INSS 538: Communication Systems and Networks (3)

 

Course Information:

 

      Instructor:               Carl A. Scharpf

      E-Mail:                    cascharpf@faculty.ed.umuc.edu

      Meeting Dates:        Weekends: Aug 17/18, Sep 7/8 & 21/22, Oct 5/6

      Meeting Times:       9:00 to 16:00

      Location:                University of Maryland at Lakenheath, England

      Term:                     Term I, 2002

 

Course Description:

Prerequisites: Either INSS 510, INSS 520 or permission of the instructor. This course provides an analysis of data communication technologies and their applications. It gives an in-depth view of the communication environment, data communication and telecommunication equipment, and local and wide area networks. Students participate in at least one case study of communication systems in an educational, industrial, governmental, or military environment.

 

Grading:

6 Assignments............................ 30%

Midterm................................... 30%

Final........................................ 40%

 

Course Grades

      A................................... 90 to 100%

      B..................................... 80 to 89%

      C..................................... 70 to 79%

      F.................................... below 70%

 

General Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of INSS 538, a student should be able to understand and use:

ü       the concepts and terminology of data communications;

ü       network design and distributed information systems;

ü       equipment, protocols, architectures, and transmission alternatives;

ü       communication environments, regulatory issues, and network pricing and management.

 

Required Text:

Data Communications & Computer Networks, Second Edition

  by Curt M. White

Attendance and Late Assignments:

Class attendance is highly important. Unexcused absences may lead to a substantial lowering of a student’s course grade. Students are expected to spend a substantial amount of time outside of class working on assignments. Grades for assignments submitted after the due date will be reduced by 25%.

Course Schedule:

 

    Week-

       End   Dates       Chapters           Topics                                          Assignments and Exams

        1     Aug 17     Chapters 1, 2    Intro to Networks and Data           

                                                      Communications; Data & Signals

               Aug 18     Chapters 3, 4    Conducted and Wireless Media;     Assignment 1 Due (Hands-On)

                                                      Making Connections

 

        2     Sep 7       Chapters 5, 6    Multiplexing; Error Detection         Assignment 2 Due (Take-Home)

                                                      and Error Control                         

               Sep 8       Chapter 7          LANs: The Basics                          Midterm in the Afternoon

 

        3     Sep 21     Chapters 8, 9    LANs: Internetworking;                 Assignment 3 Due (Take-Home)

                                                      LANs: Software and Support

               Sep 22     Chapters 10, 11 MANs and WANs;                          Assignment 4 Due (Hands-On)

                                                      The Internet

 

        4     Oct 5       Chapter 12, 13  Telecommunications Systems;       Assignment 5 Due (Take-Home)                                                   

                                                      Network Security                          Assignment 6 Due (Hands-On)

     Oct 6       Chapter 14        Network Design Development        Final Exam in Afternoon