Department of Engineering Mathematics and Internetworking

Faculty of Engineering

Internetworking

Internetworking is a course-based program that covers a range of topics related to the industry, including current technology and, its past and future evolution. This intensive degree program provides students with practical experience and the solid theoretical background necessary to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of technology and the challenges that lie ahead.

For entry in the Master's degree program in Internetworking (Computer Networks), prospective students must hold an undergraduate degree. Preferred degrees are Engineering (any discipline) and Applied Sciences.

Graduates of this program will have a solid theoretical foundation as well as a solid technology experience, and will be positioned for success in many different facets of the networking industry. This is a course-based Master's degree that covers not only what the current technology is, but also why the technology is in its present form. It provides the theoretical background to analyze the shortcomings and strengths of the technology, its continuing evolution, and the challenges that lie ahead for the industry.

Learning outcomes

To ensure that the program objectives are met and that graduates are prepared to assume the responsibilities of an Internetworking professional, this program has been designed so that as a graduate, you will be able to:

  • analyze, design, implement, monitor, and test Internetworking systems
  • specify, design, implement and test Internetworking algorithms

To meet these broadly stated goals, this program has been designed to ensure that you will be able to:

  • configure a network on commercial equipment
  • analyze and troubleshoot pre-configured systems
  • design and carry out simulations and experiments to test and verify network performance
  • participate in the implementation of a network operating system

In order to exhibit these abilities, you will understand:

  • computer network standards
  • layered framework for network protocol design
  • algorithms for underlying bridging and routing protocols
  • fundamentals of real-time systems
  • telecommunications network infrastructure
  • trends in computer networks, internetworking, and telecommunications
  • mechanisms and limitations of digital communication over wireline and wireless media
  • mathematical foundations for network design and simulation

After completion of the program, you may wish to pursue network certification in programs such as the Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert.

Length of program

  • MEng - typical time to complete is 2 years

Courses

The program consists of 10 courses and an oral presentation on a technical subject. 

  • Introduction to Computer Networks
  • Mathematics for Internetworking
  • Physical and Datalink Layer Standards and Protocols
  • Internet Communications Protocols
  • Network Architecture
  • Telecommunication and Wide Area Networks
  • Real-time Programming for Internetworking
  • Network Security
  • Emerging Internetworking Technologies
  • Network Design

Courses will be offered in a compressed six-week format requiring a minimum of 160 hours of work per course. Certain courses will require more time.

In addition, students are advised to access Cisco CCNA online training as well as complete other self-training opportunities. These may lead to industrial certification, if you choose.

Admission requirements

Candidates must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. For information on how to apply, see Dalhousie's graduate admission requirements.

Applications accepted for fall and winter terms.

Contact

Subject Code: INWK
Tel: 902-494-1114
Email: internet.eng@dal.ca
Address: 1360 Barrington Street, A Wing, 2nd Floor, Room A210, P.O. Box 1000,
Halifax, NS, Canada, B3J 2X4
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Bill Robertson
Graduate Coordinator Tel: 902-494-2702
Graduate Coordinator Email: bill.robertson@dal.ca