Professor John M. Cioffi notes that his approach to teaching the Digital Communications (EE 379) series is not "glamorous." This world-renowned pioneer in DSL technologies believes that learning the fundamentals separates tomorrow's leaders from the pack. "There's a large difference between what's 'hot' in the telecommunications industry and the fundamentals that drive those new developments," says Cioffi. "I focus on the latter area in my teaching, highlighted with current examples. We teach the leaders at Stanford — those who will know how to apply the fundamentals to develop what's "hot" in the industry tomorrow."

Glamorous or not, Cioffi's courses are cited by industry students for their substance and value. "This area does have strong applicability to industry," says Cioffi. "My ten years in industry have encouraged me that the area of telecommunications will again grow well, regardless of any current downward economic fluctuations."

Often, says Cioffi, applicability pays off several years after taking the courses. "The students do tell me down the line that these courses changed their lives, and that there is an impact on their work - those words can be exhilarating to hear." He adds, "You'd be surprised how many of our previous students are now CEOs, and still remember us and the courses."

This would not surprise Tim Peters, who was graduated from Stanford's MSEE program in 2002. Peters is a software engineer for Agilent Technologies, and completed many of his courses as an industry student. "This was the most useful course I took at Stanford," he says. "I focus on wireless communications, providing technical support for our Sales Engineers in wireless technologies — specifically Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Bluetooth, and cellular technologies. Quite literally, I'd use the material presented in class later in the day, speaking in front of my customers. Because of his class, I've become an 'expert resource' in WLAN to my colleagues and my customers."

The Web site "class notes" are detailed and extensive, amounting to an online text that is constantly updated and accessible to anyone visiting the site. In fact, students and industry experts use the EE 379 Web sites, worldwide. Cioffi says, "I'm involved in international standards group, and refer people to the EE379 pages regularly. People constantly access my site to figure out DSL technology, to learn the fundamentals that we developed through the nineties."

Exposure, Industry-Focus, Stanford "I've taught very few courses that weren't broadcast," says Cioffi. "Naturally the presence of industry students affects the curriculum because of the questions/interests they have. They also have an impact on research. Because they are from so many industries, companies find out about our research and it generates interest in our work." This reciprocity keeps curriculum current and research in touch with industry needs.

Industry students have a more direct advantage in taking courses at Stanford, according to Cioffi. "Taking distance courses through SCPD provides an alternative path in their career, exposing a lot of these young industry students to different viewpoints and new areas," he says. " But it offers them exposure to those in other companies as well: Stanford just gives you more alternatives because the university is so connected with industry, both in Silicon Valley and globally."

Finally, when asked about the advantages for distance students in pursuing their MSEE through Stanford Online vs. online options at other universities, Cioffi says, "It's a Stanford degree. In any economy, this is an asset. Even companies that are laying off will be looking for talented people with Stanford degrees."

Visit Professor Cioffi's Web site for more information, or the
Dynamic Spectrum Management Project Web site to learn about the developments likely to impact the next generation of broadband technologies.

For more on courses taught by Cioffi, and on the technology fundamentals, visit course Web sites:
EE 379a Digital Communications I
EE 379b Digital Communications II
EE 379c Advanced Digital Communications
EE 479 Multiuser Digital Transmission Systems

Read more about online graduate opportunities at Stanford on these SCPD pages: Distance Student Viewpoint and Insiders' View.