Saturday, 26 May 2012

Online Network Engineering Courses and Classes

Network engineers design and improve the networks that link different systems and data, whether those connections are within one office or across the globe. Networks are studied as part of various computer-related degrees at all levels, and often overlap with telecommunications, security or information technology areas. Specific network engineering degrees are not common, but there are a few online programs available which lead to credentials such as a Masters in Network Engineering.

Overview of Online Network Engineering Courses

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) equates network engineering with network architecture, and lists a computer-related degree as the main undergraduate-level route toward this career (www.bls.gov). However, an engineering background might be an effective lead-in to graduate studies that are specifically for network engineering. Degrees that qualify individuals to pursue a Masters in Network Engineering (MNE) include a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) or a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a Software Engineering Concentration (B.S.Cp.E.).

Course Requirements

Students in an MNE program follow the same schedule as on-campus students in terms of semesters and exams, but lectures are videotaped and made available online to the distance-learning students within a specified amount of time. Courses might also be presented 'live' in a televised format that allows students in specific remote locations to call in and ask questions during the class. Most schools provide software, such as Blackboard, to create a virtual campus and classroom experience. When a school requires an exam to be proctored, students can often connect with a local community college for assistance.

List of Online Network Engineering Courses

Communication Networks Course

Classes in this category look at data communication networks and Internet protocols; local area networks (LAN), wide area networks, and the technology that connects them are studied. The design principles are covered, including the ability to support multimedia connections. The flow of data and the ability to find and fix errors and address application security are also addressed.

Network Security Course

Students in this course learn about the possible threats to security and the current methods for dealing with them. Encryptions, firewalls and digital signatures are some of the specific topics covered.

Basics of Communication Engineering Course

A course covering the basics of communication engineering will delve into digital communications, the best designs for receivers, and channel modulations and encoding. Source coding is also taught.

Broadband Networks Course

This course is approached more from a computer science angle than an engineering angle. It touches on everything from modems to broadband LANs to optical networks. The architecture and protocols are taught as well as the specific products and services such as Bluetooth and WiFi. Quality issues and the bigger picture of how the various technologies relate to one another are also part of the discussion.

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