(TENTATIVE SYLLABUS)
CIS 367.501 DATA COMMUNICATIONS, - Summer, 2005 MTWTH {2:00-4:20} OC3036
Dr. Abbas Foroughi - Office: OC3018 Office Phone: 812-465-1667  

Office Hours: T,TH  (4:20 - 6:00 pm) or by appointment
  E-MAIL: aforough@usi.edu ,   Homepage: http://business.usi.edu/aforough
Go To CLASS SCHEDULE

 (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 give the student a thorough understanding of the existing use of data communication networks as well as of future developments in the area of telecommunications and networking. The course will cover aspects such as the basic hardware needed for a functioning network, basic technical concepts of data communications, and the various types of network configurations, and circuits. Also included will be network design techniques, protocols, software, network architecture, local area networks, 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 will 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:

·        Define data communications, name uses of data communications, and list the basic components of a communications network.

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

·        Describe other pieces of 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.

·        Understand the basic technical concepts of data communications.

·        Describe the three key elements in network configurations.

·        Be familiar with the various types of network configurations.

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

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

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

·        Understand how to design networks by using manual or hand calculations and by using computerized network design techniques.

·        Define the differences between protocols, software, and network architecture.

·        Describe the use of microcomputers and their use in networks.

·        Define the concept of local area networks and describe their use.

·        Describe how a local area network is installed, its topologies and its protocols.

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

·        Understand 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:

Exams:  (420 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 120 points, as it will be partially comprehensive.

Presentation of Article or Case: (40 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.

Homework and Assignments (80 points)

A total of 4 homework assignments, worth 20 points each, will be given. They are listed on the syllabus. All assignments are due at the beginning of class, on the due date. No late assignments will be accepted.

 Projects:(3)

·        (40 Points) Creating and publishing a web page with several useful data communication links. 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/abbsyll.htm

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

·        (20 Points) Creating Peer to Peer and Client Server networks.

  Optional Term Paper / Term Project:    (100 Points)

·        Students will choose a topic to research which relates to Data Communications. The term paper should include a list of sources used and citations of the sources in the body of the paper. The paper should be approximately 10 pages, double- spaced, in length.

·        Instead of doing a term paper you may choose to do a Term Project in which you 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 your 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. You should submit a topic proposal for your term project on the date indicated in your class schedule.

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

·        The due dates for both Term Paper and Term Project are listed in the class schedule. You are expected to present your paper or project to the class during the last week of class.

 
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 your overall performance in this course. Absences will affect your grade in this class.
 

  In short:
 

 (TENTATIVE SYLLABUS)
CIS 367.501 DATA COMMUNICATIONS, -  Summer 2005  MTWTH {2:00-4:20} OC3036
Dr. Abbas Foroughi - Office: OC3018 Office Phone: 812-465-1667  

 Office Hours: T,TH  (4:20 - 6:00 pm) or by appointment
  E-MAIL: aforough@usi.edu ,   Homepage: http://business.usi.edu/aforough
Go To CLASS SCHEDULE

 (Note: 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.

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

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