Communication Engineering

What is Communication Engineering

Communication engineering deals with various systems like navigation, telephony, radar, satellites, and television etc. Today it is possible for us to communicate right away with a person who is thousands of miles away just by pressing a few buttons of the telephone; we can get instant access to the weather report of the whole universe from the satellites orbiting the earth, we can identify an enemy aircraft incoming in our area through the air route with the support of radar. All of this has become possible due to communication system engineering.

A communication engineer’s role is to carry out information transfer, research, designing, development, and be involved in the construction of communication equipment. A communication engineering course prepares students for any type of need like finding solutions to problems in network design, mobile communications, internet protocols, and networking protocols. The programme, therefore, helps them to execute the important duties of a communication engineer successfully.

At the postgraduate level, communication engineering is offered as a separate study discipline. Students who graduate in electrical engineering (EE), electronics and telecommunication engineering (ECT), computer science and technology, and other related disciplines can apply for this course. It is a specialisation taught in most bachelor’s degree programmes. Five-year courses usually require internships and apprenticeships. In the era of globalization, communication is a key aspect of resourcefulness. Hence, excellent career opportunities for communication engineering aspirants with prospects for higher earnings are increasing gradually.

Communication Engineering Courses- Degrees and Levels: 

Diploma level (3-years courses)- A diploma in communication engineering can be done after passing class 10 boards. The course furnishes students with basic skills in communication technology for performing fresher-level jobs in the industry.  Candidates can opt for following options:

• Diploma in Electrical and Communication Engineering

• Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering

• Diploma in Telecommunication Engineering

Undergraduate level (4-year courses)

• B.Tech in Electrical and Communication Engineering

• B.Tech in Telecommunication Engineering

• B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering

• B.Tech in Computer and Communication Engineering

• B.Tech in IT and Visual Communications

Postgraduate level (2-year courses) 

• M.Tech or M.E. in Communication Engineering

• M.Tech or M.E. in Communication System

• M.Tech or M.E. in Electrical and Communication Engineering

• M.Tech or M.E. in Telecommunication Engineering

• M.Tech or M.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering

• M.Tech in Wireless Communication

• M.Tech in Signal Processing

Integrated course awarding dual degree (5-year course): These are specialised communication engineering courses that provide a dual degree (i.e. BS + MS) to a student on his successful completion of the tenure. It offers specialisation in a sub field of communication engineering.

Postgraduate level (research-based): Master of Science in communication engineering or correlated fields can be attained later a post-graduate level research theory is done with least course work. The admissibility for registering in this postgrad degree course is the completion in any outlet having importance in communication engineering.

Doctoral programme (research-based): PhD with a specialist in communication engineering and interrelated extents can be attained only after scripting an innovative research thesis in that specific field. This is characteristically followed if an individual is zealous about research in developments of communication structures. An applicant must struggle to secure a position in a communications engineering college under the central university guidelines, in order to acquire a doctoral degree.

Communication Engineering: Maximum and Minimum Duration

1. Diploma level: This course can be pursued after passing class 10 and boards. Diplomas are usually of 3 years duration, minimum. When pursued after class 12 it has a duration of 2 years.
   
   

2. Undergraduate level: Graduation requires at least 4 years to complete.
   
   

3. Postgraduate level: M.Tech. or M.S. Communications Engineering/ Communication Systems/ Electronics and Telecommunication is a 2 years programme, generally following the semester structure, i.e. a total of four semesters. This comprises certain milestones set separately for project work and research work.
   
   

4. Dual degree: The combined degree is for usually 5 years.
   
   

5. Postgraduate level (research-based): This is a research-intensive programme the duration of which is based upon the progress made by a scholar in his scientific research and publication. It typically takes 3 years to complete an M.S degree.
   
   

6. Doctoral programme (research-based): This is out and out a research-oriented programme that can take 7-8 years to complete. A minimum of 3 years is required to complete a PhD programme in communication engineering. The duration, however, depends on the research circumstances, research advisor, challenges faced and the progress made.   

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Communication Engineering

The eligibility for the diploma course is qualifying 10+2 board examination in science stream with an aggregate of 70%. The candidate must have studied English as one of the subjects in class 10. For the undergraduate level, a minimum eligibility criterion of passing a 10+2 in the science stream is required. Moreover, candidates are also required to successfully qualify either of the relevant JEE exam or institute level entrance examination for admission in the respective course. Few of the communication engineering courses have the eligibility criteria of securing 60% in class 10 and 12 from a recognised board. Lateral entry or admission in the second year is also available for candidates who have completed a diploma degree in communications engineering.

The eligibility criteria for postgraduate courses include graduation with either a B. Tech or B.E degree. It is mandatory for the candidate to have a minimum of 60% marks (first-class) or 6.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) (out of 10.0) in the degree level from a UGC or AICTE approved institute. Maximum state institutes have the minimum eligibility criteria of an undergraduate (B.E./B.Tech) degree in communications engineering. The IITs have an added eligibility criterion of a valid GATE score, which is relaxed for those who have qualified their B.Tech from an IIT securing a CGPA of more than 8.0 out of 10. The selection procedure in a communications engineering postgraduate level course normally involves a written examination along with an interview thereafter. Direct admission to the course is offered to only those graduates whose score lies within a specifically high percentile range. But even they are given the choice of declining this in favour of sitting for the admission test so that they can opt for other specialisations. Other applicants must appear for a separate written test held by a particular institution.

Candidates wishing to apply for doctoral studies need to fulfil the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Post-graduation (M.Sc./ M.Tech.) in communications engineering or related stream, completed from a recognised university.

• A minimum aggregate score of 60% at the level of post-graduation.

Most colleges and universities offering communication engineering courses admit students on the basis of their performance in the relevant entrance exam followed by counseling and interview. The admission process, thereafter, varies from institute to institute. A candidate who has cleared GATE is given more preference during admission. The cutoff percentage in the entrance exam is relaxed for candidates belonging to the SC/ST/PwD category. 

Admission Criteria for Communications Engineering after Class 12

The applicants must qualify the specific entrance examinations in order to enroll themselves in the course, apart from passing class 12. Different academies/universities agree to take scores of diverse entrance examinations for both UG and PG courses. Cited below is the details of the entrance examinations for communications engineering.

Entrance Examinations for Communication Engineering:

Entrance exams vary on the basis of the level one aspires to gain admission into. The admission for diploma course is carried out solely on the basis of the merit list.  For undergraduate communications and engineering courses, the score of the JEE Main is considered valid by most colleges and universities. The JEE Advanced is for getting admission in the IITs. Other private institutes like Vellore Institute of Technology, Birla Institute of Technology etc., conduct personal entrance exams like BITSAT, COMEDK, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, and UPSEE. Once a candidate has completed that, he can choose to enroll himself in any of the institutes offering communications engineering courses. One can even choose to do certificate courses from CISCO such as CCENT and CCNA.

Various engineering colleges in India also offer direct admission to ITI diploma holders in the second year of the communications engineering course. There are also some entrance exams for diploma holders which are called lateral entry entrance exams.  For postgraduate programmes, the major entrance exam is the GATE the score of which is used by almost all reputed colleges including IITs.

In a few private colleges, direct admission through management quota is also available while in most of the colleges, they have strict selection criteria for a communication engineering course. Government engineering colleges, for instance, do not provide direct admission. For taking admission in one of the IITs, NITs, and IISC, getting a valid GATE score is the only option 

Fees and Expenses of Communication Engineering Courses

1. Diploma level: The total course fee falls in the range of Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 1,00,000. Many government and private colleges offer this course as well.
   
   

2. Undergraduate level: It is typically between Rs.60,000 and Rs.10,00,000 for the 4 years of the programme. However, it varies from institute to institute.
   
   

3. Postgraduate and research: The fee is often lower compared to most of the undergraduate courses. In some cases, especially in government colleges, the GATE-qualified scholars get a stipend of approximately Rs. 12000 per month. The fee, otherwise, ranges from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 1,15,000 for the 2-year course. The MS and PhD students of communications engineering are also eligible to get a stipend ranging from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 45,000 per month. 

Required Skillset for Communication Engineering

To be able to pursue communications engineering, candidates must possess the following set of skills:

1. Good understanding of networks- A strong foundation of basic networking concepts is fundamental to a successful career in communications engineering. Networking technologies include all communications engineering activities and a strong comprehension of the hardware and protocols used to create networks is essential to future success.
   
   

2. Technical knowledge and ability- A knack of understanding modern technology, its working and advances applied or reasoned with in any shape or form for any issues or applications is a key skill for communications engineers.
   
   

3. Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills- Ability to think creatively and develop new and innovative solutions is a must skill in this course. In ambiguous environments, one should be confident in decision-making ability and should always be in a quest for new ways of doing things.
   
   

4. Organisational skills- These abilities help one to handle different tasks simultaneously while maximising the use of time, mental ability, energy, and physical space, etc. As a result, the desired result is achieved within less time in a much effective way.
   
   

5. Analytical and problem-solving skills- Communication engineers should possess the ability to examine information or a situation in detail in order to identify key or important elements, their strengths and weaknesses and use these to compile a persuasive argument, make recommendations or solve a problem.
   
   

6. Ability to work in a team- A team that understands goals and is committed to attaining them is ideal in engineering. A clear direction and agreement on what you are trying to achieve is an essential part of teamwork.
   
   

7. People management skills- Communication engineers who work in small corporations and companies must have people management skills to effectively perform their jobs. They include communication, leadership, delegation, motivation, training and even performance feedback.
   
   

8. Strong IT skills- A communication engineer must have strong IT skills on topics like data analytics, networking, project management and cybersecurity.
   
   

9. Interpersonal skills- These skills help employees develop and foster strong working relationships with each other and with their clients that contribute to the increasing team and organisational productivity