The Telecommunications and Distributed Systems concentration focuses on one of the fastest growing Information Technology fields. Distributed computing involves the study of information systems in which the data and computational processing is spread over more than one computer—usually in a network. Networking is critical to efficient communication among widely distributed participants and has become the backbone of industries ranging from Telecommunications firms to health care systems. Thanks to the internet and more powerful computation/communication devices, industry and society are demanding more pervasive networks, more efficient and effective information systems, and more professionals trained to design and manage these complex and vital systems.
With this concentration, you will gain the knowledge and skills to face the challenges of deploying, designing, and managing distributed applications across networked systems. Graduates will be able to design and manage client-server and peer-to-peer systems, manage network-based information systems, and design networks and systems that are secure.
The following requirements are in addition to the course requirements of the general MSIS degree.
Telecommunications and Distributed Systems Required Courses
Students in the Telecommunications and Distributed Systems specializaiton must take the following three required courses:
- TELCOM 2120 - NETWORK PERFORMANCE
- TELCOM 2700 - INTRODUCTION TO WIRELESS NETWORKS
- TELCOM 2821 - NETWORK SECURITY
Telecommunications and Distributed Systems Elective
Students in the Telecommunications and Distributed Systems specialization must take two electives from the following list:
- INFSCI 2125 - NETWORK SCIENCE & ANALYSIS
- INFSCI 2160 - DATA MINING
- INFSCI 2595 - MACHINE LEARNING
- INFSCI 2621 - SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND COMPUTER FORENSICS
- INFSCI 2750 - CLOUD COMPUTING
- INFSCI 2170 - CRYPTOGRAPHY
- TELCOM 2321 - WIDE AREA NETWORKS
- TELCOM 2010 - COMPUTER NETWORKING LABORATORY
Additional Approved Electives
Students may select two courses from the department’s standard graduate course offerings, including independent study and practicum experiences.
Students may also pursue opportunities that fall outside of the department’s standard graduate course offerings such as the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education cross-registration, doctoral seminars, courses offered in other Pitt graduate departments, or undergraduate upper-level coursework in information science or computer science (1100-1999). These opportunities may not exceed six credits and require advisor approval prior to enrollment.