Background

The continuous evolution of the human species has always been marked by the application of technology which in turn has always permitted man to surpass the accomplishments of the previous age. We find ourselves in one of those historical moments, at the dawn of the new millennium, where information technology is radically changing the way the humans who inhabit this planet relate with one another. The traditional concept of distance has disappeared. We are just a click of the mouse away from the rest of the world. The Internet, the giant network, has become a mechanism for connecting a community of people who interchange ideas and share resources. For this reason, the World Wide Web has changed from being a technological phenomenon to a cultural phenomenon.

Michael Dertouzos, the Director of the Computer Science Laboratory at MIT, suggests that "information technology is claiming its place in history as a socioeconomic revolution equal in scale to the two Industrial Revolutions...except that this time we are transferring cerebral rather than muscular work to machines". We are therefore creating a 21st century global village market in which people and computers will buy, sell and freely interchange information and information services.

Communications will produce dramatic changes in the conception of the world and how to interact in it. In order to enjoy all of these services it will be necessary to have a combination of tools and interconnecting mechanisms. This is what we generally call infrastructure.

Icesi University takes pleasure in offering its Program of Specialization in Communications Networks to the communities of this region. This program meets the demands that that the competition and globalization of the 21st century is putting on organizations and businessmen with regard to networks and communications technology.

Objectives

The objective of this program is to give participants solid conceptual and practical training permitting them to develop knowledge and skills to OPERATE and MANAGE the present communications infrastructure and to PLAN and IMPLEMENT projects for the technological renovation in this area in accordance with the trends and needs of the organization.

In keeping with this objective, the graduate of this program will be able to:

·         IDENTIFY and UNDERSTAND the communications needs in his company

·         FORMULATE recommendations and take action to guarantee the continuous operation of the network with parameters of efficiency and security that will ensure adequate service for the critical processes of the organization.

·         PLAN, DESIGN, DIRECT and IMPLEMENT projects for updating the technology in the area of networks and communications.

·         ESTABLISH the terms of reference for placing orders for requirements from suppliers.

·         CONSTRUCT a Network Operating Model.

·         ESTABLISH the impact that new technologies will have on the Corporate Network.

·         FORMULATE policy on Corporate Network security.

·         MANAGE safely and efficiently the Corporate Network resources.

·         FORMULATE technical recommendations to update technology, keeping in mind cost/benefit considerations.

·         PROJECT the organization toward the latest technological breakthroughs.

Length of Program

For students who combine work and graduate study and take two courses simultaneously in each period, the program takes 6 quarters.

Candidate Profile

Specialization in Communications Networks is aimed at businessmen who work or would like to work in the communications field and who are seeking to CONSOLIDATE (update, complement, study more profoundly) his knowledge of communication hardware and software.

Graduate Profile

The graduate in this Specialization is qualified to:

·         Move forward projects of Business on the Internet for his company.

·         Lead the change in mentality for companies that want to find business opportunities on the Internet

·         Reach executive positions in the world of business on the Internet; become an executive in Sales and Marketing in areas related to business on the Internet in companies specializing in offering this type of service.

·         Become a Product Manager who markets via Internet; become the Web Manager for Internet business in his company.

·         Create his own company to do business through the electronic media, especially the Internet; to become an Internet Businessman.

·         Become a consultant on technical and strategic matters related to business on the Internet.

·         Take the lead in organizations which are not yet aware of the possibilities for doing business on the Internet; become a missionary with the message of "Internet Business Opportunities".

Degree Given

Icesi grants the degree of Specialist in Communications Networks to those who satisfactorily complet.