TENTATIVE SYLLABUS

CIS 367.501 DATA COMMUNICATIONS, -  Fall 2006 TR {3:00-4:15} OC2025
Dr. Abbas Foroughi - Office: OC3018 Office Phone: 465-1667
Office Hours: T ( 1: 45 - 3:00 p.m., 4:15 - 5:00 p.m.) and  R (4:15 - 6:00 p.m.), or by appointment
E-MAIL: aforough@usi.edu,  Homepage: http://business.usi.edu/aforough

Note:  TENTATIVE SYLLABUS is subject to change. For most up-to-date syllabus for this class, please click on the following URL: http://business.usi.edu/aforough/Fall2006/cis367f2006/c367syllf06.htm

** When you send me an email message, please always begin the “Subject” of your message with “CIS367”**

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COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to enable the student to implement data communication networks and to adapt to future developments in the area of telecommunications and networking. Students will learn to evaluate the basic hardware needed for a functioning network, basic technical concepts of data communications, and the various types of network configurations, and circuits. They will learn to apply  network design techniques, protocols, software, network architecture, local area networks, and will discuss and critique network management issues and security/control issues related to networks.

PREREQUISITES:

Junior standing in business.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

Stallings, William.   Business Data Communications, 5th edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2005.

 Suggested Supplemental Readings and Web Links:

 Rappa, Michael.  Managing the Digital  Enterprise. URL:  http://digitalenterprise.org/

You may be asked to read, summarize, and discuss various academic articles as a supplement to the text. You will be expected to make copies. The instructor will provide more detailed instructions in this area, as needed.

Suggested Supplemental Readings:

-Relevant current journal articles will be assigned.

-Relevant books will be assigned

MAJOR  STUDENT OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

·        Describe data communications, name uses of data communications, and detail the basic components of a communications network.

·        Discuss the various types of existing communications networks as well as those which will be developed in the near future.

·        Compare and contrast hardware and software which make networks more efficient, faster, more secure, easier to use, able to transmit several simultaneous messages, and able to interconnect with other networks.

·       Identify common carriers, tariffs, and regulations applicable to networks and data communications.

·        Classify the circuits that are available for voice and data networks, their transmission speeds (bandwidth), and how they are packaged for commercial use.

·        Assess the importance of adapting a data communication network's offerings to meet the changing and challenging networking needs of organizations.

·        Summarize the concept of local area networks, describe their use ,how a local area network is installed, its topologies and protocols.

·        Narrate the basic management skills required to be a successful network manager.

·        Conceptualize why networks need security and control, what errors might occur, and how to control network errors.

 
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Academic dishonesty such as plagiarism, cheating, etc. WILL NOT be tolerated. Students are encouraged to consult the university's code of conduct regarding this matter. Any instance of dishonesty may result in expulsion from the course with a grade of "F".

MAKE UP EXAM POLICY:

Make up exams will be given to students receiving PRIOR permission to be absent during the regular exam period. Such permission will be granted only if a strong need is demonstrated by student. Make up exams will likely be different (both in form and content) from the regular exam.

DISABILITY SUPPORT:
Students with disabilities can receive assistance through the University Counseling Center. More information is available from the Counseling Center in OC 1022, (812)464-1867 or TDD (812)465-7072. Students are encouraged to discuss any special needs with instructor at the beginning of the semester.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

Student grades will be based on:  

I. Exams:  (400 points)
There  will be 4 essay exams (including the final). Exams 1, 2 and 3 will each be worth 100 points. The final exam will be worth 100 points, as it will be partially comprehensive.

II. Presentation of Article or Case: (35 Points)
Students will complete one of the following assignments:

1)    Locate and present one current article which describes practical applications of the topics discussed in the text for presentation to the class. This article should pertain to the material in the chapter being studied at the time. At the beginning of the semester, each student will tell the professor the day on which he/she chooses to give the presentation as well as the topic he/she will find an article about. Students should hand in a photocopy of the article and a short outline of the important points brought out in the article.

2)    The textbook contains eleven case studies, located immediately following the chapter to which they relate. Students should select one of the eleven cases included in the textbook, for presentation, to the class during a class session which covers the material in the chapter that precedes the case. At the beginning of the semester, each student should tell the professor which case he/she will present.  In their presentation, students should give a description of the issues discussed in the case and discuss the questions at the end of the case. Students presenting cases should also hand in  to the professor the answers to the discussions questions. These written answers must be handed in the day of the presentation and will be part of the case grade.

Note: In preparing the article or case presentation, students should try to go beyond merely summarizing the main points. They should concentrate on what makes this article or case relevant to the topic being studied and what issues or problems it raises. While content will be a major consideration for grading the presentation, such things as grammar and organization will also be taken into consideration.

III. Homework and Assignments ( 95 points)

There will be 19 homework assignments, each worth 5 points. Points will be taken off homework assignments that are submitted late (by 1 or 2 class sessions), but credit will not be given for homework which is submitted more than 1 or 2 class sessions after it is due.

 IV. Projects:(3)

·        (35 Points) Creating and publishing a web page that informs visitors about a topic or topics in data communication, with a statement of the purpose of the page and multiple useful data communication links. For instance, the web page could focus on informing visitors about the various types of wireless communication,  a specific type of wireless communication, or could compare different network interface cards. Your web pages should include at minimum a background, hypertext, links, various fonts and colors, images, and interactive e-mail.

Note: Information about creating and publishing web pages is available at the following URL: http://business.usi.edu/aforough/webcreate1.htm

·    (10 Points) Locating  web server software and creating a web server site

·   (10 Points) Creating Peer to Peer & Client Server networks.

V. Optional Term  Project:    (100 Points)

·        Students may choose to do a Term Project in which they write a detailed proposal for an application of data communications hardware or software for a business entity. The project report should include a description of the business entity, identification of a data communications need which exists in the company, a detailed description of the proposed system and what its impact will be on the company, and a description of the implementation of the new system (if you did implement it). Project must be completed for submission and presentation at least a week before the end of semester. Students  should submit a topic proposal for the term project on the date indicated in the class schedule.

·        Term project grades will be determined in the following manner: while content will be a major consideration for the grading of the project, students should realize that grammar, spelling, organization, neatness - professionalism - will have a large impact on the grade. A topic proposal for the term project should be submitted on the date indicated in the class schedule.

·        The due date for the Term Project is listed in the class schedule. Students are expected to present the project to the class during the last week of class.

 
VI. Participation, Attendance,   (30 Points)
Students are expected to participate in class, which means coming to class prepared to answer questions about the chapter materials (especially that contained in the review questions at the end of each chapter). Students should participate in case discussions and article presentations and discussions. This class involves much learning-by-doing in class. Class attendance is a very important part of overall performance in this course. Absences will affect student grades in this class.
                             In short:  

TENTATIVE CLASS  SCHEDULE  

CIS 367.501 DATA COMMUNICATIONS, -  Fall 2006 TR {3:00-4:15} OC2025
Dr. Abbas Foroughi - Office: OC3018 Office Phone: 465-1667
Office Hours: T ( 1: 45 - 3:00 p.m., 4:15 - 5:00 p.m.) and  R (4:15 - 6:00 p.m.), or by appointment
E-MAIL: aforough@usi.edu,  Homepage: http://business.usi.edu/aforough

 Note:  TENTATIVE SYLLABUS is subject to change. For most up-to-date syllabus for this class, please click on the following URL: http://business.usi.edu/aforough/Fall2006/cis367f2006/c367syllf06.htm

** When you send me an email message, please always begin the “Subject” of your message with “CIS367”**

Assignments are due before class

*Above schedule is subject to change.  For most up-to-date syllabus for this class, please click on the following URL: http://business.usi.edu/aforough/Fall2006/cis367f2006/c367syllf06.htm

Students are expected to read all materials in advance of the  lecture and be prepared to discuss and answer/ask questions. Students should plan on reading 1 chapter ahead.

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