CS3201

CS3201 Computer Networks

Part I

Course Duration: One Semester

Credit Units: 3

Level: B3

Medium of Instruction: English

Pre-requisites: Nil

Pre-cursors:
CS2112 Computer Organization & Assembly Language /or
CS2113 Computer Organization /or
CS2114 Computer Organization for Media /or
CS2115 Computer Organization /or equivalent

Equivalent Courses: Nil

Exclusive Courses: Nil

Part II

Course Aims:
This course aims to introduce some of the fundamental concepts in data communication and computer networks. The framework of the course is the layered architecture, with the network dependent layers and the transport layer as the main focus. Examples will be drawn liberally from the Internet to illustrate abstract concepts so that students can understand how a computer network actually works.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
(state what the student is expected to be able to do at the end of the course according to a given standard of performance)

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No.	CILOs	Weighting(if applicable)
1.	identify and describe the key transmission level technologies used in communication networks;	20%
2.	apply the concepts of layered architecture in assessing the placement of network devices, protocols and services;	15%
3.	explain the working of error control and medium access control protocols in the data link layer and apply them to both wired and wireless local area networks;	15%
4.	explain the role of routing, congestion and flow control, naming and internetworking in the context of a global network such as the Internet, and the common protocols used to implement these functions;	25%
5.	compare the services provided by the UDP/TCP transport layer protocols and explain the mechanisms used to provide a reliable data transport service on an unreliable IP network;	10%
6.	analyze the application of network technologies in designated scenarios and explore how these technologies can be deployed to support the Quality of Service requirements of current and future applications.	15%

Teaching and learning Activities (TLAs):
(designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs)

Teaching pattern:
Suggested lecture/tutorial/laboratory mix: 2 hrs. lecture; 1 hr. tutorial.

ILO No	TLAs	Hours/week(if applicable)
CILO 1 to CILO 5	The basic concepts will be covered in the lectures, which will include case studies of computer networks to help the students apply their knowledge to real-life problems. The tutorials provide an opportunity for the students to discuss and deepen their understanding of material learned during the lecture. In particular, questions will be formulated in the form of specific scenarios to help the students to apply concepts learned and to encourage them to propose creative solutions. Students who have demonstrated initiative during the tutorials through creative thinking or the proposal of innovative ideas will be given bonus marks. A series of assignments, aimed at helping with the students' learning the concepts and techniques, will be given. The assignment results will also serves as feedback so that the lecturer can pace the presentations accordingly.
CILO 6	The students will be asked to integrate what they have learned in the first five CILOs and apply them to design solutions for various network scenarios in the form of small case studies. The students have the opportunity to practice this during the tutorials; a more complicated case study will be included in the final assignment.

Assessment Tasks/Activities:
(designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs)

ILO No	Type of assessment tasks/activities	Weighting (if applicable)	Remarks
CILO 1 to CILO 6	All the course ILOs will be assessed using both coursework and examination. In particular, ILOs 1-4 will be assessed during the quiz which will be given around Week 8 of the semester. CILO 6 will be assessed using case studies in the coursework as well as in the examination.

Grading of Student Achievement:

Examination duration: 2 hours
Percentage of coursework, examination, etc.: 30% CW; 70% Exam
Grading pattern: Standard (A+AA-…F)
For a student to pass the course, at least 30% of the maximum mark for the examination must be obtained.

Part III

Keyword Syllabus:

Data transmission. Coding. Modulation techniques. Common network devices and configurations. Layered network architecture: The OSI and Internet TCP/IP reference models. Data link layer: error control and flow control issues. Sliding window protocols. LANs and medium access protocols. Network layer issues: addressing, routing, congestion and flow control. Internetworking. Transport layer issues. Case study based on TCP/UDP and IP protocols.