Course Overview:

The completion of a comprehensive, self-directed research project is a fundamental requirement for earning a Diploma in IT & Network Management. The procedure begins with the selection of a research theme from among the 19 instructional courses covered in the program. The literature review follows to identify knowledge gaps that the research could fill. Then, the student creates a research proposal detailing the intended methods and goals. This is reviewed and approved by the course Instructor. The student then conducts the research, which can be vastly diverse depending on the chosen topic. The research results are documented in a project report, outlining the study’s background, methodology, findings, and conclusions. The work is evaluated by the Instructor and apportioned appropriate grade score.

Prerequisite:

Completion of All 19 Instructional Courses: The student must successfully complete all 18 courses offered in the IT & Network Management. This ensures that the student has acquired a broad and comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of IT & Network Management, providing a solid foundation for conducting in-depth research.
Selection of Research Project: The student is required to select a research topic or project that is relevant to the field of IT & Network Management. This topic should ideally stem from one or more of the 18 courses completed, aligning with the student’s area of interest and expertise. The chosen topic should be capable of contributing new insights or solutions in the field of IT & Network Management.
Pre-Approval of Research Project: Before proceeding with the research, the student must submit a detailed proposal of their selected project for pre-approval. This proposal should outline the research objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and potential impact. The proposal is subject to review and approval by the course Instructor or a designated committee. This step ensures that the research project is feasible, academically sound, and aligns with the program’s standards and goals.

Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of networking, including the OSI model, TCP/IP stack, and essential network protocols.
Trace the evolution of networking technologies leading to the current state of networks.
Investigate emerging network technologies such as Software-Defined Networking, Network Functions Virtualization, and edge computing.
Examine the transformative role of 5G and future communication network evolutions.
Analyze potential vulnerabilities, threats, and risks in networks.
Evaluate methods to enhance network security, including tools like encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems.
Explore techniques for effective network management, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
Optimize network performance, understanding the significance of Quality of Service (QoS).
Integrate knowledge of cloud infrastructure’s role in network architectures and the challenges it presents.
Distinguish the networking needs of distributed systems, including distributed
databases and file systems.
Assess the networking demands of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the challenges in accommodating diverse IoT devices.
Study real-world scenarios where network solutions have been employed, evaluating their benefits and challenges.
Exhibit knowledge of research methodologies in IT and networking, including both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Critically review relevant literature, design experiments or case studies, gather data, and derive valid conclusions.
Communicate research findings effectively in both written and oral formats, presenting well-reasoned arguments for varied audiences.
Reflect on the ethical implications of networking technologies, especially regarding privacy, surveillance, and data handling, ensuring research adheres to ethical standards.
Demonstrate self-evaluation skills and responsiveness to feedback, understanding the significance and potential implications of the research in the broader context of IT & Network Management.

Evaluation Methods:

The following evaluation methods will be used to assess the research project/dissertation:

Benchmarking and Comparative Analysis: How does the proposed solution compare with existing tools in terms of effectiveness?
Experimentation and Testing: What are the results of controlled experiments or simulations assessing the Network System’s effectiveness?
Real-world Case Studies: How does the proposed solution perform in real-world Network System incidents?
Data Analysis: What patterns, trends, or anomalies related to Network System incidents are identified through data analysis?
User Studies and Surveys: What is the feedback from end users or the Network professionals regarding the usability and practicality of the solution?
Threat Modeling: What weaknesses and security gaps are identified in the network system through threat modelling exercises?
Performance Metrics: What are the specific performance metrics (e.g. detection rates, response times) that evaluate the solution’s efficiency?

Outcome of the Evaluation:

Acceptable without required revision
Acceptable with minor revisions
Major revisions required
Not acceptable

Completion Requirements:

The research paper must exhibit clarity, cohesiveness, and a comprehensive grasp of the selected research topic. The assessment will be based on the following criteria and students must achieve a minimum 60% grade to pass.

1. Presentation and Organization (15%)

The project title is clear and appropriate (2%).
The abstract/summary provides a clear and concise overview of the project (3%).
The introduction effectively introduces the research topic and question (3%).
The project is well-structured, with logical progression and clear headings (2%).
Appropriate use of figures and tables to enhance understanding (2%).
References are correctly cited and formatted according to the specified style guide (2%).
The conclusion effectively summarizes the findings and implications of the research (1%).

2. Literature Review (10%)

The student has identified and summarized key sources relevant to their topic (5%).
The student demonstrates an understanding of the main arguments and debates in their topic area (5%).

3. Problem Design (15%)

The research problem is clearly stated and relevant to the field of IT & Network Management (10%).
The objectives of the research project are clear and align with the problem statement (5%).

4. Proposed Solution (15%)

The student has proposed a logical solution or hypothesis to address the identified problem (10%).
The proposed solution or hypothesis directly relates to the research problem and objectives (5%).

5. Conclusions (10%)

The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the research project (5%).
The conclusion discusses the implications of the findings and any limitations of the study (5%).

6. Independent Contribution (10%)

The student’s individual contribution to the project is clear and significant (10%).

7. Qualitative Implementation (15%)

The research methodology is appropriately selected and effectively implemented (7.5%).
The data analysis techniques are appropriate and correctly applied (7.5%).

8. Writing Clarity (10%)

The language used is clear, concise, and understandable, with correct grammar and spelling (5%).
The research project is well-organized, with a logical flow of ideas and arguments (5%).

Note: Each category will be rated on a scale from 0 to the maximum points available. The final score will be the sum of all categories out of 100%.

Course & Related Fees:

Domestic Students : $1,250 (One thousand two-hundred and fifty dollars)
International Students: $1,450 (One thousand four-hundred and fifty dollars)

For a detailed breakdown, please refer to Policy #S-005B IT & Network Management Diploma and Course Fee Schedule

Non-Refundable Fees:

Application Fee: $50.00/course (payable online and non-refundable)