Telecommunications Engineering Technician - Associate Degree
The Telecommunications Engineering Technician is intended to provide students with the theory and hands-on educational experience necessary to receive a job in the Telecommunications field. Students will learn broadband network design, fiber optic splicing, fiber optic installation, fiber optic testing, safety, basic rigging and fall protection, principles of electricity, wireless technology, cell components, spectrum management, project data collection, and telecommunications project engineering and design principles. This program gives students our students an encompassing education of broadband networks we all rely on, from the towers to the internet servers and everything in between.
Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $11,279, Books: $193, Supplies: $0
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=104512
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate the fundamental aspects of fall protection and rescue theory and practical application to tower safety practices for a competent worker.
- Apply the basic principles of overhead tower construction including safe work habits, protective equipment and tower climbing techniques.
- Apply the fundamentals of cable accessories and carrier installation standards for a broad cross section of wireless construction.
- Identify the basic fundamental elements of wireless technology relevant to tower installation including wireless networks, application, service and a basic technical overview of spectrum principles.
- Apply the basic principles of electricity and safety standards in the Telecommunications industry.
- Demonstrate an ability to climb towers and work comfortably at heights.
- Demonstrate an ability to function effectively as a member of a technical team.
Curriculum
The Telecommunications Engineering Technician is intended to provide students with the theory and hands-on educational experience necessary to receive a job in the Telecommunications field. Students will learn broadband network design, fiber optic splicing, fiber optic installation, fiber optic testing, safety, basic rigging and fall protection, principles of electricity, wireless technology, cell components, spectrum management, project data collection, and telecommunications project engineering and design principles. This program gives students an encompassing education of broadband networks we all rely on, from the towers to the internet servers and everything in between.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Summer Before Third Semester
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Course Descriptions
Students gain skills that lead to success in college and employment. This course encourages students to develop a growth mindset and make wise choices. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringTopics include solving linear equations; graphing; percent; proportions; measurement systems; computational geometry; and right triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arithmetic score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of AutoCAD by working with templates; creating and manipulating layers; basic drawing, editing, and inquiry commands; and blocks, attributes, and plotting.
Course Typically Offered:Provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of basic surveying principles, instruments in the field, making computations, and generating computerized maps. (Co-Requisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering)
Course Typically Offered:Prepares students for the different methods of data collection and data management for Telecommunications projects. (Co-Requisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering)
Course Typically Offered:Learn utility system safety terminology, definitions, and practices. Define safety responsibility, rules and regulations. Demonstrate safe work procedures on a simulated energized system using testing tools.
Course Typically Offered: FallDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of working with survey data, points, alignments, surfaces, and profile in Civil 3D. (Pre-Requisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering.)
Course Typically Offered:Creates an experience consistent with projects in industry. Students will learn how to field buried cable projects to aerial projects and also learn industry equipment that operates on these projects. (Pre-Requisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering. Co-Requisite: 10-607-114, Civil 3D-Intro)
Course Typically Offered:Focuses on taking the data from field collection and creating the product that a utility crew would use to place the communications facility. Learners will develop plan sets consistent with industry standards. (Pre-Requisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering. Co-Requisite: 10-607-114, Civil 3D-Intro)
Course Typically Offered:Starts from the basics and gives the learner the tools to design and maintain industrial communications systems. You'll learn the underlying principles behind today's industrial communications systems.
Course Typically Offered:Develops the knowledge and understanding of Analog and Digital signals with respect to communications.
Course Typically Offered:Prepares students for the differing telecommunications networks that are utilized in the industry.
Course Typically Offered:Introduces the concepts of AC and DC power and basic circuits. Using a multimeter, students learn about voltage, current, and resistance in both AC and DC circuits.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringProvides students with tools to analyze telecommunications policy and regulations and their impacts on the telecommunication markets. We first review telecommunications industry/organizational structure and concepts of telecommunication technologies. We then discuss key elements of information and communication (ICT) policy and discuss ICT policies and national broadband plans from selected countries. Finally we discuss impact of policy on current and emerging topics such as broadband, VoIP and cognitive radio. The course has an emphasis on policies in developing countries and emerging markets but combines other multidisciplinary aspects related to technology, economics, law.
Course Typically Offered:Introduces how power systems work differently in the telecommunications industry.
Course Typically Offered:Covers Microprocessor logic, instruction, and clocked sequential circuits; memory devices; data acquisition, manipulation and transfer circuitry; machine and assembly languages; and microprocessor support devices. (Co-Requisite: 10-451-203, Fiber Optic Splicing & Testing Procedures)
Course Typically Offered:Allows students to apply the theory, skills, and techniques they've learned in the Telecommunication industry.
Course Typically Offered:Learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringSurvey of theoretical foundations of human behavior such as sensation and perception, motivation, emotions, learning, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, and human diversity in personal, social and vocational settings. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringIntroduces basic principles of electricity, safety standards, and basic line worker tools. Students will also learn about electrical distribution systems and components, line installation, and maintenance applications.
Course Typically Offered:Introduces the fundamental aspects of fall protection and rescue theory as well as practical applications of tower safety practices. Students will also learn about fall hazards, protection regulations, use and assessment of full body harnesses, and energy absorbing lanyards.
Course Typically Offered:Introduces the basics of overhead power line construction, safe work practices, protective equipment, and climbing techniques. (Co-Requisite: 10-451-100, Introduction to Electrical Tower Worker)
Course Typically Offered:This course focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory course-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringIntroduces the fundamental elements of wireless technology relevant to tower installation including wireless networks and applications services as well as a basic technical overview of spectrum principals and characteristics. (Pre-Requisite: 10-451-110 Utility Safety)
Course Typically Offered:Introduces the fundamentals and characteristics of cable accessories and carrier installation standards for a broad cross section of wireless construction. This includes communication cables, weather proofing, handling and support, grounding, and the components of cell systems.
Course Typically Offered:Introduces tower inspection and lighting vocabulary, why tower lighting is needed, identifying the most common types of tower lighting and troubleshooting for each type, understand maintenance and inspection issues, and gathering information on lighting systems and related problems. (Co-Requisite: 10-451-103 Introduction to Wireless Technologies)
Course Typically Offered:Introduces the fundamentals of electronic communication systems. Topics include the frequency spectrum, electrical noise, modulation techniques, characteristics of transmitters and receivers, and digital communications. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret analog and digital communication circuit diagrams, analyze transmitter and receiver circuits, and use appropriate communication test equipment.
Course Typically Offered:Provides an opportunity for students to successfully complete a major project integrating a range of telecommunications disciplines and skills. This course serves as a transition between traditional teaching and professional practice, where the instructor serves primarily as an advisor.
Course Typically Offered:Principles of report writing and correspondence, proposals, feasibility reports, progress reports, investigation reports, evaluation reports, meeting reports, memos, and correspondence. (Prerequisite: 10-801-136, English Composition I OR 10-801-195, Written Communication with “C” or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall Spring