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Session 3586

Associate Degree Program in Telemedia Communications Technology

David B. Beyer P.E. Middlesex County College, Edison, N.J.

Introduction

Under a grant from the National Science Foundation, Middlesex County College faculty is developing a two-year associate in applied science degree program in Telemedia Communications Technology (NSF grant 9602375). As the name implies, telemedia is the transmission of multimedia information over distances. This program will prepare technicians for careers in the telecommunications industry, and indeed, in any organization where technician level telecommunications skills are required. The program is being designed in cooperation with a local high school, so that provision can be made for smooth transition from high school to this program. It is anticipated that articulation with four-year colleges will allow students to continue towards a bachelor degree. The first class will enter this program in the fall of 1998.

It is expected that graduates will find ready employment in industry. Our industrial partners have informed us that many employment opportunities exist in such areas as network installation and maintenance, installation of video-conferencing equipment, cable installation, testing and troubleshooting. The major components of the program are intended to maximize student competencies in these areas. A solid core of mathematics and science, development of oral and written communications skills, social science, and humanities are incorporated into the program.

Procedure

This curriculum will be implemented in a project-centered approach, in a facility best described as a studio environment. There is to be no differentiation between lecture, recitation, and laboratory. Projects and activities will be the vehicle of instruction as opposed to the standard lecture and separate laboratory. All activities associated with a course will be conducted in the same room. The room will have computer terminals and equipment available for any construction or assembly required for projects. The core technical support topics of mathematics, science, and communications will be delivered on a “just in time” basis. As material is covered by the major technical courses, the supporting material will be introduced and developed within the mathematics or science course, timed to be introduced to students as needed.

The general approach in the ongoing development of this program was to create a list of technician competencies upon which the actual courses would be developed. The essentials of this list were provided by our industrial partners. These include: AT&T Corp., Siemens Rolm, York Engineering, Visual Media Group, Madge Networks, Inc., Lucent, and Eastern Datacom.

The entrance requirements to this program are one year of high school algebra and one year of laboratory science. The program is being designed to articulate with several existing upper division programs, and it is hoped that additional upper division programs will be developed to articulate more directly with this program.

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Beyer, D. B. (1997, June), Associate Degree Program In Telemedia Communications Technology Paper presented at 1997 Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 10.18260/1-2--6426