Telecommunications

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 40.3 k / Year(s) Deadline: Feb 1, 2025
601–800 place StudyQA ranking:4757 Duration:2 years

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The Master's in Telecommunications Program (ENTS) offers students a unique opportunity to engage in cross-disciplinary coursework in telecommunications. It combines rigorous technical education with invaluable business insight and entrepreneurial skills. The program is run jointly by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and offers a Master of Science in Telecommunications degree. The program may be pursued either full-time or part-time. Most courses are scheduled in the evening to suit working professionals, while some courses additionally offer daytime sections.

Entering students typically hold a bachelor’s degree in a technical field (engineering, computer science, etc.). Applicants must also submit a personal statement and three letters of recommendation. International applicants will also need to show a proof of English proficiency by taking the TOEFL or the IELTS exam and report their scores. To prepare your application, please review the detailed admissions requirements. 

Once admitted, students undertake a program of study including 30-credits of course work (typically consisting of 10 three-credit courses) and a scholarly paper. Specific information on the degree requirements is available here.

The ENTS curriculum is comprised of technical core courses, business core courses, and elective courses. Technical courses focus on wireless communications, computer networking and cyber-security. The business courses cover the areas of economics, marketing, management, finance and entrepreneurship. A comprehensive list of courses and descriptions can be found here. For the most recent course offerings and schedule, please refer to theSchedule of Classes. 

This program has a number of unique features that set it apart from most “traditional” MS programs:

  • While covering the necessary theory and principles, the program takes an industry-oriented approach and puts emphasis on the development of practical and hands-on skills needed in the telecommunications industry.
  • Most MS programs only offer technical courses. However, the ENTS curriculum also has a business component. Courses in marketing, economics, organizational behavior and project management prepare students to see the “big picture”, become leaders in their organizations and grow into managerial positions a few years after graduation.
  • While many MS programs are slow to change curriculum and adopt new courses, the ENTS program makes a conscientious effort to track the industry trends and introduce new courses in response to the changes in the telecommunications industry. New courses are launched almost every year.
  • The courses in many MS programs are taught by tenured or tenure-track faculty members, whose focus tends to be theoretical and research-oriented. The ENTS program is different: the full-time instructors have worked in the telecommunications industry for several years and have considerable industrial experience. A number of part-time instructors, who still work in the industry, teach courses part-time. They bring current, state-of-the-art and industry best practices into the classroom.

Technical Core Courses


ENTS 622: Introduction to Digital Communication Systems (3)
ENTS 640: Networks and Protocols I (3)
ENTS 641: Networks and Protocols II (3)

Wireless Selector Courses:
ENTS 653: AWS/PCS System Implementation (3)
ENTS 656: Introduction to Cellular Communication Networks (3)
ENTS 657: Satellite Communication Systems (3)

Management Core Courses


ENTS 625: Management and Organizational Behavior in the Telecommunications Industry (3)
ENTS 630: The Economics of International Telecommunications Policy and Regulation (3)
ENTS 632: Telecommunications Marketing Management (3)
ENTS 635: Decision Support Methods for Telecommunications Managers (3)

Technical Elective Courses


ENTS 629A Special Topics in Cybersecurity: System Security (3)
ENTS 629B Special Topics in Cybersecurity: Cryptography and Network Security (3)
ENTS 629C Special Topics in Cybersecurity: Fundamentals of IT Systems Security (3)
ENTS 649A Special Topics in Networking: Optical Communication Networks (3)
ENTS 649B Special Topics in Networking: Cloud Computing (3)
ENTS 649C Special Topics in Networking: Internet of Things; Systems and Protocols (3)
ENTS 659A Special Topics in Communications: Wireless Communications System Design and Simulation (3)
ENTS 659B Special Topics in Communications: Microwave Radio Communications Systems (3)
ENTS 659M Special Topics in Communications: Intelligent Wireless Technologies (3)
ENTS 689A Special Topics: Algorithms and Data Structures (3) 
ENTS 689E Special Topics: Embedded Systems (3)
ENTS 689F Special Topics: Fundamentals of Wireless LANs (3)
ENTS 689G Special Topics: Design and Analysis of Communication Networks (3)
ENTS 689I Special Topics: Network Immunity (3)
ENTS 689L Special Topics: Cellular Network Infrastructure- Cell Site Design and Components (3)
ENTS 689N Special Topics: Network Programming (3)
ENTS 689V Special Topics: Voice over Internet Protocol (3)
ENTS 689W Special Topics: Short-range Wireless Systems (3)
ENTS 689X Special Topics: Information Systems Security Management (3)
ENTS 689Y Special Topics: Multimedia Communication over Networks (3)
ENTS 699A Independent Study in Telecommunications: Advanced Seminar 3G and 4G (1)E
ENTS 699L Independent Studies: LTE Network Protocols Testing Equipment Lab (3) 
ENTS 699R Special Topics in Communications: Analytical Foundations of Telecommunications (1)
ENTS 749A Advanced Topics in Networking: Network Traffic and Application Performance Analysis (3)
ENTS 749B Advanced Topics in Networking: Software-Defined Networking (3)
ENTS 749C Advanced Topics in Networking: Vehicular Networks (3)
ENTS 749D Advanced Topics in Networking: Network Design and Configuration Lab (3)
ENTS 759A Advanced Topics in Communications: 3G/4G Wireless Networks and Systems (3)
ENTS 759B Advanced Topics in Communications: Wireless OFDM Systems (3)
ENTS 759C Advanced Topics in Communications: Optimization, Drivetesting, and Analysis of Modern Cellular Networks (3)
ENTS 759D Advanced Topics in Communications: Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and Small Cells

Management Elective Courses


ENTS 631: Competitive Strategies and Public Policies in Telecommunications (3)
ENTS 670: Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship (3)
ENTS 672: The Global Economic Environment (3)
ENTS 673: Project Management for Telecommunications (3)
ENTS 689E Special Topics: Advanced Engineering Start Up Ventures (3)
ENTS 689K Special Topics: Telecommunications Entrepreneurial Practicum (3-6)

Requirements

  • The Master's in Telecommunications program is open to applicants holding a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree in engineering, computer science, math, physics or related technical fields with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications with an undergraduate GPA of slightly less than 3.0 may be considered if they have demonstrated strong performance in prior graduate studies and/or professional experience. Because of the program's rigorous technical core curriculum, applicants must have sufficient background in engineering math. 
  • The statement of purpose should address the following questions: What are your reasons for undertaking graduate study at the University of Maryland, College Park? You may wish to discuss past work in your field, your plans/goals for a professional career, or how you developed interest in or knowledge of the field. What life experiences have prepared you to pursue a graduate degree at a large and diverse institution such as UMD? You may want to provide some examples of your determination to pursue your goals, your initiative, and/or your capacity for working through problems independently. 
  • Official transcripts (marksheets) from all previously attended higher education institutions should be uploaded to your application. If a transcript is not in English, both an original language version and English translation must be provided. Only admitted students who choose to enroll will be required to submit official hard copy transcripts to the Graduate School by the end of their first semester.
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (3). Recommendations must be completed electronically through ApplyYourself. We require official institutional email addresses for your recommenders. Recommendations should be professional and/or academic references.
  • The GRE is not a requirement of the application, however, submitted official GRE scores will be strongly considered. GRE scores are sent electronically from ETS. Please use institution code 5814. The department/program code is not necessary. 
  • TOEFL/IELTS (Applicants with International Credentials)
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