Establishing a telecommunications and networking technology B.S. degree

As distributed computing architectures have increased, the need for technology professionals that are skilled in telecommunications and networking has dramatically increased. Employers are looking for students that not only have conceptual knowledge but also hands-on practical experience when hiring graduates into telecomm and networking related positions. This chapter will discuss how a telecommunications and networking bachelor’s degree option was established at Purdue University. The chapter will discuss why the program started and discuss how it has evolved. Other areas discussed include: the curriculum, facilities, faculty, and the industrial advisory board. The paper will conclude with where the program is going to grow.