Course Outline

ICT220 Wireless Communications

Course Coordinator:Ericmoore Ngharamike (engharamike1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

UniSC Adelaide

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course builds on the material in the introductory computer networks course and further explores the technologies that form the basis of modern and future wireless networks. This course examines the protocols, standards and hardware that are enabling current trends in wireless communications systems. This knowledge is essential for careers in the areas of distributed systems and network design and planning.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning Materials 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – In-class tutorial 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning Materials 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Interactive Zoom tutorial 2hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

Wireless Communications Everywhere

The World of Wireless Communications

Wireless Data Transmission

Radio Frequency Communications

How Antennas Work

Wireless Personal Area Networks

Introduction to Wi-Fi WLANs

Enhancing WLAN Performance

Expanding WLANs and WLAN Security

Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks

Wireless Wide Area Networks

Radio Frequency Identification and Near Field Communication

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Creation of systems. Creative and critical thinker
2 Apply initiative to solving problems competently in the discipline. Empowered
3 Apply communication or collaboration skills to specific problems. Engaged
4 Apply discipline specific knowledge and skills to problems. Knowledgeable
5 Understand sustainability issues within the discipline. Sustainability-focussed

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

ICT120

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Weekly practice tests will be made available for formative feedback.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 20%
60 minutes
Week 5 Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece Individual 30%
1500 words (equivalent)
Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 50%
2 hours
Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Mid-trimester test
Goal:
To demonstrate course content understanding.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This assessment item will focus on learning materials, tutorials and readings for weeks one through to week four inclusive. This is an individual assessment.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Understanding of requisite networking knowledge covered prior to the assessment
3
2
Application of network concepts to scenarios
2 4
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 2:Network and communications skill-based assessment
Goal:
To demonstrate ability to design and implement networks according to business needs.
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This is an individual assessment. Using a scenario you are to design and implement networks to address the requirements for a business.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of network concepts to a case study
4
2
Critical analysis and evaluation of an organisation’s networking requirements
2 5
3
Justification of network design
1
4
Written communication skills
3
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 3:Final examination
Goal:
To demonstrate your understanding of course content.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Short answer questions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Understanding of requisite knowledge covered within the course.
3
2
Application of network concepts to scenarios
2 4
Generic Skills:

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Jorge Olenewa 2017 Guide to Wireless Communications 4th Edition Cengage Learning

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: