MS in Telecommunication

NOTE: This site is an archive of 2011–2012 programs and policies at Boston University Metropolitan College. If you are looking for current information about Metropolitan College and its programs, please go to our official website: www.bu.edu/met.

Metropolitan College’s Master of Science (MS) in Telecommunication program integrates knowledge of the computer science, engineering, managerial, and legal aspects of networking and telecommunications. The program is designed to provide knowledge and critical skills essential for success in this rapidly expanding field. Program participants gain the following advantages:

• A solid knowledge of the basic networking technologies, systems, and services
• The ability to compare networking and telecommunication products and services
• The ability to manage complex telecommunication projects

Dual Degree Option

Appreciating the converging nature of management skills and technology, the Computer Science department has a special relationship with Metropolitan College’s Administrative Sciences and Actuarial Science departments. Students in either program are able to use 8 credit hours from one degree to be credited toward a second degree, thereby reducing their work on the second degree by two courses. Students must be accepted independently by both departments, but they may request that application materials such as references and transcripts be forwarded from the first program to the second.

Concentration in Security

Students in the Master of Science (MS) in Telecommunication program may choose a Concentration in Security, which provides in-depth knowledge of emerging network security threats and solutions to prepare technical leaders to identify, develop, and implement highly secure networks that support organizational goals.

Prerequisites

Applicants to the program are required to have a baccalaureate degree and proficiency in the following areas:

• MET CS 201 Introduction to Programming
• MET CS 231 Programming with C++ or MET CS 232 Programming with Java
• MET CS 472 Computer Architecture

Admissions Information

Prerequisite courses or evidence of proficiency in the above areas must accompany the application to the program. If college-level credit courses are not in evidence, the department will determine what prerequisite courses must be completed in addition to the graduate degree requirements. Students claiming equivalent proficiency in the prerequisite courses from non-academic sources must take an examination to demonstrate such proficiency.

Official transcripts of previous academic work and three letters of recommendation are required as part of the application.

A maximum of two graduate-level courses (8 credits) taken at Metropolitan College before acceptance into the program may be applied toward the degree.

Minimum passing grade for a course in the graduate program is C (2.0), but an average grade of B (3.0) must be maintained to be in good academic standing and satisfy the degree requirements.

The Application for Graduate Admission can be found on the Metropolitan College website at www.bu.edu/met/admissions.

Degree Requirements

A total of 40 credits is required, as follows:

Core Curriculum (seven courses/28 credits)

• MET CS 535 Computer Networks
• MET CS 546 Quantitative Methods for Information Systems
• MET CS 575 Operating Systems
• MET CS 635 Network Design and Implementation
• MET CS 685 Network Performance and Management
• MET CS 690 Network Security
• MET CS 775 Advanced Networking

Students who have completed courses in concentration core subjects as part of their undergraduate degree program must replace the corresponding core courses with electives. It is recommended that each replacement course be in the same technical area. Students who have work-related experience in any of the core curriculum courses may apply for a waiver by submitting appropriate documentation. When a course waiver is granted the student must substitute a graduate-level computer science course for the core course.

General Electives (three courses/12 credits)

Students who do not choose a concentration must select three general electives. Electives other than those listed below must be approved by the student’s advisor. Students should make sure that they have all prerequisites required by the selected course. At least two courses must be at the 600 level or above:

• MET CS 599 Biometrics
• MET CS 601 Web Application Development
• MET CS 632 IT Project Management
• MET CS 633 Distributed Software Development and Management
• MET CS 664 Artificial Intelligence
• MET CS 679 Enterprise Architecture
• MET CS 684 IT Security Policies and Procedures
• MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
• MET CS 695 Enterprise Information Security
• MET CS 699 Data Mining and Business Intelligence
• MET CS 701 Advanced Web Application Development
• MET CS 703 Network Forensics
• MET CS 713 Advanced Digital Forensics
• MET CS 751 Web Services
• MET CS 780 Database Administration
• MET CS 789 Cryptography
• MET CS 795/796 Directed Study
• MET CS 799 Advanced Cryptography
• MET CS 893 Agile and Advanced Software Engineering Methods
• MET CS 894 Special Topics

Master’s Thesis Option in Telecommunication (8 credits)

Students majoring in Telecommunication may elect a thesis option, to be completed within 12 months. This option is available to Master of Science in Telecommunication candidates who have completed at least seven courses toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.7 or higher. Students are responsible for finding a thesis advisor and a principal reader within the department. The advisor must be a full-time faculty member; the principal reader may be part-time faculty with a PhD (unless waived by the department).

• MET CS 810/811 Master’s Thesis

Concentration in Security

In addition to the Master of Science (MS) in Telecommunication Core Curriculum (28 credits), students pursuing a Concentration in Security must also take the following concentration requirements and electives.

Concentration Requirements (two courses/8 credits)

• MET CS 703 Network Forensics
• MET CS 789 Cryptography

Concentration Electives (one course/4 credits)

One course selected from the following:

• MET CS 674 Database Security
• MET CS 684 IT Security Policies and Procedures
• MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
• MET CS 695 Enterprise Information Security
• MET CS 713 Advanced Digital Forensics
• MET CS 799 Advanced Cryptography

Contact Information

For further information, contact the Department of Computer Science, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 250, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-2566; email: csinfo@bu.edu; www.bu.edu/csmet.