The Certificate Program in Data/Telecommunications trains participants for positions as entry-level network administrators, LAN technicians, and system analysts responsible for networking functions in large or small companies. Many of the courses in this certificate program can be applied towards the A.S. or B.S. Degree in Information Technology.

Required Courses: (5)
90.267 C Programming
90.461 LAN/WAN Technologies
90.462 TCP/IP and Network Architecture
90.457 Network Security 
90.464 Network Management

Course Descriptions

90.267 C Programming
Introduces students to the techniques of programming in C. The language syntax, semantics, its applications, and the portable library are covered. This course is not an introductory course in programming. However, it will teach some of the basics in the first few weeks. Students should have a working knowledge of at least one high-level programming language.
Prerequisite: Previous programming experience
Credits: 3
Special Notes: Students may not receive credit for both the 90.211/90.212 sequence and 90.267
This course qualifies for free MSDNA software!

90.457 Network Security
This course explores the theory, mechanism, and implementation of security in computer networks. Our goal is to provide an introduction to mathematical encryption and security protocols, and how these are applied to the infrastructure of IP (Internet Protocol) Networks. We will cover Classical ciphers and cryptographic methods such as DES, 3DES, BLOWFISH, RC5, and Modern Public Key cryptography: RSA, Diffie-Hellman Exchange. The second half of the course will introduce the principles and implementation of IPSEC (IP Security), SSL (Secured Socket Layer), and PKI (Public Key Infrastructure). The mathematics required will be introduced in class.
Prerequisite: 90.462 or related experience
Credits: 3

90.461 LAN/WAN Technologies
This course discusses basic data communication concepts; digital and analog signaling; media and cabling systems; the OSI reference model; Physical and Data Link layer; LAN standards; Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, Switched technologies, emerging LAN standards; Bridges and Routers; and Network operating systems.
Prerequisite: 90.267 or previous programming experience.
Credits: 3

90.462 TCP/IP and Network Architecture
This course is study of the TCP/IP and Network Architecture. We will focus on the concepts and fundamental principles that have contributed to the modern networks design and implementation using TCP/IP. Topics to be addressed in this course are IP, ARP, RARP, and ICMP protocols; IP routing; TCP protocol; Telnet, FTP, SMTP; TCP/IP next-generation; OSI network protocols and standards; Client/Server networking and applications.
Prerequisite: 90.461
Credits: 3

90.464 Network Management
Topics to be addressed in this course are Simple Network Management Protocol; SNMP-v2; RMON and RMON2; Enterprise management systems; OSI network management standards and development; CMIS and CMIP; Systems management; and emerging trends in network management.
Prerequisite: 90.461
Credits: 3

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses each semester. Courses on-campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, for 14 weeks during the Fall and Spring semesters. UMass Lowell's online courses also meet for 14 weeks, however, students generally log on to their course site once per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. For more information on online courses, click here to go to the UMass Lowell's online courses website. In addition to the Fall and Spring semesters, students also have the opportunity to accelerate their programs of study during two concentrated six-week Summer sessions. Online courses are also offered during the Summer semester, but unlike the on-campus courses, the online summer courses meet from May through August for a period of 14 weeks. All students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.