TENTATIVE SYLLABUS ( is subject to change).

Spring, 2012 -- CIS 367.01 DATA COMMUNICATIONS

M {6:00-8:45 pm} BE 3028 -- Dr. Abbas Foroughi - Office: BE: 2069 Office Phone: 465-1667
Office Hours M (4:00-6:00 pm) T (10:00-11:30 am) W(10:00-12:00) by appointment.

E-MAIL: aforough@usi.eduHomepage: http://business.usi.edu/aforough

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

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

Stallings, William.Business Data Communications, 6^th edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2009. 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.

Optional Text:

Applied Networking Labs by Randall Boyle, Prentice Hall, 2011

PREREQUISITE:

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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting or TDD (812)465-7072 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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 (700 points)

A.Exams (400 points)

There will be 4 essay/multiple choice exams (including the final), each worth 100 points.

B.Homework and Assignments (100 points)

There will be 20 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 2 class sessions after it is due.

C.    Labs ( 5 hands on lab exercises .. each worth 10 points) (50 Points)

The Applied Networking Labs by Randall Boyle, Prentice Hall, 2011 will guide your through the installation and basic operation of software used in the field of networking. The book also provides hands-on experience using various networking tools.

As you complete each lab project, watch for instructions to take a screenshot by pressing Alt-PrtScn or Ctrl-PrtScn at specific points in the project. The screenshots serve as an indication that you completed the steps in the project. You should paste all of the screenshots for each project into a document and hand it to me or email it to me at aforough@usi.edu. I may also ask you to explain how you completed the project to the other groups.

D. 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 & Group Hands on Lab Activates (120 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. At the end of the semester, 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 11 case studies, located immediately following the chapter to which they relate. Students should select one of the cases 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 presentations, 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 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 Site Development, Presentation, and Write-Up (60 points)

The purpose of this project is to develop a web site to support a fictitious .com or click and mortar data communications company that markets one or more of the following: data communications hardware (servers, cables, routers, switchers, etc.) and software, data communications services like consulting, maintaining, installing and expanding data communications networks OR wide area networks, high-speed lines, and connections services.

Details about the web site project are available at:http://www.usi.edu/business/aforough/Fall2011/C367f2011/Creating-New-Internet-Business.htm

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

D.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

E.Creating Peer to Peer (10 points)

F.Client Server Networks (10 points)

Note: Information about creating Peer to Peer and Client Server networks is available at the following URL: http://www.usi.edu/business/aforough/Networking.htm

In short:

TENTATIVE SYLLABUS ( is subject to change).

Spring, 2012 -- CIS 367.01 DATA COMMUNICATIONS

M {6:00-8:45 pm} BE 3028 -- Dr. Abbas Foroughi - Office: BE: 2069 Office Phone: 465-1667
Office Hours M (4:00-6:00 pm) T (10:00-11:30 am) W(10:00-12:00) by appointment.

E-MAIL: aforough@usi.eduHomepage: http://business.usi.edu/aforough

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

*The above schedule is subject to change.

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