CSCI 340, Networking, Spring 2010, Syllabus

 

Webpage:                   http://www.cs.xu.edu/csci340/10s/

 

Time:                          T & Th: 4:00 – 5:15 PM

 

Location:                    Alter 223

 

Instructor:                  Mike Branstein

 

Phone:                        502-415-1622

 

Email:                         mulder@cs.xu.edu, mikeismike@gmail.com

 

Office:                        Hinkle 101

 

Office Hours:             T & Th: 9 AM – 12 PM & 1 PM – 3:00 PM, MWF by appointment (at least 1 day in advance)

 

Textbook:                   Computer Networks, A Systems Approach, 4^th edition, Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie, ISBN: 0-12-370548-7

 

Goals of the Course:

 

Students will

 

·         understand the terminology and basic concepts of networking.

·         understand the role of protocols, be able to explain several common protocols, and be capable of implementing one of reasonable complexity.

·         be able to write applications at various levels of the network model.

·         demonstrate comfort discussing and exploring networking concepts.

 

Grading Elements / Assessment: The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science follows the following grading standard:

 

A: Exceptional

·         The student's attainments are out of the normal course, unusual and special.

 

B: Good

·         The student's performance is done rightfully or skillfully and is commendable.

 

C: Satisfactory

·         The student's accomplishments are sufficient for the needs of the course.

 

D: Minimal passing

 

F: Failure

 

There are 1,000 points possible in this course. To receive a grade of “A” a student will need to earn at least 930 points, a “B” will require at least 830 points, a “C” will require at least 730 points, and a “D” will require 630 points. A student who earns fewer than 630 points will not pass the course.

 

Points are assigned as follows:

 

Daily reading/In-class assessment/Professionalism                 100 pts.

Midterm                                                                                  150 pts.

Final                                                                                        150 pts.

Project 1: HTTP Server                                                           200 pts.

Project 2: SPDY Protocol & Analysis                                    200 pts.

Project 3: DNS Server                                                                        200 pts.

 

 

Electronic Use Policy: Although cell phones, smart phones, laptops and other portable electronic devices are most certainly a perceived necessity in current day reality, use of such devices during class time is not permitted. All electronic devices must be placed in the “off” or “vibrate” position prior to class. Any electronic device notification, ring, or non-vibrate effect interrupting class will require its owner to sing the “Oscar Meyer Weiner” song in front of class.

 

The use of any device to text, post a status update or “tweet” during class times is not permitted. In emergency circumstances, one may excuse themselves from class to handle an immediate need in the hallway. Upon the instructor’s discretion, if this privilege is perceived to have been abused, you will be asked to leave the class.

 

Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend all classes. If you are unable to attend a class session due to a valid reason (as evaluated by the instructor), email them ahead of time, as soon as you are aware that you will be unable to attend a class. In order to be excused, an absence must be arranged with the instructor prior to the absence. Absences that cannot be arranged beforehand due to emergencies must be cleared up at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

Late Policy: No assignments are accepted late. Reading assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date -- some class discussion will of course revolve around the assignments. Project assignments will typically be handed in electronically using “handin.” Exceptions may occur in emergency situations. You should never assume you have an extension until you have talked to me or have an official correspondence from a doctor or other authority explaining why you need the extension.

 

Extra Credit Policy: There are no extra credit assignments or opportunities available in connection with this course. You should invest your time and energies in the activities and projects outlined in this syllabus.

 

Professionalism: A positive and participative learning environment is crucial to your educational experience. The goals of your degree program include developing your willingness and ability to contribute to discussions by expressing and defending your position on a variety of topics. For some, this may involve overcoming a sense of shyness. For others, it will involve the willingness to take risks and leave your “comfort zone”. While there are many informal situations in which people have neither the desire nor the right to prescribe how others ought to behave, the classroom is unique, and requires the establishment of a culture that respects the learning process and every individual in it.

 

Professionalism is a factor in determining your overall grade in this course. The evaluation of professionalism starts with the proposition that if a student attends scheduled sessions, comes to class prepared, participates actively and frequently, makes meaningful comments that contributes to their classmates’ education, interacts professionally with faculty and classmates, hands in all required work on time, participates in the teaching evaluation process, and observes class guidelines, their score will be assessed as “average” or at a numerical level of roughly 85%. Adjustments either up or down from this starting point are at the discretion of the professor – to recognize superior effort and performance or acknowledge deficiencies in the student’s approach to their responsibilities.

 

Your physical presence in the classroom is a prerequisite for active participation. Students that come late or are not prepared to begin when class starts disrupt the class. Please make every effort to arrange your schedule so that you arrive early enough to take care of any personal or non-class related activities and are ready when class begins. Breaks are worked into class sessions at reasonable intervals.

 

Your mental presence as well as physical presence is necessary for everyone to get the most out of the classroom experience. Your activities, both positive and negative, have an effect on the class. Please focus your attention and energies on our class exclusively when the class is in session. Discourteous and unprofessional activities that interfere with your mental presence include:

 

·         Beginning to pack up your materials before the class is dismissed

·         Checking or receiving e-mail during class

·         Engaging in side discussions with other students or on the phone

·         Internet surfing or monitoring sporting event scores

·         Text messaging others

·         Listening to headphones

·         Tending to personal hygiene needs (e.g. clipping nails, flossing teeth)

·         Playing games

·         Reading the newspaper

·         Sleeping

·         Use of tobacco or other products involving spitting or a jar.

·         Working on other classes or projects

 

Technology has provided us with many conveniences; however, there is a time and a place for them. If you bring a cell phone, laptop, or other electronic device to class that can make a noise, please switch it to vibrate or silent mode when you come into the room.

 

Unprofessional behaviors that will lower your course grade include (but are not limited to):

 

·         Attempting to exclude others,

·         Being unprepared for class,

·         Coming late to class or leaving early (including breaks),

·         Distractive grunts when others are speaking,

·         Dominating the classroom discussion,

·         Inappropriate language,

·         Off-the-cuff remarks,

·         Personal attacks on others, and

·         Unfounded criticism.

 

Professional behaviors include (but are not limited to):

 

·         Answering questions posed by others,

·         Asking perceptive questions related to topics under discussion,

·         Being conversant with assigned materials,

·         Linking current topics and ideas to previously covered material

·         Making comments that build upon what others have contributed

·         Making distinctions between facts and opinions,

·         Opening new, relevant areas for discussion, and

·         Volunteering relevant practical experiences.

 

Given the numerous and varied experiences you will have during your program of study, both in and out of the classroom, as well as practice and growing familiarity with various teaching formats, the faculty’s expectation regarding the depth and sophistication of your contributions will rise as you progress through the program.

 

Observing these guidelines is the minimum expectation of the faculty. While the specific audience for this message constitutes a small percentage of all students, everyone benefits from a clear statement of expectations. Practicing professionalism will make you more productive and will lead to the achievement of your individual and group goals.

 

Tentative Schedule: The course page will have a more detailed schedule; below is an outline of the course.