Module 4 (and 6) in 2010 anyone ?

[nicklawford]

There is plenty of discussion on M1 and M7, obviously with M1 as a mandatory module, but there is very little on M4 and M6.

It seems my best choice of four modules is going to be 1 4 6 and 7 - especially after a recent job change that has moved me a bit further away from signalling matters and towards rail (metro) communications and applications.

Are there any UK people out - especially in the London area - considering for *2010* either one or both of the two communications modules M4 Communications Principles and M6 Communications Equipment, Applications Engineering ?

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Nick

[cssuicmez]

I wonder if I could take an exam without being an irse member?

[Peter]

I wonder if I could take an exam without being an irse member?

No. The exam rules state that you must be a member. The information to students notes "In order to apply to sit an examination you must already be a member of the Institution at any grade or have lodged a completed application form with the Institution Membership Manager."

[nicklawford]

Seems like not a lot of interest then in these two modules ?

I asked a similar question of my immediate colleagues and wider department.

Allowing for those who have already passed the exams and those who are already attained IRSE corporate membership, there was a surprising response ...

... but not a good one ...

4 colleagues expressed interest ... but 3 of these responded along the lines of ''I did not know IRSE offered exams'' along with ''where can I find more'', so I pointed them to both the official IRSE site and to this site.

But I wonder if the ''we did not know about this'' replies are a key to lack on interest in these modules ?

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Nick

[PJW]

Seems like not a lot of interest then in these two modules ?

I asked a similar question of my immediate colleagues and wider department.

Allowing for those who have already passed the exams and those who are already attained IRSE corporate membership, there was a surprising response ...

... but not a good one ...

4 colleagues expressed interest ... but 3 of these responded along the lines of ''I did not know IRSE offered exams'' along with ''where can I find more'', so I pointed them to both the official IRSE site and to this site.

But I wonder if the ''we did not know about this'' replies are a key to lack on interest in these modules ?

--
Nick

You may be right; however I remember reading in IRSE News about a year ago that efforts to revive and produce study material was underway. The way things are going on NR at least with FTN, GSM-R and who knows one day even ETCS I think that it is becoming much more important even for pure "signal engineers" to have an appreciation of telecomms in a way that was far less so 30 years ago when I came into industry.......

[nicklawford]

Seems like not a lot of interest then in these two modules ?

I asked a similar question of my immediate colleagues and wider department.
..........

But I wonder if the ''we did not know about this'' replies are a key to lack on interest in these modules ?

You may be right; however I remember reading in IRSE News about a year ago that efforts to revive and produce study material was underway. The way things are going on NR at least with FTN, GSM-R and who knows one day even ETCS I think that it is becoming much more important even for pure "signal engineers" to have an appreciation of telecomms in a way that was far less so 30 years ago when I came into industry.......

Thanks Peter, I delayed my reply a while in a vain hope of more responses - from my internal work question as well as in here. There have been none.

I was sort of toying with the idea of trying to stir up interest for a possible London area study group to look at M4/M6, and possibly volunteering myself to at least do the admin work, finding a location etc, and approach and coerce engineering experts for tuition. I was not expecting to be inundated with responses - but certainly not expecting such a low total response. One comment I could add is many of my colleagues are currently focussed on one of the newer IRSE Licence categories - 1.3.260 Signalling Electronic Systems Tester - that bridges a previous gap for many of the fields we work in; indeed I am going for 1.3.260 as well. Of course I am aware IRSE Licenses are something different - being all about day-to-day competence and less about underlying principles. - but this is what seems to be the main target for the time being.

Perhaps once we've got over the bridge and everyone holds 1.3.260 I might ask again about M4 M6. But for now I think I have to leave the idea of group study in abeyance ... just have to study for myself for 2010.

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Nick

[coomerst]

Nick,
I probably wouldn't sit the exams in 2010 but would be very interested to join you if you manage to get any study groups together...

I don't have much experience working in these areas but I too believe that they will become increasingly more important for the future.

please keep me posted on any progress
Stu

[nicklawford]

Nick,
I probably wouldn't sit the exams in 2010 but would be very interested to join you if you manage to get any study groups together...

I don't have much experience working in these areas but I too believe that they will become increasingly more important for the future.

please keep me posted on any progress
Stu

Hi

Sorry delay reply, apart from annual leave I left the board alone around the 2009 exams were happening; guess that was more important.

I'm still sort of trying to rouse interest, so far one colleague has indicated interested in M4 and/or M6 in 2010, but thats it so far.

I'll keep at it for a while longer; hope we can find some more interest through this forum.

Nick

[jimmyinin]

Nick,

Just picked up this thread .. Count me in as I am keen to sit for the Module 4 in 2010 .........Are you aware of any resources i.e. speakars who could perhaps help us with this module ..

How are you working it out ??

Thanks

Jimmy

Nick,
I probably wouldn't sit the exams in 2010 but would be very interested to join you if you manage to get any study groups together...

I don't have much experience working in these areas but I too believe that they will become increasingly more important for the future.

please keep me posted on any progress
Stu

Hi

Sorry delay reply, apart from annual leave I left the board alone around the 2009 exams were happening; guess that was more important.

I'm still sort of trying to rouse interest, so far one colleague has indicated interested in M4 and/or M6 in 2010, but thats it so far.

I'll keep at it for a while longer; hope we can find some more interest through this forum.

Nick

[nicklawford]

Just picked up this thread .. Count me in as I am keen to sit for the Module 4 in 2010 .........Are you aware of any resources i.e. speakars who could perhaps help us with this module ..

How are you working it out ??

Thanks

Thanks for response.

There is some small movement of ideas in the background, that is all at the moment.

Anything that does happen will be posted here.

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Nick