Wireless Engineering Technology (WE13)  Degree


Program Description:

Beginning Summer 2022

The Wireless Engineering Technology program is designed to address the current and future needs of the wireless industry. This program prepares students for the rapidly changing environment faced by field technicians and engineers and includes topics such as antenna theory and applications, grounding, bonding, power, mobile site equipment and applications, radio frequency theory and transmissions, safety, and regulations, standards and codes. These courses allow for field technicians and engineers to effectively install, troubleshoot, and maintain modern mobile sites including those with new and evolving broadband mobile technologies.

Entrance date: Each semester

Admission requirements:

Minimum Test Scores

ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION- Reading 236 ACCUPLACER- Sentence Skills 70
Writing 249 Reading Comprehension 55
Quantitative Reasoning 245 Algebra 57

High School diploma or equivalent required for admission.

Credits required for graduation: 72

Albany Technical College is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate of Applied Science Degrees, Associate of Science in Nursing Degrees, Diplomas, and Technical Certificates of Credit. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Albany Technical College.

Curriculum Outline (72 hours)
General Education Core 15 credits 15
Area I - Language Arts/Communications 3 credits 3
ENGL 1101

Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

3
Area II - Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credits
Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics- (6 Hours) 6
MATH 1111

Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.

3
MATH 1113
Prerequisite: MATH 1111

Prepares students for calculus. The topics discussed include an intensive study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their graphs. Applications include simple maximum and minimum problems, exponential growth and decay.

3
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts-Choose One of the Following (3 Hours) 3
Occupational Courses 57 credits 57
CIST 1122
Prerequisite: CIST 1130

This course serves to provide students with the knowledge of the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security along with the skills required to identify hardware, peripheral, networking, and security components with an introduction to the fundamentals of installing and maintaining computers. Students will develop the skills to identify the basic functionality of the operating system, perform basic troubleshooting techniques, utilize proper safety procedures, and effectively interact with customers and peers. This course is designed to help prepare students for the CompTIA A+ certification examination.

4
CIST 2114
Prerequisites: CIST 1401, CIST 2451

This introductory course to Wireless LANs focuses on the design, planning, implementation, operation and troubleshooting of Wireless LANs. It covers a comprehensive overview of technologies, security, and design best practices with particular emphasis on hands on skills in the following areas: Wireless LAN setup and troubleshooting; 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n technologies, products and solutions; Site Surveys; Resilient WLAN design, installation and configuration; WLAN Security - 802.1x, EAP, LEAP, WEP, SSID, WPA, WPA2; and Vendor interoperability strategies.

4
CIST 2451

This course provides students with classroom and laboratory experience in current and emerging network technology. Topics include basics network concepts, basic network device configuration, network protocols and models, network access, Ethernet and access control, end to end communications, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and subnetting, fundamental application services, security, and network performance.

4
CIST 2452
Prerequisite: CIST 2451

This course describes the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in a small network. Students learn how to configure a router and a switch for basic functionality. Topics include switched networks, routing concepts, routing in a switched network, static and dynamic routing, Single-Area OSPF, Access Control Lists, and IP Services (DHCP and NAT).

4
CIST 2602
Prerequisites: CIST 1401, CIST 2451, CIST 1601

This course provides knowledge and the practical experience necessary to evaluate, implement and manage secure information transferred over computer networks. Topics include network security, intrusion detection, types of attacks, methods of attacks, security devices, basics of cryptography and organizational security elements.

4
ECET 1101
Prerequisite: ENGT 1000 Corequisite: MATH 1111

Emphasizes the knowledge and ability to analyze basic DC circuits and introductory concepts of AC circuits. Topics include: international units, basic electrical laws, series and parallel circuits, network analysis concepts, network theorems concepts, D.C. instruments, grounding techniques, magnetism, inductance/capacitance, transient analysis, and introduction to dependent sources and 2-port parameters. Laboratory work parallels class work.

4
ECET 1110
Prerequisite: ENGT 1000

Study of digital circuit fundamentals with an emphasis on digital electronics and techniques, simplification of logic circuits, sequential and combinational logic circuits, programmable logic devices, flip-flops and registers, binary number system, and arithmetic and logic operations. Laboratory work parallels class work using trainers, DesignWorks, and Altera simulation software and system.

4
ECET 2101
Prerequisite: ECET 1101

Continues study of AC circuit analysis, which emphasizes complex networks. Topics include: analysis of complex networks, networks with multiple sources, AC network theorems, resonance, transformers, three-phase systems, filters and bode plots, non-sinusoidal waveforms, and pulse response of RLC circuits. Laboratory work parallels class work.

4
ENGT 1000

Provides a study of engineering technology as a career field and describes the knowledge and skills required for academic and occupational success. Topics include: engineering technology career, measurement and standards, mathematical operators, engineering tools, and engineering concepts. Lads reinforce mathematical, mechanical and electrical concepts through practical exercises, such as measurement and calculations of density of objects, relative humidity, use of a digital multi-meter, building circuits, use of precision instruments, and team exercises.

3
PHYS 1111
Prerequisites: ENGL 1101, MATH 1112, MATH 1113 Corequisite: PHYS 1111L

The first course of two algebra and trigonometry based courses in the physics sequence. Topics include material from mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, momentum and collisions, rotational motion, static equilibrium, elasticity theory, and simple harmonic motion), mechanical waves, theory of heat and heat transfer, and thermodynamics.

3
PHYS 1111L
Prerequisites: ENGL 1101, MATH 1112, MATH 1113 Corequisite: PHYS 1111

Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in PHYS 1111. The laboratory exercises for this course include units of measurement, Newton's laws, work energy and power, momentum and collisions, one- and two-dimensional motion, circular motion and law of gravity, rotational dynamics and static equilibrium, elasticity theory, harmonic motion, theory of heat and heat transfer, thermodynamics, wave motion, and sound.

1
WLET 1000

This course introduces the UNIX/Linux operating system skills necessary to perform entry-level user functions. Topics include: history of UNIX/Linux, login and logout, the user environment, user password change, the file system, hierarchy tree, editors, file system commands as they relate to navigating the file system tree, UNIX/Linux manual help pages, using the UNIX/Linux graphical desktop, and command options. In addition, the student must be able to perform directory and file displaying, creation, deletion, redirection, copying, moving, linking files, wildcards, determining present working directory and changing directory locations. Finally, the student will learn UNIX/Linux shell programming techniques necessary to understand and create shell script programs in an UNIX/Linux environment. Topics include: shell variables, shell script programs, logical and math operators, redirection and piping, and use of backslash, quotes and back quotes.

4
WLET 1005
Prerequisite: WLET 1000

This course covers scripting techniques used in UNIX/Linux wireless networking applications. Topics include: conditional processing, looping structures, positional parameters, arrays, and functions.

2
WLET 1120

This course is designed to provide the student with the theoretical and hands-on knowledge and skills needed to install and maintain the cabling infrastructure in a mobile-site environment. Topics include safety cabling practices, copper and fiber terminations, tests, and repairs.

3
WLET 2100
Prerequisite: WLET 1120

This course provides the student the foundational knowledge needed to understand electromagnetic wave propagation and the skills needed to safely choose and install the proper antenna based on the application. Topics will include electromagnetic frequencies, signal propagation, RF safety, radiation patterns, codes and standards related to antennas, installation practices, and troubleshooting.

3
WLET 2110

The course is designed to give the student a working knowledge of the theory and technologies generally found in mobile communications. Topics include the electro-magnetic spectrum and transmission theory on copper, fiber, and air interfaces using electrical, light, and RF signals. Backhaul technologies are also discussed to give the student an understanding of how the mobile network is intertwined with switching offices and other nodes.

3
WLET 2120

This course is designed to give the student a working knowledge of a complete mobile site including the radio equipment, ancillary equipment and other equipment and interfaces needed to commission a site and maintain a site. Topics include both theory and hands-on based exercises that allow a student to perform the duties of field technician/engineer.

3
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