How does Google sell ad space and rank webpages? How does Netflix recommend movies and Amazon rank products? How can you influence people on Facebook and Twitter and can you really reach anyone in six steps? Why doesn't the Internet collapse under congestion and does it have an Achilles' heel? Why are you charged per gigabyte for mobile data and how can Skype and BitTorrent be free? How are cloud services so scalable and why is WiFi slower at hotspots than at home? Driven by twenty real-world questions about our networked lives, this book explores the technology behind the multi-trillion dollar Internet and wireless industries. Providing easily understandable answers for the casually curious, alongside detailed explanations for those looking for in-depth discussion, this thought-provoking book is essential studying for students in engineering, science and economics, for network industry professionals and anyone curious about how technological and social networks really work.

'How do the networks, which we increasingly rely upon in our everyday life, actually work? This book is an inspiring romp through the big ideas in networking, which is immediately rewarding and will motivate later courses.' - Frank Kelly, Professor of the Mathematics of Systems, Master of Christ's College, University of Cambridge, UK

George N. Root III began writing professionally in 1985. His publishing credits include a weekly column in the "Lockport Union Sun and Journal" along with the "Spectrum," the "Niagara Falls Gazette," "Tonawanda News," "Watertown Daily News" and the "Buffalo News." Root has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the State University of New York, Buffalo.

16 What are the differences among the MSc programmes?

All of our programmes offer a multi-disciplinary and theoretically-oriented approach to media as well as a broad social science foundation in research skills, while allowing students to take a specialist degree according to their interests.

All programmes include the compulsory courses, Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications (either as a full or as a half unit) and Methods of Research in Media and Communications. Additionally, each programme offers a distinctive range of optional and compulsory courses to allow for a greater specialisation in either globalisation, new media, politics, development or regulation. For the course lists for each programme check the individual programme pages from the Graduate Prospectus. They are distinguished as follows:

MSc Media, Communication and Development: The main aim of this programme is to offer an advanced interdisciplinary education and training in contemporary theory and research in the field of media and its application in low income country contexts and provides an opportunity to critically examine the intersection of the fields of media and communications and development research.

MSc Media and Communications: A broad-based understanding of the development and forms of media systems in relation to political economy and power, production and organisation, processes of mediation and influence, communication content and audience response. This programme offers the greatest flexibility of course choices in and outside the department.

MSc Global Media and Communications: Two year Dual Degree with University of Southern California or Fudan University. This programme offers a critical exploration of mediation in the global context, examining processes of globalisation in relation to organisation, production, consumption and representation in media and communications. It is a preparation for high level employment in media and communications related professions anywhere in the world. It offers the opportunity for internships in Los Angeles or Shanghai.

MSc Politics and Communication: This programme offers an intensive, year long exploration of the relations between politics, media and communications. It provides an advanced understanding of the theoretical and applied knowledge in the intersecting fields of politics and communication research as well as an ideal preparation for research work and employment in these fields.

MSc Strategic Communications. The main aim of this programme is to offer an advanced theoretical and applied understanding of the ways in which communication by organisations and institutions shapes our understandings of the world and our place within it. The programme provides an opportunity to critically examine the ways in which organisations use all kinds of communication as strategic tools to engage with audiences in a globalised and digitised landscape. The impact of strategic communication on society and culture is a key focus, as is the effect it has on different dimensions of inclusion and exclusion at a local, national and global level.

For the specific core and optional courses available on each programme, check our Study pages. 

17 What is the difference between an MSc and its research track?

The Research Track provides students with advanced research training, enhancing their methodological and statistical skills. These programmes are particularly recommended for those who may wish to continue to PhD study or a research-oriented career.

18 Can I study a programme part-time?

All programmes, except the MSc Global Media and Communications, can be studied part-time. Full-time programmes run for 12 months, part-time programmes for 24 months. Please note, however, that part-time students must attend courses timetabled during the day and that evening classes are not available.

19 Are your Handbooks available online?

Yes, you can read the MSc Student Handbooks online.

20 Are there any preliminary readings I am expected to do before the beginning of my programme?

Although not required, it may be a good idea to undertake some studying to prepare for the MSc programmes, although none are compulsory. 

Please visit our Master’s programmes, and check the ‘Preliminary reading’ section on the individual programme page. 

21 Why are statistics and methodology courses compulsory for all programmes?

It is the aim of all our programmes to provide students with a robust social science background in research methodologies which includes quantitative as well as qualitative approaches. We consider this to be an essential requirement for overcoming the gap between theory and social research and a prerequisite for the conduct of the students' dissertations. Furthermore, it provides our students with the necessary critical and analytical skills that are highly rated by the media industries and research groups in both public and private sectors. 

22 How is the academic year structured?

The academic year at LSE is made up of three terms, Michaelmas (October - December), Lent (January - March) and Summer (April - June). All classroom teaching takes place in the Michaelmas and Lent terms.

Examinations take place in Janaury and in May/June. Dissertations are supervised intensively during the Summer Term and are written up over the summer vacation in time for submission in mid/late August. 

Students are required to be in London during term-time, but not during vacations, and many students return home to write up their dissertations. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that hard copies of your dissertation arrive at LSE on or before the submission deadline.

23 Will I be assigned an Academic Mentor?

At the start of the term all students will be assigned an Academic Mentor who is a member of the staff of the department. Academic Mentors take a personal interest in the student's welfare as well as in their academic studies and progress. The onus is on you to make arrangements to see your Academic Mentor and you should aim to do so at least twice each term, or more frequently if you are having particular difficulties. Students should regard their Academic Mentor as the first port of call in relation to both academic and welfare matters.

Early in the Lent Term, after submission of the first dissertation plan, each student will be allocated a Dissertation Supervisor. From that point onwards, your Dissertation Supervisor will take over the role of Academic Mentor.

24 When will my examinations take place?

Examinations take place in January and in May/June.  The timetable is published to departments and on the LSE website at the end of the Lent term in each year. Please note that the Examinations Office, which timetables each department's exams, is not able to start work on the test timetable until after students' final course choices are established in January of each year. Timetabling examinations for the whole School is a complex undertaking and you will therefore appreciate that it is impossible to produce final dates any earlier. Students should therefore avoid booking any flights at all during the examination period.

25 What are the links with the University of Southern California, Fudan University and the University of Cape Town, as far as the MSc in Global Media and Communications is concerned?

The MSc Global Media and Communications is a two-year programme. The first year of studies takes place in London, LSE, whereas for their second year applicants can choose to continue their studies in either The Annenberg School for Communication in Los Angeles, Fudan Journalism School in Shanghai or The Centre for Film and Media Studies in Cape Town.  On completion of their studies, students will have obtained both an MSc from LSE and an MA from either the Annenberg School of Communication Fudan University or the University of Cape Town. For more information on the programme and the schools, please check MSc/MA Global Media and Communications.

The job interview process can be nerve-wracking, especially when you get hit with a curveball question that you don't know how to answer. Although you can never truly predict what your interviewer will ask you, it does help to be prepared to answer some of the common tricky questions you may encounter.

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Here's how you should approach 12 of the toughest interview questions.

What Is Your Current Salary?

Your prospective employer may ask you this question, but in many places, they legally should not be asking for your salary information.

"Several states and localities now bar employers from asking this question in an attempt to end pay discrimination, which can happen when employers continuously base a person's salary on what a previous employer paid them," said Brie Reynolds, career development manager and coach at FlexJobs.

Even if your prospective employer can legally ask about your current salary, Reynolds recommends turning the question around to ask how much the role typically pays. For example, "I'd be happy to discuss salary and I'm interested to know what you had in mind for the pay range for this role."

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Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Position?

"It's definitely one of those questions that can leave you tongue-tied, so have your reasons clearly thought out beforehand," said Jacques Buffett, a career expert with Zety. "The key is to be brief and avoid being negative."

Even if you are leaving your current job because you hate it and you're bored every day, there's a way to frame this that doesn't sound like you're just complaining.

"Reframe it to something like, 'I'm leaving my job because although my current role has taught me a lot, I want to develop my career with an opportunity that challenges me more and helps me to further grow my professional abilities,'" Buffett said. "That explains it perfectly and concisely, and keeps it positive."

How Did You Get Along With Your Former Boss?

If you get along well with your boss, answering this should be a breeze -- but if they're the reason you're leaving or you tended to butt heads, it's best to answer this question delicately.

"If you truly can't think of anything nice to say about your previous boss, talk about the things you were able to accomplish while working with them," said Reynolds. "It's alright to be honest -- gently -- and say that there were some areas of your relationship that were better than others, but that you learned a lot about your own management and leadership style through them (even if it's what not to do)."

Why Do You Want This Job?

You may want the job you're interviewing for because it pays well or offers appealing perks like allowing you to work from home. But you should cater your answer to this question to be specific to the company, and provide concrete reasons why you want to work for them as opposed to other companies offering similar benefits.

What Is Your Desired Work Location?

Many companies are in a transitional state right now, with some allowing remote work or a hybrid model with plans to move back to the office full-time. If working remotely -- at least part-time -- is important to you, you can still mention this, but be sure to emphasize you are flexible.

Reynolds recommends saying something like the following: "I'm open and flexible to the location of this role, and I'm definitely interested in working remotely if the job allows it."

What Was the Corporate Culture Like at Your Previous Job?

Even if your previous work environment was toxic -- or had no culture at all -- you should answer this question delicately. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the positive aspects of your new potential company.

Reynolds suggests an answer like the following: "My previous company didn't have much in the way of company culture and building employee bonds. Your focus on team retreats and rewarding employees is a big reason I'm interested in your company."

What Are You Hoping To Gain From This Job?

Similar to, "Why do you want this job?," the answer to this question should focus more on the experience you can get at the company rather than focusing on the paycheck or perks. Explain what about the role speaks to you and elaborate on your wishes to learn and grow within the company.

What Makes You the Right Candidate for This Position?

It can be uncomfortable to brag about yourself, but this is your opportunity to explain your relevant skills and experiences -- so don't pass it up! If possible, share a specific accomplishment you achieved in a previous role that's applicable to the types of responsibilities you would have with this prospective position. For example, "In my previous role, I performed similar tasks that increased our revenue by 40%."

Tell Me About Yourself.

Because this question is so open-ended, it can be tricky to know how to answer it. How far back in your career trajectory should you go? Is it OK to talk about your nonprofessional background too? According to Buffett, the answer to that latter question is no.

"Don't launch into a description of your personal life and interests," he said. "The interviewer isn't interested in your love of Instagrammable holiday locations or your weekend activities. They want to know about you in a professional context in your own words -- not in a formulaic resume format, but to prove you can demonstrate why you're a strong candidate. They'll be looking at your communication skills and your ability to present yourself in a professional context."

Buffett recommends taking a "present-past-future" approach to answering this question.

"Start with the present, talking about your current job -- what it entails, and throw in a nice juicy accomplishment you've achieved," he said. "Then, touch on the past, mentioning how your career got you to that position and adding in other relevant skills and experience from previous jobs. Lastly, segue to the future, explaining why you want this role and why you're a great fit for it."

What Would the Person Who Likes You Least in the World Say About You?

This question may catch you off guard, so it's a good idea to prepare an answer in advance. Think of a characteristic that others may not like -- for example, your impatience -- but find a way to spin it into a positive.

For example, Reynolds suggests the following: "They'd probably point out that I'm impatient. However, I feel that it makes me a better worker as I rarely miss deadlines, I respond to emails quickly and I regularly get answers to questions I have."

What Is Your Biggest Weakness?

As with the previous question, you need to spin a negative into a positive to nail this answer.

"You need to demonstrate self-awareness with the ability to address your weakness," Buffett said. "That approach frames the 'weakness' with strength."

Buffett gives the following example: "I've struggled with confidence in the past but it's something I'm committed to improving. I've made it a habit to note my successes at work and the positive feedback I've received so I can see exactly why I should be confident about my abilities. I've also made it an aim to make at least one contribution or suggestion to team meetings and discussions. By consciously making an effort to contribute rather than fade into the background, I've helped to remove those barriers caused by a lack of confidence. It's a tough one to conquer but I'm definitely improving."

"A response like that shows real self-awareness and commitment to self-improvement -- a solid answer to this most daunting question," he said.

How Do You Handle or Manage Stress?

Your prospective employer may want to know how you react under pressure. Think about how you have approached stressful situations in the past and what worked best for you.

Reynolds suggests a response like the following: "When I get stressed out, I find it's best for me to take a step back and make a plan of attack. This helps me get a handle on the situation and figure out what I need to do to alleviate my stress and get things accomplished."

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Answer 12 of the Toughest Interview Questions