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M.S. in Telecommunication Systems 2003

 
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2003 2002

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The MS in Telecommunications Systems offers extensive theoretical and practical knowledge in voice and data communications networks. Students completing this degree program have a thorough understanding of the technical and operational aspects of networks as well as the foundational theory of voice and data communications and network management.

Students in this degree program choose one of two concentrations, which determines their sequence of required courses in the Advanced Phase:

The Standard Telecommunications Concentration is designed for students who want to focus narrowly on practical aspects of design and management of voice telecommunications networks. This concentration would be appropriate for those seeking a career in corporate telecommunications management, strategic planning for telecommunications systems or marketing, and/or planning of voice and data services for a public carrier network. Included in the curriculum are courses in the technology, economics, and management of corporate telecommunications systems. Although both voice and data technologies are studied, voice applications are emphasized. This concentration requires no software development beyond the Prerequisite Phase.

The Computer Science Concentration is appropriate for students seeking a career in designing data network software projects, engineering corporate communications networks, technical network management positions and/or technical marketing or support of networking products. Coursework includes classes in network protocols, local and wide area services, network programming and management. Required Advanced Phase courses tend to emphasize data communications networks as opposed to voice networks. This concentration requires the development of network software in some courses.

Both MS Telecommunications Systems programs follow a three-phase sequence, with each phase preparing the student for the subsequent phase. The master’s degree program consists of:

Upon acceptance into the master’s degree program, the student will meet with a faculty advisor to discuss required courses for the Prerequisite Phase. The Prerequisite Phase is intended to ensure that all students enter graduate courses with an equivalent background. While completing this phase, a student is considered a conditionally admitted master’s student. In the Core Knowledge phase, a student will follow a sequence of courses to acquire an understanding of the technological and theoretical foundations for the particular degree. In the Advanced Phase of the program, the fundamental information learned previously allows a student to study advanced topics within their chosen degree. This phase adds depth to the work completed in the Core Knowledge Phase. Individual interests and needs are also addressed through a series of elective courses chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Grade and GPA requirements

Grades: Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses. 

GPA: Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree. Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA. Students with a GPA of 3.75 and a designation of distinction on the core examinations will graduate with distinction.

Prerequisite Phase

Computer Science Concentration:

CSC 211 Programming in Java I
and CSC 212 Programming in Java II
or CSC 224 Java for Programmers
CSC 309 Object-Oriented Programming in C++
CSC 323 Data Analysis
CSC 415 Foundations of Computer Science
PHY 405 Physical Principles of Telecommunication
TDC 411 Computers in Information Systems and Telecommunications
or CSC 343 Introduction to Operating Systems
and CSC 345 Computer Architecture

Standard Telecommunications Concentration:

CSC 211 Programming in Java I
or CSC 224 Java for Programmers
CSC 323 Data Analysis
CSC 415 Foundations of Computer Science
PHY 405 Physical Principles of Telecommunication
TDC 411 Computers in Information Systems and Telecommunications
or CSC 343 Introduction to Operating Systems
and CSC 345 Computer Architecture

CSC 224 is equivalent to both CSC 211 and CSC 212. Only students with experience in programming languages should take CSC 224.
Either TDC 411 alone or both CSC 343 and CSC 345 will satisfy this last prerequisite.

By taking these courses and receiving a grade of a B- or better in each,
the student will have completed the requirements of the Prerequisite Phase.
All or part of the Prerequisite Phase may be waived if a student has the
equivalent academic background. Alternatively, students with practical
experience may complete a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) to show
competency in a prerequisite. All students are blocked from enrolling in
Core Knowledge Phase courses prior to completing their prerequisites.
The student must submit an online Change of Status request when the Prerequisite
Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block
can be removed. The online request must be submitted two weeks before the student
intends to register for graduate level classes. The student will then be
considered a fully admitted student, and may pass to the Core Knowledge Phase
of the program. Students may submit the Change of Status request by logging in to
MyCTI at www.cti.depaul.edu/myCTI .

Core Knowledge Phase

Core Knowledge Courses

Fully admitted students in the Core Knowledge phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced phase courses.  The Core Knowledge Phase courses for the MS in Telecommunications are:

TDC 461 Basic Communication Systems
TDC 462 Data Communications
TDC 463 Computer Networks and Data Systems

Core Knowledge Examination

These examinations cover the subject matter of the Core Knowledge Phase courses. Possible grades on the Core Examinations are; Pass with Distinction, Pass, and Fail. Students are allowed at most two attempts at each exam. Two failures on the exams results in dismissal from the graduate program.

To be eligible for core exam application, a student must have completed all prerequisite courses or be registered for the final prerequisite course in the quarter before the core exam for which the student is applying. Additionally, a student must successfully complete all prerequisite courses (B- or better required) before being allowed to sit for any core exam. Failure to successfully complete a core class (grade of C- or better required) may result in an administrative cancellation of the student's core exam(s).

Advanced Phase

A student must complete 40 credits (10 courses) in the Advanced Phase to earn the MS in Telecommunication Systems. All courses in the Advanced Phase must be completed with a grade of C- or better. Students in the Core Knowledge Phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced Phase courses prior to passing the Core Knowledge Examination.

Standard Concentration

The following six courses must all be completed:

TDC 464 Voice Communication Networks
TDC 476 Economics of Telecommunication Systems
TDC 511 Telecommunications Practicum
TDC 512 Cellular and Wireless Telecommunications
TDC 567 Telecommunication Systems Design and Management
TDC 569 Telecommunication Regulation, Policy,law and Standards

Two of the following courses must be completed:

IS 577 Information Systems Capstone
TDC 514 Computer Telephony
TDC 563 Protocols and Techniques for Data Networks
TDC 564 Local Area Networks
TDC 565 Voice and Data Integration
TDC 566 Broadband Access Technologies
TDC 568 Network Management

Students in the Standard Concentration must also complete two elective courses. See elective course restrictions below.

Computer Science Concentration

The following two courses must be completed:

TDC 511 Telecommunications Practicum
TDC 561 Network Programming

Four of the following courses must be completed:

CSC 446 Computer Operating System
TDC 432 Computer and Information Systems Modeling
TDC 464 Voice Communication Networks
TDC 489 Queuing Theory with Computer Application
TDC 513 Client/Server Technologies
TDC 562 Computer-Communication Network Design and Analysis
TDC 563 Protocols and Techniques for Data Networks
TDC 564 Local Area Networks
TDC 565 Voice and Data Integration
TDC 566 Broadband Access Technologies
TDC 568 Network Management
TDC 572 Network Security
TDC 573 Multimedia Networking

Students in the Computer Science Concentration must also complete four elective courses. See elective course restrictions below.

Elective Course Restrictions

Elective courses are in the range of 420-699 and must be from the school of CTI. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit. Any course required for the student’s concentration but taken as part of the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be waived, but cannot be used for elective credit.

Last Modified: Wednesday December 19, 2007