What Telecommunication Networks Program is about?
The Master of Science in Telecommunication Networks is one of many degrees offered by the College of Engineering with a specialization in the Networking domain. It will prepare all incoming students to pursue their careers in Telecommunications, focusing on the recent advancements in the field. It can be referred to as a multi-disciplinary, professional, or applied degree. This means that the students can set their sights on the industrial aspects rather than focusing on research.
What is the scope of the Telecommunication Networks Program?
With the recent advancements in the field of Telecommunications, this program contains all the advanced topics required by our students to be successful Telecommunication Networks graduates. The program focuses on giving a clear understanding of the networking, telecommunications industry. Electives are also available for the students interested in developing the skills related to SDN, virtualization, Linux, Wireless, Information Security, IoT and many more. The field is continuously developing and so is our attitude to align the course work according to the needs of the industry. We have abundant opportunities for TNET graduates not only in the states, but also across the globe. The students are given assignments and projects and may have to give the presentation on the topics in the course that will help them to have a better understanding of the subjects. Thus, Telecommunication Networks Program will make sure that our students are eligible to make meaningful contributions in the field and bring innovative ideas that are beneficial for society.
What do you need to know about the staff?
The COE staff supporting our students include the Program Director, Peter O’Reilly, Co-Op Coordinator, and Student Services Team. The Professors for all the courses are the experts and are always happy to help you with any questions you have. Everyone, from our Program Director to the Teaching Assistants, is always ready to help you with your queries no matter how busy it gets for them. They are considered as one of the best staffs we have at Northeastern who not only focus on the all-round development of the students but also understand their needs. You are going to be in safe hands!
What advice should the students seek before pursuing MS in TNET?
Students should always aim for developing new skills and have a passion for technology. This program will not only develop your technical skills but will also make sure you can learn through the teaching-learning process itself. The assignments and projects should always be given priority as they cover all the key aspects of the course. Students should always make a point to understand the concepts and how they are applied to the industry. The reasoning and questioning are the part and parcel of learning here. You should have your vision clear and should never be afraid to ask for help. You should invest your time diligently as it will help you to manage the intensive course work with ease. The course work is definitely going to be challenging but it’s all a matter of time and confidence. The more time you give to the studies the better results will come your way. Above all, always remember that it is the journey that matters!
What are the core courses and degree requirements?
The core courses include Data Networking, Telecommunication Public Policy & Business Management, Telecom and Network Infrastructure, Internet Protocols and Architecture. The degree requirements of the course include a minimum of 32 credit hours with a mixture of 4 core courses (16 credits) and 4 electives (16 credits). The students should always be aware of when the courses are offered and take into account when they hope to be on co-op. They should also take note of any dependencies between the courses (pre-req, co-req).
How are the co-op opportunities?
The students are allowed to do only one co-op of 4, 6, or 8 months. ENCP 6000, Career Management for Engineers is a credit course that should be passed by the students to be eligible for co-op. It will cover all the important factors and help students prepare for the internship/co-op. The co-op advisor is always there to answer any questions about it. Students must have a GPA greater than or equal to 3.2 and academic credits of at least 16 to go on the co-op. The co-op offer needs to be approved by the Program Director as well as the co-op coordinator. The majority of the co-op opportunities in the program are technical. We see ample positions coming up each year with the skill set matching that learned in the courses offered. More than 75 percent of our students went on co-op in the last four years in the top companies. It is not guaranteed, but it all depends on the student’s dedication and ability to learn and grow. Our alumni are working in top companies and are happy to help students to guide them along the process to get full-time jobs.
See more Student Stories here.