LSIS 5470: Computer-Based Information Networks

Spring 2005

Antonio Hill Class Hours:

333-B Shepard Library Saturdays, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Office: 530-7322/491-6056 (cell) Office Hours:

Email: ahill@nccu.edu By appointment

Course Description

This is an introductory networking course intended to provide students with a detailed understanding of computer-based communications and networking technologies and how they are used in distributed information systems. Topics include: communications fundamentals, transmission media, networking technologies (e.g., LAN and WAN), network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP), routing, socket programming, Internet economics and policy-making. Methods of data communications, interfacing between computers and communication networks, and computer-to-computer transfer of information are also covered.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to: (a) analyze the data communications requirements of business organizations, (b) recommend local and/or wide area networking approaches for meeting these requirements, and (c) evaluate the data and voice communications services available from the common carriers in telecommunications industry. Students are prepared to take advantage of data communications options in today's business environment.

Instruction Methods And Evaluation

Homework 33%

Quizzes 33%

Final Exam/Project 33%

Class Participation 1%

Textbook

Required: Douglas Comer, Computer Networks and Internets, 3rd Edition.

Grading System. The grading system is as follows:

97 – 100 A+ 78 – 80 C+

94 – 96 A 74 – 77 C

90 – 94 A- 70 – 73 C-

87 – 89 B+ 0 – 69 F

84 – 86 B

81 – 83 B-

When I average numeric grades, I will use the number. When I average letter grades, I will do so by assigning the midpoint (rounded up) of the above values to each:

A+ 99 C+ 79

A 95 C 76

A- 93 C- 72

B+ 88 F 35 for poor work

B 85 F 0 for no work

B- 82

For example, the average of four assignments given an A, an A-, an 89, and an 86 would be:

( 95 + 93 + 89 + 86 ) / 4 = 90 = A-

On Time. Please note that all work is expected to be completed on time, which means that it should be handed in at the beginning of the class for which it is due. My policy is to deduct 5 points per class period from work that is handed in late. Please note that I will not accept assignments after I return graded assignments to other students in the class.

Changes to Work. Once you have handed in work, you may not make any changes or corrections to it.

Cheating or Plagiarism. I do not tolerate any form of cheating or plagiarism. If you are not sure about what constitutes cheating or plagiarism, please ask me. See “Cheating” in the Student Handbook at http://www.slis.nccu.edu/handbook or http://www.nccu.edu/slis/home/handbook.

Incompletes. If you take an incomplete in a course, the work must be completed within six months of the end of the course. Otherwise, all incomplete work will be given a grade of zero, and your grade for the course will be determined by the average grade that results. Also note that work handed in to resolve an incomplete is, by definition, handed in late and will be graded as such. (Please see paragraph “On Time”.)

Questions. If you have any questions, please see me.

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