Department: Engineering & Technology
Discipline: Computer Technology
Subject Code: CNT
Course #: 130
Course Title: Fundamentals of Telecommunications
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FORM 335
Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years per AP 765 to include, at a
minimum, the following elements. [§335.2]
1.
Digital Description:
Credit hours:
Lecture hours:
Lab hours:
3.0
3.0
1.5
BL: [ ]⅓ [ ]½ [ ]⅔ [ ] Other (Indicate fraction or percent)
2.
3.
Catalog Description:
Introduces students to the worldwide telecommunications network. Students learn about
the basic signaling and switching systems that make the telephone system work and gain
an appreciation of the complex technologies necessary for reliable phone service. This
course also explains the business aspects of the telecom industry, as well as introduces
the various types of companies that now compete for commercial and residential
customers. Students explore the issues and trends that are fueling the explosive growth in
the telecommunications industry and gain a firm understanding of the state of the
industry today. Additional topics include transmission circuit types including t-carriers,
analog lines, digital lines, ISDN circuits, and technologies such as ATM, SMDS, frame
relay, and VoIP. The students connect and configure analog phone systems and VoIP
phone systems. The effect of the regulatory environment on network design is also
covered. A course fee is required.
Minimum Grade Required
Prerequisites: CNT 120
C
Corequisites:
Other:
4.
Learning Outcomes
[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential
knowledge and skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
 Describe the function and use of various wide area network technologies
 Describe the technical evolution of the U.S. telecom industry
 Summarize how the Communications Act of 1934 led to the development of the
telephone network
 Summarize how the Divestiture of AT&T in 1984 impacted the telephone market
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/14/11
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Department: Engineering & Technology
Discipline: Computer Technology
Subject Code: CNT
Course #: 130
Course Title: Fundamentals of Telecommunications
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5.
Summarize how the Telecommunications Act of 1996 led to today’s complex
telephone market
Explain the process of making an analog telephone call
Explain the process of making a VoIP telephone call
Describe the differences of the three main types of transmission media
Describe the most commonly used switching systems for business phones
Explain the difference between analog and digital signals
Describe how digital signals are carried by analog connections, and vice-versa
Explain how the various transmission channels provide for widely varying capacities,
ultimately impacting the overall design of the data transmission network function
Select various options for building a telephone network
Explain the relationship of the Internet to the telecommunications system
Explain the reason for the telecom system’s endless “need for speed”
Show how to connect a basic analog phone system
Show how to connect and configure a basic VoIP phone network
Planned Sequence of Instruction
[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.]
A. History of Telephone Industry
1. Evolution of the telecommunications industry
2. State of the industry today
B. Structure of the telephone network
1. Transmission technology
2. Multiplexing, network signaling
3. Baseband vs. Broadband
4. Cable modem systems and technologies
5. SS7
6. LNP
C. Local Exchange Components
1. Telephone set
2. Lines, loops, trunks
3. Carriers
D. Customer Premise Equipment
1. Key systems
2. Centrex
3. Private Branch Exchange
4. Voice processing
5. Computer-to-Telephony Integration
E. Analog voice services
F. Digital data services
1. T-carriers
2. Packet switching technologies (X.25)
3. Frame relay
4. ISDN
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/14/11
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Department: Engineering & Technology
Discipline: Computer Technology
Subject Code: CNT
Course #: 130
Course Title: Fundamentals of Telecommunications
G.
H.
I.
J.
6.
5. ATM
6. DSL
7. SMDS and other digital transmission systems
8. Cellular
9. WAP
10. 3G Wireless
VoIP voice services
The Internet, Remote Access and VPNs
Planning your telecommunications infrastructure
Internet research, hands-on exercises, quizzes, exams
Assessment of Student Learning
[Methods of assessment should be appropriate for Learning Outcomes listed above.]
Assessment of student learning outcomes for the course, as required by AP 765, is part of
regular curriculum maintenance and/or improvement. The specific plan has been
determined by the pertinent faculty involved and is maintained in the College’s
assessment management system.
7.
List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning Materials
(code each item based on instructional use): C-Lecture/Laboratory, A-Lecture, BLaboratory, LC-Lecture/Clinical, CLN-Clinical, I-Online,
BL-Blended, D-Independent Study, P-Private Lessons, E-Internship,
F-Cooperative Work-Study, FE-Field Experience. [These resources must be easily
accessible to students.]
C, BL – Shepard, Steven. Telecom Crash Course. McGraw Hill Professional, Second
Edition, (ISBN 9780071451437)
8.
Prepared by Faculty Member: Doug Brown
Date: 9/19/11
9.
Approved by Department Chairperson: Eric Yoxheimer
Date: 9/19/11
10.
Approved by Academic Division Dean: Marjorie A. Mattis
Date: 11/7/11
This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335, subchapters A /
B.
This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the policies,
standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is consistent with
the college mission.
If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar courses
generally accepted for transfer to accredited four-year colleges and universities.
11.
Associate Dean, Curriculum & Assessment: Karen Tombs-Harling
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/14/11
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Department: Engineering & Technology
Discipline: Computer Technology
Subject Code: CNT
Course #: 130
Course Title: Fundamentals of Telecommunications
Date: 11/17/11
12.
Provost & VP, Academic Affairs: Ronald R. Young
Date: 11/17/11
13.
Original Date of course approval by the college: 200720
14.
Date(s) of subsequent reviews [Indicate change: Learning Outcomes; textbook(s)]:
9/19/11-catalog description, learning outcomes
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/14/11
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