Communication Engineering Technology Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

This certificate is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of electronics technology as it applies to communication engineering. The curriculum prepares students for entry-level positions in electronics communication maintenance, installation, field service, networking, and apprenticeship in the field of communication engineering technology. Students working for certificates must have a basic knowledge of arithmetic, reading and writing in order to learn and work in the occupations they select.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Applied Technology, Transportation & Culinary Arts

Department

Electricity/Electronics

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Manufacturing, Industry, Transportation

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Be prepared to transfer to an accredited, 4-year college or university with junior class standing in electronics technology or a related major.

  2. Select and operate electronic test equipment during troubleshooting and repair operations, with an emphasis on safety in use and accuracy in results.

  3. Analyze, interpret, and trace digital logic diagrams used in signal tracing of complex communications systems.

  4. Effectively communicate with and advise customers and co-workers, both written and orally, regarding the progress of and decisions made concerning test and repair procedures.

  5. Sit for industry/Federal-style examinations on the theory and procedures of electronic communications technology.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

8 units
TECALC 087
Technical Calculations

This course covers practical use and applications of technical calculations most commonly utilized in the trades and industry. Topics include electrical measurements, temperature, volume, weight, and positioning including the number line, working with dedicated formula, applied problems, geometric principles, graphs, right triangles, coordinate systems, and scientific and engineering notation. Concepts, techniques and applications of arithmetic and elementary algebra emphasizing applications to practical problems. Interactive and traditional problem solving methods. Class interactive group exercises applying mathematical techniques to various applications and real world problems. A course in mathematical problems is frequently used by students enrolled in the trades and industrial and engineering programs. Problems are drawn from the industrial field.

Course Details:

ELECTR 110
Direct Current Circuit Analysis
This is a comprehensive course in direct current circuit analysis including Ohm's law, series and parallel circuit analysis, voltage and current dividers, DC meters, Kirchhoff's laws, magnetic circuits, and network theorems.

Course Details:

  1. Corequisite: ELECTR 111
ELECTR 111
Direct Current Circuit Laboratory
This course is the laboratory complement to ELECTR 110 including experiments reinforcing the theory of electricity and the necessary technical skills.

Course Details:

  1. Corequisite: ELECTR 110

2nd Semester

10 units
ELECTR 115
Alternating Current Circuit Analysis
This course is an in depth analysis of alternating current circuits to include AC generation and transformation, inductance and inductive circuits, capacitance and capacitive circuits, time constants, rectangular and polar notation, AC circuit analysis, resonance, and filters.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 110
    2. and
  2. Prerequisite: ELECTR 111
  3. Corequisite: ELECTR 116
ELECTR 116
Alternating Current Circuit Laboratory
This course is the laboratory complement to ELECTR 115 including skill training in reading and interpreting measurements on an oscilloscope, using QT boards, function generators, and other test equipment.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 110
    2. and
  2. Prerequisite: ELECTR 111
  3. Corequisite: ELECTR 115
ELECTR 155
Electronic Drawing and Assembly
This course covers electronic schematic capture, simulation, export to printed circuit board design, layout, and auto-routing software. It includes basic Computer Aided Design (CAD) drafting, block diagrams, library component templates, and printed circuit board (PCB) design, fabrication, and assembly, using with through-hole and surface-mount technology and devices (SMT and SMD).

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 110
ELECTR 230
Semiconductor Devices
This course is a study of semiconductor devices including the chemistry and physics of the structure of the atom and the operation of semiconductor devices based on energy level analysis.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 110

3rd Semester

12 units
ELECTR 235
Solid State Circuit Analysis
This course covers an analysis of discrete solid state circuits and their design including diodes, circuit configurations, amplifiers and amplification, biasing techniques, feedback principles, FETs, photo devices, and evaluation of designed circuits.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 230
ELECTR 265
Digital Logic Design
This course covers combinational logic utilizing Boolean algebra and the binary numbering system.  Topics include Karnaugh maps, truth tables, coding, switching circuits, converters, logic circuit elements, timers, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions, decoders, multiplexers, demultiplexers, and displays.

Course Details:

ELECTR 270
Linear Integrated Circuit Analysis
This course is a review of bipolar transistor fundamentals and differential amplifiers with emphasis on inner connections and circuit designs using integrated circuit operational amplifiers, phase-lock loops, and current differentiating amplifiers.  Includes breadboarding and evaluation of various types of active linear and pulse circuits involving operational amplifiers and phase-lock loops.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 115
    2. and
  2. Prerequisite: ELECTR 116

4th Semester

15 units
ELECTR 266
Microprocessor Technology with Assembly Language
This course covers the fundamental principles of microprocessors and microcontrollers. The architecture of the 8051 series microcontroller is highlighted along with its’ operation and applications in embedded systems. Students make use of assembly language and C language to interface with both analog and digital circuitry. Software simulation tools and microcontroller trainer boards are used in lab exercises and a final project.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 265
ELECTR 220C
FCC Rules and Regulations
This course is a review of the requirements and questions for the General Radiotelephone Operator's License offered by the Federal Communications Commission.

Course Details:

ELECTR 250C
Radio Transmitters, Receivers and Antennas
In this course, students explore topics of electronic communications, such as the electromagnetic frequency spectrum, frequency bands, analog and digital modulation, digital data, antennas, transmission lines and loads, government services and fiber optics. Exercises include diagramming modern transmitter and receiver components, plotting impedances, and making line and load conversions.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 115
    2. and
  2. Prerequisite: ELECTR 116
ELECTR 255C
Telephone and Data Networking
This course includes telephone topology with emphasis on the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, telephony color code, tools, patch panels, phone wiring and installation, voice and data block wiring, installation, and programming/troubleshooting a digital key system and network.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: ELECTR 115
    2. and
  2. Prerequisite: ELECTR 116