Joint MS Program in COMPUTER NETWORKS Departments of Computer Engineering (COE) & Information & Computer Sciences (ICS)
Outline IT Trends in the World Implications on Computer Networks Who is a Network Specialist & Shortage Academic Matters Students Survey Industry Survey Experts Comments 2
Trends of IT in the World Seamless computing & communication. Automation: e-business, e-commerce, e- Education, e-government. In 2010, Internet users will reach one BILLION! Global IT survey indicates that mid-size companies increase their annual spending on IT from 1.5% to 4.5%! 60% of the annual IT budget goes to SKILLS! Without skills, it is impossible to use IT. 3
Implications on Computer Networking Continuous increase in Computer-Computer Communication Human-Computer Communication Human-Human Communication Massively Distributed. Heterogeneous Client-Server Operation. Multidisciplinary Challenges. 4
Who is a Network Specialist? A network specialist would undertake the following tasks: Network (Cost) Analysis, System Design, Implementation, Integration, Monitoring and Performance Evaluation HW architecture Design (Switches, Topology, etc.,) and Evaluation Client Server Architecture, programming, monitoring, maintenance and management 5
Areas of Knowledge Computer Communication Networks Network and Higher Layer Protocols TCP/IP Mathematical Aspects (Queueing Theory, Probability) Network Management Network Security Client-Server Paradigms Distributed Computing 6
Shortages of such specialists Thousands, men per year in Europe Demand Supply Planning & Design 346 97 Implementation 843 558 Maintenance and Management 444 378 7
Academic Components of Program. List of Courses. Comparison with MS programs in North American and Other Universities. 8
Components of Program Technology (COE) Network Design And management (CSE) Software and Protocol (ICS) Yellow + Red = Orange 9
Table 1: Computer Networks Requirement in MS Programs MS Program Number of Course Credit Hours Number of Thesis Credit Hours Core Courses CN Electives Computer Networks** (Specialized Program) 24 6 3 Networks Core Course - COE 540: Computer Networks - CSE 550 : Computer Network Design - ICS 571 : Client-Server Programming 3 Electives from the Graduate Computer Networks Courses listed in Part 2 Free Electives 2 10
Proposed list of courses Core Courses COE 540: Computer Networks (3-0-3) CSE 550:Computer Network Design (3-0-3) ICS 571: Client Server Programming (3-0-3) Network Technology Area (COE) COE 541: Local and Metropolitan Area Networks (3-0-3) COE 542: High-Speed Networks (3-0-3) COE 543: Mobile & Wireless Networks (3-0-3) CSE 554: Modeling and Analysis of Computer Networks (3-0-3) COE 549: Special Topics in Computer Networking Technologies (3-0-3) COE 540: Computer Networks (3-0-3) Design & Management Area (COE+ICS) CSE 551: Computer & Network Security (3-0-3) CSE 552: Network Management (3-0-3) CSE 553: Fault Tolerance & Reliability in Computer Networks (3-0-3) CSE 559: Special Topics in Computer Network Design and Management (3-0-3) Software and Protocols Area (ICS) ICS 572: Distributed Computing (3-0-3) ICS 573: High Performance Computing (3-0-3) CSE 555: Protocol Engineering (3-0-3) ICS 575: Application Development for Internet Based Services (3-0-3) ICS 579: Special Topics in Computer Network Software and Protocols (3-0-3) 11
Comparisons with MS Programs in North American Universities Degree Requirement and Plan are the same as reputable US universities (Tables 2 & 3) Curriculum and Courses (Table 4) 12
Table 2: Summary of MS Programs University Dept. Thesis System Total CR Texas A&M COE Yes Semester 32 Penn. State CSE Yes Semester 30 George Washington Univ. EECS Optional Semester 30 U. California LA (UCLA) CS Optional Semester 27 Univ. of South California CS Optional Semester 27 KFUPM (CN) COE/ICS Yes Semester 30 13
Table 3: Summary of MS Programs University Dept. Credit Hour Breakdown Course work Thesis Texas A&M COE COE 12 EE 6 E 8 6 Penn. State CSE C 15 E 9 6 GWU EECS C 12 E 18-12 0-6 UCLA CS 21 6 USC CS C 3 KFUPM (CN) COE/ICS C 9 E 15 6 Note: C = Core & E = Elective course. 14
Table 4: Topics related to Computer Networks University Computer Comm. Networks Queuing Theory & Probabilisti c method Network & Protocol Design TCP/IP & upper level protocols Network Manage ment Network Security Waterloo * * * * GWU * * * * USC * * * * Maryland * * * * * Pittsburgh * * * * Colombia * * * Client Server Progra mming Penn. State * * * * * * Georgia Tech. * * * * * * * NJIT * * * * * * * NCSU * * * * * * * * Purdue * * * * * * * Stanford * * * * * * * Berkley * * * * * * * * Distribu ted Comput ing KFUPM (CN) * * * * * * * * 15
Student s Survey link to slide 10 Q1. Have you considered doing a Full/Part Time Graduate Master Program? 1-Yes seriously 4-No 2-Thought about it. 3-Have not considered it 5-Already a Graduate Student Q2. If you are given the option to do a Master Program (Full time/part Time), would you consider registering in a Master Program in COMPUTER NETWORKS. 1-Definitely 2-Highly Likely 3-Highly Unlikely 4-No 16
Table 5: Total No. of Students =176 (Junior = 92, Senior = 63, Graduate = 19) Q2 Q1 Yes Thought about it Not considered seriously No Graduate Student Definitely 27 21 8 1 7 Highly Likely 23 40 10 7 11 Highly Unlikely 3 5 4 1 0 No 3 3 4 2 1 Total 56 69 26 11 19 17
Industry Survey Main business of organization Consultation 10% 10% 10% Agents/Representatives 30% 40% Other Manufacturing Government/services 18
Industry Survey IT department activities Network installation Network planning 13% 3% 14% Network management 13% 14% Network configuration 3% 13% 13% 14% Developing software solutions Developing hardware solutions Device installations 19
Experts Comments Prof. Mostafa Ammar, Professor, Georgia Tech: I found the notion of an MS program in Computer Networking to be quite innovative... The overall structure and balance of depth and breadth is quite sound It is clear that a significant amount of thought, academic experience and effort have gone into these proposals. I wish you the best as you proceed with implementing these worthwhile programs 20
Experts Comments Prof Z. G. Vranestic, professor, University of Toronto: I received your proposal for MS programs in Computer Engineering and Computer Networks. Both of these areas have become the driving forces in today s technological development. It is very timely for your Department to offer graduate programs in these areas The curriculum features a good combination of core and elective courses The graduates of the proposed programs should be in high demand by industry 21
Experts Comments Professor Jon Butler, Professor, Naval Postgraduate School: While it is natural to look outside KFUPM for examples of advanced curriculum and to copy this, there is opportunity to provide leadership in curriculum development. The US does not have a monopoly on this. Indeed, Japan and European countries have both been innovative in their curricula. The proposal for the two programs, computer engineering and computer networks, is reasonable and reasonably aligned with programs I know. 22
Experts Comments Dr Wanlei Zhou, Deputy Head, School of Computing and Mathematics, Deakin University, Australia: The MS programs (Computer Engineering and Computer Networks) at KFUPM are of high quality and are equivalent to many similar programs offered by reputable universities in Australia. In particular the proposal adequately addressed the following issues: It provides an up-to-date knowledge of recent developments in computer technology. It enables students to acquire necessary knowledge and skills needed in the information age. 23
Experts Comments Prof Davis Andrew, Head of CS and COE, University of Arkansas: At first, I was wondering if the (MS in Networks) was too narrow a specialization for a masters, but after looking at it I think it is a good program, 1-core courses look good 2-electives look good In general, I like your proposed programs. They seem well thought out and very relevant. Be prepared for many students 24
Experts Comments Morteza Amir Rahimi, Professor and Vice President, North Western University: I congratulate the Computer Science and Computer Engineering Departments at KFUPM for: 1) Recognition of the need 2) Willingness to lead higher education in the creation of such a program 3) An excellent proposed program, and 4) Creative use of existing courses at KFUPM. 25
Thank you 26
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Main Stream COE MS Program is a broad program and should not allow any specialism: Restricts the number of courses studied from each of the three main subject areas to a maximum of four including the corresponding core course. A student enrolled in the COE MS Program can not meet the requirements of the Computer Network MS Program without violating the above rule. The courses of the Computer Networks specialism include all the COE and ICS courses. 28
Industry Survey Distribution of activities 31% 9% 13% 47% Netw orking Maintenance Telecommunications Other 29
Industry Survey Current areas of personnel specialization 36% 22% Computer science Computer engineering 17% 25% Communication engineering Network engineering 30