or bit unless the iron has been disconnected from

the mains and has had adequate time to cool down.

h. Never strip insulation from a wire with your teeth or a knife, always use an appropriate

wire stripping tool.

i. Shield wire with your hands when cutting it with a pliers to prevent bits of wire flying

about the bench.

Safety Statement for the School is available at

http://electronics.dit.ie/documents/SafetyStatement2009.pdf.

4.3.2 Student Assessment Regulation

An integral part of the Institute's learning and teaching strategy is the learning outcomes

associated with programmes and programme modules. In this context the Institute has devised

compatible student assessment strategies and regulations. These regulations, together with the

relevant forms are available online at http://www.dit.ie/services/academicregistrar/student-

assessment-regulations/general/.

Assessment regulations specific to this Programme is provided in following sections of this

document:

5.1 Laboratory Assessment

5.2 Project Assessment

5.3 Community Based Learning Documents.

5.4 Work Placement

4.3.3 Regulation for Usage of Computer Facilities

DIT provides access to a large IT resource for its students comprising computing hardware

and software and network systems. Access to the Internet and World Wide Web is provided

through HEAnet, which is the national Education and Research Internet Service Provider

(ISP).

As a third level institute the DIT provides access to range of IT services and infrastructure in

an open environment. To sustain this environment however, a set of regulations and

guidelines are set out to which all students must adhere.

Any student found to be in breach of these regulations will be liable for the legal and

disciplinary consequences of that breach.

Student regulations governing the use of computer resources can be found online at

http://www.dit.ie/services/is/governance/regulations/studentregulations/.

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4.3.4 Regulation for Usage of Library Facilities

All registered students of DIT are entitled to use library services. All users must have a

current DIT identity card and are responsible for all material borrowed on that card. All

Library regulations are available online at http://www.dit.ie/library/a-z/regulations/.

4.4 Teaching Locations

4.4.1 Plan of the School

The School of Electronic and Communications Engineering is located on the fourth floor of

D.I.T. Kevin St. All of the teaching laboratories are located on the 4th floor. Most staff offices

are located on the fourth floor, but two staff offices are located on the third floor, while on the

fifth floor there is a further staff office and a research centre. The plan of the fourth floor is

shown in Figure 1 below

JUNE 2004 GF

LiftLift427429 428 426 425 424 423

410 411 412 413 414 415 418

CommunicationsEngineering Lab

ElectronicEngineering Lab

Electronics LabSatellite & Microwave

Lab

Microproc.Lab

Electricity & Circuits Lab

Research Lab

Lecture Theatre

408

409

Network Comms Lab

Computer Lab

Staff Office

407

Project Lab

406

XilinxComputer

Lab

405

Computer Lab

UnixComputer

Lab

403

Staff Room

402

Ind. ElectLab

401

439

Computer Lab

Project and Electr.

Lab

440441

School Office

Staff Office

Gents Toilets

Staff Room

439A

419

Blue Room

Headof

School

4N

Research Lab

StaffOffice

Work ShopNW

RM

Stores (Room 417)

Photocopy Room

415a 416

Staff Office

Staff Office

430

Figure 4-1 Plan of the School

4.4.2 Laboratories

The School has a wide range of laboratory facilities, many of which you will make use of

during your time in college. The room numbers of the laboratories and their functions are

shown in Table 4-1 Laboratories in the School below. The School stores are located in room 417.

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Room Function Room Function

401 Industrial Electronics and Research 415 Computer Lab: Microprocessor Systems

403 Computer Lab: Unix 418 Satellite Communications & Microwaves

405 Computer Lab: CAD & PCB design 423 Digital Electronics & Microprocessors

406 Computer Lab: Programming Xilinx 424 Electronic Engineering

407 Projects 425 Research Lab

410 Research Lab 429 Communications Engineering

411 Electricity and Circuits 439 Computer Lab: Simulation & Programming

412 Network Communications Lab 440 Project and Electronics

414 Intermediate Electronics

Table 4-1 Laboratories in the School

4.5 Relevant Student Clubs

4.5.1 Electronics Society

The Electronics Society was set up in 2009. The Electronics Society is a discipline based

society, a number of which exist in DIT (e.g. Nutrition Society and Physics Society). Like all

DIT societies it is run by a committee of its student members. As a School based Society it

has a member of Staff from its School as a 'Champion' who will assist and give direction. The

Society meets regularly (Laboratory available were students meet during gaps in their time

table) to work on various electronics projects. Past projects include a 'Laser Harp', 'remote

controlled vehicles', 'Solar powered sun tracker', and 'LED displays'.

The society also holds a number of “team bonding” events throughout the year (some of these

events take place during induction week) to engage students in engineering, such as an annual

engineering table quiz, field trips and expert talks. The events organised this and last year

were social, and got the students interested in Electronics involved.

See this link for more information on other DIT societies http://socs.dit.ie.

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5 Appendices

5.1 Laboratory Assessment

Student Laboratory Assessment for

all years and programmes except

first year of DT008 and DT089 and the final year of honours degree programmes

DT021/DT081 and the taught masters programme DT085/DT086.

NOTE: This document supersedes any previous documents on laboratory assessment issued by this school. 1. Defining Laboratory Assessment Laboratory assessment is an assessment that applies to practical activities undertaken or set during a defined timetabled period. Activities undertaken in business/communications studies and language modules are not covered by this document.

“Laboratory assessment” consists of an assessment of three distinct elements.

1. Your attendance at the laboratory is marked as either 0 (did not attend) or 1 (did attend) per laboratory session.

2. Your performance in the laboratory is marked as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. No fractional

marks are possible. Typically the following methods may be used to determine your performance in a laboratory session:

• You may be asked to maintain an individual laboratory log book that is

marked. You will normally write up your log book during the assigned laboratory period.

• You may be asked questions about the laboratory exercise by the laboratory instructor during the laboratory session.

• Your laboratory work, such as a constructed circuit or a piece of software, may be examined by the laboratory instructor.

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3. Your performance in one or more formal elements is marked as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 per formal element. No fractional marks are possible. Examples of a formal element might include:

• A report you are asked to write during or outside the assigned laboratory

period.

• A mini-project you are asked to do.

• An in-lab test that you are asked to undertake.

You are reminded that as attendance and laboratory performance are strictly assessed, missing laboratories will reduce your overall grade and that it is in your best interest to attend and participate fully in laboratory sessions.

The interpretation of the marks for laboratory performance and formal elements is shown in Table 1. Mark Laboratory Performance Formal element(s)

0 Did not perform assigned tasks in any Did not submit/attend a formal element or meaningful way during the laboratory presented/undertook a formal element of session. negligible merit.

1 Unacceptable standard Unacceptable standard

2 Acceptable (pass) standard Acceptable (pass) standard

3 Satisfactory standard Satisfactory standard

4 Very good standard Very good standard

5 Outstanding standard Outstanding standard

Table 1: Interpretation of Marking Grades

Note: In some cases a single laboratory activity may span several timetabled laboratory periods. In these cases your attendance is marked per period, while your performance may be assessed for the activity as a whole over several laboratory periods.

2. Calculating your total laboratory assessment mark for the year Your final module-end laboratory assessment grade is the weighted sum of the total marks achieved under the headings for Attendance, Laboratory Performance and the Formal

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Element(s) over the module.

The weightings of the marks for Attendance, Laboratory Performance and the Formal Elements(s) are shown in Table 2.

Category for Awarding % weighting Marks

Attendance 15%

Laboratory Performance 50%

Formal element(s) 35%

Table 2: Laboratory Marking Scheme.

3. Late submission Where assigned laboratory work is to be submitted by a given date you must submit the assigned work by that date. If you miss the assigned date your work will only be accepted one to seven days after the submission date has passed. However while this work will be marked the result will be halved. If marking results in a score of “1.5” it will be rounded down to “1”. Assigned work handed in eight days or more after the submission date will not be considered. Individual students can be granted an extension if they are sick and supply a medical certificate or if they can demonstrate some other valid reason. Appeals should be referred to the relevant Head of Department. 4. Plagiarism Plagiarism (i.e. copying coursework from other students or other sources) is not acceptable under any circumstances. Students found guilty of plagiarism may face serious disciplinary action from the college. Students suspected of plagiarism may be subjected to a viva voce examination at any time, as permitted by the general assessment regulations of the DIT. Any material which is taken from another source must be referenced with a footnote or endnote, which cites the publication, date and author. Any text which is quoted verbatim should be placed within quotes and referenced. It is totally unacceptable for a student to “lift” material from books, the web, the work of other students without due acknowledgement. Note: Working together on assignments is a useful learning exercise and may be encouraged by lecturers for certain kinds of work. The above comments regarding plagiarism is not intended in any way to discourage collaboration. However, where common assignments are graded individually, it is essential that any work handed up can be clearly identified as the student’s own effort.

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5. Laboratory Rules and Procedures 1. You are expected to arrive on time and not depart before the end of a laboratory. 2. You must not enter a lab unless you are timetabled for that lab and you have permission

from a technician or lecturer. 3. You must not stand on the stools or benches in the laboratory. 4. You must not place coats and bags on the benches in the laboratory. 5. You are expected to take note of any instructions, written or oral, that the laboratory

instructor gives you during the course of the laboratory session. 6. You must ensure that at the end of the laboratory session all equipment used in the

laboratory session is tidied away where you found it. You must put all rubbish such as wire, broken components and paper outside in the corridor bins.

7. You must not remove test equipment, test leads or power cables from any lab without permission.

8. You must not damage or tamper with the equipment or leads. If there is a problem with a piece of equipment report it to the technician or lecturer. DO NOT return faulty equipment to a storage area.

9. Eating, smoking and drinking in the laboratories, including the computer laboratories, are strictly forbidden. Anyone found eating, drinking or smoking in the laboratory may have the items in question confiscated, along with their student card.

10. The use of mobile phones during laboratory sessions is strictly forbidden. Anyone found using a phone during a laboratory session may have the phone confiscated and their student card taken.

11. The use of email or messaging software for personal communications during laboratory sessions is forbidden.

12. Playing computer games in laboratories is forbidden.

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5.2 Project Assessment

5.2.1 Marking Scheme

Marking Scheme: DT080 Projects (PROJ2101) are assessed on the following basis

Deadline Component Max possible mark

6 weeks into Semester 1(10%)

Initial Report 10%

Attendance 7%

Performance and Achievement (Report Card Based)

8%

Interim Report 8%

End of Semester 1 (30%)

Interview 7%

Attendance 3%

Performance and Achievement (Report Card Based)

20%

Final Report 17%

End of Semester 2 (60%)

Project Presentation and Interview 20%

At the start of the project each project team member will be provided with a document

detailing the management of the project, the format and structure of the Initial, Interim and

Final Reports, and the project timescales.

Initial Report

The Initial Report is produced 6 weeks after the start of the semester. It is suggested that it

should contain;

a. a general description of the technical elements of the project in so far as they are known

at this stage

b. an overall work plan for the project, consisting of a list of the work elements with

approximate dates for their completion.

c. identification of background material that has already been studied or is known

d. identification of areas where further study is required

e. sources of information to progress the project

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Interim Report

The Interim Report will detail achievements to date. It will be similar in structure to the Final

Report (but less detailed) and will provide the baseline for continued work in Semester 2 and

will serve as a first draft of the Final Report.

Final Report

The final report must be a properly structured engineering project report. It must be

sufficiently detailed to permit another person to reproduce all of the work of the project.

Interview (End Semester 1)

This will be a formal interview conducted by a project supervisor not involved with the

project, or by the Year Co-ordinator, or by the Programme Chairman, in the presence of the

project supervisor. It aims to assess the student’s level of application to the project, progress

and understanding of the technical area of the project. It will also provide formative

assessment to the student and may if appropriate suggest new avenues into which to develop

the project.

Project Presentation and Interview (End Semester 2)

The students give a formal presentation of their work and result to their project supervisor

and to one examiner selected from the list of DT080 Project supervisors, Year Co-ordinator

and Programme Chairman. The interview component is intended to provide clarification of

the technical details of the work and to enable the examiner to determine the student’s depth

of understanding of the project work. Each student in a multi student project is interviewed

separately.

Performance and Achievement

This is based on :

a. a written report card which is completed by the project supervisor at the end of each

weekly meeting with the student

b. the log book which the student maintains, in which all completed work which has been

recorded.

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5.2.2 Project Weekly Report Card

DT080 YEAR 2 SESSION 2010/2011

PROJECT WEEKLY REPORT CARD Day Time STUDENT NAME…………………………………………………. PROJECT SUPERVISOR………………………………………….

Week Logbook Comment on Progress Sept 23th Sept 30 Oct 7th Oct 14th Oct 21st Oct 28th Nov 4th Nov 11th Nov 18th Nov 25th Dec 2nd Dec 16th Jan 27th

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Week Logbook Comment on Progress Feb 3rd Feb 10th Feb 17th Feb 24th Mar 3rd Mar 10th Mar 24th Mar 31st Apr 7th Apr 14th

Additional Notes:

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5.2.3 Report Check List

Project Report Check List

This is a Report Check List. Before you submit a report you should check it against the contents of each of these boxes. Examples: If your report has a front page put a tick in the box against “Front Page”. If the front page contains the project title then put a tick against “Project Title”. If you have used the same font all the way through the report for normal text then put a tick against Format – Consistency – Font –Normal When can put a tick against each of the items in the list below (or mark the items that do not apply to you) then you should submit the report. Even better, get a fellow student to check your report against this list. Attach the completed check list your report. This means that your report will look well and read well, at least.

Item Check Front Page

Project Title Student Name Date Programme title Module title and code

Format Page Header : Title Programme Page Footer : Page number Date Version Headings: Heading 1 Heading 2 Heading 3 Consistency : Font : Normal (10/11 point)

Headings Code Bullet Points Numbering Line Spacing

Item Check Positioning of labels.

Referencing Table of Contents Figure Numbering Graph Numbering Table Numbering Captions

Tables Column Heading Units Labels

Graphs x-axis label x-axis units y-axis label y-axis units Grid Lines Data Points Highlighted Trendline Line Connecting Points

Figures

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Item Check Labelling of important points

Clarity

Equations Numbered sequentially Indented Brief verbal description

References All sources referenced All quotations in quotation marks and referenced

Numbering of references Format: Author Title Edition Publisher Year Long quotations paraphrased

Long quotations précised No long runs of embedded text

Structure Abstract Introduction Procedure Results Discussion Conclusion References Appendices

Grammar Grammar has been checked

Punctuation has been checked

Correct tenses

Item Check Correct punctuation (full stop, comma, colon, semi-colon, brackets)

Language No Colloquialisms All abbreviations explained

Short, clear sentences, with no more than 1 or 2 sub clauses.

No sentence fragments New paragraph for each new idea

Spelling has been checked No use of first person (I, me, etc.)

Finally Report has been read over Report has been proof read Suggestions for improvement have been included

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5.3 Community Based Learning Documents

5.3.1 Guidelines for Students

COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS

What is Students Learning With Communities? • It’s also known as community-based learning, or service-learning. • Students studying a particular course work on projects with community groups and organisations, using their subject skills to benefit these groups. Their work will be assessed and marked as part of their coursework. • Lecturers work with community partners to design real-life projects to meet the needs of students and those of the community. • The community becomes part of the teaching process and benefits from students’ work and subject knowledge. • Learning comes alive for students as they work with real clients. Lecturers guide them in reflecting on the experience as part of their professional development. What are the benefits to a community group? • Students will work on a project which community members have been involved in designing with their lecturer, to benefit the community. • Students bring their developing subject knowledge and specialized skills to the project, as well as their commitment, energy and enthusiasm. • The project should be designed to have real, practical outcomes which will directly benefit the community, and if it runs over several years the benefits can accumulate as the project develops. • The community has an opportunity to influence the development of the professionals of tomorrow, by helping to give students a better understanding of their future clients and end-users, and by educating students as to the community’s particular needs and strengths. • The community has an opportunity to influence the direction of teaching and research in DIT by building a long-term relationship with the college. What are the challenges for a community group? • The work is being done by students, not qualified professionals, so they are still in the process of learning. Any project that has serious potential consequences (e.g. projects focusing on financial affairs or budgeting, projects with health and safety implications, or projects involving legal matters) need input from a qualified professional before the ideas are put into action. • The scope of the projects are unavoidably limited by the college timetable (2 thirteen week semesters running from mid-September to December and February to mid-May), and this may be a challenge to getting the project finished – projects need to be designed with this constraint in mind. • The projects have to match the skill level of the students – e.g. postgraduate students will have more detailed subject knowledge and more developed skills than first or second year undergraduates. Often students in the earlier years have a huge amount of enthusiasm, and are under less pressure with their general workload, however, and this can make up for any shortage of knowledge or skills.

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What should you expect as a student? • You should have an input into the design of the project, and its outcomes, involving reasonably regular contact with the lecturer/s at the planning stage. The lecturer is limited by the DIT publicized description of what the students should learn on this course, which can’t be altered without a formal procedure at the end of the academic year, so you will have to negotiate a project that meets your course needs as well as your learning needs. • You should agree with the lecturer and community group when you are to start, and how best to be introduced the community members and to any information or resources which you will need for the project. • You should also agree with your lecturer when and where you should have contact with the community during the project. • If you encounter any serious problems in any interaction with the community, you should contact your lecturer and expect a reasonably prompt response. • You should be involved with your lecturer in arranging how and when you will present the results of your project to the community. • You will be given clear guidelines on how to engage in the assessment process of your project. • You will be asked to participate in a short evaluation of the project at the end. • Depending on the nature of the project, there may be discussion of how best to proceed and develop the project for the following year. • If you have any ideas for other projects involving students in other areas, you should contact your lecturer or the staff on the Programme for Students Learning With Communities. They can be contacted on 4027616, or on [email protected]

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5.4 Work Placement Guidelines For the duration of the placement, the student is an employee of the company and is

expected to conform to all rules and regulations of that company, in particular codes of

timekeeping, advance notice of holidays and holiday allowance and dress code. The

student must comply with all professional and ethical requirements regarding

confidentiality, security and copyright.

After an initial familiarisation period the student will be expected to perform all assigned

duties as a normal employee. The companies' Health and Safety regulations must be

adhered to.

It is of prime importance that the student uses their initiative to gain the widest possible

experience of the working environment including the organisation context, customer and

users, procedure of meetings, project management procedures and resource constraints and

social activities.

The student must remember that their placement company will become an important

source of a personal reference for their future employers and they should make every effort

to perform to the best of their ability during their placement.

The student is representing the Institute and programme and should make every effort to

promote these to the placement company who will be seen as a future employer and

provider of placements.

Within one week of starting work, the student will complete the Work Placement Contact

Form, have it signed by their Industrial Supervisor and forward it to the Work Placement

Coordinator.

The student will compile a weekly log summarising their work and experience and send it

to their Work Placement Academic Supervisor. These logs should be copied to their

Industrial Supervisor for authentication who will then forward them to the Work

Placement Academic Supervisor.

The Work Placement Contact Form and the authenticated weekly logs and monthly

learning reports may be emailed to the Work Placement Academic Supervisor by the

Industrial Supervisor and this will be considered a signed document.

The student is to submit a copy of the Work Placement Report to their Industrial

Supervisor before the end of the placement. The Industrial Supervisor will submit a short

appraisal of the report to the Work Placement Academic Supervisor.

For more details, please refer to DT080 Work Placement document.

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5.5 Academic Calendar Current version of the academic calendar is available online at

http://www.dit.ie/services/academic/calendar/

DIT Academic Calendar – Session 2010/2011 The total Academic Year will be divided into two Semesters of 15 weeks in which student

learning and assessment will take place

SEMESTER 1 September 2010

01/09/10

Weeks

13/09/10 20/09/10 1

27/09/10 2 October 04/10/10 3 11/10/10 4 18/10/10 5 25/10/10 6 November 01/11/10 7 08/11/10 8 15/11/10 9 22/11/10 10 29/11/10 11 December 06/12/10 12

13/12/10 13 20/12/10 Christmas 27/12/10 Christmas January 2011

03/01/11 Christmas

Session commences 1st Years commence including Orientation, Induction Teaching commences for 2nd & subsequent years 15 Weeks to Include: 12 Lecture Weeks plus 1 Review Week plus Assessment Review Week (unless otherwise arranged) Review week to be used either for revision, reading, field visits, lectures, interim tests, formative assessment feedback etc. To be applied in Week 6 except where otherwise arranged.

10/01/11 14 Exams commence & marking commences

17/01/11 15 24/01/11 Module Boards: Student feedback and

Appeals. Choice of Options & Electives for 2nd Semester.

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SEMESTER 2 January

31/01/11 1

February 07/02/11 2 14/02/11 3 21/02/11 4 28/02/11 5 March 07/03/11 6 14/03/11 7 21/03/11 8 28/03/11 9 April 04/04/11 10 11/04/11 11 18/04/11 Easter 25/04/11 Easter May 02/05/11 12 09/05/11 13

16/05/11 14 23/05/11 15

Semester 2 Teaching commences 15 Weeks to Include: 12 Lecture Weeks plus 1 Review Week plus Assessment Review Week (unless otherwise arranged) Review week to be used either for revision, reading, field visits, lectures, interim tests, formative assessment feedback etc. To be applied in Week 7 except where otherwise arranged. Exams commence & marking commences Exams

30/05/11 Exams June 06/06/11 Module Boards and Programme Boards 13/06/11 Student Feedback and Appeals 20/06/11

DATES FOR APPRENTICESHIP AND FAILTE EIREANN PROGRAMMES DIFFER FROM THE ABOVE. DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RELEVANT SCHOOLS

DT080 Student Handbook

Documents

Transcript of DT080 Student Handbook