Please note that this catalog is for informational purposes only.
Course Descriptions
Areas
Non-Major
TELCOM 2000 Introduction to Telecommunications (Cross listed with INFSCI 1070)
Introduction to telecommunications for non-telecom majors. Top-down orientation relates networking technologies to organizational goals and needs. Data communications and Internet technologies and basic system performance analysis. TCP/IP, LANs, WANs, internetworking, and signals and communications media. (Prerequisites: algebra, advisor’s approval)
Networking
TELCOM 2011 Telecommunications Seminar
Exposure to the latest issues in the Telecommunications Industry and Research through talks by invited experts.
TELCOM 2100 Fundamentals of Telecommunications
Fundamentals of network technology based on a layered protocol stack. Telephone network and Internet architecture. Summary of upper layer protocols (http, smtp), transport protocols (UDP, TCP), and network protocols (IP). Analysis of link layer protocols and their performance. Overview of local area networks (CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA). Introduction to cables and signals. (Prerequisites: calculus, probability, computer systems)
TELCOM 2110 Network Design
Methods and techniques for the design of computer/telecommunication networks. Management and business perspectives on network design, estimation of traffic demand and application requirements, network cost analysis, topological design, capacity assignment, graph theory and optimization based design algorithms, virtual network design, network design tools, wireless network design issues, availability analysis and survivable network design. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2120 Network Performance
Introduction to techniques for performance modeling and analysis of computer systems and communication networks. Analysis of measurements, discrete event simulation and queuing theory. (Prerequisites: Calculus, Probability, Programming, TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2121 Network Management
Techniques of planning, controlling, organizing and decision making for a telecommunications network; accounting, security, fault management, configuration, and maintenance. Protocols and architectures for network management. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2122 Telephone System Management
Telephone system administration and the application of telephone systems to assist user organizations in achieving their goals, presented from the user organization's telecommunication manager's perspective. Management of premise equipment, costs, staffing, departmental structure and management, and the services provided by a telephone company's central office. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2125 Network Science and Analysis
This course explores networks as a primary metaphor and mechanism for a variety of information-related phenomena. The advancement of interconnected information and communication technologies has made networks one of the dominant ways of analyzing the use and flow of information among individuals, institutions, and societies. The course starts with the basis of graph theory and moves to understand network structures such as social networks, ecological webs, IT and infrastructure systems, telecommunications networks, and market distribution and allocation structures. As a prerequisite, students should have a command of mathematics through linear and matrix algebra at the undergraduate level.
TELCOM 2130 Queuing Theory
Development and application of the mathematical techniques used for analyzing the performance of communications networks. Topics include: Markovian queues, Non-Markovian queues, product form networks, approximation techniques, non-stationary queues. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2120, 2310)
Communication Systems
TELCOM 2030 Mathematical Foundations
Topics in advanced mathematics that are relevant to telecom research. Topics are selected from discrete math, linear systems, and advanced probability. Students will also independently read selected topics in computer programming techniques and write programming assignments. Strongly recommended to all Telcom PhD students. (Prerequisites: Calculus and Linear Algebra, TELCOM 2120, TELCOM 2210, TELCOM 2310)
TELCOM 2210 Physical Layer of Communications 2
Electronic communications sequel to TELCOM 2200. Bandwidth, spectrum, noise, and channel capacity, and covers practical issues such as link power budgets and bit-error rates. Broad scope of physical-layer technologies, fundamental concepts, and techniques used in transmitting information over wire-line, optical, and wireless networks. (Prerequisites: Calculus, Probability, TELCOM 2000/2100, TELCOM 2200)
TELCOM 2215 Unified Communications
After describing how humans communicate orally and visually, this course goes on to describe the technology and network architectures that provide audio and video telecommunications using conventional circuit-switched telephony, newer packet-switched "Internet Telephony" (VOIP), and streaming video over the internet. Basic knowledge of the physical layer is helpful, but students must be familiar with TCP/IP.
TELCOM 2220 Digital Transmission
Principles of digital transmission encountered in common carriers and in private networks. Architectures and formats of digital transmission systems, especially the asynchronous and synchronous digital hierarchies. Discusses signal-to noise ratio, link power budget, analog-to-digital conversion, data compression, digital modulation, and facility switching. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2210, Programming)
TELCOM 2222 Photonic Communications
Overview of optics. Fiber-Optic Transport including optical fiber, sources and photo-detectors, optical couplers and switches, photonic signal transport principles for the practical design of fiber-optic links, and an in-depth discussion of the limits of wavelength multiplexing. Review of switching theory and photonic switching including photonic switching devices and corresponding architectures for switching fabrics, photonic switching in space, time, wavelength, and all combinations, and optical packet and burst switching.
TELCOM 2225 Switching Systems
Public switched telephone network, the telephone and the local loop architecture, inter-exchange networks, and signaling. Evolution of switching technology and architectures and a comparison of various systems. Traffic statistics and the theory of space-division and time-division switching networks. (Co-requisite: TELCOM 2210)
TELCOM 2226 Intelligent Networks
Overview of intelligent network (IN) environments, including evolving national private- and public- switched networks as well as computers and databases united with switch process ORS to provide new features and services. Survey of switching software, with the IN as a natural step in the evolution. Emphasis on major changes in intelligent networks and in broadband and wireless networks. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2227 Internet Telephony
Technology for offering telephony over an internet including: voice-over-IP end points and protocols, end-to-end delay, telephony signaling protocols, gateways and network components, telephone service provision, multi-point, network issues, and the future. Presents market, policy, and economic issues; differentiates VOIP on public or private internets. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100, 2200)
TELCOM 2229 Digital Communications: Modulation and Coding
Concepts in digital modulation and coding theory with emphasis on techniques employed in a variety of communication systems, including equalization, detection of signals in noise, spread spectrum communications, modulation and coding, and MIMO. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2210)
TELCOM 2230 Random Signals and Noise
Random variables, their expected values and probability distributions. Conditional probability, estimation, sampling, and decision theory. Functions of random variables, random processes, convolution, and power density spectrum. Applications in statistical design, reliability, coding, signal detection, and noise discrimination. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2120, 2210)
Computer Communications
TELCOM 2010 Computer Networking Laboratory
The objective of this lab-based course is to gain knowledge of fundamental computer networking issues through hands-on experiments with network equipment and services. The sequence of labs start at the physical layer and progress up the protocol stack to the application layer. Topics covered are: Signal generation and analysis at the physical layer; Ethernet and WLAN performance and management; IP address planning and management; IP router generation including RIP, OSPF, BGP, MPLS protocols, TCP connection control; Stateful packet filtering; Network monitoring and management; Signaling protocols for VOIP services, and Web-based services configuration.
TELCOM 2300 Software Tools and Techniques
For students who are not computer science or information science graduates. Builds upon the two programming courses required for admission and presents concepts, algorithms, and methodologies related to data structures, file systems, and operating systems essential to other courses in the MST curriculum. (Prerequisites: Structured Programming Language)
TELCOM 2310 Computer Networks
Foundational principles, architectures, and techniques employed in computer networks. Protocols and mechanisms used in the Internet TCP/IP protocol suite, including the operation of both wide-area and local-area networks . Special emphasis on analysis of network and transport layer protocols. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100; Corequisites: TELCOM 2200)
TELCOM 2320 Local Area Networks
Analysis of legacy LANS (ethernet, token ring, token bus). Description and analysis of high speed LANS, wireless LANs, sensor networks, and metropolitan area networks. LAN internetworking. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2310; Corequisites: TELCOM 2120)
TELCOM 2321 Wide Area Networks
Basic principles of broadband networks. Protocols suitable for broadband networks, with emphasis on ATM. Other technologies, such as frame relay and SMDS. Design issues for high speed networks including network characterization, application performance guarantees, traffic policing and congestion control. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2100 and 2310; Corequisites: TELCOM 2120)
TELCOM 2325 Distributed Multi-Media Systems
Modeling and design of distributed multimedia systems. A framework is presented for data management, multimedia information management, knowledge management, communication management, activities management, interface management and applications to distributed systems, real-time systems, multimedia systems and information retrieval systems design. (Prerequisites: INFSCI 2710)
TELCOM 2326 Advanced Topics in Database Management (Title Change Effective Fall 2017)
Basic concepts in distributed databases and transaction processing technology. Concepts such as concurrency control, replication management, and failure recovery. (Prerequisites: INFSCI 2710, Advanced Standing)
Telecommunications Administration
TELCOM 2400 Accounting and Finance for Telecommunication
For students who were not business or economics undergraduates. Review of accounting and finance with emphasis on the use of financial information in the decision-making process. Investing, financial accounting, and capital budgeting in the business environment. Recommended for telecommunications students with little accounting or finance background. (Corequisite: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2411 Information Technology in Organizations
Assesses consequences of information systems and networks in organizational environments that must accompany installation of these systems and networks. Tools for assessment involving human, social, economic, as well as organizational relationships. System and network life cycle planning leading to development of needs for replacement systems and networks. (Corequisite: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2412 Telecommunications Marketing
Strategic marketing principles; creating superior value versus price relationships. Strategic aspects of marketing and how these relate to basic marketing functions such as selling and promotion. The critical importance of achieving and sustaining competitive advantage. Case studies of major telecommunications companies. (Corequisite: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2420 Project Management
This course focuses on the management of information systems development projects. Planning, organizing, staffing, and controlling systems development projects require traditional management skills, an understanding of quality assurance techniques, and an appreciation of the creative and volatile world of information technology. This course starts with a review of systems development approaches (e.g., the systems development life cycle, prototyping, and information
engineering) and an overview of project management concepts. The course then focuses on project planning, monitoring, and controlling. It also covers the politics of projects, project staff and teamwork issues, and the implementation of projects. (Prerequisite: Advanced Standing)
TELCOM 2430 Case Studies in Telecommunications
Investigation of selected applications, the rationale behind, and methodologies for applying network technologies to business applications. Course project. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2210, 2310, 2120)
Telecommunications Economics and Policy
TELCOM 2510 U.S. Telecommunications Policy
A historical review of U.S. telecommunications policy, including both theoretical objectives and practice. The role of the various U.S. governmental agencies in the development of the telecommunications environment. Recent developments. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2511 International Telcom Policy
Issues in international telecommunications; survey of key organizations, e.g., ITU, GATT, INTELSAT, etc.; telecommunications and economic development; international trade in services, competition, and regulation; standards; and trans-border data flow issues. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2512 Information Policy
Introduction to information policy with a focus on U.S. Federal policies. Issues and challenges faced in developing and implementing policies within organizations and companies, including the protection and use of intellectual property, First Amendment concerns, access to public information, security and the protection of privacy of personally identifiable information. (Prerequisites: None)
TELCOM 2515 Information Ethics
Digital-age intersection of information and ethics with emphasis on key areas of intellectual property, privacy, confidentiality, authenticity, plagiarism, diversity/inclusion and special populations, accessibility, intellectual freedom, censorship, social networking, cyberbullying, security, preservation, transparency, accountability, policy making, and professionalism. Ethical theories and application of ethical decision-making models to real-world library and information center scenarios. Analysis of codes of ethics. Issues and resources related to creation, implementation, enforcement, and assessment of institutional ethical codes. (Cross listed with INFSCI 2210 and LIS 2194)
TELCOM 2520 Telecommunications Industry and Regulation
Commercial and legal environment of telecommunications systems in the U.S. and the world. Includes brief historical review of telecommunications in the U.S.; liberalization and privatization; international telecommunications; telecommunications in the European Union; trade in services; developing countries; international organizations. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100 or permission of the instructor)
Human Communications
TELCOM 2600 Human Communication
Overview of the fields of organizational and interpersonal communication of information both within an organization and between individuals. Relevant research in both fields. Emphasis on principles that affect design of telecommunications systems. (Corequisite: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2610 Designing Computer and Network Services
Underlying concepts in the creation of user-oriented services and applications that run on computer and networked systems including the definition of service, user access to services, human-computer interaction, sensory operation and transduction, and the operation of various terminals. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2611 Organizational Behavior
Concepts of organizations from both philosophical and operational perspectives, focusing on the role of technology in institutional functioning. The influence of the cultural-social medium on the process of directing work toward organizational objectives; differential aspects of transporting messages within hierarchical levels; and the significance of such factors to telecommunications networks. (Corequisite: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2620 Systems Engineering for Telecommunications
Systems engineering techniques and methodologies as applied to telecommunications systems and networks. Determination and analysis of user need, specification preparation, conformance of design to specification, and marketing. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2000/2100)
Wireless Communications and networks
TELCOM 2700 Wireless Networks (Cross listed with INFSCI 1072)
This course covers cellular and wireless networks and their components. The topics include: first generation analog cellular phone systems; traffic engineering; mobility management; intersystem operation; second generation digital cellular standards: GSM, IS-95 (cellular CDMA); short message service (SMS); 2.5G data services (e.g., GPRS); third generation cellular standards (cdma 2000 and WCDMA/UMTS); location technology, wireless local area networks (802.11), wireless personal area networks (e.g., Bluetooth, Zigbee), wireless metropolitan networks (WiMax), and satellite systems. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2710 Foundations of Wireless Communications
Radio propagation and multipath fading, antennas, digital modulation with emphasis on techniques being used in current wireless systems including Pi/4 DQPSK, GMSK, error control coding in wireless systems, spread spectrum and CDMA, OFDM, MIMO, and spectrum issues. Mathematical and qualitative treatment of existing systems as examples rather than as abstractions. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2210)
TELCOM 2720 Cellular and Wireless Networks
Cellular and mobile communication networks and their components including first generation analog cellular phone systems; traffic engineering; mobility management; intersystem operation; second generation digital cellular standards: GSM, IS-95 (cellular CDMA); short message service (SMS); 2.5 G data services (e.g., GPRS) and third generation cellular standards CDMA 2000 and WCDMA/UMTS. Location technology and advanced services, personal area networks and wireless local area network technology. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2210)
TELCOM 2721 Mobile Data, Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks
Review of mobile data networks. Personal area and mobile ad hoc networks. Self organization, topology control, and routing in ad hoc networks. Sensor/actuator applications, systems and networks. Protocols to support sensor and mobile ad hoc networks. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2210)
TELCOM 2725 Code Division Multiple Access
Theory and application of code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques for digital wireless communications. Emphasis on CDMA in mobile cellular communications. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2710)
TELCOM 2727 Application Development for Mobile Devices (Cross listed with INFSCI 1073)
Focus on information system applications that run on top of wireless infrastructure such as multimedia messaging, mobile inventory control, location aware services including wireless technologies (GSM, CDMA2000, UMTS, 802.11, Bluetooth), mobile information systems and applications (M-Business, location-based services, wireless CRN), wireless information system challenges and architectures (security, reliability, mobility, power conservation, gateways, proxies), mobile application protocols (SMS, EMS, MMS, WAP), thin and thick client mobile application development (WML, VXML, Java, J2ME, J2EE, .NETCF, C#), and business case studies of mobile applications. (Prerequisite: TELCOM 2700, Java or other structured programming language)
TELCOM 2730 Capstone in Wireless Networks
Selected applications; rationale behind and methodologies for applying wireless network technologies to business applications. Course project. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2210, 2310, 2120, 2720/2721)
Telecommunications Security
TELCOM 2810 Information Security and Privacy (cross-listed with INFSCI 2150)
Fundamental issues and first principles of security and information assurance (confidentiality/privacy, integrity, authentication, identification, authorization, availability, access control). Business issues of risk analysis and management of resources. Issues in information systems security; analysis, design, and coding of information systems/ networks for security; techniques for building secure organizational systems; e-commerce related security issues; policy, legal and ethical issues in security. (Prerequisites: Operating systems, data structures, databases, mathematical logic)
TELCOM 2811 Hacking for Defense (cross-listed with ME 2811 & ENGR 2811)
This course will teach students how to build products and services using lean methods. This will be done by solving real-world military and intelligence community problems. The course uses the lean launchpad platform for entrepreneurship. This is a highly customer-centered hypothesis-test approach to developing a mission modes, and is particularly well-suited for technology startups. It incorporates customer needs and user testing to build a minimum viable prototype. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to understand the problems/needs of searching for product-market fit; understand all the stakeholders, deployment issues, costs, resources, and ultimate mission value; deliver minimum viable products that match customer needs in an extremely short time; produce a repeatable model that can be used to launch other potential technology solutions.
TELCOM 2813 Security Management and Computer Forensics (Title change effective Fall 2016) (cross-listed with INFSCI 2621)
Security management in information systems and networks. Intrusion detection systems, anomaly detection, network forensics, application logging, auditing and data management, contingency planning, digital immune systems; alarm and responses; security standards; ethical and legal issues in information; cyber-evidence. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2810/2821, Programming Language)
TELCOM 2820 Cryptography (cross-listed with INFSCI 2170)
Principles of number theory, cryptographic algorithms and cryptanalysis. Steganography, block and stream ciphers, secret key encryption (DES, RES, RE-N), primes, random numbers, factoring, and discrete logarithms. Public key encryption (RSA, Diffie-Helman, elliptical curve cryptography, N'TRU); key management, hash functions (MD5, SHA-1, RIPEMD-160, HMAC). (Prerequisites: Algebra, College Mathematics, Digital logic, Programming Language, TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2821 Network Security
Principles of network security and management. Review of network vulnerabilities, security at the link, network and transport layers; dial-up security (PAP, CHAP, Radius, Diameter), IPSEC, SSL, and VPNS. Email security (PGP, S/MIME); Kerberos; X.509 certificates; AAA and mobile IP; SNMP security; firewalls; filters and gateways; policies and implementation of firewall policies; stateful firewalls; firewall appliances. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2810/2820, TELCOM 2000/2100)
TELCOM 2825 Information Systems and Network Infrastructure Protection
Techniques for the protection and survivability of information systems and networks. Critical infrastructure definition, risk management, vulnerability and risk analysis, fault and attack trees, availability analysis, traffic restoration schemes and survivable network design and management techniques; critical infrastructure simulation, CIP policy and legal issues, SCADA systems. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/2100/2810)
TELCOM 2829 Advanced Cryptography
Algorithm complexity, advanced number theory (Galois fields, quadratic residues, zero knowledge schemes, one-time signatures), efficient implementation of encryption schemes in hardware and software and other advanced topics in cryptography. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2820)
TELCOM 2830 Capstone in Security
Integrative class for masters students in their final semester of the SAIS track. Combination of business and technical case studies and group projects. Case studies focus on business/economics aspects of providing information assurance and how this service impacts technology. Group projects involve design and development of a prototype secure and survivable information system including application development, system deployment, system optimization and system economics. (Prerequisites: TELCOM 2810/INFSCI 2150, TELCOM 2821)
Independent Studies
Courses labeled Independent Study or Practicum will count toward the 21 credits of electives called for in the MST Program of Study. To enroll in any of the above, you must have permission of your advisor to ensure that you're prepared for the subject matter and the recommended timing of taking such courses. Students are limited to six credits of directed study unless they have permission of their advisor to take more classes in this area.
TELCOM 2921 INDEP STUDY IN NETWORKING
TELCOM 2922 INDEP STUDY IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
TELCOM 2923 INDEP STUDY: COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS
TELCOM 2924 INDEP STUDY: TELCOM ADMINISTRATION
TELCOM 2925 INDEP STUDY: TELCOM ECONOMICS AND POLICY
TELCOM 2926 INDEP STUDY: HUMAN COMMUNICATIONS
TELCOM 2927 INDEP STUDY IN WIRELESS NETWORKS
TELCOM 2928 INDEP STUDY SECURITY ASSURED INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Special Topics
TELCOM 2931 SPECIAL TOPICS IN NETWORKING
Selected relevant subjects in networking, either as a traditional course or as a survey of new literature. Content varies depending on student and instructor interest.
2016-17 TELCOM 2931 Topics:
ST IN NETWORKING: INTERNET OF THINGS This special topics class will focus on an exploration of the Internet of Things (IoT). The course considers different aspects of (and perspectives on) IoT – sensor networks, pervasive computing, applications, consumer devices, and intelligent services. The course will review network protocols for IoT (Bluetooth, 802.15.4, LTE, 6LoWPAN, RFID, etc), discuss several IoT hardware platforms, describe software tools and web services that support IoT, and examine the security and privacy issues. Case studies will be discussed throughout the course.
(Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000/INFSCI 1070: or equivalent computer networks course)
TELCOM 2932 SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Selected relevant subjects in telecommunications, either as a traditional course or as a survey of new literature. Content varies depending on student and instructor interest.
TELCOM 2933 SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMPUTER COMMUNCATIONS
Selected relevant subjects in telecommunications, either as a traditional course or as a survey of new literature. Content varies depending on student and instructor interest.
TELCOM 2934 SPECIAL TOPICS IN TELCOM ADMINISTRATION
Selected relevant subjects in telecommunications, either as a traditional course or as a survey of new literature. Content varies depending on student and instructor interest.
TELCOM 2935 SPECIAL TOPICS IN TELCOM ECONOMICS & POLICY
Selected relevant subjects in telecommunications policy or economics, either as a traditional course or as a survey of new literature. Content varies depending on student and instructor interest
TELCOM 2936 SPECIAL TOPICS IN HUMAN COMMUNICATIONS
Selected relevant subjects in human communications, either as traditional course or as survey of new literature. Content varies depending on student and instructor interest.
TELCOM 2937 SPECIAL TOPICS IN WIRELESS NETWORKS
Selected relevant subjects in wireless telecommunications, either as traditional course or as survey of new literature. Content varies depending on student and instructor interest.
TELCOM 2938 SPECIAL TOPICS IN TELCOM SECURITY
Selected relevant subjects in Telecommunications security, either as traditional course or as survey of new literature. Content varies depending on student and instructor interest.
Practicum and Thesis
Courses labeled Independent Study or Practicum will count toward the 21 credits of electives called for in the MST Program of Study. To enroll in any of the above, you must have permission of your advisor to ensure that you're prepared for the subject matter and the recommended timing of taking such courses. Students are limited to six credits of directed study unless they have permission of their advisor to take more classes in this area.
TELCOM 2940 PRACTICUM
For students who desire experience in applying the knowledge and skills acquired in their course work and laboratory sessions. Students are responsible for arranging a practicum with a business or organization.
TELCOM 2941 MASTER'S THESIS
The thesis is a report of original, theoretical, or laboratory work suitable for publication.
