COVENANT UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering

Department of Electrical and Information Engineering

Course Code: ICE111 Course Title: Introduction to Information and
Communication Engineering
Semester: Alpha Time: 2 Hours Contact Time/Week (Fri, 12 – 2pm)
Course Unit(s): 2 Location: CVE400LH
Lecturers: Dr. A. A. Adewale; Dr. K. O. Okokpujie; Dr. O. Idowu-Bismark; Mrs. C.
Somefun {adeyinka.adewale; kennedy.okokpujie; olabode.idowu-bismark;
comfort.somefun} @covenantuniversity.edu.ng

a) Course Overview and description

The aim of this course is to introduce first-year students of the information and
communication engineering programme to the historical background, fundamentals/
building blocks, current, and future trends in communication engineering. The students will
be exposed to various aspects of the programme to be explored more in-depth in higher
levels of study. The course will cover introductory topics in the fundamental theory and
applications relating to the generation, distribution, analysis, and use of information in
engineering systems. This includes fundamentals of data transmission as it concerns
telephony and television signals, internet technology (including the relevant protocol suite),
and the related government agencies guiding operations as it relates to information and
communication engineering internationally and nationally.
b) Pre-requisites none

c) Status Compulsory course

d) Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Learning Outcomes Bloom's
Objectives
S/N At the end of this course, students PO Taxonomy
The objectives of this course are to:
should be able to: Level
• Explain the meaning of
information engineering and
communication engineering.
Introduce the course (programme) • Identify the founding fathers of
and present the historical inventions that have contributed to
1. background of information and or currently make up information 1, 12 1, 2
communication engineering. and communication engineering
Dr. Adewale systems.
• List the possible career choices
related to information and
communication engineering.
Teach the basic concepts of signal • Draw a block diagram that
transmission, reception, and represents a typical
different kinds of channels in communication system.
2. 1 1, 2
communication engineering • State the functions of each
systems. component of the communication
Dr. Okokpujie system block diagram.
 Learning Outcomes Bloom's
Objectives
S/N At the end of this course, students PO Taxonomy
The objectives of this course are to:
should be able to: Level
• Compare and contrast the
different categories and types of
communication channels.
• Differentiate between analogue
and digital TV systems.
Introduce the fundamentals of
3. television broadcasting. • Match the elements of TV 1 1, 2
Dr. Okokpujie broadcasting to the related
functions and equipment required
for such.
• Describe the cellular concept.
• Define tessellation vis-à-vis the
cellular concept in
communications.
• Calculate cell cluster sizes and
Explore the cellular concept and the
system capacity.
evolution of mobile radio access
4.
technologies. • Define handover/ handoff. 1 1, 2, 3
Dr. Idowu-Bismark • Match features (data rates,
modulation, operating frequencies
etc.) to the related generation of
mobile technology evolution
• Draw the 2G GSM architecture
and name the components.
Introduce the relevant regulatory • Identify governmental agencies
bodies guiding the by their stated functions and 1,
5. telecommunications industry operating jurisdiction. 3.1.2, 1
nationally and globally. • State the primary objective of the 6.1
Dr. Idowu-Bismark Nigerian Communications Act.
• Define a variety of relevant terms
such as internet, internet protocol,
IP address and, Internet of Things
(IoT).
• Outline the standards, protocols,
Introduce the concept of internet systems, and hardware that enable
6. technology and programming. the internet. 1, 12 1
Dr. Adewale • State the functions of Internet
Service Providers (ISPs).
• Match the various tools/
programming languages for web/
mobile application designing to
their specific functions.

e) Course Content
Module 1: Introduction to Information and Communication Engineering Week 1/8
1.1 Basic introduction to information engineering and communication engineering
1.2 Historical development of communication engineering systems – facsimile telegraph,
telephony, radio, satellite, optical, and mobile communications.
1.3 Current and future trends in the various aspects of information and communication
engineering
1.4 Career Prospects in information and communication engineering
Module 2: The Communication System Week 2/9
2.1 Types of communication systems – classification based on signal type (analogue,
digital), communication channel (wired, wireless)
2.2 Examples of communication systems
2.3 Block diagram of a typical communication system
2.4 Elements of a communication system

Module 3: Introduction to Television Systems Week 3/10

3.1 Introduction – differentiate between analogue and digital TV systems
3.2 Principles of operation of TV systems – image analysis (flicker, resolution, picture
shape, scanning), the picture signal (waveform, distortion and interference), spectrum
3.3 Compatible colour television

Module 4: Introduction to Mobile Communications Week 4/11

4.1 The cellular system
4.2 Evolution of mobile communications – a review of features of 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G,
6G…systems
4.3 The (2G) GSM system – architecture, operating principles, and technologies
4.4 Current trends in cellular radio and personal communications

Module 5: Telecommunication System Planning Week 5/12

5.1 Introduction to telecommunications standards, monitoring, and regulation
5.2 The roles of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) – history, structure and
functions.
5.3 The Nigerian Communications Act
5.4 The roles of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) – history, structure and
functions

Module 6: Internet Technology Week 6/13

6.1 The Internet – definitions, types (of internet connections)
6.2 Internet standards, protocols, hardware requirements
6.3 Internet services and providers
6.4 Designing and managing web and mobile applications.

REVISION Week 7/14

f) Expectations of Students
i. Carry out a two-hour class lecture per week
ii. Complete and turn in assignments promptly

g) Methods of Delivery
• Lecture Delivery Methods:
i. Lecturing/Teaching Method
ii. Educator-Student Interaction (Discussion method)
• Teaching Aids:
i. Visual aids (Use of PowerPoint slides, Lecture notes)
ii. Audio-visual aids (Use of video)

h) Audio-Visual Aid(s)
Public address systems and smart electronic boards
i) Method of Grading Continuous Assessment
There are two tests and one main exam. The distribution of the grading are as follows:
Test 1 – 15%
Test 2 – 15%
Exam – 70%
Overall score – 100%

j) Alignment with Covenant University Vision/Goals

The course will expose students to the meaning and essence of their chosen course of study
– information and communication engineering, thereby preparing them to build the required
capacity to excel therein.

k) Contemporary Issues and Industrial Relevance

This introduction to information and communication engineering course is very
instrumental to the student’s understanding of the programme. It introduces the students to
topics that will be covered in-depth in higher levels of study. With this course, the students
will become familiar with the variety of professional career options related to information
and communication engineering, for life beyond the university.

l) Accompanying Reference Text

i. Communication Engineering Principles 2nd Edition by Ifiok Otung. ISBN: 978-1-
119-27407-0 January 2021.
ii. Miller, Joseph B. (2014) Internet Technologies and Information Services (2nd
edition). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, ISBN 978-1-61069-473-5.
iii. From GSM to LTE-Advanced. An introduction to mobile networks and mobile
broadband. Revised 2nd Edition by Martin Sauter. 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.