This Course Guide has been taken from the most recent presentation of the course. It would be useful for reference purposes but please note that there may be updates for the following presentation.
ELEC S334
Signal Processing and Multimedia Technology
Welcome to ELEC S334 Signal Processing and Multimedia Technology.
ELEC S334 is a one-year, 10-credit, advanced-level course within the BSc and BSc (Hons) in Computer Engineering programmes, and the BSc and BSc (Hons) in Electronics programmes. The course is designed to first provide you with a foundation in digital signal processing, and then help you establish your knowledge of different areas of multimedia.
The digital signal processing foundation you'll acquire includes digital signal sampling and quantitation, as well as digital transforms and digital filters. The multimedia sections include audio, image, video, and multimedia transmission.
Purpose of this Course Guide
Before proceeding to the study units or textbook, you are highly recommended to read this Course Guide very thoroughly. Although some of the content may be familiar to you, much of the information is specific to ELEC S334 Signal Processing and Multimedia Technology.
The Course Guide tells you briefly what the course is about, and how you can work your way through the material. It also suggests the amount of time you will probably need to spend in order to complete the course successfully, and gives you a general guide as to when your assignments are due.
For detailed information on your assignments, see the Assignment File, which will be available for downloading from the Online Learning Environment (OLE) in due course. For information on due dates for work to be submitted, see the Presentation Schedule also available on the OLE.
You will probably wish to refer to this Course Guide throughout the course to help clarify important points about studying with HKMU.
Course aims
ELEC S334 aims to:
Course learning outcomes
Upon the completion of ELEC S334, you should be able to:
Course description
ELEC S334 Signal Processing and Multimedia Technology is designed to provide a structured, stimulating environment in which you will learn the concepts and techniques of signal processing and multimedia technology. The course is organized into eight study units that guide your learning. Each study unit contains four to five weeks of work, and includes specific objectives, directions for study, and commentaries on the material presented in the text and how to apply it. The titles of the specific study units are included in the course overview table below. The units include self-tests related to the required readings. Together with the four assignments, they assist you in achieving the stated learning objectives of individual units and the course.
The course also includes a series of regular tutorials. You need to keep up to date with your study in order to gain full advantage from the tutorials. They are not lectures, but are designed to allow group discussion and input. Tutorials are not effective without your input. Your tutor will lead discussions, and needs your help to make these sessions successful. You'll find more information on tutorials in a later section of this Course Guide.
Course overview
The following table provides an overview of the course. It suggests the amount of time you should allow for completing the study units. These times are intended as a guide only. The time needed to complete the study units, work through self-tests and assignments, as well as complete the rest of the course, will vary from learner to learner. You can adjust these times to fit your personal needs more closely. You will need to carefully plan your own work and study schedule.
The average estimated time that you will need to spend on this course is about ten hours per week. This estimate includes time for reading the study units and textbook, completing self-tests and practice exercises, completing your assignments, attending tutorials, and preparing for your final examination. It is important that you complete and hand in your assignments on time. You need to bear this in mind when you are planning your study time. You can find more information on assignments in a later section of this Course Guide.
ELEC S334 is divided into two blocks comprising eight units, as shown in the table and figure below.
| Unit | Title | Weeks | Assessment |
| 1 | Fundamentals of signal processing | 5 | Assignment 1 |
| 2 | Transform in digital signal processing | 5 | |
| 3 | Digital filters in signal processing | 5 | Assignment 2 |
| 4 | Signal representation and data compression | 4 | |
| 5 | Audio processing | 5 | Assignment 3 |
| 6 | Image processing | 5 | |
| 7 | Image and video encoding | 5 | Assignment 4 |
| 8 | Multimedia transmission and advanced applications | 4 | |
| Revision | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 40 |
|
The course materials include the Course Guide, eight study units, and an Assignment File.
Course materials (print and online)
In addition to this Course Guide, there are other important components of the course. Ensure that you have all of these materials available and can identify the various components in the course. If you do not have the appropriate HKMU-produced materials, you should contact the Educational Technology and Publishing Unit of HKMU immediately. The textbook, however, is your own responsibility.
Study units
Each of the eight study units in this course contains four to five weeks of work. As an experienced distance learner, you know that you have to plan your own study schedule. It is important that you complete self-tests and assignments on time and pass the examination. The course is structured so that each unit builds upon previous knowledge. Each unit includes different ways to help you study, for example:
Units 1 to 3 of the course take advantage of the textbook (listed in the next section). Units 4 to 8 are 'stand-alone' units, although these units will also refer to supplementary readings and Internet resources from time to time. Thus the study units and the textbook are the main teaching components of the course.
Set textbook
McClellan, J H (2017) Digital Signal Processing First, Global edn, 2nd edn, Pearson.
Assignment file
Assignment details for this course are contained in the Assignment File, which will be available for downloading from the OLE in due course. The nature of these assignments is described in the section on assignments below. You are required to complete your assignments and send them, together with an assignment form, to your tutor.
Practical work
You will use the software package GNU Octave to perform some exercises. GNU Octave is a very important and popular tool for the analysis and synthesis of digital signal processing systems, as well as carrying out multimedia processing. GNU Octave is available to download and install from https://www.gnu.org/software/octave/download.html
Presentation schedule
The Presentation Schedulefor ELEC S334 Signal Processing and Multimedia Technology is available on the OLE. Remember, you are required to submit your assignments by the dates given. Do not fall behind in your work!
Computer hardware and software
A computer system suitable for running Octave and accessing the Internet for the online components is required for this course. The minimum configuration of the computer system is:
How to work through the course material
You should pay particular attention to this Course Guide and all instructions in the study units.
Study units
You must read each study unit carefully because it guides your learning. Each unit tells you what to do and how to approach any assignment related to the unit. If you do not read the study unit carefully, you may miss important information. You must read both the study units and the textbook. They are not alternatives.
It is also useful to read as widely as possible. Try to read articles in books and journals, other materials from the Internet on the topics, and related cases, if possible. Do remember to use HKMU Electronic Library for up-to-date electronic references. The more widely you read, the better your appreciation and understanding of signal processing and multimedia technology will be.
Each study unit is organized into a number of sections. The first section provides an introduction to the unit. It explains how the unit is organized and what you are to study in it. The main content sections that follow guide your learning and direct you to complete self-tests. Finally, the conclusion section contains a summary of the unit and the answers to self-tests.
Self-tests
Throughout the study units you will find non-assessed self-tests. The questions are usually short and provide immediate feedback on your understanding of a technique or principle you have just read about. By attempting to answer these questions, you will have instant feedback on your progress. The answer key for self-tests is included at the end of the unit, but you should attempt to answer all the questions before looking at the answers.
Checking your understanding
At the beginning of every unit there are objectives related to the unit content. You should keep these objectives in mind while you study the unit. When you finish the unit, return to these objectives and check that you have achieved them. Some of the concepts in this course will be new to you, and you may have to make an effort to understand them. Technical terms are explained in the textbook or study unit. Keep a note of your problems and raise them with your tutor as soon as possible. Be specific about the problems so that your tutor can help you much more easily.
This course is designed to help you to move easily from the required readings to the assignments and examination. You are expected to apply information and techniques presented during the course when completing your assignments. You must submit assignments to your tutor for formal assessment in accordance with the due dates stated in the Assignment File.
Self-tests are, by definition, not a part of your formal assessment, but it is very important that you complete them as you work through the units. They reflect the demands of the unit objectives, and are designed to help you understand and apply the principles covered in the units.
Assignments
You are required to complete four pieces of assessment for this course. These are all written assignment exercises. You can find details of each in your Assignment File, along with detailed instructions on how to complete them. You must submit the assignments to your tutor for marking on or before the corresponding due date.
You can see your schedule of assignments from the course overview above. There are in total four assignments and they are due at specific cut-off dates spread over the year. These assignments will be marked by your tutor. The assignments are worth 50% of the final course score. All four assignments will be counted for assessment. The assignments are designed to test you on practical work and analysis skills.
Final examination and grading
The final written examination for ELEC S334 Signal Processing and Multimedia Technology will be of three hours' duration and have a value of 50% of the total course grade. You should use the time between finishing the last unit and the examination to review the entire course. You might find it useful to review self-tests, and your assignments and your tutor's comments on them, before sitting for the examination.
The final examination covers information from all parts of the course. About one month before the final examination, you will be provided with a specimen examination, similar in format to the final examination, though, of course, with different questions. To earn a passing grade for the course, you must attain a passing grade in your assignments andin your final examination.
Marking scheme
Below are the total marks allocated to the assessment and to your final examination. This should remind you of just how important the tutor-marked assessment is to your final result and to your performance in the examination.
| Assessment component | Course units covered | Weighting | |
OCAS | Assignment 1 | Units 1 & 2 | 12.5% | 50% |
Assignment 2 | Units 3 & 4 | 12.5% | ||
Assignment 3 | Units 5 & 6 | 12.5% | ||
Assignment 4 | Units 7 & 8 | 12.5% | ||
OES | Examination | All units | 50% | 50% |
|
|
|
| 100% |
How to do your assignments
For each assignment, first read quickly through the description of the problem in the Assignment File. The Assignment File will be available on the OLE in due course. Make brief notes on what you believe are the key points raised. Next, carefully read the description two or three times while referring to your notes. Make sure that you have identified all the key points. Then read the instructions that accompany the problem. These explain what you are required to do. Make sure you understand what is required in the assignments.
When you have completed the assignment, send it, together with your completed assignment form, to your tutor. Make sure that each assignment reaches your tutor on/before the due date. Marks may not be counted towards the final award if your work is submitted late without prior authorization.
If, for any reason, you cannot complete your work on time, contact your tutor before the assignment is due. This is to discuss the possibility of an extension. All applications for late submission must be made via the 'Assignment Submission & Extension System' under the OLE.
Tutors and tutorials
There are ten two-hour tutorials and ten two-hour surgeries designed to help you. These tutorials and surgeries are not compulsory, but you are strongly advised to attend.
Your tutor will mark and comment on your assignments, keep a close watch on your progress and on any difficulties you might encounter, and try to help you during the course. Your assignments should be sent to your tutor before the due date given in the Presentation Schedule. They will be marked by your tutor and returned to you as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to contact your tutor by telephone, email, or by posting questions in your group's discussion board if you need help! For example, contact your tutor if:
You will be notified of the dates, times and location of the tutorials, together with the name and phone number of your tutor, as soon as you are allocated a tutorial group.
Online support
The online platform for this course is the standard HKMU OLE (https://ole.hkmu.edu.hk). The most important support components are the discussion board, and the assignment submission and extension systems.
ELEC S334 Signal Processing and Multimedia Technology is intended to develop your understanding of the concepts and issues in the field of signal processing and multimedia technology. You will not only learn a range of conceptual models and skills, but you will also learn the applications of these models and skills. To understand the content of this course you will need to analyse the course materials and apply the concepts and techniques you are learning. Hopefully, you will find ELEC S334 Signal Processing and Multimedia Technology both interesting and enjoyable, and be able to use the knowledge and skills from this course throughout your career. Enjoy the course!
