Wireless Communication Systems - 2012 entry
MSc
Overview
The growth of wireless communications in the last decade has been phenomenal. This can be seen in the explosive growth in mobile communications and the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for short range wireless links. With the development of WiMax and other broadband wireless technologies to support services such as mobile computing, web surfing and mobile TV (DVB-H), the future growth of wireless systems is assured. With this growth, comes great demand for people with skills and knowledge to support every aspect of wireless network provision.
This MSc course has been designed to meet the needs of the telecommunications industry and to equip you with the knowledge and experience to apply to this rapidly expanding field. It will enable you to enhance your professional development and to keep abreast of rapidly changing technology.
Teaching is based at our purpose-designed engineering building on the Wheatley Campus.
Why Brookes?
Our communication technology courses are rooted in real-world and industry-relevant experiences. They give students the opportunity to develop the advanced skills and knowledge needed to pursue successful careers in their chosen fields.
You will be joining a department with a diverse and truly international postgraduate community. Students from many countries around the world study with us. Their contribution helps ensure our courses reflects the global reach of modern communication technologies. The universal nature of the technical skills developed in our programmes means our courses are of equal relevance to both new graduates and those with many years of industrial experience.
In detail
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Course content
The course provides in-depth coverage of established 2G and the developing 3G mobile communication networks. Allied to this is detailed coverage of the rapidly expanding technologies of WiMax, Wi-Fi, and wireless technologies which support developments in fields such as sensor networks and personal area networking.
To qualify for a master’s degree, you must pass modules amounting to 180 credits. This comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) plus your dissertation (50 credits) and a module on research and study methods (10 credits).
For the taught part of your course, you will take three modules in Semester 1 (September to December) and three more in Semester 2 (January to May). This makes up two-thirds of your studies. Part-time students normally take four modules in their first year and two in their second year.
Semester 1
In Semester 1 you take two compulsory modules and one optional module:
- Wireless Systems (compulsory) studies the transmission and system requirements required to establish wireless links in point to point, mesh and broadcast personal, local and wide area wireless networks.
- Digital Mobile Communications (compulsory) introduces the principles and techniques of 2G mobile communications with particular emphasis on GSM networks. It covers infrastructure, protocols, multiplexing technologies, signalling, call set-up, data structures, system design and environmental considerations.
- Digital Communications covers the principles and techniques of digital communications with particular emphasis on its applications in mobile and wireless networks.
- Object-Oriented Programming covers the principles of programming and object orientation, giving you the opportunity to applying these using an object oriented programming language.
In Semester 2 you take two compulsory modules and one optional module:
- Broadband Wireless Networks (compulsory) covers the latest broadband personal, local and wide area wireless networks, including network technology, protocols and implementation.
- High Speed Mobile Communications (compulsory) examines the technology behind the third generation of mobile communication systems which offer services such as mobile internet and video in addition to voice and message/data communications.
- Optical and Broadband Networks describes the operational principles of optical fibre communication systems and examines how optical networks are used to provide the next generation broadband infrastructure.
- Programming Mobile Devices covers the current and emerging mobile technologies, giving you experience of developing software applications for mobile devices using appropriate programming languages and tools.
- Computer and Network Security covers the technological and human issues involved in securing and assessing the security level of modern networked computer systems, as well as looking at digital forensics.
As courses are reviewed regularly, the list of taught modules you choose from may vary from the list here.
You also take:
- Research and Study Methods covers the research skills, planning and management techniques and guidance on analysis and technical presentation that you will need for your dissertation. This is taken in Semester 1.
- MSc Dissertation is an individual research and development project that allows you to study a topic of your choice in depth, guided by your supervisor. The work may be undertaken in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation. You start your dissertation in Semester 2, continuing over the summer period.
Part-time students normally take these modules in their second year.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The taught modules include lectures, seminars, library and internet research, and practical design and experimentation. Assessments include coursework exercises, presentations, essays and examinations (maximum 70% for taught modules).
Teaching staff include experienced academic staff and recent recruits from the telecommunications industry. Visiting speakers from business and industry help to maintain relevance to the evolution of the industry.
Laboratory facilities include the latest industry standard tools for mobile network analysis and software modelling facilities to enable network design.
Quality
The course benefits from the rigorous validation and review processes at the university, and the external examiners are very positive about it.
Career prospects
Graduates from the course have the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in telecommunications research and development.
Our MSc students come from all over the world and follow careers in many countries after their graduation. They are engaged in activities such as 3G network design, WiMax and LTE roll-out, handset compliance, DVB-H planning, communications software development and university lecturing. Many of them have commented on how the course content and training enabled their careers to flourish.
Specialist facilities
Our telecommunications laboratories are equipped for the design, testing and analysis of mobile wireless and optical networks using industry standard tools such Asset, Ranopt, OptSim, OpNet and Matlab. Students have the opportunity to analyse real data from operational 2G and 3G networks.
Our networking laboratories equipped with modern Cisco routers, switches and security devices to enable design construction and testing of complete high bandwidth secure, wired and wireless networks.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
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Faculty
Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment
Department
Department of Computing and Communication Technologies
Course length
Full-time: 1 year (12 months)
Part-time: 2 years
Teaching location
Wheatley Campus
Start date
September 2012
UKPASS code
P024349
Apply / Entry reqs
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Entry requirements
You should normally hold a first degree, equivalent to at least a British lower second-class bachelor’s degree, in an electronic engineering, communications or computing related discipline. If you have relevant professional experience this can also be considered.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, you must satisfy our English language requirement by providing us with evidence of a minimum TOEFL score 80 (internet-based) or IELTS score of 6.0.
Please also see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Preparation courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for this course and also familiarise you with university life. You may also be able to apply for one student visa to cover both courses.
- Take our Pre-Master's course to help you to meet both the English language and academic entry requirements for your master's course
- Take our University English course to help you to meet the English language requirements of your master's course
How to apply
You apply for this course through UKPASS.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All postgraduate single modules are equivalent to 10 ECTS credits, double modules to 20 ECTS credits, and treble modules to 30 ECTS credits. A full master's course will carry 90 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Fees / funding
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TUITION FEES
UK/EU
Full-time: £4,770
Part-time: £2,430
International
Full-time: £11,960
Fees (part-time and full-time) are for the academic year starting in 2012 only, unless otherwise stated. Fees increase annually by approximately 4%.
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Scholarships and funding
For general sources of financial support, see:
Oxford
CONTACT US
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Why Oxford is a great place to study Wireless Communication Systems
Oxford has an international reputation as one of the world’s leading academic cities. The environment makes it a great place to enhance your technical skills as well as providing an opportunity to enjoy the lively social and sporting life in this student-oriented city.
Oxford also lies close to the heart of the UK’s high-tech business community in the Thames Valley. We have excellent and extensive links with companies operating in the computing and communications fields which has led to the establishment of world-leading research activities that subsequently feed into our taught programmes and provide opportunities for student project work.
Support
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How Brookes supports postgraduate students
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Research
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Departmental research highlights
The Department of Computing and Communication Technologies is home to world-leading and award-winning research. Our focus is on user-inspired original research with real-world applications. We have a vibrant and growing research community, with active research staff in subjects spanning computing and communications. Staff and students collaborate on projects supported by the EPSRC, the EU, the DTI, and several major UK companies.
Research excellence
85% of the department's research has been internationally recognised, with 15% world-leading.
