TENTATIVE SYLLABUS 

CIS 367.01 DATA COMMUNICATIONS

Fall, 2008 TR {3:00-4:15 pm} OC2017 -- Dr. Abbas Foroughi - Office: OC3074D Office Phone: 465-1667
Office Hours: TR  (2:00-3:00 & 4:15- 5:00 pm) – W (5:00-6:00 pm) 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/Fall2008/cis367f2008/c367syllf08.htm

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

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.

COB SKILL DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES:

This course will contribute to several of the College of Business skill development objectives:

1.    Use of Technology--students will implement data communication networks through hands-on assignments in which they will create a web page and a web server (peer-to-peer and client).

2. Analytical Problem Solving—students will apply network design techniques, protocols, software, network architecture,  and local area networks as a solution to business network communication needs.

3. Ethical Decision Making—students will model ethical behavior by assuming personal responsibility for attendance, assignments, and preparation for tests. Students will also compare and contrast security issues related to computer networks and their solutions.

4. Teamwork—Students collaborate effectively in a group situation in completing projects and assignments

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

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

  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

PREREQUISITES:

Junior standing in business

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. Individual Activities ( 525 points)

A. 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.

B. 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.

C. 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.

II. Group Activities (110 points):

Group activities give students an opportunity to learn to work with others in developing and evaluating software applications and in using them to develop business solutions—tasks which are required in real-world MIS environments.

Students are responsible for completing all steps called for in the case/project and for providing complete, thoughtful answers to all questions included in the cases/projects

-Students will select their own team members (3-4 students per group).. Group members should feel free to utilize each other's skills and talents on the assignments. For these assignments, each member of the group will be asked to provide an assessment of the proportion of work done by each group member. The number of points earned will be adjusted according.

A. Group Case Analysis: (30 points)

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. All students in the class should read the case before class and be prepared to discuss it. However, the students presenting the case will lead the discussion and should use the Internet to find more comprehensive, updated information about the company in the case, when it is available. Students presenting cases should also hand in to the professor their write-up of the group summary and analysis and their answers to the discussion questions at the end of the case. These written answers must be handed in the day of the presentation and will be part of the case grade.

Note: In preparing the case presentation, students should try to go beyond merely summarizing the main points. They should concentrate on what makes this 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.

B. Group Web Page Development, Presentation, and Write-Up (50 points)

Groups will create, publish and present a web page to the class. The web page should inform visitors about a fictitious data communications business, 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 services or products the company provides, such as hardware, software, consulting, design, IP Telephony, and other networking issues that are important in running a business. The web page should be interactive and should include at minimum a background, hypertext, links, various fonts and colors, images, and interactive e-mail. In its presentation to the class, each group should include the rationale for fictitious business chosen, the web model used, cost-benefit analysis, and why the elements in the web page could help to make the business successful. A formal write-up that includes these same elements should be handed in to the instructor the day of the presentation.

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

C. Locating  web server software and creating a web server site (10 points)

Note: Information about creating web server software is available at the following URL:http://www.usi.edu/business/aforough/pws/pwsinstall.htm

D. Creating Peer to Peer (10 points)

E. Client Server networks (10 points)

Note: Information about creating Peer to Peer & Client Server networks is available at the following URL:

http://www.usi.edu/business/aforough/Networking.htm

At the end of the semester, group members will be asked to rate each other regarding their positive contribution to the group’s work and to the completion of the assignments.

In short:  

PERFORMANCE	EVALUATION:	Points	Grading Scale:
Individual Activities
	I. Exams 1, 2 and 3 & Final (100 each)	400 points	A   (90% & above)
	II. Homework Assignments (19)	95points	B+ (85-89.9%)
	III. Class Participation	30 points	B  (80-84.9%)
Group Activities			C+ (75-79.9%)
	I. Case Analysis	30 points	C   (70-74.9%)
	II. Web page	50 points	D+ (67-69.9%)
	III. Web server	10 points	D   (60-64.9%)
	IV. Peer to Peer	10 points	F   (below 60%)
	V. Client Server  networks	10 points