Interdisciplinary Telecom Program Student Handbook - Effective AY 2017-2018 - University of ...
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Interdisciplinary Telecom Program
Student Handbook
Effective AY 2017-2018
Please note: This handbook is not a substitute for in person advising.
1AY 17-18 Handbook Revisions
April 2018.
1. Revised 3rd semester. Students in the Policy and Strategy track may choose to take a 5000+level
elective instead of TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1.
May 2018.
1. Revised 2nd year Cybersecurity track. Removed summer requirement and in-person Capstone.
Replace 2-credit courses with distance sections of current, on-campus 3-credit courses.
2. Revised inconsistency in PhD curriculum requirements, page 19.
2Table of Contents
AY 17-18 Handbook Revisions ...................................................................................................................... 2
Foreword....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Admissions Requirements ............................................................................................................................ 6
Application Procedures ................................................................................................................................. 7
Academic Standards...................................................................................................................................... 8
Honor Code and Colorado Creed .................................................................................................................. 9
Honor Code Pledge ................................................................................................................................... 9
Colorado Creed ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Professional Master of Science degree ....................................................................................................... 10
Program Requirements: .......................................................................................................................... 10
Professional Master’s Program Subplan Curricula ................................................................................. 11
Master of Science Degree ........................................................................................................................... 12
Program Requirements ........................................................................................................................... 12
Guidelines for Master's Thesis: ............................................................................................................... 13
Master’s Degree Subplans .......................................................................................................................... 14
Master’s in Network Engineering Subplan ............................................................................................. 14
Master’s in Network Security Subplan.................................................................................................... 15
Master’s in Wireless Networking Subplan .............................................................................................. 16
Master’s in Policy and Strategy Subplan ................................................................................................. 17
Master’s Open Option Subplan............................................................................................................... 18
Ph.D. Degree ............................................................................................................................................... 19
Program Requirements ........................................................................................................................... 19
Credit Transfers....................................................................................................................................... 21
Preliminary Examination ......................................................................................................................... 21
Preliminary Paper.................................................................................................................................... 21
Comprehensive Examination .................................................................................................................. 22
Final Defense........................................................................................................................................... 23
Teaching Practicum ................................................................................................................................. 23
Certificate Programs ................................................................................................................................... 24
Certificate in Computer and Network Security (on-campus only).......................................................... 24
Certificate in Network Architecture (on-campus only)........................................................................... 25
Certificate in Telecom Policy and Strategy (On-campus/distance) ........................................................ 25
3Certificate in Wireless Networks and Technologies (on-campus only) .................................................. 25
Expectations for students working on appointment .................................................................................. 26
Student expectations: ............................................................................................................................. 26
Faculty expectations: .............................................................................................................................. 26
Disagreements between a student and faculty member: ...................................................................... 27
Appointment percentage:....................................................................................................................... 27
Tuition: .................................................................................................................................................... 27
Leave Time: ............................................................................................................................................. 27
Contact persons .......................................................................................................................................... 28
Appendix A – Worksheets/Forms ............................................................................................................... 29
4Foreword
Founded in 1893, the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder is
the second largest of seven schools and colleges at one of the nation's top public research institutions.
As Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder has selective admissions standards and a comprehensive
array of undergraduate and graduate programs. The Interdisciplinary Telecom Program (ITP) was
established in 1971 and is the oldest telecommunications program in the United States. Over the course
of the past 35 years, ITP has graduated thousands of students who work around the globe as CEOs,
government officials, engineers, and managers.
The Interdisciplinary Telecom Program (ITP) is a highly-integrated and comprehensive graduate
program combining technology, policy, and business with hands-on experience which capitalizes on ITP’s
Security Lab, Telecom Lab, and Wireless Lab. Expand your career by mastering the latest internet
technologies, essential business skills, and policy knowledge to achieve success in today’s rapidly
changing high-tech world.
5Admissions Requirements
ITP admits students once per year in the fall semester.
An applicant may be admitted to the Graduate School as either a regular degree student or a provisional
degree student. For acceptance into the Interdisciplinary Telecom Program, the following requirements
must be met. The Interdisciplinary Telecom Program at CU-Boulder has established minimum standards
for graduate admission. Applicants must:
1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education, or have the equivalent.
2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.50.
3. Provide official GRE scores. The minimum desired GRE scores are 152 verbal, 162 quantitative
and 4.0 written analytical. Substitution of GMAT or LSAT scores is acceptable for students
seeking admission to a dual MBA/ITP or JD/ITP program.
International students must provide documentation that they have the financial resources to support
themselves for at least the first year in the program.
6Application Procedures
Graduate students are admitted into specific subplan areas that provide research advising and set
specialized admission and program requirements and recommendations for course work within and
outside the department. The six subplan areas are:
Network Engineering
Network Security
Open Option
Policy and Strategy
Wireless Networking
Cybersecurity (Professional MS)
Each subplan area has defined the required characteristics of its successful Graduates, at the MS and
Ph.D. level, and defined the required and elective courses that support its educational program. See the
subplan area curricula charts appearing in this handbook for details.
An applicant for admission must present complete application materials that include:
1. The online graduate application (including subplan area).
2. Transcripts of all academic work completed to date, including study abroad and coursework for
college credit completed in high school.
3. A $60 nonrefundable application fee. The foreign application fee is $80.
4. Three letters of recommendation.
5. Official test scores from the analytical, quantitative, and verbal sections of the Graduate Record
Examination (GRE) taken within the past 5 years. Substitution of GMAT or LSAT scores is
acceptable for students who are seeking admission to a dual MBA/ITP or JD/ITP program.
The domestic application deadline is January 10. International students must apply by December 1.
7Academic Standards
A master’s degree student is required to maintain at least a B (3.00) average in all work attempted while
enrolled in the Graduate School. Admission to Ph.D. candidacy requires a 3.25 average. For the master's
degree, a course mark below C is unsatisfactory. For Ph.D. students, a course mark below B- is
unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory marks will not be counted toward fulfilling the minimum requirements for
the degree.*
A student, who fails to maintain a 3.00 grade point average or to make adequate progress toward
completing a degree, as assessed by the student’s academic/research advisor, will be subject to
suspension or dismissal from the Graduate School upon consultation with the major department. The
final decision on suspension or dismissal will be made by the Dean of the Graduate School.
See the Graduate School Rules,
http://www.colorado.edu/GraduateSchool/policies/_docs/GraduateSchoolRules.pdf, for additional
information.
*An incomplete (I) grade is given only when students, for documented reasons beyond their control,
have been unable to complete course requirements in the semester enrolled. A substantial amount of
work must have been satisfactorily completed before approval of such a grade is given.
At the end of one year, an I grade given for a course that is not successfully completed or repeated is
regarded as an F and shown as such on the student’s transcript.
Students who wish to drop a course after the drop deadline must show that they were unable to drop
the course during the posted deadlines due to documented reasons that were beyond their control.
Students should refer to the version of the Graduate Handbook in effect at the time of their
matriculation for degree plan requirements. Students who are readmitted or continue on from the MS
to the Ph.D. program are subject to the handbook in effect at the time of their continuation start date.
8Honor Code and Colorado Creed
Honor Code Pledge
On my honor, as a University of Colorado Boulder student, I have neither given nor received
unauthorized assistance.
Colorado Creed
As a member of the Boulder community and the University of Colorado Boulder, I agree to:
Act with honor, integrity and accountability in my interactions with students, faculty, staff and
neighbors.
Respect the rights of others and accept our differences.
Contribute to the greater good of this community.
I will strive to uphold these principles in all aspects of my collegiate experience and beyond.
9Professional Master of Science degree
Students may elect to enroll in a Professional Master of Science (MS) degree rather than a traditional
Master of Science, typically for one of the following reasons:
Distance learning students are interested in studying cybersecurity and want to complete an
online master’s degree in as little as 24 months while maintaining a full-time job during the day.
International and non-resident students are seeking a more affordable degree option.
Professional master’s students are ineligible for research or teaching assistantships, and any other
university funding such as university fellowships.
Program Requirements:
The Professional MS is a professional degree program requiring a total of 30 semester hours.
Students must pass all courses with a grade of C or better and maintain a cumulative GPA of at
least 3.00
Must complete all degree requirements within four years of the date of commencing
coursework.
If a student is admitted on a provisional basis, a GPA of 3.25 must be maintained for each semester until
12 credit hours are completed, or the student will be suspended. Provisional students are required to
take a minimum of 12 hours of graduate course work over a period of 4 semesters. Additional conditions
may be placed on a provisional student at the discretion of the department, to account for individual
circumstances.
10Professional Master’s Program Subplan Curricula
Cyber Security Subplan
Offering (F-Fall, S–
Course Number
Title Spring, A–annually,
(Current)
B–biennially)
1st Year Classes
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Fundamentals of Network Programming F
TLEN 5530 Applied Network Security F
TLEN 5540 Network Security Lab S
TLEN 5837 Special Topics: Cyber Information Risk Management S
TLEN 5837 Special Topics: Cybersecurity Policy Summer A
TLEN 5837 Special Topics: CyberEconomics Summer B
2nd Year Classes
TLEN 5837 Cybersecurity Management F
TLEN 5530 Data Communications F
TLEN 5700 Research Methods F
TLEN 5710 Capstone S
TLEN 5841 Secure Web Application S
TLEN 5540 Network Security Lab S
Pre-Approved Substitutions for any of the above 2nd year classes:
TLEN 5130: Telecom Business Strategy
TLEN 5210: Principles of Telecom Policy
TLEN 5300: Telecom Theory and Applications
TLEN 5310: Telecom Systems
TLEN 5410: Network Management and Operations
11Master of Science Degree
Program Requirements
A total of 36 semester hours (including courses and thesis hours).
All courses as defined by the student’s subplan area.
Completion of either a master’s thesis or the ITP capstone course.
Completion of all degree requirements within four years from the date of commencing
coursework (normally completed in one-to-two years.)
Master’s degree residence requirements can be met only by residence on the CU-Boulder
campus for two semesters or three summer sessions, or a combination of at least one semester
and two summer sessions. Residence in this context refers to a student’s registration for CU-
Boulder courses. This does not apply to distance learning students.
Pass all courses with a grade of C or better, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better.
Some required graduate level courses have prerequisites. Students are expected to complete
prerequisite materials before enrolling in these courses.
Students in the BS/MS program must also meet the above-requirements.
The specific implementation of these requirements and additional requirements for the MS
degree in the Interdisciplinary Telecom Program are described in the subplan curricula section
appearing later in this handbook.
Up to 9 credits from an incomplete MS program may be accepted for degree requirements;
however, work already applied toward a graduate degree received from CU-Boulder or another
institution cannot be accepted for transfer toward another graduate degree at the same level at
CU-Boulder. For example, work already applied to meet requirements for a master's degree
earned by a student cannot be used toward a second master's degree from CU.
Undergraduate level credits cannot be transferred, including credits earned while in the BS
program at CU and prior to matriculation into the masters or Ph.D. programs. Transfer credit is
any credit earned prior to matriculation into the graduate program.
Work for a completed doctoral degree may not be applied toward a subsequent master's
degree.
Up to 9 credits from the ACCESS and Be Boulder Anywhere (BBA-distance learning) programs
prior to matriculation will be accepted toward the MS degree. These credits do not have to be
transferred, as they appear on the CU transcript. However, Continuing Education (non-degree)
credits have to be transferred.
12Guidelines for Master's Thesis:
The MS thesis must consist of original and independent research conducted by the graduate
student under the supervision of the faculty advisor. The thesis topic must be related to the
major field. The thesis must:
1. Represent the equivalent of 4 semester hours of course work.
2. Comply in mechanical features with the University of Colorado Graduate
School Thesis and Dissertation Specifications.
3. Be filed with the Graduate School by posted deadlines for the semester for which the
degree is to be conferred.
The examination committee for the MS thesis will consist of three graduate faculty members.
See the Graduate School Rules,
http://www.colorado.edu/GraduateSchool/policies/_docs/GraduateSchoolRule s.pdf, for
additional information.
13Master’s Degree Subplans
Master’s in Network Engineering Subplan
Offering (F-Fall, S–
Course Number Spring, A–
Title
(Current) annually, B–
biennially)
Core Required:
TLEN 5010 Network Econ & Finance 1 F
TLEN 5130 Telecom Business Strategy F
TLEN 5210 Principles of Telecom Policy F
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
TLEN 5700 Research Methods B
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Fundamentals of Network Programming F
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5710 Capstone S
TLEN 6950 Master’s Thesis S
Technical Required:
TLEN 5370 IP Routing Protocols S
TLEN 5460 Telecom Systems Lab S
TLEN 5842 Linux Systems Administration F
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5462 Datacenter Networks F
TLEN 5842 VOIP: Voice Network Design F
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Next Generation Networks F
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Server Provider Networks F
Programming Required:
TLEN 5410 Network Management & Operations S
Additional Requirement:
Any 3-credit 5000+ level course in Engineering, Business, or Law B
14Master’s in Network Security Subplan
Offering (F-Fall, S–
Course Number Spring, A–
Title
(Current) annually, B–
biennially)
Core Required:
TLEN 5010 Network Econ & Finance 1 F
TLEN 5130 Telecom Business Strategy F
TLEN 5210 Principles of Telecom Policy F
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
TLEN 5700 Research Methods B
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Fundamentals of Network Programming F
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5710 Capstone S
TLEN 6950 Master’s Thesis S
Technical Required:
TLEN 5530 Applied Network Security F
TLEN 5540 Network Security Lab S
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Large Scale Network Analysis F
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Secure Embedded Programming S
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5842 Linux Systems Administration B
Any 3-credit 5000+ level course in Engineering, Business, or Law B
Programming Required:
TLEN 5841 Secure Web Application Development S
15Master’s in Wireless Networking Subplan
Offering (F-Fall, S–
Course Number Spring, A–
Title
(Current) annually, B–
biennially)
Core Required:
TLEN 5010 Network Econ & Finance 1 F
TLEN 5130 Telecom Business Strategy F
TLEN 5210 Principles of Telecom Policy F
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
TLEN 5700 Research Methods B
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Fundamentals of Network Programming F
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5710 Capstone S
TLEN 6950 Master’s Thesis S
Technical Required:
TLEN 5510 Wireless & Cellular Data F
TLEN 5520 Wireless Local Area Networks S
TLEN 5560 Wireless Systems Lab S
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Wireless Systems S
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Advanced Wireless Lab S
Programming Required:
TLEN 5230 Spectrum Management & Policy Maymester
16Master’s in Policy and Strategy Subplan
Offering (F-Fall,
Course Number S–Spring, A–
Title
(Current) annually, B–
biennially)
Core Required:
TLEN 5010 Network Econ & Finance 1 F
TLEN 5130 Telecom Business Strategy F
TLEN 5210 Principles of Telecom Policy F
TLEN 5700 Research Methods B
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Fundamentals of Network Programming F
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5710 Capstone S
TLEN 6950 Master’s Thesis S
Technical Required:
TLEN 5438 Internet Lab F
TLEN 5310 Telecom Systems Lab S
Policy Required:
TLEN 5230 Spectrum Management & Policy Maymester
Elective Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5106 International Deployment of Broadband Networks S
TLEN 5380 Future of Video S
Any LAWS course B
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5250 Tech Law & Policy Clinic F
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Venture Capital & Private Equity F
B
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
Any 3-credit 5000+ level course in Engineering, Business, or Law F
Additional Requirement:
Any 3-credit 5000+ level course in Engineering, Business, or Law B
17Master’s Open Option Subplan
Offering (F-Fall,
Course Number S–Spring, A–
Title
(Current) annually, B–
biennially)
Core Required:
TLEN 5010 Network Econ & Finance 1 F
TLEN 5130 Telecom Business Strategy F
TLEN 5210 Principles of Telecom Policy F
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
TLEN 5700 Research Methods B
TLEN 5837 Special Topics: Fundamentals of Network Programming F
Choose one of the following:
TLEN 5710 Capstone S
TLEN 6950 Master’s Thesis S
Technical Required:
TLEN 5310 Telecom Systems S
Elective 5 Courses:
2 Technical Electives from List
1 Business Elective from List
1 Policy Elective from List
1 Programming Elective from List
Open Options Electives List:
Technical Courses - choose two Policy Courses - choose one
TLEN 5100: Next Generation Networks TLEN 5245: Intro to Intellectual Property Law
TLEN 5350: Commercial Spaceflight Ops & Comms TLEN 5250: Tech Law and Policy Clinic
TLEN 5370: IP Routing TLEN 5265: Copyright
TLEN 5460: Telecom Systems Lab TLEN 5240: Telecom Law and Policy
TLEN 5510: Wireless & Cellular Communications TLEN 5380: Future of Video: Tech, Policy & Econ
TLEN 5520: Wireless Local Area Networks TLEN 5106: Int'l Deployment of Broadband Networks
TLEN 5530: Applied Network Security TLEN 5150: Mng Effect Chng Telecom Enviro
TLEN 5540: Network Security Programming Courses - choose one
TLEN 5550: Computer & Network Security TLEN 5410: Network Mngt & Operations
TLEN 5560: Wireless System Lab TLEN 5841: Secure Web Application Development
TLEN 5830: Large Scale Network Analysis Business Courses - choose one
TLEN 5830: Secure Embedded Programming EMEN 5825: Intrapreneurship & Innovation
TLEN 5830: Wireless Systems TLEN 5050: Leading Oneself
TLEN 5840: VoiceOver IP Lab TLEN 5830: Special Topics: Info Risk Mngt
18TLEN 5842: Linux System Administration TLEN 5830: Special Topics: Venture Cap & Prvt Equity
Ph.D. Degree
The ITP Doctoral Program is designed for highly motivated students seeking to conduct research at the
intersections of traditional telecommunications technology, economics, and policy disciplines. ITP
Ph.D. students learn the necessary skills to conduct research, along with a focused study plan on the
specific technical areas of their interests, often mirroring one of the established areas of research in the
program such as broadband networking, wireless networking, policy, and cybersecurity. This program is
on-campus only.
Program Requirements
The Ph.D. degree program requires that students successfully complete 30 credits of graduate
level coursework, as well as 30 credits of doctoral dissertation to fulfill 60 credit hours.
For the first two years in the program, students are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.50 or
higher, with no single course grade below a B. Students with a GPA in the range of 3.00 – 3.50,
or with a single course grade below a B, will be reviewed by the ITP Preliminary Examination
Committee. A GPA below 3.00 will lead to immediate dismissal from the program.
Some students may choose to earn an M.S. in ITP as a step to obtaining a Ph.D. To do this they
must meet the following minimum requirements:
o Spend at least two academic semesters as a full-time (5 credit hours at minimum)
graduate student in ITP
o Complete all required coursework including the Teaching Practicum (as discussed
below)
o Pass the ITP prelim exams at the M.S. level or better
Students who already have received an M.S. either from ITP or from a comparable
interdisciplinary program from a recognized accredited university, may be allowed to waive
certain Core courses based upon the results of a waiver test or the decision of the ITP
Preliminary Examination Committee.
Ph.D. Course Plan
The ITP curriculum requires core course requirements and a selections of electives. We require students
to identify and develop their own research program within their first year in ITP. To achieve this,
students accepted to the program are assigned academic advisors who review course selections and
progress each semester against the degree plan. Academic advisors can change as the individual
research objectives of the students change with experience in the program.
19Required Ph.D. Core Courses
Offering (F-Fall,
Course
S–Spring, A–
Number Title
annually, B–
(Current)
biennially)
TLEN 7000 Topics In Telecom: Network Analysis Techniques B
TLEN 7001 Interdisciplinary Telecom Analysis F (every other)
TLEN 5700 Research Methods F
Required Ph.D. Technology Courses
Offering (F-Fall,
Course
S–Spring, A–
Number Title
annually, B–
(Current)
biennially)
TLEN 5310 Telecommunications Systems S
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
Required Ph.D. Business/Economics/Policy Courses
Offering (F-Fall,
Course
S–Spring, A–
Number Title
annually, B–
(Current)
biennially)
TLEN 5010 Network Economics and Finance I F
TLEN 5130 Telecom Business Strategy F
TLEN 5210 Principles of Telecommunications Policy F
To meet the remaining credits required, students are encouraged to choose from graduate classes in
economics, political science, regulation, or law. The interdisciplinary focus in ITP places a strong
emphasis on selecting courses in the social science, business, and legal disciplines to compliment the
core technology courses. Students are expected to demonstrate initiative in selecting those courses in
this category that lend strength to the interdisciplinary focus of their research.
A record of the student's degree plan is kept and reviewed each semester to ensure that course
requirements are met. Formal review and approval of the degree plan occurs as part of the student's
20Ph.D. thesis proposal. The review certifies that an acceptable level of mastery of the chosen core area
has been attained or additional coursework is needed.
Credit Transfers
Up to 21 credits from an outside institution may be applied to the ITP Ph.D. requirements as long as
these credits:
Have been earned from courses taken at a graduate level from a recognized and accredited
graduate school,
Have at least a grade of B (Note: the student's GPA will not be calculated using these transfer
credits),
Were earned within the past 5 years. This time limit may be excused if credits earned from
classes taken more than 5 years earlier are evaluated and found acceptable by the ITP
Preliminary Examinations Committee,
Were not applied to an alternate graduate degree of the same level.
Ph.D. credit transfer requests will not be processed until the student has successfully passed the
preliminary exam. If the student has completed a Masters level degree from the University of
Colorado, all of those credits may be applied to the Ph.D. coursework, provided they meet both
the above requirements as well as the requirements of the degree.
Preliminary Examination
The objective of the ITP Preliminary Examination is to assess the ability of Ph.D. candidates to conduct
interdisciplinary research based on sound knowledge of telecommunications technology, economics,
and policy. The Preliminary Examination requires students to clearly analyze telecommunications
problems in a way that appropriately integrates the required knowledge, research methods, and
academic judgment obtained in required ITP coursework. The Preliminary Examination consists of two
components: a Preliminary Paper and successful demonstration of proficiency of ITP core courses. All
students must complete both the Prelim Paper and all ITP core courses by their fourth semester (the
Spring semester of their second year unless they have successfully petitioned the ITP Ph.D. Preliminary
Examination Committee for an exception by the end of the first month of the Fall semester of their
second year).
Preliminary Paper
The Preliminary Paper is an original research paper that addresses a problem in telecommunications
that includes issues of technology, economics, and public policy. This paper should demonstrate the
student's ability to structure and perform research on a telecommunications problem in a
straightforward fashion, including the ability to apply formal analytical tools as part of the research
methodology.
The paper typically requires one year to prepare in parallel with regular course work. Students are
expected to seek the assistance and supervision of a faculty advisor and other faculty in preparing and
conducting research for this paper. Students are expected to demonstrate substantial individual
initiative in the process of proposing and selecting their paper topic.
21Students must gain approval of the research topic of their Preliminary Paper at the end of their second
semester by gaining agreement from three members of ITP faculty to a one-page prospectus, one of
who is a member of the ITP Preliminary Examination Committee. The prospectus is then reviewed by the
ITP Preliminary Examinations Committee, and distributed to all members of the ITP faculty. Students
must deliver a preliminary oral presentation of their paper to ITP faculty at the beginning of the fourth
semester.
Students can elect to use a research paper completed prior to joining ITP with the approval of the ITP
Preliminary Examination Committee. Such approval is contingent upon the student demonstrating that
this work has been fully completed by the student without the assistance of others and was completed
after having obtained an undergraduate degree. A master's thesis completed as part of the ITP M.S.
degree, or from another recognized M.S. Program, could qualify for this purpose.
The Preliminary Paper, 5,000 words in length or less, must be submitted on a date to be announced in
April after the student has been in the program for four semesters. The Preliminary Paper should be of
publishable quality, and students will be expected to submit the paper to relevant conference and
journals upon completion. Specifically, the paper should include the following key components: 1) a
well-articulated research problem, 2) the importance of the problem, especially in perspective of
existing work, 3) a reasonable plan on how to tackle the problem, and 4) well-grounded (preliminary)
results.
Comprehensive Examination
Forms
Students who are taking their comprehensive exams should complete the Candidacy Application for an
Advanced Degree and Doctoral Examination Report forms available on the Graduate School website.
Both forms should be completed at least two weeks in advance of the comprehensive exam so that all
signatures can be collected and they can be forwarded to the Graduate School for approval.
Coursework
Students should have completed all 30 of their required coursework hours, or those hours should be
pending in the semester in which they take the comprehensive exam. Students cannot be admitted into
candidacy until they have fulfilled the coursework requirements.
Exam Committee
Each comprehensive exam committee is comprised of 5 members. Each committee member must have
a regular or special faculty appointment.
Faculty Appointments
All committee members must have a faculty appointment on file with the Graduate School. Contact the
Graduate Advisor to verify that the necessary appointments are in place as soon as you form your
committee. It takes 2-4 weeks to process a faculty appointment. Committee members who do not have
established appointments should submit their most recent curriculum vitae to the Graduate Advisor as
soon as possible.
22Final Defense
Ph.D. students who are completing a dissertation should follow the online graduation process set out in
the student portal. Students must meet the appropriate deadlines as posted on the Graduate School
website. The Doctoral Examination Report should be submitted to the Graduate Advisor at least two
weeks prior to your exam so that the Graduate School can approve your committee. All committee
members must have the proper faculty appointments in place before the exam.
A copy of the dissertation title should also be emailed two weeks prior to your exam. The email should
come from your colorado.edu address and be sent to gradinfo@colorado.edu. Include your name and
SID.
Students need to bring a completed Final Grade Card into the defense so that their dissertation credits
can be graded. Request this form from the Graduate Advisor. You completed the Candidacy Application
for an Advanced Degree form when you took your comprehensive exam and do not need to submit
another.
Teaching Practicum
To fulfill their teaching practicum, students will serve as a teaching assistant or Instructor for
the M.S. level courses in ITP. Teaching Assistant duties include assisting the course instructor in
administering the course website, preparing and grading homework and test questions,
attending lectures, meeting weekly with the course instructor to plan recitation sessions,
conducting recitation sessions, assisting in assigning grades, and being available outside of class
to assist students and answer questions. Instructor duties include preparing a course syllabus,
administering the course website, preparing and delivering class lectures, grading homework
and tests, and meeting weekly with students during office hours. Students are expected to fill
their teaching practicum requirement by the end of their third year in the program.
23Certificate Programs
The University of Colorado recognizes that interdisciplinary study at the graduate level may involve
coursework and formal requirements that exceed those of established degree programs. To recognize
this additional work by graduate students, interdisciplinary faculty may establish a certificate program
within the Graduate School. In addition to earning a Certificate while pursuing a graduate degree, the
Graduate School has extended the Certificate program to students who have received a B.A. or B.S.
degree and are continuing to take courses but are not enrolled in a graduate degree program and meet
the course prerequisites.
Students in the Interdisciplinary Telecom Program may want to consider obtaining certificates in:
Computer and Network Security (on-campus only)
Network Architecture (on-campus only)
Telecom Policy and Strategy (on-campus/distance)
Wireless Networks and Technologies (on-campus only)
Certificate in Computer and Network Security (on-campus only)
Although there are no prerequisites for this certificate, an understanding of computer science is encouraged.
Offering (F-
Course
Fall, S–Spring,
Number Title
A–annually, B–
(Current)
biennially)
TLEN 5530 Applied Network Security F
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
TLEN 5540 Network Security Lab S
TLEN 5310 Telecommunications Systems S
24Certificate in Network Architecture (on-campus only)
Offering (F-
Course
Fall, S–Spring,
Number Title
A–annually, B–
(Current)
biennially)
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
TLEN 5842 Linux Systems Administration (f/k/a Unix) F
TLEN 5410 Network Management and Operations S
TLEN 5310 Telecommunications Systems S
Certificate in Telecom Policy and Strategy (On-campus/distance)
Offering (F-
Course
Fall, S–Spring,
Number Title
A–annually, B–
(Current)
biennially)
TLEN 5010 Network Economics and Finance F
TLEN 5210 Principles of Telecommunication Policy F
TLEN 5130 Telecom Business Strategy F
TLEN 5310 Telecommunications Systems S
Certificate in Wireless Networks and Technologies (on-campus only)
Offering (F-
Course
Fall, S–Spring,
Number Title
A–annually, B–
(Current)
biennially)
TLEN 5330 Data Communications 1 F
TLEN 5830 Special Topics: Wireless Systems F
TLEN 5520 Wireless LANs S
TLEN 5510 Wireless and Cellular Communications S
(distance course library)
25Expectations for students working on appointment
Student expectations:
When you are supported as a Research, Teaching or General Assistant (RA/TA/GA), there are certain
expectations the department has and certain requirements that you must meet.
We expect you to want to learn. We expect to see enthusiasm, energy, and 100% effort. Mediocrity will
not be tolerated in the environment in which you will be eventually employed and will not be tolerated
here. Writing should be clean and neat. Notes should be well-organized. Assignments should be
completed on time and presented as a neat well-finished package. A lab book of activities and results
should be well maintained. Attention now will pay dividends later.
All engineers and scientists of quality spend more than 40 hours per week engaging in scholarly
activities. As a graduate student your scholarly activities are defined as working in the laboratory,
learning through discussions, going to seminars, taking courses, working at your desk, reading literature
in the library, writing publications and theses, and participating in university activities. Your professor is
engaged in all these activities and additionally in similar activities outside the university as research,
advising, and committee work demand. Students should also strive to meet this “culture of excellence.”
Don’t solely rely on your professors to tell you what you should be doing. Be proactive with your
research and work and look for research areas to explore and expand.
Your presence at your desk, in the laboratory, and at seminars and meetings is a direct measure of your
involvement in engineering and science. It is a privilege to be here. Make sure that you deserve the
privilege.
Your attendance at department seminars, colloquia, and other presentations is an important part of
your training as an engineer and scientist. This is an essential activity of all our scholars and we expect
you to attend and participate in functions, especially those related to your area of research interest. You
are also encouraged to present your research at seminars as opportunities arise.
We expect a cordial atmosphere at all times and places. Respect and be courteous to other students,
staff, and faculty. Maintain a quiet work atmosphere; excessive noise distracts others. Assist your
advisor and fellow graduate students. This is an important part of your training for the future. You will
often be working in a group environment, so be a responsible team member. When you are required to
share equipment with others, transfer data/codes/etc., do so in a professional manner. We expect that
students follow the highest standards of ethics in their research and publications. Plagiarism, data
manipulations, etc. are examples of unethical behavior and are not tolerated. Your adviser can help you
and/or refer you to the proper channels if the ethical line is not clear.
Faculty expectations:
Likewise, there are things that you should expect of your professors. It is the professor’s responsibility to
clarify the ground rules regarding time off, work hours, publication authorship, funding, etc. early on; it
is your responsibility to make sure he/she does so. Your professors will guide you in your research,
teaching, and professional development, and assist you with post-graduation job placement. They will
26provide you with opportunities for industry or laboratory internships and encourage your attendance at
professional conferences. Your professor will provide you with an annual evaluation of your progress in
meeting your degree requirements and in your research, and if you have a RA appointment, financial
support is guaranteed so long as you make reasonable progress and there are available funds.
Disagreements between a student and faculty member:
If after discussions with your advisor an irreconcilable disagreement occurs, consult the Program
Director.
Appointment percentage:
The majority of department RA/TA/GAs have a 50% AY appointment (20 hrs./wk.). Some may have
summer appointments (40 hrs./wk.) but this is determined by the supervisor. A RA/TA/GA can hold no
less than a 15% appointment to receive tuition remission. Any appointment in addition to a 50%
appointment needs approval by the Graduate School.
Tuition:
Tuition remission covers tuition and a percentage of the Gold Comprehensive Insurance Plan provided
that you work at least 12 weeks of the semester. It is your responsibility to pay the remainder of the
insurance and all mandatory fees. Some fellowships do allow for the payment of fees but department
appointments do not.
Leave Time:
The appointment follows the University holiday schedule and not the class schedule.
https://www.colorado.edu/hr/home/cu-boulder-holiday-schedule. Please note that these dates do not
follow the same dates as the academic year.
Fall - September 1 through December 31
Spring - January 1 through May 31
Summer - June 1 through August 31
For example, the University is closed on the Friday of spring break, not for the entire spring break week,
so unless you make arrangements with your advisor you are expected to work during the week of spring
break even though there are no classes this week.
Students on appointment do not accumulate sick or vacation time through their appointment. There is
not a policy within the department as to what happens if a student wants to take sick or vacation days;
this policy is set directly by your supervisor.
It is up to you to discuss taking time off with your supervisor before making travel arrangements or
arranging for time off. If you will be away from your position for an extended period of time, your
supervisor does have the option to put the position on a short work break, without pay. This doesn't
happen often, but it is an option.
27Contact persons
Laura Vidal (first point of contact)
Graduate Advisor
530 UCB
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0530
itpgrad@colorado.edu
Annie Brookover
Assistant Director
530 UCB
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0530
Annie.Brookover@colorado.edu
Professor David Reed
Program Director, ITP
530 UCB
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0530
David.Reed@colorado.edu
28Appendix A – Worksheets/Forms
29You can also read
