• Textbooks and Technology
• Instructor Information
• Course Description
• Course Objectives
• Course Procedures
• Grading Procedures
• Course Schedule

Additional articles as assigned

Technology

Linux and Windows environments. Students will work with both the Windows and Linux environments.

Networking lab. Several lab exercises and assignments will be completed the networking laboratory. This laboratory has seven networking stations. Each station includes a desktop running linux which will be used as a server, a laptop running Windows which will be used as a client, a switch, and a router. A single wireless access point is also included in the lab.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of local and wide area networks, their design and implementation, digital data communication techniques, protocols and architectures. The design and development of applications that work over a network will be emphasized. This course will also include an introduction to the Linux/Unix operating System.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The objectives for this course include:

• Students will develop an understanding and knowledge of the typical layers a computer network is broken into including the basic function of each layer and its relationship with the other layers of the network.
• Students will be introduced to the various protocols and algorithms used at each layer of the network.
• Students will learn about the issues involved in developing an application that runs over a computer network.
• Students will become comfortable working in the Unix/Linux environment
• Students will learn about the various tasks and issues involved in managing a computer network.
• Students will become informed about societal and ethical issues related to computer networks.

COURSE PROCEDURES: This course will include lecture, discussion,and laboratory work. Class time will be spent lecturing and discussing material from the text, homework questions, and projects related to computer networks.  This course will include extensive laboratory work. Two types of labs will be included. There will be labs that focus on programming and network application development. Programming work will use Java and the sockets they provide for developing network programs.  Students will be given group programming projects to complete outside of class based on their lab work.  The course will also include lab work in the networking laboratory. These labs wil focus on network managment issues and will utilize typical networking equipment. Students will complete labs in class, but will be expected to spend time in the lab prior to and following class completing the lab exercises. In addition to the lab work, students will also be assigned questions from text book to assist them in developing an understanding of the material in the text.  These homework assignments may be done collaboratively. Various readings and two papers related to ethical and social issues will be assigned.

Academic Honesty. Plagiarism and cheating of any form are serious offenses and may result in an F for the assignment, the course, or expulsion from the college. The details of Central's Academic Integrity policy are found in the Student Handbook, on the web. A copy will be sent to you via e-mail during the first week of the semester. It is your responsibility to read and understand the contents of that policy before you submit work to be graded. Questions regarding the policies and enforcement of the policies may be addressed to me during class or during office hours.

Collaboration in Computer Science, as in almost any field, is very important. Many apects of this course can be completed in pairs or groups. However, it is also important that individual students learn the material. When working on homework assignments, you are encouraged to discuss your answers with other students. However, you should understand the answers you are turning in! When developing a program it is often beneficial to talk with others to get their input, however you or your group should not be turning in the work of another individual or group. It is acceptable to look at another individuals code if you are assisting them. You should not, however, let someone look at your code in order to show them how you did it, or to give them specific instructions on how they should change their code (other than to find syntactical errors).

GRADING PROCEDURES: Students will be evaluated on their understanding of the concepts being covered in class, and their ability to apply those concepts in homework problems and other projects.

The final grade will be determined by the following distribution:

Notification of participation in college sanctioned events. Mock Trial participants, choir tour participants, athletes, and others who must miss a class for participating in a college sanctioned event are expected to notify me in advance and complete work including tests in advance of the absence. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with me in advance regarding their absences and determine a schedule for make up work.

Disabilities
Central College abides by interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that stipulates no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap." Disabilities covered by law include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities, hearing, sight, or mobility impairments, and other health related impairments. If you have a documented disability that may have some impact on your work in this class for which you may require accommodations, please see me and Nancy Kroese, Director of Student Support Services and Disabilities Services Coordinator, (x 5247) during the first two weeks of the semester so that such accommodations may be arranged.

Notification of Participation in College Sanctioned Events
Mock Trail participants, choir tour participants, athletes, and others who must miss a class for participating in a college sanctioned event are expected to notify me in advance and complete work including tests in advance of the absence. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with me in advance regarding their absences and determine a schedule for make up work.

COURSE SCHEDULE: The following is a TENTATIVE order in which the topics of the class will be covered. Changes may be made during the semester as needed. Check the webpage for links to the lab exercises and assignments for more details and information about a specific lab or assignment.