Telecommunications Shrinking the world with communication
What is Telecommunications?
Telecommunications is all about the devices, systems, and techniques that enable people to communicate with each other over distances.
In early civilizations drums, signal fires, and smoke signals were used to link tribal communities. Today, the equivalent job is accomplished by massive computer networks, optical fibres, and all manner of voice, data and video technologies. An individual strand of optical fibre has the capacity to carry 10 million television channels simultaneously.
The rate of change and innovation in the Telecommunications industry is accelerating at a breakneck pace. The convergence of voice, data, and video technologies means that media, entertainment, computer, and telecommunications organisations are merging and interoperating their activities.
The opportunities for skilled people working in this sector is phenomenal. The richest corporations in the world today belong to the information and Telecommunications sector, and the principal driving force in industrialised economies is no longer the transportation industry, but the Telecommunications industry. This is not surprising: whereas advances in transportation reduce the time it takes us to get from here to there, advances in Telecommunications mean that here and there become virtually one and the same!
It follows, then, that Telecommunications are considered vital to any country's economic future. New technology is dramatically lowering barriers to marketplace entry, enabling companies to communicate directly with their customers - wherever in the world they happen to be. This is opening up new business opportunities for Telecommunications professionals on a global scale.
Otago's new BAppSc in Telecommunications allows you to ride this wave of technology. You'll gain a grounding in the way information is transmitted over various media, and how networks of these communications media are organised. Meanwhile, you'll learn a range of business skills, enabling you to make the most of any commercial opportunities that should come your way.
Why Study Telecommunications?
- You'll learn the ins and outs of the hardware and software of Telecommunications networks and mobile phone technology, in all their many and varied configurations.
- You'll be in a great position to become a technical innovator in a rapidly-advancing industry.
- There's a serious shortage of scientists and technologists in this field, and, as new businesses emerge, this demand will only increase.
Career Opportunities
Telecommunications professionals enjoy the position of belonging to one of the highest-paid professions in the world, with a wide range of job opportunities available to them, both locally and internationally.
In New Zealand, the Telecommunications services - which were dominated in the past by a few state-run monopolies - have become exposed to a new and exciting competitive climate. In particular, the advent of wireless technology has opened up many business opportunities, both for existing organisations and for those wishing to start up their own enterprises.
Entry-level Telecommunications positions exist in a range of areas, including broadband network engineering, network design, network management, system maintenance and test engineering, wireless applications engineering, new product development, and Telecommunications research and development.
You could be employed by an equipment supply company, involved in the manufacture and supply of network component equipment, Telecommunications switching equipment, or cell-phone and wireless communication equipment. You could work for a service provider, responsible for installing, commissioning, regulating, and managing communication networks and services.
You might be employed working for an organisation that relies on a large amount of Telecommunications technology. Given how widespread Telecommunications has become, this could see you working in just about any industry, including banks, insurance companies, utilities, manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, e-commerce service providers, internet companies and more.
As the world embraces Telecommunications, the opportunities for people with Telecommunications expertise are exciting, and virtually endless.
Background Required
To enter the BAppSc in Telecommunications, you'll need a clear pass in NCEA level 3 in Mathematics for entry into MATH 160, and a good pass in Physics is needed for PHSI 131.
What Will I Study?
You'll study networks, network design, optical communication, advanced broadband communications and wireless networking. You'll learn about network management, taking into account things like reliability and privacy.
You'll also add to your knowledge of Telecommunications by taking related papers in information science, electronics and physics. Meanwhile, your commerce courses will prepare you for work in a business environment, and provide you with the entrepreneurial skills needed for launching a new venture in the field of Telecommunications.
Because this qualification is preparing you for real-life situations, you'll not only learn about the theory that underlies Telecommunications processes, you'll also put your knowledge to work through hands-on practical classes. And in your fourth year, you'll undertake a major research project, enabling you to focus on an area that has particularly interested you. This could involve solving an industry-based problem, looking at issues such as mobile Telecommunication or network security, or taking on a multi-media project such as techniques for video streaming over broadband networks.
Further information
For more detailed information on Telecommunications papers and course requirements, please see the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) in Telecommunications programme requirements below or visit http://www.otago.ac.nz/subjects/tele.html on the University website.
Major Subject and Programme Requirements
Minor Subject Requirements
Profile: Daniel Kerse
"Technology has always fascinated me, especially the sort that's capable of sending information around the world at the speed of light. Applied Science helped me gain not only the expertise necessary for a technical role at one of NZ's major telcos, but also the wider scope to help me understand how the business as a whole operates."
Dan Kerse completed his Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Telecommunications and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 2005. Dan works in the Operations department of TelstraClear, and is based in central Wellington.
Dan adds "The technical papers I took gave me a good understanding of the wide variety of technologies used at TelstraClear. A general understanding of the underlying maths and physics also makes it much easier to grasp new concepts as they emerge. Basic computer programming skills and an understanding of Unix are two things I find very useful in my role."
Dan's team is focussed on TelstraClear's IP (Internet Protocol) Operations and is involved with all aspects of TelstraClear's core IP infrastructure. This includes provisioning (connecting) larger customers, infrastructure maintenance, and issues related to infrastructure and/or larger customers.
Doing the business papers have given Dan a wider understanding of how the business as a whole operates. He adds " It's quite useful to have a grasp of the reasons behind some of the business decisions that impact on the company, regardless of whether it directly relates to my business unit."
"I think the research focus at Otago University was very important. Although my research had little to do with my current position it still helped shape my way of thinking and the approach I take to tackle a problem."
Contacts
For further information regarding Telecommunications, please contact:
Professor Martin Purvis
Department of Information Science
Tel 64 3 479 8318
Fax 64 3 479 8311
Email mpurvis@infoscience.otago.ac.nz
Website http://www.telecom.otago.ac.nz
Other Websites
- Telecommunications Regulations http://www.otago.ac.nz/subjects/tele.html
- Department of Information Science http://divcom.otago.ac.nz/infosci
PDF Infosheet
You can download the latest Telecommunications Infosheet (384k in PDF format)
