IoT masters programs

This paper discusses the fundamentals of postgraduate curriculum development for the area of the Internet of Things (IoT). We provide a brief contrasting analysis of Skoltech and Stanford Masters programs and argue that the most flexible way forward is via the introduction of a leveling-off, elective introductory stage, and four parallel course streams: signal processing and control; Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning; microcontroller systems design; and networks and cyber security. The leveling-off stage is meant to provide sufficient electives for graduates of applied math, Information Technologies (IT), or electronics/telecom degrees to learn the necessary fundamentals for the stream modules. We argue that another distinguishing feature of an IoT masters program is a large project drawing on the stream modules and requiring a multidisciplinary, team development effort.