M.Eng. in Telecommunications Engineering

bobzi

hey,

Was thinking of applying for this course so does anybody have any opinion on its quality or usefulness in getting a decent job?

Also how do people think the DCU engineering department rates compared to the other universities?

Thanks

DublinDilbert

Hi Bobzi,

I'm currently doing the M-Eng in DCU and find it very good.. I'm not doing the telecommunciations major, but have take some "coms" subjects...

The course material is quite good, and the standard of lecturing is good... From the course i've seen they take quite a practial approach to things...

One of the questions you ask, will this help you get a better job? i wouldn't just do it for this reason, it may or may not help you in that regard... it's deffinitly suited at people who want to expand thier skill set for the longer term...

if you need any more information let me know...

FeelingTired

Hi Bobzi, I did the MEng in Telecommunications Engineering in DCU last year,graduated in September. I thought it was definitely worth while doing, I did the BEng in Electronic Engineering in DCU as well, the Master's is definitely worth doing, it does require a lot of hard work though, probably because its only takes a year to do it full time, did get me a 1st tho It is definitely a major boost towards getting a good job if you want to specalise in the Telecoms area, it worked for me anyway, also can get you more money when you go looking for a job. Drop me a PM or whatever if you want anymore info. Peace out, FT

bobzi

cheers for the info guys

OFDM

Lots and lots of programming....

broaderband

Hi folks

Can anyone tell me which of the modules are the toughest? I ve got a telecomms background and have elected for the networks major.

Trying to dodge a few bullets...

ta

DublinDilbert

None of them are very bad, but if your not into a subject I would avoid it. There's no really easy modules, they all require work.

The internetwork security module is good. Intellegent systems is good too, but you'd need a controls background.

ianhobo

Not to sure what the "networks" subjects are, I don't remember there being that option when I did it...Of course whats easier will depend on your background and what you've already studied, so I can't offer a definitive answer, only my own experience.

The image and video compression stuff is very interesting. As I said, easy choices depend on your background. If you've done C++/Java in detail before , you *may* find that "easier", however if moved at a very quick rate!

I'm not very strong mathematically, so found Intelligent Systems a bit difficult.

Machine Vision is very interesting, and you use an in-house tool for the lab work. Lecture notes were concise and to the point

I also enjoyed the optics/laser module and found it quite manageable.

The internetwork security module was great fun, and server side software? module was good too.

Can't remember the other modules right now

dazzday

Renewable energy systems and entrepreneurship for engineers are the two "easy" subjects to make up your eight module choice.

Both have very managable assignments worth 50% of the module: a strategy report and a business plan respectively. Quite long (~30+ pages) but certainly not technically challenging compared to some other modules, and the lectures are interactive and quite interesting tbf.

Did the photonics/nanotechnology background myself so not too much help, but id advise possibly the photonics and optical comms modules for telecoms if you want to minimize the programming.

Avoid VHDL like the plague!

mono627

dazzday wrote: »

Avoid VHDL like the plague!

VHDL really screwed me over last year. The exam was completely different to previous years. Definitely avoid, it's not even that interesting!

broaderband

thanks folks, all sound advice. FYI, Optics and Entrepeneurship are up first. (Im doing it part-time so its two modules between now and May...)

11.5 weeks to go...

ta

lima

I did the telecoms beng and I don't beleive the masters will help getting you a job, or even more pay for that matter (not that there are any telecoms job in Ireland right now). I joined a grad programme straight after graduating and half the people who started with me had masters, and I'm on a lot more money now that many of them.. to be honest theres a limit to how much you can earn as an engineer, it's just whether you prefer the lab work more than 'office' stuff (project management etc.

I think instead of doing a masters in telecoms that Cisco certification and UNIX/Linux skills are way more value for getting a job..

RichieD

I've been looking at this course myself as im very intersted in networks.

Can anyone please explain, if you are doing this full time do you just select 4 modules for semester 1 and 4 modules for semester 2 ? And then do a dissertation in the summer based on your chosen steam ?

Are there no core modules?

mightyz

@broaderband
Hey,
I am looking to do that course part-time next year (qualifier, but its the same modules), but I dont like the dcu location (living/working on south side).
How "good" are the web notes (which they are advertising so much) compared to the actual lectures?

Do you need to attend any labs etc?

I am at DIT at the moment and beside its part-time I still need to attend Lab's which sometimes are pointless for me (marks for attendance, but I can get quicker and better help from google if I stuck with something).

broaderband

mightyz wrote: »

@broaderband
Hey,
I am looking to do that course part-time next year (qualifier, but its the same modules), but I dont like the dcu location (living/working on south side).
How "good" are the web notes (which they are advertising so much) compared to the actual lectures?

Do you need to attend any labs etc?

I am at DIT at the moment and beside its part-time I still need to attend Lab's which sometimes are pointless for me (marks for attendance, but I can get quicker and better help from google if I stuck with something).

Hiya,

Firstly, sorry for that late reply...

I did attend a lab session for the Optics module but this was not a requirement, your overall mark can include this if you do it or just take into account your other work. I also did the Entrepeneurship module which I did not attend any lectures.

It is probably better to go to lectures but i managed to muddle through the online stuff. It is manageable but it takes time. I am working fulltime and have other commitments so time for study is sometimes hard to come by.

Do-able but you need to be willing to give it the time.

cheers

broaderband

lima wrote: »

I did the telecoms beng and I don't beleive the masters will help getting you a job, or even more pay for that matter (not that there are any telecoms job in Ireland right now). I joined a grad programme straight after graduating and half the people who started with me had masters, and I'm on a lot more money now that many of them.. to be honest theres a limit to how much you can earn as an engineer, it's just whether you prefer the lab work more than 'office' stuff (project management etc.

I think instead of doing a masters in telecoms that Cisco certification and UNIX/Linux skills are way more value for getting a job..

Hi Lima

My main reason for doing this course now (which obviously is not everyones reason!) is that I feel that with a young family and a short commute, I can commit to a two year course now rather than say in 3 or 4 yrs time. I ve done a couple of cisco exams already and I think that these can be done is shorter time commitments than a MEng or whatever.

Basically myself and the family will be involved in probably a longer commute, school runs, maybe another offospring or two so its now or in around 20 yrs time!!

Thats just my 2 cents.... :-)

ta

mightyz

dazzday wrote: »

Avoid VHDL like the plague!

Yeah especially if you wish to get good job.

remoh

I'm starting the MEng in Electronic Systems next month part time, can anyone give me tips or subjects they found interesting. How did you find your thesis. Any information greatly appreciated.

Mr-McBain

Has the VHDL module been renamed? Also is is possible to do more than 4 modules in the first semester and then make up the balance in the second semester or does it have to be an even split of 4 in the first and second semesters. Trying to decide on modules is such a mind fcuk. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I'm doing the Network Implementation major so if anyone has any recomendations for me as I would like to avoid any intense programming modules. Any help is appreciated.

kelbal

Hi, I've been accepted to the MEng programme, starting next week. Just looking for some up to date guidance from ex/current students on what are 'killer' modules, want to make this as manageable as possible. I presume VHDL is whats now called "HDL/High Level Logic Synthesis". My initial pick of modules is very network focused, so wondering if I should do the network major? Does this involve more work than the standard Masters? Kind of decided on this pretty late on, so haven't done a whole lot of research on it. (Electronic Eng graduate from DCU). Here's the current list of modules......
Thanks

Level 9 – Set 1 (choose 4)
1. EE509: Data Network Protocol Analysis and Simulation
2. EE554: Image and Video Compression
3. EE562: Network Programming
4. EE500: Performance of Data Networks
5. EE502: DSP (Signal Modelling & Compression)
6. EE538: Secure Sys Admin and Internetwork Security
7. EE552: Broadband Networks
8. EE558: Advanced RF Circuit Modelling

Level 8 – Set 1 (choose 2)
9. EE454: Optical Communications System Design *
10. EE452: Wireless and Mobile Communications
11. EE417: Web Application Development
12. EE450: Communications Theory
13. EE449: DSP (Digital Filters & DFT)
14. EE402: Object-oriented Programming for Engineers

Option (choose 2)
15. EE453: Image Processing & Analysis
16. EE535: Renewable Energy: Systems, Technology and Economics
17. EE540: HDL/High Level Logic Synthesis
18. EE541: Nano & Microelectronic Device Manufacturing
19. EE559: Fundamentals of Nanoelectronic Technology
20. EE451: Mechatronic System Simulation & Control
21. EE506: Fundamentals of Photonic Devices
22. EE507: Entrepreneurship for Engineers
23. EE550: Characterisation Technology for Nanomaterials
24. EE544: Computer Vision
25. EE563: Graphics & Visualisation

mightyz

hey,

I've get offer from DIT and probably will get offer from DCU (my colleague with similar exp and education get it). Now I am bit confused what to choose (both Part-time).
DIT has less option too choose from and they seems to be focused on optoelectronics.


1. Did you get timetable yet? I am working full time and I've heard that DCU got lectures before 4PM.
2. Which place has got better name on the market?

Aswerty

Kelbal, I finished the Telecomms Masters in DCU a year ago. In my opinion you should just choose what ever modules you like and ony do the specialist Masters if it conincides with your choices. The only possible impact that occurs from specialising is a restriction in terms of what project you can do. For example Networking majors have to do a project related to networks and so on. Even at this the restriction is very loose, people in this major ranged from designing software, hardware or a mix of the both.

In terms of how manageable some of the modules I'll do a quick review.

Level 9 – Set 1 (choose 4)
1. EE509: Data Network Protocol Analysis and Simulation A relatively new module, this should be it's 3rd year running. When I did it it was split into a pure maths side and a theory side. Lots of probability/simulation oreinted maths. Not overly difficult but had a lot of content and the Maths was somewhat complex.
2. EE554: Image and Video CompressionNot familiar with this but got the impression from guys that it was fairly maths intensive.
3. EE562: Network Programming Found this module a bit unfoccused in what it was trying to do. The module content is split in half and one half covers the upper layers of the OSI model and the other the lower layers. The upper layers involved emialing protocols, socket programming, etc. The lower layers involved looking at Linux kernel code and learning theory about how the lower layers function. The upper layer programming was done in Java.
4. EE500: Performance of Data Networks This doesn't ring any bells with me.
5. EE502: DSP (Signal Modelling & Compression) Not familiar but was given the impression it was a tough one.
6. EE538: Secure Sys Admin and Internetwork Security This was just called Internetwork Security when I did it. It was interesting and very manageable. Might be different now since it has sys admin elements to it.
7. EE552: Broadband Networks Lecturer said on the first day that this module should be called Packet Switching since that is mostly what it is all about. About how data packets are sent over networks. Large crossover between some of this and Data Network Protocol and Analysis.
8. EE558: Advanced RF Circuit Modelling Not familiar with this.

Level 8 – Set 1 (choose 2)
9. EE454: Optical Communications System Design * Not familiar with this
10. EE452: Wireless and Mobile Communications This was just about the thoery, protocols and problems of wirless comms. Not all that interesting since it was mostly a shove the information into your brain kind of module.
11. EE417: Web Application Development Very well thought module. Covers all aspects (no emphasis on front end development though) of developing web apps using Java.
12. EE450: Communications Theory Once again not familiar with this one
13. EE449: DSP (Digital Filters & DFT) Once again not familiar with this one
14. EE402: Object-oriented Programming for Engineers Well thought module that introduces you to OOP. 6 weeks of C++ and 6 weeks of Java. Very doable if already familiar with OOP

Option (choose 2)
15. EE453: Image Processing & Analysis Not familiar with this.
16. EE535: Renewable Energy: Systems, Technology and Economics Didn't do this and regret it. Very interesting module if this stuff interests you, the workload and content is quite manageable. Significant amount of continuous assesment (i.e. assignment contribution is 50% I think).
17. EE540: HDL/High Level Logic Synthesis Not familiar with this
18. EE541: Nano & Microelectronic Device Manufacturing Not familiar with this
19. EE559: Fundamentals of Nanoelectronic Technology Not familiar with this
20. EE451: Mechatronic System Simulation & Control Not familiar with this
21. EE506: Fundamentals of Photonic Devices Not familiar with this
22. EE507: Entrepreneurship for Engineers Another one I regretted not doing. An interesting subject that is very manageable. Significant amount of continuous assesment,
23. EE550: Characterisation Technology for Nanomaterials Not familiar with this
24. EE544: Computer Vision Did an undergrad equivalent of this in DCU which was very interesting. Manageable but can be tricky if your new to machine vision theory.
25. EE563: Graphics & Visualisation Enjoyable module. It is split into 6 weeks of Java 3D and 6 weeks of GPL and C++. The Java brings you into the theory of graphics and hides the tricky stuff from you and then the GPL comes and hits you with the hard stuff. Manageable module but the GPL stuff is quite tough.

The programming modules do require you to have an understanding of programming since they are quite practical. The telecomms modules often require programming to do the assignments. With regards to lecturers, the Molloy brothers (Derek and David) and Stephen Daniels are the shining stars of this Masters. I was not impressed by the lectures given by J. McManis, nice person but felt like I could have stayed home and read the presentation slides myself (which I did with regards to wireless comms).

@ mightyz, the lectures in DCU from when I was there started at 10:00 and 14:00 and lasted 3 hours with a 15 min break halfway through. The course is delivered to be doable remotely so doing the lectures and assignments in your own time is possible. I have no idea whther DCU or DIT has a better name in the market. If it is any help I didn't find the DCU name a hinder to getting a job myself.

kelbal

Aswerty. Thanks alot for your help. Doing Network programming (manageable so far), Data Network Protocol etc (Maths element bit crazy) and Renewable Energy (v interesting). Workload high enough but manageable. thanks again

jaydriver

Hi,

Hi, I'm looking at taking on the M.Eng in Telecommunicaions at DCU and I noticed on a previous post that a few of you have done it or are doing it. I have a Level 7 Electronics Degree and 3 years working in Telecoms, have you found the modules as a big step up? As in do the lecturers start at the basics in each module? I know you are expected to have some relevant knowledge but just looking to get your opinion. I suppose my biggest fear is being in the deep end......

Thanks.

kelbal

jaydriver wrote: »

Hi,

Hi, I'm looking at taking on the M.Eng in Telecommunicaions at DCU and I noticed on a previous post that a few of you have done it or are doing it. I have a Level 7 Electronics Degree and 3 years working in Telecoms, have you found the modules as a big step up? As in do the lecturers start at the basics in each module? I know you are expected to have some relevant knowledge but just looking to get your opinion. I suppose my biggest fear is being in the deep end......

Thanks.

Hiya,
I started it in September, and am only 2 modules into it so far, so am not the most qualified to comment compared to others who have finished it - but here's my 2 cents anyway.... you are pretty much thrown in at the deep end I'm afraid. From what I've seen, the first lecture or two do start at low enough level as a refresher but then the material comes pretty thick an fast and by the time you're studying for exams, there is alot to learn. The assignments, for me anyway, took up most of my time from about week 6 to 12, so I'm doing catch up now in terms of lecture content for the exams (next week). I'm doing it part time and took on 3 modules this semester but found the workload too much and deferred one to do it next year. I don't want to sound too pessimistic though, it is manageable, and at the end of the semester, by studying past papers, you have a fair idea of where you need to concentrate your studying efforts. But you need to be realistic of what to expect, I'm not sure what level 7 is (I did Electronic Eng degree in DCU years back, is that level 7?) - but I'm guessing you found 4th year fairly full-on? Well, the masters is basically a continuation of this on into year 5 and 6. So basically yes, it is very intensive, but with your degree and work experience you do have the background to be able to keep up - as long as you put the effort in, it will be a huge part of your life and spare time while you're doing it.
Hope that helps.

broaderband

jaydriver wrote: »

Hi,

Hi, I'm looking at taking on the M.Eng in Telecommunicaions at DCU and I noticed on a previous post that a few of you have done it or are doing it. I have a Level 7 Electronics Degree and 3 years working in Telecoms, have you found the modules as a big step up? As in do the lecturers start at the basics in each module? I know you are expected to have some relevant knowledge but just looking to get your opinion. I suppose my biggest fear is being in the deep end......

Thanks.

Hi

i am one year in and have found it fiarly intense for the 2nd half of each semester. did the entrepeneurship and optical comms modules last semester which were both ok. i have background in optics so i probably chose this one as a 'soft' start. entrepeneurship was interesting with a good bit of continuous assessment.

im doing the exams at the moment for renewables/econimics and data net protocol analysis. reneweables is very interesting but the data net/w protocal analysis assignment was a big challenge for me. I have zero programming background and assignment is 90% java based. exam seems intense maths wise also. basically the 'group 1' modules are 'harder' with a large programming component in most cases.

cheers

kelbal

broaderband wrote: »

Hi

i am one year in and have found it fiarly intense for the 2nd half of each semester. did the entrepeneurship and optical comms modules last semester which were both ok. i have background in optics so i probably chose this one as a 'soft' start. entrepeneurship was interesting with a good bit of continuous assessment.

im doing the exams at the moment for renewables/econimics and data net protocol analysis. reneweables is very interesting but the data net/w protocal analysis assignment was a big challenge for me. I have zero programming background and assignment is 90% java based. exam seems intense maths wise also. basically the 'group 1' modules are 'harder' with a large programming component in most cases.

cheers

hi broaderband. thinking of doing optics myself next semester. doing it remotely, are the notes handy enough to follow? I was told there's just one lab session, was that the case for you? I believe this one session is the main bulk of work towards your assignment, is that the case, or is there lots more work needed after this lab session? thanks

Arciphel

Interesting reading, I am starting the MEng Electronic Engineering course part-time in the February intake, but I know a lot of the modules are the same with the telecoms course. Anybody else out there starting in February, any word on what the modules available to choose from will be? I've been working in semi-conductor/telecoms industry for last 10+ years, degree in Materials Science. Cheers.

Mr.Plough

Arciphel wrote: »

Interesting reading, I am starting the MEng Electronic Engineering course part-time in the February intake, but I know a lot of the modules are the same with the telecoms course. Anybody else out there starting in February, any word on what the modules available to choose from will be? I've been working in semi-conductor/telecoms industry for last 10+ years, degree in Materials Science. Cheers.

I'm starting mechanical in Feb, have you received anything from dcu like registration info or anything? So far I've accepted on pac.ie and paid the 500 deposit and havnt heard anything since, starting to get a little worried as orientation is Thursday week!

Arciphel

I asked the very nice lady from the PAC office in DCU this, I'm in the same boat, paid the €500 deposit and heard nothing else. This is what she replied to me last week -

"No letters or emails have been sent as of yet so you haven't missed out on anything. A meeting is scheduled this week with the Student Enrolment Manager to confirm when exactly online registration will be opened and how we will communicate this to relevant Feb. start students (i.e. letter or email)."

So I am none the wiser. I didn't know orientation was next week though, how/where did you hear that?

Mr.Plough

Arciphel wrote: »

I asked the very nice lady from the PAC office in DCU this, I'm in the same boat, paid the €500 deposit and heard nothing else. This is what she replied to me last week -

"No letters or emails have been sent as of yet so you haven't missed out on anything. A meeting is scheduled this week with the Student Enrolment Manager to confirm when exactly online registration will be opened and how we will communicate this to relevant Feb. start students (i.e. letter or email)."

So I am none the wiser. I didn't know orientation was next week though, how/where did you hear that?

Saw it on the academic calendar, just before start of semester 2 lectures http://www.dcu.ie/timetables/ac.shtml

At least I havnt missed anything, wish they'd hurry up though.