22 UC/13-BE(Hons)/1
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Template 2: Qualification Change -2013
Proposal Description
RPurpose of the proposal
To create a Minor in Communications and Network Engineering as part of the BE(Hons) Computer Engineering
degree.
Justification
Communications and Network engineering is an important sub-discipline in the fields of electrical engineering
and computer science. Indeed it is the cornerstone of the ICT industry. Christchurch boasts two major
international manufacturers of Communication and Networking equipment, Tait Communications and Allied
Telesis; a research centre, Wireless Research Centre (WRC); and a significant number of smaller companies
engaged in the field. Within the wider New Zealand context there are the major infrastructure providers: Chorus,
Kordia, Enable, Telecom, Vodafone, Two Degrees; and again other smaller companies such as Endace. It is clear
that with such initiatives as the “Ultra-Fast Broadband”, and New Zealand's relative international strength in the
ICT field, that there is an opportunity and need to grow the talent pool in this area. There already exist strong
employment opportunities in this area overseas, especially in Asia.
This Minor will provide a natural pool of better prepared candidates for the Third Professional and summer
internship projects that relevant industries would like to conduct through the departments of Electrical and
Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering, and the Wireless Research Centre. This in
itself raises the reputation of our College as a tertiary institution committed to training well-qualified engineers
for the NZ industry, increases the full time employment opportunity for our students, and strengthens our
collaboration with the industry at the early stage of undergraduate level. Part of the inception of the Computer
Engineering discipline was four major specialist themes, of which communications and networking was one.
Students have been doing this specialty since 2006, the first intake. In creating the Minor, we will be
acknowledging this area on their transcript.
Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science and Software Engineering combined have some five
research-active academics with a speciality in communications and networking, with a further three academics
with some interests in this area. Therefore this proposal is not contingent on the availability of just one staff
member. Further, the Wireless Research Centre (WRC) consists of at least another three research engineers who
could also assist in case of need, especially with completion of the ENEL400 research project. Consequently the
proposal aligns well with the present strengths of the Institution, and focuses on the strategic objectives of
“Concentrate and Connect”; concentration within the proposed area and strengthening the connection of the
two partner departments and with industry through the Wireless Research Centre.
With regard to research, many of the individual research projects associated with ENEL400 will integrate and
complement on-going postgraduate research in the two Departments. Some students who have completed the
focus have stayed on for postgraduate degrees or gone on to study at other institutions.
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In addition, communication and networking (wired and wireless) are of increasing interest to:

The creation of smart cities, for which Christchurch is a prime candidate

Smart grids and future distribution of electric power, for which our college has strong ties to the NZ utility
industry through the EPE centre

Companies that have a strong interest in navigation and positioning, which our college is particularly
connected to through Spatial Engineering Research Centre (SERC)
Once again, this Minor will provide a body of talent that better serves the needs of the above groups.
Acceptability
The proposal has the support of the Computer Engineering Board of Studies, with representatives from the two
hosting departments. The proposal has support from current students within the Computer Engineering
programme.
The proposal will not overly specialise the students and does not dilute the core computer engineering degree
and therefore makes it particularly acceptable to the board. As it fits within the elective structure of our degree,
it has no significant accreditation implications.
Goals of the programme
The goal of the Minor is to provide a focus in communications and network engineering. The student achieves
this speciality by taking specific electives within the two host Departments and completing a required research
and development project work that has a communications or networking component. This develops both the
fundamental and the applied aspects of the field.
Graduate profile
The graduate profile builds upon that of the overarching discipline of Computer Engineering to include the following:

An in-depth understanding (knowledge and application) of communication and network theory

Research and development skills in communication or network theory
Outcome statement
This Minor does not change the outcome of the BE(Hons) in Computer Engineering, it acknowledges a particular set
of chosen options within that award. The chosen set of courses exceeds the minimum requirement of 60 points.
Programme overview

COSC264 Data Communications and Networking

COSC364 Internet Technology and Engineering

ENEL320 Signals and Communications

COSC418 Wireless Ad-hoc and Sensor Networking

ENEL422 Communications Engineering

ENEL400 Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Project (30 pt required course) with an approved
communications or networking focus
Note – COSC264 and ENEL320 are compulsory components of the Computer Engineering programme, therefore
the overall elective components are 75 points.
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Proposed teaching/delivery methods
There are no new courses in this proposal.
Assessment procedures
There are no new courses in this proposal.
Resources
Existing resources in the Department, no new courses or other resources required.
Plans for monitoring programme quality
The normal monitoring as part of the Computer Engineering BE (Hons) degree: Annual department reviews,
feedback from course surveys, Staff/student liaison meetings, accreditation reviews by IPENZ on a 5 yearly cycle and
University reviews on a 5 yearly cycle
Proposed new regulations and prescriptions (use the Calendar Form as follows)
Calendar Form
New Qualification Regulations
UC Calendar 2013 Page 178- Computer Engineering
Insert after 23
24. Minor in Communications and Network Engineering
(1) COSC 264 Data Communications and Networking
(2) COSC 364 Internet Technology and Engineering
(3) COSC 418 Wireless Ad-hoc and Sensor Networks
(4) ENEL 320 Signals and Communications
(5) ENEL 400 Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Project*
(6) ENEL 422 Communications Engineering
*Note: ENEL 400 Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Project must be taken with a communications or
networking focus as approved by the Director of Studies.
Renumber 24 through 41
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