MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
CIS 303 COURSE SYLLABUS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course number: CIS-303-02
Credit/Contact hours: 3
Term: Spring 2001
Course title: Computer Networks

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor name: John Phillips
Instructor office location: Elliott 213A
Instructor office hours: To be announced.
Instructor telephone: 570-662-4704
Instructor e-mail address: jphillip@mnsfld.edu

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

Introduction to the concepts of telecommunications, including transmission of voice, data, and images. Network principles will be introduced along with networking protocols. Local area networks and Internet will be the focus of the course. TCP/IP principles will be taught. In addition, HTML will be covered.

Prereq: none, however, the student should be comfortable running standard computer software.

Textbook

Business Data Communications Introductory Concepts and Techniques, Third Edition, Shelly, Cashman, Serwatka, 2001, Prentice-Hall, ISBN: 0-7895-5958-7.

Course Outline

1. Introduction to Communications
2. Fundamentals of Data Communications
3. Communications Media, Servers, and Clients
4. Communication Equipment
5. Data Transmission
6. Protocols
7. Network Concepts
8. Wide Area and Metropolitan Area Networks
9. Communication Services
10. The Internet
11. e-Business Applications and the Business Data Communications Industry
12. Local Area Networks
13. Network Security
14. Network Management and Software
15. Addressing the Challenge of Living in a Connected World
    

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

Class schedule

TuTh 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Equipment and supplies

Access to the Internet is required either using your own computer or by using a computer in the school's computer lab.

Grading scale and policy

(Refer to the Mansfield University Catalog for grades that can be awarded.)

A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
F < 60%

In addition, the instructor may choose to further differentiate grades with plus and minus subdivisions as outlined in the catalog.

Early quizzes may be given for college-approved absences that have been pre-approved by the instructor. No late quizzes will be given for any reason. However, the instructor will drop your two lowest quiz grades to allow for unavoidable absences such as illness, car problems, weather, etc.

Essay assignments will be displayed on-line at http://coursenotebook.com in the Homework section. Follow the directions found at that location. Essays must be submitted within the specified time frame. They should be grammatically correct, spell checked, edited for readability, technically accurate, and thoroughly referenced.

Essay and Web Site Grading Scale

A+: the work exceeds the instructor's expectations in every way and is of extraordinary quality. I very rarely give this grade. This grade is equivalent to a score of 100%.

A: the work exceeds the instructor's expectations in most ways and is excellent overall. This grade is equivalent to a score of 95%.

A-: the work exceeds the instructor's expectations in many ways and is for the most part excellent. This grade is equivalent to a score of 90%.

B: the work exceeds the stated requirements in most ways and is very good overall. This grade is equivalent to a score of 85%.

C: the work meets the requirements specified and appears to be of average quality. This grade is equivalent to a score of 75%.

D: the work is lacking in some ways or does not meet the stated requirements. Overall the work is below average quality. This grade is equivalent to a score of 65%.

F: the work is severely lacking in many ways. The numeric score will range between 0 and 59%.

Late assignment policy

Work that is late will lose one letter grade for each day late.

Methods of instruction

This is a lecture course. However, you will be given many hands-on assignments including Internet research and writing assignments, web page programming, and networking experiments.

Unique requirements of the course

Weekly quizzes are a major part of your grade. It is essential that you keep up with the material. It is a good idea to read the material before the lecture so that you can ask questions on any areas that you are confused. Then after the lecture review the material again and memorize the important terms.

COLLEGE POLICIES

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes the following actions, as well as other similar conduct aimed at making false representation with respect to the student's academic performance:

(1) cheating on an exam,
(2) collaborating with others on work to be presented, if contrary to the stated rules of the course,
(3) submitting, if contrary to the rules of the course, work previously submitted in another course,
(4) knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above actions, including assistance in an arrangement whereby work, classroom performance, examination, or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other that the student under whose name the work is submitted or performed,
(5) plagiarism.

Please refer to the Mansfield University Student Handbook for further information.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all courses and course activities for which they are registered. Any class meeting missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity of learning and may adversely affect a student's achievement in the course.

Bad Weather

If the weather is exceptionally bad, due to snow or ice, I would encourage you not to come to class -- there is a good chance I won't be there. Rather, log into our web site at coursenotebook.com and read any relevant announcements. Assuming that the web site is accessible, we will still have class, but remotely "distance learning" style.

Classroom Etiquette and Student Behavior Guidelines

Students will demonstrate respect for instructors and fellow students. Behavior that is disruptive to a positive learning environment reported by the instructor will result in a warning on the first instance; the second instance might result in expulsion from the course or campus.

Disability Support Services

Students with disabilities are advised, in compliance with federal and state laws, that accommodations and services are available through the office of Center of Services for Students with Disabilities. It is the student's responsibility to contact Disabled Student Services Advisors at this location and to submit appropriate documentation prior to receiving services.

Eating, Drinking and Smoking

Eating and drinking are not allowed in the classroom or laboratory areas. Smoking is not permitted in any College building.

Student Responsibility Policy

When a student attends the College, s/he becomes subject to its jurisdiction. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner, in all areas of campus life. By enrolling, they pledge to obey the rules and regulations of the College and are responsible for observing all College policies and procedures as published in the student handbook, the College catalog and other College publications. The student will be responsible for preparing for class, participating in class, and completing assignments on time.

Websites of Interest

Withdrawal Policy for Individual Courses

The last day to withdraw from a College course with a "W" grade is March 23. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle the student to a grade of "W" in the course.

Syllabus Change Policy

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as the course progresses.

COURSE TIMELINE