Course Syllabus
 

COURSE:     CPSC 435 01 / GBIS 725 Computer Networks, Spring 2005
 

Meets: Wednesdays from (7:00 pm-10:00 pm)

Dates: 01/19/2005 to 04/27/2005

Place: MAIN LEWIS 004 

Adjunct Instructor: Frank Brandon, MLIS, MS/CIS

Contact Information:

Office Phone:

708-524-6997, Extension 1305

Office Hours:

 By Appointment Only

Email: frankbrandon@hotmail.com


Course Description and Overview:


Prerequisite or co-requisite
None Listed

You are also expected to know how to use a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, or Netscape and a word processor like Microsoft Word. You should also have some familiarity with DOS and working with the DOS prompt.


OBJECTIVES:

The main goal of this course is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of networking technologies, concepts and terminology. You will learn about the equipment and technologies used in LANs and WANs. You will learn about the network topologies in use today and design a network using these topologies. A variety of network equipment will be discussed, including hubs, routers, switches, and NICs. LAN architectures are covered including Ethernet, token ring, and FDDI. Also, you will learn about wide area networking technologies and remote access technologies such as X.25, ISDN, frame relay, ATM, DSL, SMDS, and SONET networks. Wireless networking and handheld computing is also discussed. All major LAN and WAN protocols will be discussed including TCP/IP and the newer IPv6, In addition you will learn about the OSI layered communications model. Aside from learning the technologies involved in networking, you will gain a basic understanding of the daily tasks involved with managing and troubleshooting a network, which includes networking from a Network Administrator's point of view as well as a Webmaster's point of view. You will have a variety of hands-on and case project assignments that reinforce the concepts you read in each chapter.

  

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Text:

Greg Tomsho, Ed Tittel, David Johnson,  Guide to Networking Essentials, Fourth Edition Course Technology Inc., 2004, ISBN 0-619-21532


Software:

Microsoft Office 2000, Microsoft Office XP, or Microsoft Office 2003


COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

To successfully complete the course, each student will be required to:

•

  Read all print materials as assigned.

•

  Respond to posted or written assignments when and where applicable.

•

  Take and satisfactorily pass the mid-term and final exams.

•

  Complete all written assignments by the dates and times indicated. Note: Late assignments and/or projects will not be accepted unless extenuating circumstances preclude you from handing the assignments and/or projects in on time. For the sake of clarity all assignments are due at the beginning of each class session.

•

  Complete and present the Individual Project on the due date as listed below.

•

  Assignments will include review questions and research.

•

  There will be 2 tests- The mid-term will have 65 questions and the final will have 50 questions.        

•

  The Individual Project is a network design and implementation plan and includes a
  PowerPoint Presentation.

•

  Class participation and attendance is required.


COURSE CONTENT

1.      Introduction to Networks and Networking Concepts
2. Network Design Essentials
3. Networking Media
4. Network Interface Cards
5. Making Networks Work
6. Network Communications and Protocols
7. Network Architectures
8. Simple Network Operations
9. Understanding Complex Networks
10. Network Administration and Support
11.
Enterprise and Distributed Networks
12. Wide Area and Large-Scale Networks
13. Solving Network Problems

Appendices For Your Reference Only:
A: Common Networking Standards and Older Technologies
B: Planning and Implementing Networks
C: Network Troubleshooting Guide
D: Networking Resources, Online and Offline

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

Week

Lecture On

Reading Assignment

Class Assignment

Other Activities

1

Chapter 1
01/19

Chapter 1 Due 01/26

End-of-chapter review questions

 Projects 1.1, 1.3

2

Chapter 2
01/26

Chapter 2 Due 02/02

End-of-chapter review questions

 Projects 2.1, 2.2

3

Chapter 3
02/02

Chapter 3 Due 02/09

End-of-chapter review questions

 Projects 3.6, 3.7

4

Chapter 4
02/09

Chapter 4 Due 02/16

End-of-chapter review questions

 Projects 4.3, .4.4

5

Chapter 5
02/16

Chapter 5 Due 02/23

End-of-chapter review questions

 Projects 5.1, 5.3

6

Chapter 6
02/23

Chapter 6
 Due 03/02

End-of-chapter review questions

 Projects 6.4, 6.5

7

No Lecture
03/02

  
** Mid-Term **
 
 

 ** Mid-Term **
 Covering Chapters
 1-6 03/02/2005

** Mid-Term **

 

8

03/09 No  Lecture
 No Class
Mid-Semester Vacation
Chapter 8 (Optional)
 Due 04/20

 

03/09 No  Lecture
 No Class
Mid-Semester Vacation
Chapter 8 (Optional)
 Due 04/20

03/09 No  Lecture
 No Class
Mid-Semester Vacation
Chapter 8 (Optional)
 Due 04/20

 03/09 No  Lecture
 No Class
Mid-Semester Vacation
Chapter 8 (Optional)
 Due 04/20

9

Chapter 7
03/16

Chapter 7
 Due 03/23

End-of-chapter review questions

Project 7.4

10

Chapter 9
03/23

Chapter 9
 Due 03/30

End-of-chapter review questions

 No Projects Due

11

Chapter 11
03/30

Chapter 11
 Due 04/06

End-of-chapter review questions

Project 11.5

12

 

Chapter 12
04/06

 

Chapter 12
 Due 04/13

 

End-of-chapter review questions

 

Projects 12.1,
 12.2

 

13

Chapter 13
04/13

Chapter 13
 Due 04/20

End-of-chapter review questions

 No Projects Due

14

No Lecture
04/20 Individual
 Projects &
 Presentations
 Due

No Lecture
04/20 Individual
 Projects &
 Presentations
 Due

No Lecture
04/20 Individual
 Projects &
 Presentations
 Due

 No Lecture
04/20 Individual
 Projects &
 Presentations
 Due

15

No Lecture

 Final  04/27/05

 Final  04/27/05

 Final 04/27/05


GRADING SYSTEM:

Tests:                                       30 %   of your final grade
Assignments:                           40 %   of your final grade
Individual Project
and Presentation:
                    25%   of your final grade
Class Participation:                 5%   of your final grade

Total:                                      100%
 

Grade Letter equivalents for percentage of points achieved are below:

•

            A         90%-100%                                  

•

            B         80%-89%                                   

•

            C         70%-79%                        

•

            D         60%-69%                                    

•

            F         Below 60%                


WITHDRAWALS:

It is the student's responsibility to withdraw. If a student does not formally withdraw in the registrar’s office, the grade assigned will be an F. Please refer to the student handbook on this matter.


Only in cases of extreme emergency or extenuating circumstances will a grade of “I” incomplete be considered.


EXAMINATIONS:

All exams, including Mid-Term and Final, are a combination of Multiple Choice, True / False, Fill-in the Blanks and identifying diagrams fairly similar to the End-of-chapter review questions.
 

•

Mid-Term Examination 03/02/2005

•

Final Examination 04/27/2005


 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT

The Individual Project involves the submission of a design for a Local Area Network. This includes specifications for Hardware, Operating System and Application Software, Topology, Cabling and all necessary devices, services and protocols.  A floor plan, logical network diagram, complete layout and design, estimated cost and a Power Point presentation are among the deliverables. The specifics will be distributed and discussed around the mid-term timeframe and students will have the second half of the semester to work on the assignment.


**NOTE ANY PART OF THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY**
 **TIME AS THE SITUATION WARRANTS**