MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

Computer Technologies Option

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the program requirements for admission?
2. Are there any University requirements?
3. Are there any special requirements for foreign students?
4. What is a satisfactory GRE/GMAT score?
5. Can you explain the two options of the degree?
6. What about prerequisite courses?
7. Can I still apply even if  I haven’t taken the prerequisite courses?
8. How can I obtain “classified status” if I am currently “conditionally classified?”
9. How can I get an application?
10. How much does it cost to apply?
11. Where can I find application submission deadlines for each quarter?
12. How can I check the status of my application?
13. Can I obtain transfer credit for courses I have taken elsewhere?
14. What is the cost per quarter?
15. Is there financial aid available?
16. What are the “Core Courses?”
17. How many units total need to be completed for this degree?
18. Is it possible to substitute courses for those listed in the program?
19. What is the Capstone Experience?
20. What does advancement to candidacy entail?
21. What is “thesis” style format?
22. Who are the graduate coordinators?

1. What are the program requirements for admission?

Applicants are required to have a B.S. degree from an accredited 4 year institution.  Official transcripts must be sent.  Typical applicants have degrees in Computer Information Systems and Computer Science.  Your GPA must be a minimum of 2.75/4.0 overall and 3.0/4.0 in major coursework.  Students must also submit GRE general exam scores or GMAT exam scores.  Please note that the program is competitive and having the minimum GPA (or GRE score) acceptable does not guarantee acceptance

2. Are there any University requirements?

Yes, all students who receive any degree from CSUH must demonstrate writing competency by passing the Writing Skills Test.  A student cannot receive “classified status” until this test is passed.  Students should take this test as soon as possible after entering the university.   If you have passed this exam at another CSU campus then you are not required to retake the exam.

3. Are there any special requirements for foreign students?

If you are an international student you must have a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam (TOEFL) or 213 on the computerized version.

All international students at CSU Hayward holding certain types of immigration status are required to maintain health insurance to meet requirements set forth by the Chancellor's Office.  The Center for International Education, located in the Student Services Hub 1325, has the responsibility for ensuring that students comply with this requirement.  CIE also oversees all visa requirements.

Our Associated Students Office sells an insurance policy which meets the CSU requirements.  That insurance policy is sold on an annual basis (September to September).  Students who wish to purchase less than 1 year of insurance from Associated Students need to show the Center for International Education evidence that they will be completing their degree requirements before next September.

Center for International Education
SSH 1325
Tel: 510 - 885 - 2880
Fax: 510 - 885 - 2787
cie@csuhayward.edu
http://www.csuhayward.edu/CIE/

4. What is a satisfactory GRE/GMAT score?

Average scores vary from year to year.  Potential students will not be admitted if they do not score above the 20th percentile in the verbal section and above the 60th percentile in the quantitative section of the GMAT or GRE.

5. Can you explain the two options of the degree?

There are two options: Computer Technologies and Telecommunication Management
Students who choose the Computer Technologies option typically have a Computer Science background. In this option, students learn about telecom architecture, design, systems, and management.  The computer technology option is more technical in nature.  Students are expected to have good programming skills, which they will use in their courses.  This is the option chosen by those who would like to become network programmers or work in software development and design for networking companies.

Students who choose the Telecommunication Management option typically have a CIS or business background.  In this option, students learn about the management, architecture, and design of telecom systems.  Students in this option take more business management courses with the idea that they will be system administrators or managers of some type (telecom, marketing, etc) where they will need to understand the business side of a networking company.

6. What about prerequisite courses?

Students should choose an option before applying to the program.  There are different sets of prerequisite courses for each option.   Prerequisites for the 2003-2004 catalog year are the following:

Computer Technologies Option:

CS 3240 - Data Structures and Algorithms
CS 3430 - Computer Architecture
CS 3590 - Data Communications and Computer Networking
CS 4590 - Computer Networking
CS 4560 - Operating Systems or CS 3560 - Systems Programming
STAT 3601 - Statistics or equivalent
 

Please note that these courses also have prerequisites which must be followed. The prerequisites for CS 3240 are: MATH 2150 (Discrete Structures), CS 2360 (Programming Methods and Introduction to Software Engineering), and CS 2430 (Computer Organization and Assembly Language). The prerequisites for CS 3430 are: MATH 2150 and CS 2340. The prerequisites for CS 3590 are CS 3430 and knowledge of C or C++.

Telecommunication Management Option:
TC 3250 - Introduction to Telecommunications
CIS 3271 COBOL Programming I or CIS 3275 Object Oriented Programming for
                Business or CS 1160 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Methods
TC 4266 - Network Software Architecture and Operating Systems
TC 4300 - Telecommunications Analysis and Design or CIS 3281 - Systems Analysis and Design I
MGMT 6000 Grad Introduction to Quantitative Methods
MGMT 6060 Graduate Intro. to Organizational Management or
                MGMT 6020 Graduate Intro. to Production and Operations Management

Again, these courses have prerequisites.  The prerequisites for TC 3250 are: CIS 3270 (Fundamentals of Business Programming) or CIS 3060 (Computer Information Systems in Management).  The prerequisite for both TC 4266 and TC 4300 is TC 3250.

7. Can I still apply even if  I haven’t taken the prerequisite courses?

Yes, students can be admitted prior to taking all the prerequisite courses.  Note that these students will be considered “conditionally classified students.”   Students with this status may take up to 20 units of courses towards their M.S. degree prior to finishing their prerequisite courses.  Please note that students will not be admitted if undergraduate transcripts or GRE/GMAt test scores are not available.

8. How can I obtain “classified status” if I am currently “conditionally classified?”

If a student has taken the required prerequisite courses and any other deficiency courses listed on her letter of acceptance, and the student has a “B” average or better in at least 12 quarter units of graduate study at CSUH, and has passed the University Writing Skills requirement, she may petition the graduate coordinator for “classified status.”  The form for petitioning can be obtained from the Math/CS Department or the School of Business Student Service Center.  After filling out the form, bring it back to the office from which it came so that it can be passed on to the appropriate graduate coordinator.

9. How can I get an application?

You can get an application on-line from the CSUH graduate admissions office: http://esweb.csuhayward.edu/becoming_student/graduate_admissions/timelines/timeslines.asp

Or contact the graduate admissions office directly:

Office of Academic Programs & Graduate Studies
Warren Hall, Room 859
California State University, Hayward
25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94542
Phone: (510) 885-3286
Fax: (510) 885-477725800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
Hayward CA 94542
(510) 885-3286

10. How much does it cost to apply?

For updated fees, please see the graduate admissions website listed below.

11. Where can I find application submission deadlines for each quarter?

Please refer to the graduate admission website: http://esweb.csuhayward.edu/becoming_student/graduate_admissions/timelines/timeslines.asp

Here you will find a link to deadline dates.

12. How can I check the status of my application?

You may check the status of your application at the graduate admissions website (listed above)
Please note that graduate coordinators will not have access to your application status.

13. Can I obtain transfer credit for courses I have taken elsewhere?

Possibly, students who wish to petition for credit should see a graduate coordinator.  Students should bring syllabi, course descriptions, and transcripts of all courses they are submitting for transfer credit review.  Only 13 units taken at another university may be transferred.

14. What is the cost per quarter?

All fee information is listed in the schedule of classes for each quarter.  This can be purchased from the campus bookstore.  It can also be found online at http://www.csuhayward.edu/schedule/

15. Is there financial aid available?

For information regarding University financial aid, please see the graduate admissions webpage
http://esweb.csuhayward.edu/becoming_student/graduate_admissions/timelines/timeslines.asp

or contact: The Office of Financial Aid,
                 Warren Hall 545
                 California State University, Hayward
                 Hayward, CA 94542-3028.
                 Phone (510) 885-3616.

The Accounting/CIS and Math/Computer Science Departments offer some grader positions for graduate students.  They also offer a few small scholarships during Spring quarter.  Please contact these offices in person if you are interested.  Department research assistantships are not available.   Some professors have minimal funding  to pay students for research.  You must speak to each professor individually as funding changes each quarter.  Most professors choose students whom they have had in class so it is better to inquire about this after you have attended the university for at least one quarter.

16. What are the “Core Courses?”

There are three courses that are required depending on your option:

Computer Technologies:

CS 6580 Distributed Systems
TC 6101 Analysis and Design of Telecommunication Systems
TC 6205 Routing and Data Networking Models in Telecommunications

Telecommunications Management:

TC 6101 Analysis and Design of Telecommunication Systems
TC 6205 Routing and Data Networking Models in Telecommunications
TC 6207 Telecommunication Management Systems

17. How many units total need to be completed for this degree?

There are 45 units required for the MS in Telecommunications degree.  Typically each course is four units.  A breakdown of the units per course category is as follows:

12 units of core courses
16 units from the student’s chosen option
12 units of elective courses
  5 units of Capstone Experience

18. Is it possible to substitute courses for those listed in the program?

No courses can be used as substitutes for the core courses, however, in some cases, courses may be substituted for the major option required and elective courses.  In general, only courses numbered 6000 and above may be used as substitutions (exceptions are listed below).  All substitutions require approval by a graduate coordinator.
Telecommunications Management Option students should get a substitution form from the Student Service Center and bring to the graduate advisor.

19. What is the Capstone Experience?

The Capstone Experience is designed to give students the opportunity to do an original project and report in a specialized area of telecommunication.  The Capstone Experience is a course, TC/CS 6899, which is offered once per year in the Winter quarter.   It is organized as a seminar course designed to guide the development of the Capstone Project, which will be summarized in a formal “thesis” style written report and oral presentation.   The prerequisite to this course is advancement to candidacy.

Students register for this course with a special registration form  available at the Student Service Center.  A graduate coordinator must sign the form to enroll the student.

Students may also take the Capstone course as an independent study if a professor is willing an able to guide the student's work.  Students should speak to a professor first, then register for the course with a special registration form.   A project proposal must be attached to the registration form and the advisor and graduate coordinator must sign the form.

20. What does advancement to candidacy entail?

Advancement to candidacy is a university requirement for graduation and is also a prerequisite for the Capstone Experience.  To be advanced to candidacy a student must have:

21. What is “thesis” style format?

The Capstone project is meant to be a large programming/research project.  It typically involves formal specifications, software design, testing, and evaluation.  The project paper is meant to be a formal description of the project.  Typical length of this paper is 50 pages.  Students must present their work at the end of the Capstone Course.  An example outline for the paper is as follows:

Title page
Acknowledgments (optional)
Abstract
Table of contents
Table of figures
Introduction
Background/ Related Work
Design
Implementation
Testing / Results
Analysis of Results and Future Work
Conclusion
Appendix

22. Who are the graduate coordinators?

For the Computer Technologies option, please contact:

Dr. Leann Christianson
S Sci 429 B
510-885-3344
leann@csuhayward.edu

For the Telecommunication Management option, please contact:

Dr. Hongwei Du
WA UM35
510-885-3899
hdu@csuhayward.edu