COMPUTER NETWORKS

CS450/450G

 

SYLLABUS

 

Instructor        : Dr. Mostafa G. Mostafa

WebSite          : www.wku.edu/~mostafa.mostafa

E-mail              : mostafa.mostafa@wku.edu

Office              : TCCW Room 113B

            Phone  : (270) 745-6183

Hours  : MW:  9:00 am to 10 am, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm

              Fri: 11:15 am to 12:15 pm

  Tue, Thu: by Appointment

 

Course Description:

This course covers Basic networking concepts, network life cycle, transmission media/control, design models and issues, Internet working, hardware/software, applications.

Topics: application-layer networking, transport protocols (TCP and UDP), routing protocols, IP, link-level protocols, wireless networking, and multimedia networking.

Graduate students are expected to work more on research topics than undergraduate students in this course.

 

Course Goals:

Understand the principles of network design, using a top-down approach and focusing on the Internet.

Understand how the Internet works, from the transport layer down to the physical layer.

Design network applications using sockets, threading, and concurrency.

Introduce the latest research in Internet technologies.

Text:

            Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet, third edition, by James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, Addison Wesley, 2005, ISBN 0-321-22735-2.

 

Reading Assignments:

Reading assignments serve as an aid to the class lecture topics.  They will be given in class and are expected to be completed before the next class.  Announced quizzes will be given on reading assignments.

 

Attending Policy:

Attendance will be recorded during each class meeting. You will miss a lot but your grade will be affected by 5 % of final grade if you absence more than 3 classes without accepted excuse.

 

Grading Policy:

Assignments/Quizzes              25%

Mid Term Exams                    20%

Final Exam                              25%

Final Project                            25%

Participation/Attendance        5%

 

Note: Arrangements must be made IN ADVANCE if for some valid reason you cannot take an exam at the scheduled time.

90% - 100%    A

80% - 89%      B

70% - 79%      C

60%-69%        D

<=60%            F

 

Lab Policy:

 

Lab will involve solving Network Programming problems related to course content. Labs are due at start of the classes.

 

Term Project (Team-based for non online class – individual-based for the online class):


The purpose of the term project is to build a complete Network application based on the topics covered in class and/or the book topics. The whole class will be divided into groups of 2-3 students. Each group will be responsible to come up with a project idea. An approved project proposal is required before the mid term. Each group will be asked at the last 2 weeks (before the final exam week) to present their work to the class. One of the groups (randomly) will be asked to present the project orally. This means that all of the group members MUST be ready to present the project. In the second class, another team member will be selected randomly to be asked about the project code. Half of the groups will present the project the first week and the next half will be in the next week. The determination of the team’s presentations order will be randomly too. A final report with a complete documentation (well documented code – screen shots – project description) is required on the presentation day.

 

Cheating Policy


Students are encouraged to work together and learn from each other.  However, cheating in any form on exams, or copying of homework or computer programs will not be tolerated.  Any evidence of cheating will result in a failing grade for the course.

 

General Policy:


Homework is due at the start of class on the due date. Late homework will only be accepted in extenuating circumstances.

 

Student Disability Services

In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the Student Success Center in Downing University Center.

Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

 

The Learning Center (TLC)

Located in the Academic Advisng and Retenion Center, DUC-A330
Should you require academic assistance with this course, or any other General Education Course, there are several places that can provide you with help. TLC tutors in most major undergraduate subjects and course levels throughout the week. To make an appointment, or to request a tutor for a specific class, call 745-6254 or stop by DUC A330.  Log on to TLC’s website at www.wku.edu/tlc to find out more. TLC hours: M-Thu. 8am-9pm, Fri. 8am-4pm, Sat.-Closed, and Sundays 4pm-9pm.

 

Course Calendar:

 

Chapter 1 Computer Networks and the Internet

Chapter 2 Application Layer

Chapter 3 Transport Layer

Chapter 4 The Network Layer

Chapter 5 The Link Layer and Local Area Networks

Chapter 6 Wireless and Mobile Networks

Chapter 7 Multimedia Networking

Chapter 8 Security in Computer Networks

Chapter 9 Network Management