Communications Electronics Technology

Welcome to the Communications Electronics Website at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The Communication Electronics Program of Study is designed to educate students in the principles of RF(Radio Frequency) communications. The role of communications in society will be covered along with detailed discussion of AM(amplitude modulation) and FM(frequency modulation) circuits. The characteristics of radio waves and their effect on transmission lines and antenna are also a major part of the course. Students will be made aware of the impact of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Internet and digital data communications on the communications field. This program of study prepares students to enter the broad field of communications at the technical level. Entry level employment skills including troubleshooting, installation and maintenance of communications equipment are stressed. The lecture coursework is backed up by laboratory coursework where the students will build working amplifiers, AM and FM generators and detectors, and simplified FSK modems. Student workgroups will be responsible for developing a system project and presenting it to a class as a working communication system. These skills coupled with a solid foundation in basic electronics provide students with the background necessary to enter the field of communications. Recent graduates have found excellent jobs with companies such as Lucent Technologies and Motorola.

The first two years of the Electronics System Technologies program is designed to give all students a background in fundamental electronics technology. Formal and informal articulation agreements with community colleges ensure the student a smooth transfer into the program. Previous coursework, military and work experience are evaluated on an individual basis. Faculty and the student work together in order to determine the most appropriate point of entry into the program.

The final two years of study include a blend of advanced technical, university core, and electronics management courses. Below is a listing of the recommended Communication Electronics Technology Program of Study.

Career Prerequisites-36 hours

Four-semester sequencing of electronics theory begins in the first fall semester. Students enrolled in laboratory courses are required to purchase electronic components for the purpose of constructing, analyzing, and evaluating electronic circuits. The total cost of theses components is estimated to be at least $200.

  • EST 101-3 DC-AC Circuit Analysis
  • EST 111-3 DC-AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory
  • EST 102-3 Electronic Circuits Theory
  • EST 112-3 Electronics Circuits Laboratory
  • EST 201-3 Digital Circuits Theory
  • EST 211-3 Digital Circuits Laboratory
  • EST 202-3 Industrial Process Control Theory
  • EST 212-3 Industrial Process Control Laboratory
  • EST 221-3 Introduction to Electronic Communications
  • ISAT 121-3 Installing and Upgrading Computer Systems
  • ISAT 224-3 LAN Installation and Administration
  • IST 209-3 Introduction to Programming

Core Mgmt & Tech Requirements-9 hours

All majors take the following professional development classes.

  • EST 305-3 Electronic Troubleshooting and Maintenance
  • EST 451-3 Current Trends in Elec. Sys. Technologies
  • ISAT 366-3 Applications of Technical Writing

Communication Electonics Technology Concentration Courses - 18 hours

  • EST 302-3 Optical Electronics
  • EST 304-3 Communication Systems
  • EST 340-3 Application of Solid State Devices
  • EST 341-3 Digital Circuit Applications
  • EST 414-3 Advanced Communication Systems
  • EST 319B-3 Communications Internship

Electives - 16 Hours

Students may choose from the following general electives or other EST program option courses to complete hours.

  • EST 306-3 Technical Drawing
  • EST 342-3 Microcontroller Applications Lecture
  • ISAT 365-3 Data Applications and Interpretation
  • TRM-332-3 Labor-Management Problems
  • TRM 361-3 Fiscal Aspects of Technical Management
  • TRM 362-3 Legal Aspects of Technical Management
  • TRM 364-3 Work Center Management
  • TRM 383-3 Data Interpretation (Same as ISAT 365)
  • TRM 421-3 Professional Development

More information as to course description and program requirements may be found in the Abbreviated EST Course Descriptions and EST Program Requirements.

Other Concentrations:
Biomedical Equipment Technology
 Networking Technolgy
Industrial Electronics Technology