ECE3141 Information and networks
Faculty of Engineering
ECE3141 Information and networks is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 8 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 4 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before ECE3141
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After ECE3141
8 units list ECE3141 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
- ECE3142Digital communicationNo reviews yetCoreq
- ECE4024Wireless communicationsNo reviews yet
- ECE4043Optical communicationsNo reviews yet
- ECE4044Telecommunications protocolsNo reviews yet
- ECE4045Network performanceNo reviews yet
- ECE4146Multimedia technologiesNo reviews yet
- ECE4191Engineering integrated designNo reviews yet
- ECE4810Internet of Things: Communication, data and securityNo reviews yet
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: Completion of 48 credit points in engineering study.
E6011 Master of Professional Engineering - You are exempt from the prerequisite rule if you are enrolled in this course.
Overview
This unit provides an introduction to underlying technologies, major components and system-wide architectures of modern telecommunication systems. After introducing concepts of block and stream delivery, requirements of a telecommunications network and representation of analogue signals (e.g. voice and video) in digital form, the unit will cover all the major functions in layered architectures. Topics to be covered include multiplexing, basic line transmission and modulation, error protection and correction, packet switching, LAN protocols and the TCP/IP protocols on which the Internet is built. Particular emphasis is given to the major functions that combine to allow communication across key modern digital telecommunication systems such as the Internet, mobile telephony, digital TV and Digital Audio Broadcasting.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Flexible |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Weekly laboratory class assessmentDemonstrationThreshold hurdle16%
- Progress testsQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle10%
- Workshop participationQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle4%
- Mini projectProjectThreshold hurdle10%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Identify major elements of telecommunication systems, including functions in layered architectures such as TCP/IP.
- 2
Appraise alternative medium sharing protocols used in networks such as Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
- 3
Analyse the error detection and correction capabilities of error control codes.
- 4
Evaluate the impact of channel bandwidth and the channel noise on the performance of telecommunication systems.
- 5
Analyse impairments experienced by a modulated signal transmitted through a communication channel.
- 6
Evaluate addressing and routing algorithms, and strategies used in the transport of data packets in the Internet.
- 7
Execute research on an assigned advanced telecommunications topic in a team for making a formal presentation.
Workload and teaching
- Assessments2 hours
- Laboratories22 hours
- Applied sessions24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Weekly sets of practice problems and an investigatory mini-project.
Active participation in laboratories.
Active participation in laboratories, practical sessions and discussion forum.
Participation in workshops.
A typical week will involve:
- Viewing a number of short videos explaining the theory, with embedded checks on understanding.
- Participating in a weekly workshop, gaining a wider perspective of the theory and applying it to sample problems.
- Completing provided practice problems to reinforce understanding.
- Reading the upcoming laboratory document and completing a pre-lab quiz on it.
- Participating in the allocated laboratory session to complete the required simulations, confirm understanding with demonstrators and obtain assessment.
- Referral to textbook where necessary to ensure proper understanding of theory.
- Asking and answering questions on the discussion forum.
- Attendance as necessary at the provided practical session to discuss any uncertainties.
Learning resources
Required resources
Lectures, lecture slides, weekly exercises, distributed lab/simulation exercise description and instructions, Matlab.
Recommended resources
Tanenbaum, Feamster & Wetherall: Computer networks (6th Edition), Pearson
Where it fits
ECE3141 is part of 7 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
- BIOMDENG03Prescribed biomedical engineering technical electivesBiomedical engineeringNo reviews yet
- ECSYSENG04Part C. Electrical and computer systems engineering knowledge and applicationElectrical and computer systems engineeringNo reviews yet
- IOTMNR01Studying mechanical engineering specialisationInternet of Things (IoT)No reviews yet
- NTWCONTY02Studying other engineering specialisationsNetworks for connectivityNo reviews yet
- ROBMCTRN04Robotics and mechatronics engineering technical electivesRobotics and mechatronics engineeringNo reviews yet
- SMTMFMNR03Studying other engineering specialisationSmart manufacturingNo reviews yet
- TELCOMIF02Studying other engineering specialisationsTelecommunications infrastructureNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Vineetha Kalavally
- Dr James Saunderson
- Chief Examiners
- Dr James Saunderson
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECE3141?
ECE3141 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after ECE3141?
ECE3141 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 8 units, including ECE3142, ECE4024, ECE4043, ECE4044, ECE4045 and ECE4146.
When is ECE3141 offered?
In 2026, ECE3141 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.
How much work is ECE3141?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECE3141 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECE3141?
ECE3141 is part of Biomedical engineering; Electrical and computer systems engineering; Internet of Things (IoT); Networks for connectivity; and Robotics and mechatronics engineering, and 2 other areas of study.