UMUC

Graduate School of Management and Technology

Course Descriptions - TLMN (Telecommunications Management)

TLMN 602 Telecommunications Industry: Structure and Environment (3)

A study of major technological, legal, and regulatory developments (national and international) that have molded the structure of the current telecommunications industry. Topics include early legislation, the regulated monopoly, antitrust, divestiture, and recent legislation that has led to the current industry environment of competition and incipient integration of different industry segments. The roles of various national and international institutions in shaping the telecommunications industry are discussed.

TLMN 623 Telecommunications Networks (3)

A study of computer networks and telecommunications functionality, characteristics, and configurations. Recent advances in standardization, internetworking, and deployment of LANs (local area networks), MANs (metropolitan area networks), and WANs (wide area networks) are examined. Topics include network topologies; protocols; architectures; and current and emerging protocols such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), 10 gigabit Ethernet, and the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) Reference Model. Emphasis is on emerging trends in telecommunications, network technologies, and services. Discussion also covers strategies for network planning, implementation, management, and security.

TLMN 630 Satellite Communication Systems (3)

An analysis of issues surrounding the design and use of satellite communications systems. Topics include satellite system characteristics such as type, class (bandwidth, standards, and availability), applications, interfaces, traffic patterns, network installation, performance criteria, hardware, and cost. Current and planned satellite communications are examined and compared to future needs and technologies.

TLMN 641 Network Management and Design (3)

A study of techniques that network managers can utilize to maintain and improve the performance of a telecommunications network. Network management systems are defined and explained. A description of how software package programs can monitor real-time performance of a network to identify problems is provided. Emphasis is on the five tasks traditionally involved with network management (fault management, configuration management, performance management, security management, and accounting management). Examples of current specific network management products are reviewed. Discussion also covers how the performance data gathered from monitoring can be archived and used later as an input when decisions are made on changes in the network architecture. Network design is studied for the development of a new network architecture when only user requirements are known.

TLMN 645 Wireless Telecommunications Systems (3)

A review of wireless telecommunications systems from microcell to global infrastructures. Emphasis is on the technology, applications, and limitations of these systems, which have become an essential element of the world information infrastructure. Topics include cellular communication principles, coding, antenna and propagation effects, channel access schemes, traffic engineering, and wireless network design, as well as terrestrial systems such as cellular, personal communication services (PCS), dispatch, wireless local-area networks (LANs), and wireless data systems. Discussion also covers market trends, regulations, and standards. Students assess the role of wireless systems in comparison with other telecommunications alternatives available to organizations.

TLMN 670 Capstone Course in Telecommunications (3)

An examination of emerging telecommunication technologies and their applications. Topics vary each term and may include wireless security, voice over internet protocol, private branch exchanges (PBXs), or ad hoc (peer to peer) wireless local area networks.