Master in Wireless Systems and Related Technologies

II Level Specializing Master Program

Overview and Career Opportunities

Wireless communication systems have undergone a fast growth during the last few years, giving rise to a huge support infrastructure.

Further developments of wideband systems are expected to sustain the expansion of this segment of the telecommunication and electronic market, linking it more closely to data communication and Internet world.

In the next future, a substantial amount of skilled personnel will be engaged in running wireless systems both at a network level and in the maintenance and organization of field apparatuses. At the same time, short time-to-market is becoming a must for companies engaged in the development and design of wireless hardware, which requires advanced skills in terms of analog and digital design, but also a broad vision of the wireless world at large.

Finally, openings for new technical positions are expected to experience a substantial growth not only in Europe and in the United States, but also in other areas, like Latin America and Far East, where a fast development in the wireless market is already in progress.

A II Level Specializing Master in Wireless Systems and Technology is an effective answer to the work market demands in terms of high level technicians endowed with a broad vision of the wireless world but also with specific skills.

Admission requirements and cultural prerequisities

In order to be admitted into the second level Specializing Master program, applicants must possess a 5-year (10 semesters) university degree. Applications from students who possess a 4-year (8 semesters) university degree may be possibly evaluated by the selection commission.

The MWST program is addressed to graduate students having completed a curriculum in Electronic engineering, Telecommunication engineering, Information technology or equivalent subjects.

Prospective candidates must have good command of written and spoken English, together with basic notions in communication theory and electronics. All tuition will be in English.

To profitably follow the II Level Specializing Master program, candidates should have some background in the areas:

Fourier Transforms
Stochastic Variables and Processes
Elements of Digital Transmission
Elements of Communication Networks
Protocols Basics of Semiconductor Devices and Materials
Transmission Line Theory
Basics of Analog and Digital Electronic Circuits
Basics of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation

A lack of background in one or two areas is considered acceptable, while having no background in four or more of the above fields should discourage application.

Course syllabus and time schedule

The II Level Specializing Master provides an extensive background in wireless systems, ranging from network aspects to wireless technology and hardware maintenance and design. The teaching staff includes many internationally known researchers from Politecnico di Torino, but also experts from telecommunication companies.

The courses include topics in Wireless Communication Networks (protocols for mobile communications, mobility concepts, access techniques), Transmission Theory for Wireless Systems (fundamentals of coding, coding concepts for wireless systems, the radio segment), Antennas and Propagation in Wireless Systems (basic and advanced antenna design, smart antennas, propagation and field coverage), Wireless Electronics (systems-on-a-chip design, VLSI design for wireless systems, microwave and RF electronics).

The MWST program usually starts in October and its duration is 12 months. The program includes 70 credits, 50 corresponding to courses, 20 to a project work in a lab or company operating in the field of wireless communications and/or in technical laboratories of Politecnico.

Courses and CAD labs (average 24 hours a week) are held at Politecnico di Torino in special classrooms equipped with workstations. Courses are structured into three terms (ending May 2012) plus one term devoted to stages and projects. All tuition and teaching material is in English.

The II Level Specializing Master provides an extensive background in wireless systems, ranging from network aspects to wireless technology and hardware maintenance and design. The teaching staff includes many internationally known researchers from Politecnico di Torino, but also experts from telecommunication companies.

Students will obtain a II level specializing master certificate at the end of the course after the dissertation of the II level specializing master thesis based on the internship activity. A certificate of attendance will be provided to the students with a partial registration.

Internship

Internship is a training period offered by major companies operating in the Specializing Master field. During the internship the student is officially allocated within a company, with full insurance coverage during working hours.

It is compulsory and its duration is about 3 months but (with mutual agreement) can be extended beyond the Specializing Master end date (e.g. up to 12 months totally).

During this period student will be supported by the Master coordinator and supervised by his tutors (at Politecnico di Torino and in the company); at the end they will acquire 20 educational credits (ECTS) doing a pilot project.

Course fee and Financial support

The tuition fee is 8.000 Euro divided in two instalments, the first one at the moment of the enrollment and the second one at the end of March 2012, but for this II Level Specializing Master course there is also the opportunity of obtaining a scholarship (see below).

There is also the possibiliy to be enrolled only to some courses of the II Level Specializing Master and this possibility is generally addressed to people that wants to specifically deepen only some topics. The Master Coordinator will take into consideration the request depending on the course admission requirements, availability in the classroom etc...

Scolarship opportunity:

Compagnia di San Paolo - Politecnico project
Politecnico di Torino, thanks to the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo, offers international students the possibility to receive a scholarship in addition to the coverage of tuition fees (8,000 Euro). The gross amount of the scholarship is 6,000 Euro*.
This amount could not be sufficient for the living costs in Italy, students will need their own pocket money.
The amount of the scholarship will not be increased in case the student will have an internship extension.
Payment of the scholarship occurs periodically (12 instalments). The first instalment is dependent upon the possession of the relevant documentation (enrollment certification, residence permit, Italian fiscal code, and bank account in the name of the scholarship recipient), all obtainable upon arrival in Italy; for this reason, the first instalment is not paid at the moment of arrival at the Politecnico di Torino (September 2011), but at the end of October. Payment of the scholarship will be suspended if the academic performance of the recipient does not meet a satisfactory level.

Scholarship winners will be selected among the students who have successfully completed and submitted the online application form within May 12th 2011 (h 11:59 a.m., Italian time). All candidatures correctly received by the deadline will be taken into consideration for the available scholarships, it is not necessary to fill in any other proper document.

* around 450 Euro net per month.

How to Apply

For details please consult the website http://didattica.polito.it/master/wireless/09-HowToApply.html or call the contact people listed below.

Contact

Politecnico di Torino
Ufficio Master e Formazione Permanente - Area Gestione Didattica
Phone: (+39) 011 6128 / 5717
E-mail: master.universitari@polito.it

Prof. Giovanni Ghione - Master Scientific Coordinator
Politecnico di Torino - Dipartimento di Elettronica;
E-mail: giovanni.ghione@polito.it

Web: didattica.polito.it/master/wireless

Elenco Master di: Politecnico di Torino
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