FAQ 08: Many diploma courses include Internet of Things (IoT) in their curricula. Does the DCPE course cover IoT?

Yes. DCPE covers all the important aspects of Internet of Things (IoT).

IoT involves 4 main areas:
(i) Sensing (data collection);
(ii) Transmission of Data (networking);
(iii) Analysis of Data (data analytics); and
(iv) Application (how to make use of the data).

Sensing – “Sensing” involves the use of sensors to collect data (e.g. temperature; number of cars passing by). Sensors are electronic devices (hardware) and need to be connected (interfaced) with computers or microcontrollers. In DCPE, students learn subjects in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Digital Electronics. Students also learn programming microcontrollers and interfacing with external devices (e.g. sensors). From these subjects, DCPE students learn how sensors work, how to interface sensors with microcontrollers, and how to programme microcontrollers to control the data collection process.

Transmission of Data – Data collected by the sensors need to be sent to the servers for processing/analysis. This involves networking (wired or wireless). All DCPE students learn essential networking knowledge, enough to set up and configure networks to support IoT systems.

Analysis of Data – What is the point if data are collected and not analysed? In DCPE, students learn basic data analytics in year-2 Mathematics. We also have a dedicated year-3 module, ET1409 Data Analytics (under “Smart City Technologies” option) to cover this topic.

Application – The purpose of collecting data is to make use of the information collected to make “smart decisions” (e.g. Smart City solutions). This involves server-side programming, database, client-side programming (e.g. mobile app). DCPE students learn all these subjects under the “Computer Engineering & Software” year-2 option.

DCPE covers all the important aspects of IoT systems: hardware, software, networking, data analysis. DCPE students are most well-trained in IoT systems’ design, implementation and operation. You can hardly find a match to DCPE’s coverage in the IoT technology. On top of that, DCPE also includes Artificial Intelligence in year-3 specialisation, allowing the students to design and implement AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) solutions.

Interestingly, you don’t find a module named “Internet of Things” in DCPE (remark: the module ET0731 IoT Security is only about the security aspect of IoT). Reason: There is no way to cover the 4 areas of IoT in a single module :). If you are very keen to master IoT, choose the “Computer Engineering & Software” (CES) path of DCPE course in year-2, and you will learn about IoT.