Wireless Communications
Program Development
Michael Qaissaunee
Mohammad Shanehsaz
Agenda
Introduction to MAITT and Partners
NCTT and Other Partners
New Curriculum and Courses
Role of Advisory Committee
New Business
MAITT
Mid-Atlantic Institute for
Telecommunications Technologies
3-Year NSF ATE Grant ~$600K
MAITT – Project Goal
• The goal of this ATE project is the modification of an existing
Electronics Engineering Technology AAS Degree Program to
include Wireless Communications, the development and
implementation of a new Wireless Communications AAS and
credit certificate programs with multiple entry and exit points to
prepare technicians for the wireless communications industry.
The project components will include curriculum development
and adaptation and program development, professional
development for high school and community college faculty, and
development of a 2+2+2 articulation, in wireless
communications. As a part of a network of regional partners
under the direction of NCTT, the ATE project will serve as the
focal point for regional dissemination and training to regional
business and industry, through the development of materials
and faculty for business and industry training.
MAITT – Objectives
1.
2.
Create education and training programs in wireless
communications leading students to AAS degrees, certificates,
and occupational competencies through curriculum
development and adaptation, and integration of work-relevant,
industry-driven curricula that integrates “best practices” in IT
education with industry skills standards and certifications.
To contribute to program improvement and implementation at
partner institutions through collaboration and professional
development activities. Professional development activities,
for credit when appropriate, will serve to improve, expand and
maintain the technical and pedagogical skills of teaching
faculty from community colleges and high schools.
MAITT – Objectives
3.
Increase the number of students who seek employment or
continued education in wireless communications by creation
of multiple pathways with a variety of exit and entry points.
A key means of facilitating student recruitment will be the
development of regional corporate relationships.
NCTT and Other Partners
NCTT – National
Center for
Telecommunications
Technology,
Springfield, MA
NCTT and Other Partners
NWCET, National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies,
Bellevue, WA
NJCATE, New Jersey Center for Advanced Technological Center,
Edison, NJ
Collins County Community College, Frisco, TX
Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA
Gateway Community College, North Haven, CT
Midlands Technical College, Columbia, SC
Atlantic Coast Communications
NJIT, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Penn State University at Wilkes-Barre
High Technology High School
Communications High School, Wall, NJ
NCTT and Other Partners
Wireless Networking & Communications Group
(WNCG), University of Texas at Austin Ted Rappaport
Cal-(IT)² California Institute for Telecommunications
and Information Technology at the University of
California at San Diego
Wireless Valley Communications
WGBH
National Instruments
Emona Technologies
ATE Centers
NCTT
NJCATE
NWCET
NCTT
Access to Skill Standards for
Telecommunications
Summer Workshops
Technician-Level Textbooks
Lab Manuals
Other Curriculum
Consult on
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Laboratory Configuration
Faculty Training
Professional Development
NJCATE
Curriculum Development Model

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Industry-Driven Curricula
Curricula Closely Aligned with Workplace
Practices
Address Employability
Technical and Core Skills
Foster Relationships with
 K-12
 Higher Education

Implementation of Continuous Improvement
NWCET
Access to Skill Standards
Access to Model Curriculum
Consultant on Integration of Skill
Standard into Curriculum
Wireless Communications
Program Development
Curriculum
2-Year AAS (Proposed)
Semester 1
Writing
Semester 2
3
Speech
3
3
Introduction to Security
3
Fundamentals of
Telecommunications
Introduction to Networking - TCP/IP
3
Wireless LANs
3
3
ELEC 105 or ELEC 106
Humanities/ Social Science
3
Humanities/ Social Science
Introduction to Wireless
15
3-4
3
15-16
2-Year AAS (Proposed)
Semester 3
Semester 4
Cellular Technologies
3
Capstone Course
3
Broadband/ Fixed Wireless
3
Advanced Topics in Wireless
Comm
3
Intermediate Security
3
Advanced Security
3
Math/Science/Technology
3
Tech Elective
3-4
Free Gen Ed
3
Free Gen Ed
3
15
15-16
Curriculum Development
Market-Relevant
Modular
Competency-Based
Work-Based Learning
Units
Integration of "Soft
Skills"
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Teamwork
Problem Solving
Leadership
Communications
Well Articulated with
BS Degree Programs
Industry-Driven
Integrate "BestPractices"
Industry Skill Standards
Industry Certifications
Introduction to Wireless
introduces wireless networking over a range of
applications, from cell phones to wireless local area
networks to broadband wide area network links to
satellite. Students will be able to describe the
advantages and disadvantages of wireless
communication in general, and understand the
difference between radio and infrared. The course
will cover WLANs, and in particular 802.11b and
802.11a - configuration and security problems. It will
present cell phone technology, including 2, 2.5, and 3
G, and examine WAP and SMS. Finally, it will
examine fixed broadband wireless and satellite
communications.
Introduction to Security
will provide a fundamental understanding of network
security principles and implementation. Topics covered
include: authentication, types of attacks, malicious code,
email threats and countermeasures, Web applications,
remote access, and file and print services, intrusion
detection systems, firewalls, and physical security
concepts, security policies, disaster recovery, and
computer forensics. Security topologies are discussed as
well as technologies used and principles involved in
creating secure computer networking environments such
as providing secure communications channels, secure
internetworking devices, and network medium and the
daily tasks involved with managing and troubleshooting
these technologies. Hands-on and case project
assignments will reinforce each of the concepts.
Introduction to Networking –
TCP/IP
will provide students with a practical understanding of
TCP/IP and the skills required to setup and use both
DOS/NT and Unix based TCP/IP networks. Equipment is
available during the course for demonstration of all of the
TCP/IP concepts and for hands-on experience.
Additionally, this course provides students with an
overview of the facilities provided by the TCP/IP protocol
suite. It is useful for students who wish to understand the
concepts of TCP/IP or make decisions about
implementing a TCP/IP network but who do not need to
perform the actual installation themselves. The course
concentrates on to receive this new and cutting edge
knowledge, both UNIX and DOS/Windows
implementations of TCP/IP.
Fundamentals of
Telecommunications
will acquaint students with the telephony industry, its use and
history, the knowledge and tools to understand voice networks
and the network components, voice and data
telecommunication, circuits and LANS, regulation and
deregulation, and finally, architectures and network connectivity
principles. Students will learn the history and future directions of
telephony. Lectures will be supplemented with class
assignments and exercises and individual presentations. Upon
successful completion, the student will have a working
knowledge of the voice telecommunications (telephony).
Through class work and other exercises, the student will learn
about telephony, know the different telecommunications services
and offerings, protocols, history and development of the industry
and regulation and deregulation, learn how “standards” are
developed, classify the types of transmissions, media used, and
understand the concepts of network design and management.
Professional Development
Other Sources of Funding
Sought
A consortium consisting of the 6 community
colleges that make-up the NCTT regional
partner initiative is working on a proposal in
collaboration with WNCG, Cal-IT2, Wireless
Valley Communications, National Instruments
and WGBH. This proposal would fund
recruitment and retention efforts in the
programs that are the focus of the NCTT
regional partner initiative.
Other Sources of Funding
Sought
HP Foundation Grant
submitted for
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access point,
instructor tablet PC, and
20 student tablet PCs.
Other Sources of Funding
Sought
Applications of wireless identified
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Automotive Technology,
Nursing and Allied Health, and
Engineering
MAITT

design, install, troubleshoot, and maintain
a wireless environment
Other Sources of Funding
Sought
NSF CCLI – Security
NSF ATE – Security
NSF CCLI - Labs
Dissemination
Role of Advisory Committee
Review of Curriculum
Mentorships and Internships
Marketing and Program Promotion
New Business and Closing
Current Trends in Wireless Technology
Open Discussion
Q&A