Telecommunications

TEL 500          Voice Communications (3)
Provides knowledge of the components, operations, and services of analog and digital local loop circuit switched networks, digital and VOIP PBXs, and signaling systems.  Advances in wire line and wireless voice telecommunications networks including VOIP, power line communications, passive optical networks, and broadband wireless are investigated.

TEL 502          Data Communications (3)
Data communications is a rigorous treatment of advanced topics in the technology of communicating digital information over public and private communications facilities.  The topics include general principles, LANs, WANs, and related topics.  These topics are covered in:  lectures, individual exercises, team exercises, and interactive competitive team projects.

TEL 505          Network Design and Simulation (3)
A course investigating network design and simulation modeling enabling telecommunications system developers to evaluate the performance of existing and proposed networks under different hardware, configurations, or operating constraints.  Simulation modeling minimizes risks of unforeseen network bottlenecks, under utilization of overuse of system resources.

TEL 527          Telecommunication Optical Networks (3)
Addresses techniques for designing single and multiple wavelength long-haul and metro telecommunication optical networks.  Topics include general principles of optical components, design parameters and design techniques.  These topics are covered in:  lectures, individual exercises, team exercises, and computer simulations.  Please note that this course is not at a level that is appropriate for Electrical Technology and Electrical Engineering students and is not likely appropriate for physics majors as well because of the depth and breadth of the coverage.

TEL 550          Advanced Network Standards and Protocols (3)
A rigorous course covering the principles, standards, and practices of data communications protocols with emphasis on the TCP/IP protocol suite. The topics will include: reference model, Network Access layer protocols, Internet layer protocols, Transport layer protocols, and Application layer protocols. These topics are covered in: lectures, individual assignments, on-line assignments and an interactive competitive team project. Prerequisite: TEL 502 or permission of instructor.

TEL 560          Advanced Wireless Communications (3)
A rigorous course covering the principles, standards, and practices of wireless telecommunications. The topics will include: fundamentals of radio, wireless data communications and wireless telephony. These topics are covered in: lectures, individual assignments, on-line assignments, and a team project.  Prerequisites: TEL 500 and TEL 502.

TEL 581          Survey of Information Assurance (3)
A fast paced introduction into the field of Information Assurance.  Various kinds of threats faced by an information system and the security techniques used to combat them are covered.  Hacker methods, viruses, worms, bombs and system vulnerabilities are described with respect to the actions that must be taken by a network manager to thwart them.  Existing and planned protection methods and defenses are mapped to the information system threats and attacks.  This course provides the background for those individuals who seek skills in the areas of Network and Data Security.

TEL 590          Selected Topics in Advanced Telecommunications (3)
A course investigating current topics related to the research, development, deployment, and planning of new networks, signaling systems, transmission media and switching systems.  Topics include wireless personal communications systems; satellite networks with an emphasis on the impact of fixed and mobile satellite systems on the economy and society; Broadband ISDN; ATM; SONET; AIN; and voice and data compression techniques.

TEL 591          Independent Study (Variable 1-3)
Extensive study and research on a particular topic of student interest under the supervision of a faculty member.  The student is required to submit a written proposal which includes a description of the project, its duration, educational goals, method of evaluation and number of credits to be earned.

TEL 594          Graduate Internship (3)
Students work for an organization approved by their advisor for a minimum of 250 hours in a supervised position.  Students are required to write two reports on their internship experience.  Work must be completed in one term, or during the summer.

TEL 597          Research Project (1-3)
Upon approval of the advisor, student will research, design, solve and implement a graduate project.

TEL 598          Seminar in Research Methods (3)
This course will review the major considerations and tasks involved in designing and conducting a telecommunications thesis or project. The goal is for students who successfully complete the course to be able to produce and defend the methodology of his/her research, be ready to carry out the various tasks involved in doing the research, and to find the resources to guide them through their research. The theme throughout the course will be on comparing and/or combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.

TEL 599          Thesis (1-3)
Upon approval of the advisor, the student will research and write an original work on a significant topic in the field of telecommunications.