CO285: Introduction to Networks

Course Syllabus

Text

Comer, Computer Networks and Internets, Prentice Hall, 1997.

Course Description

This course covers the essentials of computer networking, from transmission media to high level applications like World Wide Web browsers (e.g., Navigator or Internet Explorer). We will cover almost all the text, though not in a strictly sequential order. Part of the class will involve lab time, where we can work on and discuss the various assignments.

Grading

Grades will be based on :

• a research paper
• oral presentation of the paper
• several projects and written assignments
• a comprehensive, take-home final

Grading is on a sliding scale, based on the following weights:

Calculate your Grade

All students are expected to understand the work they submit, including ALL the work submitted by a team. Students who can't explain the work they submit will receive a 0 for the assignment, regardless of the quality of the submitted work. As a rule, I don't accept late assignments. Late assignments will result in 0 credit. Please see the instructor for extenuating circumstances.

Important Dates

Plagiarism

See the Rockhurst College Bulletin for policies regarding academic honesty.
The projects that you submit in this class should essentially be your own or that of your team. That means what you type at the keyboard should be from your own notes, not from someone else's notes or printouts.
Copying a report or program from another student is plagiarism, even if you modify it to disguise the act or add some enhancements. Modifying your program in parallel with another student is not acceptable either. If both of you are struggling, then stop typing and go back to the drawing board, away from the computer.
On the other hand, not all forms of cooperation are plagiarism. Discussing a problem with another student is okay. So is DESIGNING an algorithm to solve a problem. Helping someone else to correct mistakes in a program is fine, as long as the corrections don't mean rewriting major chunks of code. Significant help must be acknowledged in writing when the assignment is submitted.
Students caught cheating will receive a 0 on the assignment and may receive an F for the course, as allowed by the Rockhurst Policy on Academic Honesty.

Incidentals

My section will be meeting in Richardson 205 on Thursdays at 6pm. This class room has a slew of NT4 machines and its own laser printer. Machines for the class have been outfitted with several Internet-related applications, including Internet Explorer, FrontPage, and a Telnet and FTP client. This classroom is regularly open to students outside of scheduled class times (other classes will take place in this room) for students to complete assignments. Students with their own computers will be aided in obtaining/configuring similar setups so they can complete assignments off-campus.