The Networking Technology Program

Master's program in NET offers two different options: a thesis-based degree, where students take 5 courses and complete and defend a thesis, or a course-based degree. Both options must be completed within 6 terms. Depending on the option, students in NET program may receive financial assistance in the form of one or more of the following: scholarships, research assistantship, and a TA job.

Program Requirements

Masters of Information Technology (MIT) Networking Technology

Course-based option

• ITEC5002 [0.5 credit] Fundamentals of Information Technology Research
• ITEC5001 [0.0 credit] Information Technology Seminar ¹
• 2.5 credits in core courses
• 1.0 credit in ITEC electives, which may include up to 0.5 credit in a 4000-level ITEC course with permission from the graduate supervisor or the Associate Director of Graduate Studies in the School.
• 1.0 credit in electives at the 5000-level, which may include ITEC courses, chosen with permission from the graduate supervisor or the Associate Director of Graduate Studies in the School.

Thesis-based option

• ITEC5002 [0.5 credit] Fundamentals of Information Technology Research
• ITEC5001 [0.0 credit] Information Technology Seminar ¹
• ITEC5909 [2.5 credits] Master's Thesis
• 1.5 credits in core courses
• 0.5 credits of electives (which may include other ITEC courses) selected with consultation of the supervisor.

Masters of Information Technology (MIT) Networking Technology Specialization in Cybersecurity

Course-based option

• CYBR5000 [1.0 credit] Science and Social Science of Cybersecurity
• ITEC5002 [0.5 credit] Fundamentals of Information Technology Research
• ITEC5001 [0.0 credit] Information Technology Seminar ¹
• 2.0 credits in core courses
• 0.5 credit in the area of the specialization, approved by the graduate supervisor or the Associate Director of Graduate Studies in the School.
• 1.0 credit in ITEC electives, which may include up to 0.5 credit in a 4000-level ITEC course with permission from the graduate supervisor or the Associate Director of Graduate Studies in the School.

Thesis-based option

• CYBR5000 [1.0 credit] Science and Social Science of Cybersecurity
• ITEC5002 [0.5 credit] Fundamentals of Information Technology Research
• ITEC5001 [0.0 credit] Information Technology Seminar ¹
• ITEC5909 [2.5 credits] Master's Thesis
• 1.0 credits in core courses

¹ITEC 5001 is a series of seminars. All MIT and DIT students are required to attend and successfully present at least once. On occasion, the seminar series will also feature speakers from Carleton as well as from the IT community at large, both academic and industrial, exposing students to cutting edge research. At the same time, the series also has an important community-building function by bringing together faculty, students and industry professionals, providing an informal setting of mutual interaction.

Coursework

Core courses

• ITEC5100 [0.5 credit] Planning and Design of Computer Networks
• ITEC5101 [0.5 credit] Cross Layer Design for Wireless Multimedia Networks
• ITEC5102 [0.5 credit] Designing Secure Networking and Computer Systems
• ITEC5103 [0.5 credit] Cloud and Data center Networking
• ITEC5205 [0.5 credit] Design and Development of Data-Intensive Applications
• ITEC5910 [0.5 credit] Special Topics in Network Technologies - Systemization of Knowledge in Computer and Networking Security
• ITEC5910 [0.5 credit] Special Topics in Network Technologies - 5G Networks
• ITEC5010 [0.5 credit] Applied Programming

Potential Electives

• Any additional core courses on top of the required 2.5 credits.
• ITEC5920 [0.5 credit] Special Topics in Digital Media (Applied Deep Learning)
• ITEC5900 [0.5 credit] Directed Study

Other Potential Electives, with Supervisor Approval Only

• Any SYSC 5xxx courses
• Any COMP 5xxx courses
• ITEC5110 [0.5 credit] Emerging Network Technologies (also listed as NET4000)
• ITEC5111 [0.5 credit] Multimedia Networking (also listed as NET4007)
• ITEC5112 [0.5 credit] Secure Mobile Networking (also listed as NET4010)
• ITEC5113 [0.5 credit] Network Simulation (also listed as NET4001)
• ITEC5114 [0.5 credit] Networked Applications (also listed as NET4005)

Students that start in the course-based option but want to move to the thesis-based option must meet these three criteria:

• Minimum CGPA: 10.0
• Must have completed at least one term in your current program.
• Students need to find a thesis supervisor (or co-supervisors) before moving to the thesis option.

Research

Research in the Carleton School of Information Technology has direct application to industry and has led to many achievements:

• Apple iPhone networking subsystems
• Network security and privacy
• Cellular mobile networks
• Cloud computing
• Internet of things
• Big data networking systems
• Network systems for applications such as smart grid and connected vehicles

Your Career

As almost every home and business relies on the Internet, NET graduates will find many opportunities to utilize their skills in the job market. The advances in mobile technologies and the requirements for security and privacy will afford additional opportunities for these graduates. A report by the Information and Communications Technology Council anticipates a great need for people working in this area. Graduates could look at working with network operators, Internet service providers, or pursue careers with networking equipment manufacturers or with government agencies.

Applying

Students entering the NET program will have an undergraduate degree in Network Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering, or a closely-related discipline.

Admission to NET thesis-option program requires a research/thesis supervisor. IIt is strongly advised that you look up the list of research areas covered by the School's faculty members, contact individual faculty members you may be interested in working with, and get the approval of your potential thesis supervisor prior to applying.

For more details on applying to this program, please visit our admissions section.