Master's programme in Communication Systems
Communication Systems has a broad scope, offering future-proof competence in high demand. Millions of engineers and entrepreneurs are needed to take the global information infrastructure to all corners of the world. Sweden and its Nordic neighbours has pioneered innovation in telecommunication systems since the optical telegraph networks in the 18th century, the telegraph and the public switched telephone network in the 19th century, and now the mobile phone business and optical broadband networking areas in the 20th and 21st century. These Nordic experiences offer rich opportunities to learn.
Internet and mobile phone networks are among the most powerful technologies of our time and are proven to be extremely enabling. The expected impact on all levels of society has barely started to show. Today's challenges are to integrate the technologies and make them scale; provide ubiquitous access, reliability, security, and manageability; and make the network disappear in favour of its functionality. The commercialization of these new ideas, methods and processes will create value for users, vendors, operators and society in general. Consequently, entrepreneurship, product realization and economics are inextricably linked to Communication Systems.
The programme focuses on the integration of Internet and mobile communication network technologies in order to develop global communication systems for the next generations! Students will work in a research environment with ample experimental resources and in close contact with industry, including leading system manufacturers, service developers, network operators, service providers and advanced user groups of early adopters.
Programme outline
The programme replaces the former Internetworking and ICT Entrepreneurship programmes, and has been broadened to include the areas of Wireless Networks, Design and Implementation of ICT Products and Systems, and Information and Communication Systems Security.
The programme consists of three semesters of course work and one semester of thesis project work. The first semester consists of mandatory core courses, which provide in-depth knowledge in the fundamental areas of communication systems and networks. The programme continues with a wide range of elective courses, allowing students to specialize in areas such as Internetworking, Wireless Networks, Communication Systems Security, Entrepreneurship and Product Realization. Many of the courses are problem-oriented in nature, with the work being self-directed and project-based. The fourth semester, finally, consists of individual degree projects.
Course overview
Degree project
The objective of the thesis project is for students to demonstrate the skills acquired during the program and apply them to solve realistic problems. The student writes a thesis and presents it orally, demonstrating and defending the results. The student, an examiner, a company, a public agency, or other external organization may propose a thesis project. The project must be approved by an examiner of one of the thesis project courses in the curriculum.
Career prospects
The program provides an excellent basis for a career in research and development, as well as in network operations and management. Former students can be found in academia as well as industry, on the producer side at system manufacturers and operators, on the consumer side in industry, as well as in the public sector and among regulators. There is a huge demand for network designers and administrators, especially in emerging markets in developing regions. Finally, as evidenced by Yahoo!, Google, Skype, Spotify, and others there are also rich opportunities for entrepreneurs to change the world.
Application and admission
Communication Systems - Application and admission for external applicants
Contact
Programme Director: Peter Sjödin
Programme Coordinator: May-Britt Eklund-Larsson
KTH Information and Communication Technology
Forum 105
SE-164 40 Kista
SWEDEN
