MS in Telecommunications

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  1. I am really interested in getting into the telecommunications field.  I am not sure whether I want to be a network engineer, work in the rapidly emerging wireless infrastructure, or become a telecommunications systems engineer.  How would this program help me?

    Answer: Through its core element, the MS in Telecommunications gives every student a solid grounding in all aspects of telecommunications and systems engineering, allied to selected telecommunications law and international strategies, as well as providing five Specialty Modules that enable the student to tailor their program to fit their needs.  There are Specialty Modules in Network Technologies, Network Applications, Wireless Communications, Modeling of Telecommunications Systems, and Systems Engineering.  About half of the program is in the mandatory core with the other half in the elective modules.


  2. The catalog says that candidates should normally have a degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Business (with a quantitative background), Economics or any other analytic-related discipline.  What is the minimum technical skill that you are looking for in your applicants?

    Answer: Every student is different, and we try to see the whole person rather than just look at the undergraduate degree and GPA.  We like students to have taken mathematics up to the Calculus I level but this is not a pre-requisite.  The more work experience a student has in a technological area the better that student is likely to perform within the MS in Telecommunications program if they do not have an undergraduate degree close to telecommunications.  Prospective students are encouraged to talk with the Program Director for specific advice.


  3. I am currently working in the telecommunications industry but my undergraduate degree is not in an area that is applicable to my current position.  I need to become familiar with the technical part of my function without having to go back to undergraduate school and take a lot of engineering courses before I can take a masters degree that is closer to my job function.  Will this program let me do that?

    Answer: Very much so!  The MS in Telecommunications program is designed for working professionals in the field of telecommunications who want to advance their knowledge of telecommunications in a broad based program with a strongly practical approach to the topics.  It has been shown that experience in working within the telecommunications industry for some time, or in a position that requires the student to develop an appreciation for telecommunications products or practices, is a strong indication that the student will succeed in this program.


  4. I have an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering with a GPA above 3.0 and I am very interested in all aspects of telecommunications.  Is this master’s degree for me?

    Answer: The MS in Telecommunications degree was specifically designed for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering but who would like to enter the information technology business in government, commerce, or industry positions, with a broad based understanding of telecommunications allied to specific skills in elected areas such as network, wireless, or systems engineering.  As such, it concentrates on the practical aspects of telecommunications rather than on the theoretical.  You would need to determine whether the broad based approach to telecommunications provided by this program fits your interests and career plans better than a traditional Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering master’s degree.


  5. What is a 1.5 credit course?

    Answer: A 1.5 credit course is really a half-semester course that lasts for about 7 weeks.  The 1.5 credit course may be offered as a stand-alone course or paired with another half-semester (1.5 credit) course so that a full semester (3 credit) course results from the two 1.5 credit courses.  An example of the latter is TCOM 501 and TCOM 502, which are offered one after the other in the same semester.


  6. If there are two 1.5 credit courses offered in the same semester, one after the other (such as TCOM 501 and TCOM 502) should I register for both courses before the semester begins if I want to take both courses or wait to register for the second course until later in the semester?

    Answer: It is always recommended that you register for both of the 1.5 credit courses at the beginning of the semester.  Delaying your registration for the second course until the middle of the semester may cause difficulties if the second course has filled up.  That is, for example, register for both TCOM 501 and TCOM 502 at the beginning of the semester if you intend to take them both.


  7. What is the difference between registering as a non-degree student and registering as a degree-seeking student?

    Answer: A non-degree student need only submit a copy of their transcript(s) rather than have an official transcript sent to Graduate Admissions under seal.  Registering as a non-degree student is also cheaper and the results of the admissions process are known much more quickly.


  8. Can I sign up for a course before I am admitted?

    Answer: No, you must be an admitted student before you can register for a course.


  9. But what if the course I want is filling up quickly; how can I sign up fast?

    Answer: Apply as a non-degree student.  This process is usually very quick.


  10. If I register as a non-degree student, does that mean I will not be able to earn a master’s degree?

    Answer: No, a non-degree student may apply for transfer to regular status at any time.


  11. When should I apply to transfer to regular status from non-degree status?

    Answer: Students may have up to 12 credits of courses transferred from non-degree status to degree status.  Students should therefore complete their application for regular masters’ degree status AND HAVE BEEN ADMITTED to the MS in Telecommunications before they begin any course that will earn them more than a total of 12 credits in their MS in Telecommunications program.


  12. But when is the best time to transfer to regular status?

    Answer: Probably the best time to apply for transfer from non-degree to regular status is in the semester you are taking courses that will bring your total number of credits to 9 or 12 in the MS in Telecommunications program.  For example, if you started the first semester taking TCOM 500 and the pair TCOM 501/502 and were successful in both courses, you now have 6 credits in the program.  In the next semester, whether you sign up for one 3-credit class or two 3-credit classes (bringing your overall total in the program to 9 or 12 credits, respectively), you should submit your application to enter the program as a regular master’s student.

    HINT: Application for regular status requires three letters of recommendation.  If you do not already have these, it is suggested that you request such letters of recommendation from the instructors who teach you while you are in non-degree status.


  13. If I have passed TCOM 500 and TCOM 501/502, both with at least a B grade, and submitted my application for transfer to regular master’s status during the semester I am taking my third (total of 9 credits) or fourth (total of 12 credits) classes, is my transfer to regular status automatic?

    Answer: If you have provided the requisite information in your application (including the formal transcripts from your previous universities and three letters of recommendation), you have earned at least a B grade from your core courses, and your overall GPA is 3.0 or better, you should be moved to regular master’s status.  In exceptional cases, you may be moved to Provisional Status.


  14. What is Provisional status?

    Answer: Provisional status means a restriction has been placed upon your automatic movement from non-degree to regular status.  You have satisfied the general requirements to move from non-degree to degree-seeking, but you have yet to remove this restriction.  Your status is therefore provisional until this restriction is removed.  For example, you may have been required to take a TOEFL exam and have yet to do so.  Once you have removed this restriction then you would move from Provisional to Regular Status.


  15. Can I pass a core course with a C grade?

    Answer: No; all students must earn a B grade in all of the core courses.  Any core course in which a grade of C is earned must be retaking to achieve a B grade, or above.


  16. Can I pass a Specialty Module course with a C grade?

    Answer: Yes; students may carry six credits worth of C grades within their program from courses taken in the Specialty Modules.  However, an overall grade of B, calculated from the 33 credits worth of courses, must be earned to graduate with an MS in Telecommunications.


  17. My company will only re-imburse my course fees if I earn a grade B or better.  If I am registered as a non-degree student, my computer transcript may only show a P (for pass).  How can I assure my company that I earned at least a B?

    Answer: All TCOM courses receive a letter grade independent of the student’s status (non-degree, regular, etc.)  Please ask the instructor of your course to send you an official letter indicating the letter grade awarded if you have a problem with late grades.


  18. Do I have to take all of the core courses first before I can take the Specialty Module courses?

    Answer: No; in fact, you will most likely be prevented from doing this due to the pre-requisites for a couple of the core courses.  LAW 181 requires a student to be in regular status before they can register for this course.  TELE 750 requires students to have completed 18 credits before they may register for that course.


  19. Is it possible to take courses from more than just two Specialty Modules?

    Answer: Yes.  The program is flexible (please see the next question below).  However, it is always advisable that you discuss your plan of study with an advisor before signing up for any courses.  The program is always being updated to reflect the needs of the field and the requirements of the students for particular areas of expertise.  Specific exemptions, transfer of courses, and/or requests should be filed with the Program Director for consideration.

 

  1. I see that the latest Course Catalogs say that up to six credits may be “carried forward” from the core element of the MS in Telecommunications program into the Specialty Modules.  What does this mean?

    Answer: As originally structured, students took 18 credits in the core element and 15 in the Specialty Modules.  Normally, students would select two Specialty Modules and take 7.5 credits in each of these modules.  This proved to be somewhat inflexible.  Many students wanted to take courses in three modules and/or take 6 credits in one module and 9 in another.  To enable them to do this easily, TCOM 501 and TCOM 502 may now be considered to satisfy 3 credits in Module 1, 2, or 3 and TCOM 521 may now be considered to satisfy 3 credits in Module 4 or 5.  For example, a student who decides to take courses from Specialty Modules 1 and 2 may elect to “carry forward” TCOM 501 and TCOM 502 into Module 1 (or Module 2) so that only 4.5 additional credits need be taken in that module to provide the 7.5 credits total normally expected to be taken to satisfy a Specialty Module.  TCOM 501 and TCOM 502 cannot be double-counted, however, and 33 credits are required for the MS in Telecommunications degree, but the student has the option of taking the full 7.5 credits in Module 1 (or 2) or carrying forward the TCOM 501/502 credit into that module and taking a 3-credit course in any other module as an elective.

 

  1. So students are expected to take courses in two Specialty Modules, with the possibility that they can take up to 6 credits in other Specialty Modules?

    Answer: Almost right; students who elect to take Module 5 may take all 15 of their required Specialty Module courses in that module.  A student opting to take all 15 credits in Module 5, however, may “carry forward” TCOM 521 from the core element into Module 5 if they so wish, enabling them to take a 3-credit elective course in any of the five Modules.

  2. How can I “carry forward” six credits then into the Specialty Modules?

    Answer: If a student wants to take about half of their Specialty Module courses in Module 1, 2, or 3 together with half of their Specialty Module courses in Module 4 or 5 (e.g. pairing together Modules 1 and 4), TCOM 501 and TCOM 502 (total of 3 credits) may be carried forward into Module 1, 2, or 3 and TCOM 521 (3 credits) may be carried forward into Module 4 or 5.

  3. That means a student can take 7.5 credits, say, in Module 1 (carrying forward TCOM 501 and TCOM 502 into the module) and 7.5 credits in Module 4 (carrying forward TCOM 521 into the module), and have 6 credits of electives available to take anywhere they like in the other modules?

    Answer: Yes.  So long as the core course that is being carried forward applies to that Specialty Module.  The core course being carried forward can only be carried forward once into one of the Specialty Modules.

  4. Do I have to take my elective courses within the TCOM program?

    Answer: It is not a requirement that elective courses be taken within the TCOM program.  However, any student wishing to take an elective course that is not in the program should first obtain permission from the Program Director to do so.


  5. How many courses may I transfer in to the MS in Telecommunications program?

    Answer: Up to five (5) courses from ABET accredited universities may be transferred in, depending on where they were taken, the course syllabi, and the status of the student.  However, a course may only be transferred in if it will fit within the student’s program of study for the MS in Telecommunications.

    Given that courses to be transferred in will be applicable within the MS in Telecommunications program, the following general rules apply:
    (1) Up to two (2) courses taken from out-of-(Virginia)state universities may be transferred in;
    (2) Up to five (5) courses taken from UVA, VT, ODU, and VCU may be transferred in;
    (3) Up to four (4) course taken from Virginia State Universities, other than those in (2) above, may be transferred in.

    NOTE: If a student wishes to transfer in four, or more courses, they must enter the program as regular master’s students.  Non-degree applicants may transfer in courses provided the total number of course credits (the total being made up of the course(s) being taken as a non-degree student and the courses being transferred in) does not exceed 12.  Remember that only 12 credits worth of courses may be transferred into regular status from non-degree status.


  6. I am a student currently on an F-1 visa at another university.  Can I transfer in to the MS in Telecommunications program?

    ANSWER: It is possible to transfer in to George Mason University from another university while on an F-1 visa.  However, each student’s situation tends to be different so, all such inquiries should first be made to the International Student Service in the International Programs & Services here at George Mason University.  Once the general transfer situation of the student has been clarified, they should then make application to transfer credits in the normal way (see above).


  7. I am interested in taking additional qualifications once I have my MS in Telecommunications.  Can I go on to take a higher degree (e.g. a Ph.D. or an MBA)?

    Answer: Students who graduate with an MS in Telecommunications are eligible to apply for higher degrees.  Their ability to enter such programs will depend, as in other Master’s or Ph.D. programs, on a number of factors, such as the Grade Point Average earned within their MS in Telecommunications degree program and the alignment of the MS in Telecommunications courses with the courses proposed to be taken within the higher degree.


  8. I am an undergraduate student at George Mason University in my senior year.  Can I take a course within the MS in Telecommunications as an elective for my undergraduate degree?

    Answer: If your GPA is above 3.0, you may take up to two TCOM courses as an elective for your undergraduate degree.  However, the TCOM courses may be reserved just for TCOM students; please check with the Program Director first.


  9. If I have taken a TCOM course as an elective for my undergraduate degree and I apply, and am accepted, into the MS in Telecommunications Program, can I “double count” the TCOM course(s) I took as an undergraduate towards my MS in Telecommunications degree?

    Answer: No, not if the TCOM course you took as an undergraduate was included in your undergraduate degree plan of study.  However, you will NOT be expected to repeat courses you have already taken.  For example, if you took a core MS in Telecommunications course as an undergraduate (e.g. TCOM 500) you will be permitted to take an elective course in its place so that your final credit count is 33.  Similarly, if you took a course from a Specialty Module as an elective while an undergraduate, you will be permitted to take an elective in its place.  The selection of an elective course must be approved by the Program Director.

  10. But isn’t there an accelerated BS/MS program that would allow me to take my undergraduate degree at GMU and then count some of the TCOM courses taken as an undergraduate towards my postgraduate plan of study?

    Answer: This is under discussion at present.  Please contact the Program Director if you are interested in pursuing this option.

  11. I want to take LAW 181.  How do I go about registering for this course?

    Answer: Registration for LAW 181 cannot be accomplished at the Fairfax Campus Registrar’s Office or through the 4GMU phone registration system.  If you plan to request enrollment in Law 181, you need to request a registration form from the Law Records Office, George Mason University School of Law, 3401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201.  The completed registration form should then be mailed to the same address or sent by FAX to (703) 993-8019.

    NOTES: (1) The Law School academic semesters may NOT be the same as those on the main Fairfax campus.  Quite often, the Law School starts a week early.  Students should be aware of this potentially different timing situation.  (2) MS in Telecommunications graduate students will pay the same tuition rate they would pay for graduate school courses.  You should not be charged the law tuition rate.  You should check with the Cashier, Student Accounts or 4GMU to determine the per credit charge and tuition due date.  (3) When you request the registration forms, you should also be sent a list of instructions (e.g. where to find the reading assignments postings, parking decals, bookstore information, etc.)  If you do not receive this set of instructions, please request it.

  12. I want to take ITRN 701 but see there are a large number of sections.  Which one is applicable to the MS in Telecommunications program?

    Answer: Please contact the Program Director as the appropriate ITRN 701 section changes from semester to semester.

  13. I am working full-time and so cannot take time off during the day.  Do you offer your courses in the evenings?

    Answer: All courses are either at 4:30 – 7:10 or 7:20 – 10:00 p.m. in the evening.


  14. I appreciate I can take the courses in the evenings, but I am working full-time and I am concerned that I may take forever to finish this program.  Realistically, how long will this master’s degree take?

    Answer: Most students find that they can handle 6 credits a semester without it having a serious impact on their professional careers.  Taking six credits every fall and spring semester means that it will be about 33 months from start to finish for the degree.  The only way to graduate in less than two years would be to take two courses in the summer program, in addition to the two courses a regular semester (fall and spring).  However, it is not recommended that students take more than one summer course per year.  At present (2000/2001) only TCOM 500 and TCOM 501/502 are offered in the summer.  If TCOM 500 is taken in the summer at the start of the MS in Telecommunications degree program, and the remaining 30 credits are taken at a six-credits per regular semester pace, the program will still take 31 months from start to finish.  (See example program plans at the end of the FAQs).  It is planned to offer Specialty Module courses in the summer, starting in 2003.

  15. Other MS programs offer students the possibility of taking Independent Study courses.  Why does this program not offer such courses?

    Answer: A complete suite of such courses is moving through approval cycle.  By fall 2001, it is hoped to be able to offer the following courses:

    TCOM 590      Selected Topics in Telecommunications (Modules 1, 2, & 3)
    TCOM 591      Selected Topics in Telecommunications (Modules 4 & 5)
    TCOM 598      Independent Study (Modules 1, 2, & 3)
    TCOM 599      Independent Study (Modules 4 & 5)
    TCOM 690      Advanced Topics in Telecommunications (Modules 1, 2, & 3)
    TCOM 691      Advanced Topics in Telecommunications (Modules 4 & 5)
    TCOM 696      Independent Reading and Research (Modules 1, 2, & 3)
    TCOM 697      Independent Reading and Research (Modules 4 & 5)
    TCOM 698      Telecommunications Projects Course (Modules 1, 2, & 3)

    [NOTE: TCOM 699 Telecommunications Projects Course is already offered in Specialty Modules 4 and 5].

    As additional new topics arise that develop a more established nature than those covered in TCOM 590, 591, 690, and 691, specific new courses will be developed and incorporated in the program.  Examples of these types of courses are TCOM 513 Optical Fiber Networks and TCOM 516 Global Positioning System, which were not in the original suite of TCOM courses first developed for the program.

 

Example Plans of Study

 

The MS in Telecommunications program does not have a rigid Plan of Study that students must follow.  To graduate, students need to have completed every course in the 18-credit core element with at least a B grade and to have successfully completed 15 credits in the Specialty Modules for a combined total of 33 credits and a minimum GPA of 3.0.  Normally, students will have concentrated on two Specialty Modules (or just Module 5), but they have the option of taking up to 6 credits of elective courses elsewhere, depending on the modules they select.  See the FAQ question on “carrying forward” credits from the core element into the Specialty Modules.

 

Nearly all students have minor variations or requirements that require ‘adjustments’.  The example plans of study shown below, together with a typical course progression, are for illustration only.  Students are encouraged to formulate their own, individual plan, with an advisor as soon as they can so that they can plan their courses.

 

At present, only TCOM 500 and TCOM 501/502 courses are offered in the summer.  It is anticipated that some Specialty Module courses will be offered in the summer, starting in the summer of 2002.

 

Student A: Interested in Specialty Modules 1 and 2, entering as a non-degree student, no courses to be transferred in.

 

Semester        Courses          Status              Credits earned           Total Credits

Fall 1                TCOM 500      Non-Degree     3 credits                       3 credits

TCOM 501      Non-Degree     1.5 credits                    4.5 credits

TCOM 502      Non-Degree     1.5 credits                    6 credits

 

Spring 1           TCOM 521      Non-degree      3 credits                       9 credits

                        TCOM 503      Non-degree      1.5 credits                    10.5 credits

                        TCOM 513      Non-Degree     1.5 credits                    12 credits

 

Application for regular degree status filed during the spring semester.  Entry as a regular status MS candidate approved by the end of the spring semester.

 

Fall 2                ITRN 701        Regular MS      3 credits                       15 credits

                        TCOM 504      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    16.5 credits

                        TCOM 509      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    18 credits

 

At this point, the student has 12 credits satisfied in the core program and 6 credits satisfied in Specialty Module 1.   Note that TCOM 513 also counts in Module 2 so that the student could elect to have 4.5 credits in Module 1 and 1.5 credits in Module 2.

 

Spring 2           TELE 750        Regular MS      3 credits                       21 credits

                        TCOM 505      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    22.5 credits

                        TCOM 510      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    24 credits

 

At this point, the student has 15 credits satisfied in the core program and 9 credits satisfied in the Specialty Modules 1 and 2.  TCOM 504/509, TCOM 503/513, and TCOM 510 yield a total of 7.5 credits in Module 1 with TCOM 505 counting in module 2.  Alternatively, the student may count TCOM 513, and TCOM 505/510 in Module 2 giving 4.5 credits in both Module 1 and Module 2.  There is a lot of flexibility in how the courses may be allocated.

 

Fall 3                LAW 181        Regular MS      3 credits                       27 credits

                        TCOM 551      Regular MS      3 credits                       30 credits

 

At this point the student has satisfied all 18 of the core element and has 3 credits to go to complete the Specialty Modules.  The 12 credits of Specialty Module courses taken are TCOM 503/513, TCOM 504/509, TCOM 505/510, and TCOM 551 and these can be counted in a number of ways.  Here is one of the ways:

 

Module 1         TCOM 504/509, TCOM 503, TCOM 551,                             (7.5 credits)

Module 2         TCOM 513, TCOM 505/510                                                  (4.5 credits)

 

The student may now do one of two things.  (1) Elect to carry forward the 3 credits earned from TCOM 501/502 into Module 2, which would allow the virtual total in this module to be 7.5 credits rather than 4.5.  Since the 3 credits from TCOM 501/503 may not be double-counted within the 33 credits for the degree, the student must take 3 credits worth of courses to complete the degree.  This 3-credit elective may be a course in another module (e.g. TCOM 507/508 in Module 3).  The 3-credit elective course will bring the total number of credits in the Specialty Modules to 15 and the student has completed the program in three years.  (2) The student elects not to carry forward TCOM 501/502 since he/she has no desire to take an elective outside of Modules 1 and 2.  The student therefore takes a course from Module2 (e.g. TCOM 540/541) to complete the degree requirements.

 

Assume that the student elects not to carry forward TCOM 501/502 and completes the degree with TCOM 540/541.  Thus we have:

 

Spring 3           TCOM 540      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    31.5 credits

                        TCOM 541      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    33 credits

 

The student graduates with an MS in Telecommunications in the spring of the third year in the program, with an elapsed time of 33 months (August year 1 to May year 3)

 

Student B: Interested in Specialty Modules 1 and 3, entering as a non-degree student, transferring in a graduate courses in optical fiber communications (3 credits) and satellite communications (3 credits) earned at another ABET-accredited university.

The graduate optical fiber communications course is transferred into module 1 and the graduate satellite communications course into module 3.

 

Semester        Courses          Status              Credits earned           Total Credits

Fall 1                TCOM 500      Non-Degree     3 credits                       9 credits

TCOM 501      Non-Degree     1.5 credits                    10.5 credits

TCOM 502      Non-Degree     1.5 credits                    12 credits

 

Application for regular degree status filed during the fall semester.  Entry as a regular status MS candidate approved by the end of the fall semester. 

 

Spring 1           TCOM 521      Regular MS      3 credits                       15 credits

                        TCOM 506      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    16.5 credits

                        TCOM 516      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    18 credits

 

At this point, the student has satisfied 9 credits in the core element and 9 credits in the Specialty Modules.  Of the latter 9 credits, the split is 6 credits in Module 3 and 3 credits in Module 1.

 

Fall 2                LAW 181        Regular MS      3 credits                       21 credits

                        TCOM 551      Regular MS      3 credits                       24 credits

 

At this point, the student has satisfied 12 credits in the core element and 12 credits in the Specialty Modules.  Of the latter 12 credits, the split is 6 credits in Module 3 and 6 credits in Module 1.  Alternatively (depending on whether TCOM 551 is counted in module 1 or 3), the split could be 6/6, 9/3 or 7.5/4.5 in Modules 1 and 3, respectively.  The last split shows that when a course is considered to be in more than one module, it may be counted half in one module and half in another.  If the student elects the last split, by “carrying forward” TCOM 501/502 into module 3, the student may chose to have satisfied module 3 (4.5 + 3 from TCOM 501/502 = 7.5 credits) and so may take those 3 credits as an elective in another module.  For example, the student may take TCOM 505/510 from module 2.  We will assume that this is the case, yielding:

 

Spring 2           TCOM 505      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    25.5 credits     

                        TCOM 510      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    27 credits

                        TELE 750        Regular MS      3 credits                       30 credits

 

At this point, the student has satisfied 15 credits from the core element and 15 credits from the Specialty Modules, and needs just 3 credits (ITRN 701) from the core element to complete the degree requirements.  Thus:

 

Fall 3                ITRN 701        Regular MS      3 credits                       33 credits

 

 

 

 

Student C: Non-resident student (F-1 visa) interested in modules 3 and 4, no courses being transferred in. 

 

Non-resident nationals can only attend as full-time students and so have to go through the regular admissions process.  To maintain their F-1 visa status, such students need to be full-time students in good standing.  This means that they have to take 9 credits per semester and maintain a B average.  The student is assumed to be admitted in the fall.

 

Semester        Courses          Status              Credits earned           Total Credits

Fall 1                TCOM 500      Regular MS      3 credits                       3 credits

TCOM 501      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    4.5 credits

TCOM 502      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    6 credits

                        TCOM 521      Regular MS      3 credits                       9 credits

 

Spring 1           TCOM 507      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    10.5 credits

                        TCOM 508      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    12 credits

                        TCOM 540      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    13.5 credits

                        TCOM 541      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    15 credits

                        ITRN 701        Regular MS      3 credits                       18 credits

 

 

At this point, the student has satisfied 12 credits in the core element and 6 credits in the Specialty Modules.  Of the 6 credits in the Specialty Modules, 3 are in each of modules 3 and 4.  Note, however, that this student is able to “carry forward” 6 credits into the specialty modules (since TCOM 501/502 may count in module 3 and TCOM 521 in module 4).  Thus, while only 3 credits have been earned in module 3 and only 3 credits in module 4, for the purposes of satisfying these modules, 6 credits may be assumed in module 3 (by carrying forward TCOM 501/502) and 6 credits in module 4 (by carrying forward TCOM 521).  Thus only 1.5 credits need be taken in each of the modules 3 and 4, with the other 6 credits (released by carrying forward TCOM 501/502 and TCOM 521) able to be taken as electives in any module.  We will assume that this student wants to concentrate also in wireless.  The 6 elective credits will therefore be in wireless courses.  Thus, to complete the Specialty Modules, 1.5 more credits will be earned in module 4 and 7.5 credits in module 3.

 

Fall 2                LAW 181        Regular MS      3 credits                       21 credits

                        TELE 750        Regular MS      3 credits                       24 credits

                        TCOM 551      Regular MS      3 credits                       27 credits

 

Spring 2           TCOM 547      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    28.5 credits

                        TCOM 552      Regular MS      3 credits                       31.5 credits

                        TCOM 506      Regular MS      1.5 credits                    33 credits

 

Note: The student is unable to satisfy the 9-credit minimum for full-time status in the last semester (spring 2) of the MS in Telecommunications program since the master’s degree only needs 6 credits to be completed in this semester.  A waiver for this may be granted, or the student may take an additional, 3-credit course, which would not count in this program but could be applied towards another postgraduate degree.

 

 

Student D: Has a good software and Systems Engineering undergraduate background but wants to broaden the telecom. background, is interested in taking the module 5 15-credit option, wants to start as soon as possible but missed the spring sign up (classes full), coming in as non-degree, elects to take TCOM 500 in the summer program.

 

Semester        Courses          Status              Credits earned           Total Credits

Summer 1         TCOM 500      non-degree       3 credits                       3 credits

 

Fall 1                TCOM 501      non-degree       1.5 credits                    4.5 credits

                        TCOM 502      non-degree       1.5 credits                    6.0 credits

                        TCOM 521      non-degree       3.0 credits                    9.0 credits

 

The student now has 9 credits in the program, all in the core element.  The student applied for regular masters entry during the fall semester and this was granted.  The student enters the spring semester in regular MS status.

 

Spring 1           SYST 510        Regular MS      3 credits                       12 credits

                        ITRN 701        Regular MS      3 credits                       15 credits

 

Fall 2                TCOM 546      Regular MS      3 credits                       18 credits

                        SYST 513        Regular MS      3 credits                       21 credits

 

Spring 2           TELE 750        Regular MS      3 credits                       24 credits

                        ITRN 772        Regular MS      3 credits                       27 credits

 

Fall 3                LAW 181        Regular MS      3 credits                       30 credits

                        TCOM 699      Regular MS      3 credits                       33 credits

 

In this case, the student decided not to carry forward TCOM 521 from the core element into module 5 and so did not choose to take an elective course either in module 5 or anywhere else. 

 

 

 

PROPOSED SPECIALTY MODULE COURSE PROGRESSION

 

 

 

FALL COURSES                                                               Total Module Credits Offered

 

Module 1         TCOM 504/509, TCOM 551                          3.0 “home”; total 6.0 credits

Module 2         TCOM 509, TCOM 555, TCOM 540/541      1.5 “home”; total 6.0 credits

Module 3         TCOM 551, TCOM 552                                 6.0 “home”; total 6.0 credits

Module 4         TCOM 545, TCOM 546, TCOM 547             4.5 “home”; total 7.5 credits

Module 5         TCOM 546                                                      3.0 “home”; total 3.0 credits

 

Courses offered are:     TCOM 504/509

                                    TCOM 545

Total of 18.0 credit hours of lectures in the fall semester in the Specialty Modules
 
                                    TCOM 546

                                    TCOM 547

                                    TCOM 551

                                    TCOM 552

                                    TCOM 555

 

 

 

SPRING COURSES                                                          Total Module Credits Offered

 

Module 1         TCOM 503/513, TCOM 510                          3.0 “home”; total 4.5 credits

Module 2         TCOM 513, TCOM 505/510                          3.0 “home”; total 4.5 credits

Module 3         TCOM 507/508, TCOM 506/516                   6.0 “home”; total 6.0 credits

Module 4         TCOM 542, TCOM 540/541, TCOM 548      4.5 “home”; total 6.0 credits

Module 5         TCOM 548                                                      1.5 “home”; total 1.5 credits

 


Courses offered are:     TCOM 503/513

Total of 18.0 credit hours of lectures in the spring semester in the Specialty Modules
 
                                    TCOM 505/510

                                    TCOM 506/516

                                    TCOM 507/508

                                    TCOM 540/541

                                    TCOM 542

                                    TCOM 548

 

 

TCOM 59X and 69X courses are scheduled, as demand exists, in any semester.

 

 

 

 

ANTICIPATED CORE COURSE PROGRESSION

 

 

Every FALL SEMESTER

 

TCOM 500                  2 sections from fall 2001

TCOM 501/502           2 sections from fall 2001

TELE 750

ITRN 701

LAW 181        [NOTE: (1) Law courses usually start one week before the main campus courses; (2) Students have to register at the Arlington campus – students may not register for Law courses at the main campus]

 

 

 

 

Every SPRING SEMESTER

 

TCOM 500                  2 sections from spring 2002

TCOM 501/502           2 sections from spring 2002

TCOM 521

TELE 750

ITRN 701

 

 

 

 

Every SUMMER SESSION

 

TCOM 500

TCOM 501/502

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:

As the MS in Telecommunications program grows, there will be the opportunity to offer all of the core courses every semester.  Some of these may be offered in the summer program, in addition to TCOM 500 and TCOM 501/502.  Students should check the course catalog and class information to learn the status of particular core course offerings.