Communications and Networking
Courses | FAQs | Advisors | EE Tech Areas
Communications and Networking broadly encompasses the principles underlying the design and implementation of systems for information transmission. This includes studying how information is represented, compressed and transmitted on wired and wireless links. It also includes studying how communication networks can be, and are designed and operated. A student choosing Communications and Networking as one of their technical areas should recognize this is a broad application domain where many engineering tools come to play, e.g., from circuit design for wireless phones, to embedded network processors to system and application software for networked systems. As such she or he is encouraged to pair this technical area thoughtfully with another one which makes sense given the technical skills at which they are the most proficient.
Courses
Students must complete three courses from the following list:
- EE 345S Real-Time Digital Signal Processing Laboratory (EE 319K and EE 438; and credit or registration for EE 333T and EE 351K)
- EE 360K Introduction to Digital Communications (EE351K)
- EE 371C Wireless Communications Laboratory (EE 345S or EE 351M or EE 360K; and credit or registration for EE 333T)
- EE 371M Communication Systems (Credit or registration for EE 333T)
- EE 372L Network Engineering Laboratory (EE 372N; and credit or registration for EE 333T)
- EE 372N Telecommunication Networks (EE 351K)
- EE 372S Cryptography and Network Security (M 362K)
- EE 379K Topic 15: Information Theory (EE 351K)
- M 362M Introduction to Stochastic Processes (M 362K)
- M 365C Real Analysis I (Two of the following: M 325K, M 328K, M 341)
FAQ
Which courses in the core curriculum (i.e., required basic sequence and major sequence courses) might indicate whether this is a good technical area for the student?
What are the key courses in this technical area?
To learn about the physical layer, i.e., how bits are transmitted over point to point links, consider EE 360K, EE 371M. For a basic introduction to telecommunication networks consider EE 372N. Finally this technical area includes two labs EE 345S and EE 379K-19. To get a general background consider taking at least one from each of these categories.
What are the immediate and long-term employment opportunities for students who have some exposure to this technical area?
Communications and networking are an increasingly key component of our social and business fabric as well as future products and systems. Students with exposure to this area, should expect to find employment opportunities in industries which enable and offer services such as wired and wireless phone service, Internet access and perhaps in the future video and teleconferencing. In the longer term, I expect increasing opportunities in healthcare technology, intelligent buildings, inventory tracking, manufacturing plants, transportation, security, etc. You need only think of what kinds of connectivity or information that you would find useful to see new opportunities for products and services, and new employment if not opportunities for launching your own entrepreneurial endeavors.
Examples of companies that enable the devices and software to build communication networks are, Motorola, Metrowerks, National Instruments, Texas Instruments, etc. Examples of companies that use these to provide services are Southwestern Bell and Time Warner Cable. I mention these because they are part of our growing industry affiliates for U.T. Austin's Wireless Networking and Communications Group, see wncg.org for more information.
How important is a graduate degree (MS or PhD) in this area?
There are opportunities for individuals with expertise in this technical area at all levels. With a BS degree you are likely to have access to starting positions and will be called upon to perform specific tasks, e.g., technical support, design and/or programming duties, until you build up experience in the core engineering and business of your company. An MS will give you a broader exposure and ability to contribute directly to system design and integration. A PhD degree would be good for those driven to focus in depth on a specific technical topic, participating in and learning academic and research skills, and eventually joining a research laboratory or academia. These are general statements though; beyond a BS your eventual career path will depend very much on your resourcefulness, creativity and individual character.
This information provided by Dr. Gustavo de Veciana, a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UT-Austin. Dr. de Veciana currently holds the General Motors Foundation Centennial Fellowship in Electrical Engineering. He is a recipient of a 1996 National Science Foundation CAREER Award, was an Editor for IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, and a co-recipient of the IEEE/CAS William J. McCalla ICCAD Best Paper Award, 2000.
Faculty Advisors for Basic and Conditional Major Students
The faculty advisors listed below can meet with Basic Sequence and Conditional Major Sequence Students to discuss topics such as:
- Educational opportunities within ECE
- Course planning to meet a student's educational goals
- Short-term and long-term career planning
Students should either meet with the faculty during their office hours or send them an e-mail to make an appointment. Students in Major Sequence should discuss this matters with their assigned faculty advisor.