TRUST ACADEMY
In collaboration with
MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
DIPLOMA IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS
(DTEL)
===============================================================
DIPLOMA IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS (DTEL)
PROGRAMME REGULATIONS COURSE STRUCTURE AND
SYNOPSIS
1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMME REGULATIONS, COURSE STRUCTURE
AND SYNOPSIS
DTEL PROGRAMME REGULATIONS
1.0
PREAMBLE
1.1 Candidates wishing to study for a Diploma in Telecommunications at Trust Academy are
advised to read the Trust Academy regulations.
1.2 The programme shall address introductory theoretical, applied and practical aspects of
telecommunications. The theory is treated as a tool to support sound practical aspects of
telecommunications rather than as an end in itself. This diploma shall be the basis for the
progression to the degree programme or the worthwhile careers in industry, commerce and
telecommunications.
2.0
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
The objective of this programme is
i. to educate students to become Telecommunications practitioners and this refers to:
Telecommunications Technicians, Signal processing Technicians, Network Technicians,
Mobile communication system Technicians and Satellite Communication Technicians
among others
ii. to have the ability to provide and work out Telecommunications solutions.
iii. to equip them with necessary technical, analytical and communication knowledge as
well as skills required by the Telecommunications industry.
iv.
To develop a deep appreciation and respect for the crucial role played by the
Telecommunications industry in our economy
v. To use case analysis approach and research work to instill developmental thinking.
CAREER PROSPECTS FOR THE DMIS GRADUATES
-
Telecommunications technicians
Signal processing technicians
Network technicians
Mobile communication system technicians
Satellite communication technicians
Help Desk Officers
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3.0
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS:
3.1
Normal entry
In order to qualify for acceptance to the Diploma in Telecommunications, the
candidate must have obtained the following qualifications:
Certificate: 5 O level passes including English Language, Mathematics and
Science (Integrated or Physical) to be enrolled for Diploma in
Telecommunications (DTEL)
3.2
Special Entry
The following persons may apply for special entry and for permission to proceed
studying DTEL qualifications at any level with exemptions from the whole or part
of the normal entry requirements.
a) A person who has obtained from a University, College or any Learning
Institution of similar status, academic qualifications acceptable to MSU
Senate.
b) Mature Entry: 5 O level passes and a person who has attained 25 years of
age for males and 23 years of age for females and has proven work
experience of at least 2 years in Telecommunications related field of work.
4.0
GENERAL PROVISIONS
4.1
Trust Academy shall offer tuition in collaboration with the Midlands State University in
the Diploma in Telecommunications.
Examinations shall be written and published at the end of each semester
The Midlands State University Faculty of Science and Technology Board of Studies shall
publish examinations results upon satisfaction from the work submitted by the
candidates.
4.2
4.3
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5.0
Key
DIPLOMA STRUCTURE
Core module *
LEVEL ONE - SEMESTER I
PMIS111
Introduction to the use of Computers
PMIS116
Business Communication Skills
DTEL111
Electronic communication systems*
DTEL112
Electricity and Magnetism*
DTEL113
Linear Mathematics*
LEVEL ONE - SEMESTER 2
DTEL114
Digital Signal Processes*
DTEL115
Electric Circuits*
PMIS114
Introduction to Computer Programming (C)*
DTEL116
Calculus*
DTEL117
Data Communication and Computer Networks*
LEVEL TWO - SEMESTER 1
DTEL211
Electronics*
DTEL212
Ordinary differential equations*
DMIS316
Computer Architecture
DTEL213
Digital Logic Design*
DTEL214
Antenna engineering*
LEVEL TWO - SEMESTER 2
DTEL215
Work Related Learning Student Report*
DTEL216
Work Related Learning Academic Supervision Report*
DTEL217
Work Related Learning Employer’s Report*
LEVEL THREE - SEMESTER 1
CMIS212
Systems Analysis and Design
DTEL311
IT Governance
DTEL312
Microwave and Satellite*
DTEL313
Operating Systems*
DTEL314
Micro Computer Technology*
LEVEL THREE - SEMESTER 2
DTEL315
Wireless and radio communication*
DTEL316
Microprocessors
DTEL317
Fibre Optic Technology*
DNEP312
Routing and Switching*
DTEL318
Project*
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6.0
ASSESSMENT
6.1
The assessment of a practical subject shall be based on either written reports submitted
during the semester or according to a schedule laid down by the Faculty of Science and
Technology Regulations.
The assessment of a project module shall be based on either written reports or a project
submitted at a date determined by Trust Academy.
The assessment of a practical-theory subject shall be based on a formal theory
examination.
All other subjects shall be assessed by continuous assessment and formal theory
examinations.
Each formal examination shall normally be held during an examination period at the end
of a semester, in which the subject is completed.
The formal theory examination for a subject shall normally be of three hours duration.
A practical theory subject shall contain a practical component in the continuous
assessment. The continuous assessment may be entirely practical or contain theory and
practical components.
For each subject that contains a theory and a practical component Trust Academy shall
determine for each student a theory continuous assessment mark, a practical continuous
assessment mark, a formal examination mark, a formal practical examination mark and a
final mark for the subject.
Students(s) maybe allowed repeating failed subjects valid for a period of three (3)
consecutive semesters ONLY, thereafter the student(s) maybe required to repeat the
entire level.
The final mark will be calculated as follows:
Theory subjects: Final Mark = [(70% Examination Mark) + (30% Continuous
Assessment)]
Projects/ Research: [Final Mark = (60% System Presentation) + (40% Documented
report)]
The following marking scheme shall be used for all the modules.
80% - 100%
Distinction
79% - 60%
Credit
50% - 59%
Pass
40%- 49%
Fail (Supplementable)
39% and below
Fail
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10


6.11
6.12
6.13
6.14
PROVISIONS FOR PROGRESSION
In order to proceed from level 1 to level 2 a student must have passed all the core
modules
To proceed from level 2 to level 3 the student must have passed all the core modules at
level 2
To graduate, a student must have satisfied the provisions of progression at each level as
well as passed all the modules.
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7.0
NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
Examinations results slips shall be published in accordance with the provisions of the General
regulations of the Midlands State University.
8.0
EXEMPTION POLICY
8.1
Student(s) may apply for exemptions before registration up to the end of
the first calendar month of receiving tuition. Exemption application fees
are non refundable in all cases.
8.2
Student(s) maybe exempted from studying subjects that have been passed
in programmes similar or equivalent to those on offer. However, the
student has to apply for a credit transfer. In his/ her application, the
following should be attached:
 A transcript of the subjects to be credit transferred.
 A synopsis of the subjects from the university/ college where the
subjects was studied.
 A support letter/ document from the registrar’s office of the institution
where the credits were attained.
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9.0
MODULE SYNOPSIS
PMIS111
Introduction to the Use of Computers
Information Literacy/Hardware, Software, Networks, ICT in everyday life, Environment
,Use/managing files(Operating system, File management system, Utilities, Print management),
Word processing (Document creation, Formatting Objects, Mail merge, Prepare outputs),
Spreadsheets(Managing worksheets, Formulas and functions, Formatting, Charts, Prepare
outputs), Databases (Understanding databases, Tables, reports, queries, Retrieving information,
Objects, Outputs).
PMIS116
Business Communication Skills
Definition of communication, Communication barriers – overloading, underloading of messages,
solutions to problems of overloading and underloading. Non-verbal communication – kinetics,
proximics, time, territoriality, facial expression and paralanguage. Organisational
communication – flow of communication/messages in an organization. Small group
communication – roles, leadership, conflict in groups. Oral communication, Meetings – Notice
of meeting, agenda and minutes. Graphic communication, Written communication –
memoranda, notices, business letters, press releases, reports, circulars and instructions.
Communication process – medium, encoding, channel, distortion, decoding, sender, receivers
and noise.
DTEL111
Electronic communication systems
Digital communication: Shannon theory, modulation techniques for digital transmission, pulse
modulation techniques. Data communications: operation and application of data communication
circuits, data communication codes, error control, hardware structure of data communication
protocols, mobile system protocols, synchronous and asynchronous protocols, public data
networks, Local Area Networks. Multiplexing: Time Division Multiplexing, Frequency division
multiplexing. Microwave communication: Frequency Modulation microwave radio systems and
repeaters, protection switching, characteristics of microwave communication systems, system
gain. Satelite communication: orbital and geostationary satellites look angels, radiation pattern
for satellite transmission, satellite system parameters. Optical fibre communication: optical fibre
communication system, electromagnetic spectrum for optical fibre communication. Cellular
radio systems: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) architecture, GSM interfaces
both terrestrial and air, GSM mobile subscriber management.
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DTEL112
Electricity and Magnetism
Electrostatics and electric fields: electric charge, electric displacement, electric potential, Gauss’s
law, distribution of charge, capacitance. Steady electric currents: Ohms law, Kirchoff’s law,
resistance measurements, bridges and potentiometers, electrolysis. The magnetic field: magnetic
force on a moving charge, Lorentz force law, circulating charge and cyclotron, magnetic
induction, Ampere’s Biot-Savart laws, charging and discharging RC circuits, Hall effect.
ectromagnetic induction: faraday’s and Lenz’s laws, self and mutual inductance, energy.
DTEL113 Linear Mathematics
Complex numbers: geometric representation, algebra. De Moivres theorem polynomials and
roots of polynomial equations. Matrices and determinants: algebra of matrices, inverses,
definition and manipulation of determinants, solutions of simultaneous linear equations,
applications to geometry and vectors. Differential equations: separable, homogeneous, exact,
integrating factors, linear equation with constant coefficients.
DTEL114 Digital Signal Processing
Continuous time signals: nature of signals, impulse, finite width and discrete sampling. Digital
signal processing: linear systems, superposition, discrete fourier transform, introduction ztransform, signal conditioning, digital filters. Statistics, probability and noise detection.
Spectrum energy and power density function Analog and digital filters. Control: Laplace and ztransforms, recursive systems.
DTEL115 Electric Circuits
Circuit theory: Kirchff’s law, loop theorem, currents in a multi loop circuits, junction theorem,
Thevenin Theorem, Norton Theorem, Maximum power theorem, AC circuit theory: Impedance,
reactance, phase diagrams, use of complex numbers in circuit theory, resonance, power factor,
half power points, AC bridges, resistance, capacitance and inductance measurements,
transformer. Three phase power systems: phase diagrams, star and delta connections,
transformers, motors, generators.
PMIS114
Introduction to Computer Programming (C)
Fundamental concepts of C programming language and basic principles and tools required to
develop programs. Sequence of topics provides a straightforward and disciplined way of
developing programs which promote good programming habits. Outlining basic structure of a C
program, data types and data representation and storage. Mastering of C keywords, operators and
programming constructs. Creating advanced storage methods (such as arrays and structures).
DTEL116
Calculus
Number systems: Natural, integral, rational and irrational. The principle of mathematical
induction. The real number system: decimal and geometrical representation, inequalities and
their solution sets. Functions: exponential, logarithmic, circular and hyperbolic and their
inverses. Limits of functions. Continuity. Sequences: convergence of a series as convergence of
the sequence of partial sums. Differentiation: Derivatives of functions of a single variable.
Integration: The definite integral, the indefinite integral or anti-derivative, practical techniques of
integration, method of substitution, integration by parts and reduction formulae, fundamental
theorem of calculus.
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DTEL117
Data Communication and Computer Networks
Introduction to computer-based communications and networks: underlying concepts, basic
hardware components and operating systems, network architectures, topology and protocols,
layers, data integrity and security, transmission, switching, message routing, broadcast, remote
access, network management.
DTEL211
Electronics
Electronic devices: Semiconductor diodes, transistors, FET, UJT, BJT, MOSFETs, Rectifier
circuits, power supplies, Half and full wave rectifiers, filter circuits, series and shunt voltage
regulators, Amplifiers, Transistor biasing, stability factors. Dinary, Octal, Hexa decimal and
binary numbers: Associate codes; Binary: Binary addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division.
DTEL212 Ordinary Differential Equations
Basic techniques for solution of first and second order differential equations. Method of
undetermined coefficients and method of variation of parameters. Existence and Uniqueness of
solutions. Series solution. Differential equations of special functions. Laplace transforms to the
solution of (Ordinary Differential Equations) ODEs.
DMIS316 Computer Architecture
Number arithmetic. Components of a microcomputer based system. Peripheral devices (input,
output, memory). Logic devices (gates types and truth tables). Logical devices (flip-flops; types
and truth tables (SR, D, JK)), application / use of flip-flops. The microprocessor unit: 8086/88
(architecture, registers, flags, machine cycles/states). 8086/88 assembly programming
(instruction set, data transfer, rotate/shift, arithmetic operations, logic operations, BIT
operations). Memory devices (SRAM, DRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, cache
memory, volatile, non-volatile).
DTEL213 Digital Logic Design
Number systems and codes, Boolean Algebra. Karnaugh maps. Combination Logic Design.
Sequential Logic Design. Single Bit memory elements. Circuits.
DTEL214 Antenna Engineering
Fundamentals of antennas, arrays and mobile communications. Antenna types and design
methods: dipoles, monopoles, loop antennas, small antennas, micro-strip antennas, slot antennas.
Frequency independent antennas, horn and reflector antennas, earth station antennas. Antenna
instrumentation and measurements. Direction finding antennas and systems.
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CMIS212
Systems Analysis and Design
Introduction to systems analysis (Problem identification/ preliminary survey). Main functions of
the systems analyst (and roles played by the analyst). Feasibility study (economic, social,
technical, operational, Contents of the feasibility study report). Investigation and fact finding
(interviews, questionnaire, observation, record inspection). Systems analysis (DFDs, ERDs,
decision trees and tables, prototyping). Systems design (logical and physical design).
Implementation (system testing, changeover methods- direct, phased, parallel, pilot).
Maintenance and review.
DTEL311 IT Governance
IT investment decisions, procurement & implementation of new assets, value services delivery,
risk assessment and performance measurement and aligning IT with business. IT auditing to
ensure fiduciary, compliance and security. IT Policy formulation. IT frameworks: e.g. CobiT,
ITIL.
DTEL312 Microwave & Satellite Communication
Intro to Radio Frequency and micro wave wireless systems, frequency spectrums, wireless
applications. Review of waves and microwave transmission lines: wave propagation, standing
wave ratio, waveguides, coaxial lines, transmitter and receiver architectures. Transmitter &
oscillator systems: frequency tuning, inter-modulation, frequency synthesizers, crystal reference
& phase-locked oscillators. Telecommunications testing tools, e.g. protocol analysers, spectrum
analysers, Telecommunications operations and maintenance; preventive and corrective
maintenance.
DTEL313 Operating Systems*
Operating systems evolution and functions. Process management, system management file
system, UNIX, Windows, Linux operating systems.
DTEL314 Micro Computer Technology
Operating systems Memory management. Programming languages and techniques Application
software. Software systems security and maintenance.
DTEL315 Wireless and Radio Communication
Wireless radio systems, free space communication, modulation. Spectrum usage: analogue
cellular, personal communication services (PCS), universal mobile telephone systems
(UMTS).Radio channels, and access techniques for radio-based systems. Cellular
communications: base station, switching offices (signaling system7 (SS7), frequency reuse plans,
cell patterns. Global System for mobile (GSM): architecture, concepts & services, traffic channel
capacities. Wireless data communication: WAP, SMS, GPRS, EDGE, 3G.
DTEL316 Microprocessors
Designing and interfacing micro controller-based systems. Architectures of microprocessors/
micro controller hardware interfacing and programming and current development and market
trends.
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DTEL317 Fibre Optic Technology
Totally Internally Reflected, parameters of an optical fibre, dispersion, fibre types - step index
and graded index monomode and multimode, mode of transmission, waveguide equations,
modes in optical fibres, power flow, fibre material:- glass and plastic, fibre fabrication - fibre
drawing machine, VPO, VAD, MCVD, PCVD, double crucible method:-mechanical properties
of fibres- strength, fatigue, proof testing: cables, signal degradation and attenuation, scattering
losses, dispersion, radiation losses at bends, signal distortion in optical waveguides, information
capacity determination, optical sources and detectors - their characteristics and response time,
optical wave communication - FDM,PAM - sampling theory.
DNEP312 Routing and Switching
This course introduces routing and router configuration, explores networking protocols, and
applies routing concepts within a lab environment. Topics covered include routing concepts and
theory, Cisco operating system management, variable length subnet masking (VLSM), classless
inter-domain routing (CIDR), routing protocols, and access control lists (ACLs). Routing
protocols: Routing Information Protocol (RIPv1, RIPv2), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing
Protocol (EIGRP), and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF). Configure routers, interpret routing
tables and troubleshoot connectivity issues.
DTEL318 Project
Students will work on a systems analysis and design project, with a bias towards
telecommunications or data communications under the supervision of a department member up
to implementation stage, defend their project and submit a suitable report on the work carried
out.
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CONSULTATIONS
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Econet Wireless
Telecel Wireless
Powertel
Yo!Africa
Compulink
Trust Academy Academic Quality Assurance Committee
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