Department of Computer Science

Mission: To provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to become successful practitioners and leaders in the field of Telecommunications.

This interdisciplinary program focuses on the technical, economic, legal-regulatory, and public policy aspects of the field of telecommunications. Graduates are prepared for jobs as network specialists, Web managers, Internet work specialists, telecommunications analysts, designers, managers, and first-line supervisors. Individuals already employed in telecommunications who wish to enhance their training and credentials will benefit from this program. Those in computing and allied fields will be able to develop expertise in the specialized area of telecommunications. Students seeking a career change who lack computer experience may develop the necessary competencies by taking transition courses.

Program Goals:

To enable graduates to

• familiarize students with technical aspects of voice, data, facsimile, and other telecommunications media;
• enable students to integrate new developments in this rapidly changing field with current knowledge;
• provide students with a grounding in relevant business processes and terminology so that they may plan, communicate and execute technical recommendations;

• enable students to understand telecommunications within the context of social, economic, and regulatory change so that they may participate effectively in decision making.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEGREE

Transition Courses
Required of students who lack a background in computer science. These course credits may not be applied toward the 36 credits required for the degree.
 

CS	500	Introduction to Computer Science I (4 credits)
CS	505	Introduction to Computer Science II (4 credits)
CS	510	Discrete Mathematics (3 credits)

Core Courses(12 credits):

TEL	600	Networking Fundamentals (3 credits)
TEL	630	Local Area Networks (3 credits)
TEL	660	Wide Area Networks(3 credits)
TEL	680	Introduction to Operating Systems (3 credits)

Electives (18 credits):
 

Six additional TEL courses, chosen in consultation with advisor (3 credits each)

Thesis/Final Project (6 credits):

Option A:

TEL	980	Thesis Preparation Seminar** (3 credits)
TEL	981	Thesis** (3 credits)

or

Option B:

TEL	970	Telecommunications Project Management (3 credits)
TEL		Elective (3 credits)

** Students opting to write a thesis will be required to register for the thesis and work under the guidance of a selected professor.

Total 36 credits

Program Prerequisites

Students entering the program should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Knowledge of one high-level programming language such as C,C++, or Java.
• A sufficient background in mathematics comparable to completion of a college-level course in discrete mathematics.
  

ADMISSIONS

Non-Matriculated Status

Students may be admitted to the program with non-matriculated status after consultation with an advisor. The applicant must present the following:

1. Completed application.
2. Evidence of completion of a bachelor's degree with a cumulative 2.5 grade point average (G.P.A).
3. Demonstration of the required competencies with written approval of the program coordinator or department chair.
4. Payment of the application fee.

NOTE: The G.R.E. is not required in the Computer Science program.

A maximum of 12 credits numbered above 600 will be permitted as a non-matriculated student. The department will not accept additional credits taken without matriculation. Credits earned in transitional courses in computer science will not be counted toward the 12 credit limit.

Matriculated Status

Students will be considered for admission to the program with matriculated status if they provide the following:

1. A completed request for matriculation form.
2. Evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree with official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools previously attended. Student copies are not accepted. A minimum 3.0 undergraduate or graduate G.P.A. is required.
3. Demonstration of the required competencies with written approval of the program coordinator or department chair.
4. For those who are taking the transition courses, each course must be completed with a grade of ‘B’ or better before applying for matriculation.
5. Three completed recommendation forms must be submitted directly to the Graduate Office of the School of Arts and Science or the Rockland campus. These forms must be submitted by supervisors or college faculty who have direct knowledge of the student’s academic aptitude and potential for success in the program. If possible, at least one letter of recommendation must be from a recent faculty member. Recommendations from friends, relatives or colleagues are not acceptable.
6. A program plan approved by the program director.

The fee for matriculation is payable after matriculation.

COMPETENCY EQUIVALENCIES

Students who can demonstrate course competencies in core courses may request that the specific course(s) be waived. The student will make a substitution of an appropriate elective course, with the approval of the program director. A copy of this approval shall be presented to the Office of Graduate Studies, the School of Arts and Science for placement in the student’s folder.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

With written approval of the program director, students may transfer a maximum of six graduate credits into the program from other institutions. The credits shall be from relevant courses taken prior to matriculation.

NOTE: Students who graduate Iona with an MS in Computer Science degree may transfer a maximum of 12 credits in telecommunications from that degree program to the MS in telecommunications. Contact the department for permission and details.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completion of the required 36 credits including the appropriate distribution of credits;
2. A minimum 3.0 G.P.A.;
3. Acceptance of a thesis or completion of TEL 970 and one other elective;
4. All requirements must be completed within five years from the date of matriculation.