HOBOKEN--IEEE's Communication Societ (ComSoc)--one of 41 professional groups under the giant IEEE society umbrella--has expanded the number of tutorials offered online from Stevens Institute of Technology. Initially presented live at the society's annual meetings, tutorials are now converted into web-accessible classes. Faculty-facilitated online short courses are delivered by the same instructors who present them face-to-face at ComSoc meetings. They are deliverd by Stevens' online unit, WebCampus at its e-Seminars online short course continuing education site.

Robert Ubell, Dean of Online Learning at Stevens, noted that WebCampus now makes ComSoc tutorials more widely available. "The new program opens opportunities, not only for Stevens' students and members of IEEE, but for anyone who needs to learn the latest trends in the communications industry," Ubell added.

"Instructors come from top universities in Germany, Poland, Great Britain, Canada, and Malaysia," commented Robert Zotti, Associate Director of Online Learning at Stevens. The series was launched successfully this year with just two online courses, but has already attracted students from around the world. "Students from Europe, Asia, and across the U.S. have signed up," said Zotti.

IEEE ComSoc selects experts who generate content and offer instruction. Stevens provides technical infrastructure, instructor training, and secure credit-card transactions, enabling students to enroll over the Internet.

Tutorials cover network security, optical networks, UMTS "third generation" networks, optimization of wireless networks, turbo coding, space-time coding, and "last-mile" network access.

A nonprofit, technical professional association with more than 377,000 members in 150 countries, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Enginee (IEEE has emerged as the world's leading authority in key technical areas ranging from computer engineering, biomedical technology and telecommunications, to electric power, aerospace and consumer electronics, among others. It is largest professional society in the world. It produces 30 percent of the world's published literature in electrical, computer and control engineering, holds 300 major conferences annually, and has generated nearly 900 technical standards with some 700 now under development.

ComSoc members are industry professionals with a common interest in advancing

communications technologies. The society sponsors publications, conferences, educational programs, local activities, and technical committees promoting

original work in communications science, engineering, and technology. Founded in 1952, the society has 55,000 members in 122 countries. Established in 1870, Stevens offers baccalaureate, Master's and doctoral degrees in engineering,

science, computer science, management and technology management, as well as a baccalaureate in the humanities and liberal arts. The university, ocated directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan, has an enrollment of about 4,200 students.

The school's online unit, WebCampus Stevens, was launched in 1999. Today, it offers more 160 entirely online graduate and professional courses in science, technology and management. More than 3,600 students have already enrolled in its 23 graduate certificates and four Master's degrees. WebCampus students are located in 26 states and 23 countries worldwide.

"These new joint ventures with IEEE are bold steps by Stevens into online education," said Stevens Vice President Maureen Weatherall. "Our graduate and professional students tell us that e-learning has clear advantages for them as busy working scientists, engineers and managers."