Lincoln Memorial University
CIS 320.00- Data Communications Course Syllabus Fall 2003

Instructor: Dwayne A. Gibson,

Telephone: 423-869-6348 or 1-800-869-0900 x6348

Office: DeBusk 318                              E-Mail:  DGibson@lmunet.edu

OFFICE HOURS:   W @ 12.30-1.00 W @ 12.30-1.00 & 2.15 - 3.00pm 
Virtual Office 24/7

Semester, Days, Time, and Meeting Place:
Fall 2003, M - W from 1.00 - 2.15pm

Prerequisites: CIS 220
Textbook and Other Materials:
Data Communications and Computer Networks:  A Business User’s Approach, Curt White, DePaul University

Class Web Site:
http://www.dwayne.gibson.name/lmufall2003/

Course Description:  This course will cover transmission of data, voice and video including transmission systems and associated hardware and software; types of networks; introduction to the OSI model, LANS and WANS; network security consideration and applications of networks.

Cognitive Objectives:
The student should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

      Learning Objectives

Course Purpose/Objectives:

 By the end of the semester you will be able to: 

1. Outline the basics components of a computer network using both the OSI model and the Internet model.

2. Identify voice telephone systems including standard telephone lines, leased line services, and PBX systems.

3. Enumerate the various transmission media commonly used in carrier systems, i.e. coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, microwave radio, as well as the carrier systems overall operating characteristics.

4. Recognize the basics of data communications, including data, signals, conversions between data and signals, encoding techniques, multiplexing, and modems.

5. Delineate the integration of voice technologies with data technologies.

6. Identify the basics of T-carrier systems, frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode, DSL, cable modems, and ISDN and be able to compare and contrast their characteristics.

7. Describe the basic operating procedures of the Internet and how it relates to data and voice communications.

 8. Enumerate the differences between the wireless telephone systems AMPS, D‑AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, and GSM. 

9. Document the characteristics of local area networks, including bus, star and ring topologies. 

10. Complete a case study in which, given a minimum set of requirements, you will recommend wide area network solutions.

     SPECIAL NEEDS
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to “reasonable accommodations “.  Any student with a disability requiring accommodation's should make an appointment with the Vice President for Student Affairs (423-869-6393) to discuss specific needs."

General Education Competencies - Specific Competencies/Evaluation: Writing: To communicate effectively using standard written English. Students will be expected to answer essay test questions. In addition, students may be required to write an essay or term paper.
Reading: To analyze, summarize, and interpret a variety of reading materials. Exams are based on classroom lecture and discussion as well as required reading in the text.
Integrated Learning: To think critically and make connections in earning across the disciplines. Students are expected to integrate facts and critically apply these through data analysis, theory application, interpretation of information and problem solving. This will be evaluated through scheduled tests and classroom discussion.
Creative Thinking: To elaborate upon knowledge to create new thoughts, processes and/or products. Students are expected to think creatively from information presented in the classroom and from research done in the library. This will be evaluated as a part of scheduled tests.
Ethics/Values: To demonstrate an awareness of ethical considerations in making value choices. Students should become aware of ethical considerations in both general and business issues. They are expected to take responsibility for and show commitment to their studies and to understand the consequences of serious unethical behavior such as cheating or copyright infringement.

Teaching Methods:
Lectures:
Important material from the text and outside sources will be covered in class. Students should plan to take careful notes as not all material can be found in the texts or readings. Discussion is encouraged as is student-procured, outside material relevant to topics being covered.
Assignments:
Problems, cases, and readings will be periodically assigned to help support and supplement material found in the text. These assignments may require the application of various software packages
Quizzes:
Occasional scheduled or unscheduled quizzes will be given to help ensure students stay up with assigned material.                           Quizzes cannot be made up, no exceptions!!!      Count on 10 or more!!!
Exams:
Two primarily objective type tests (multiple choice/true-false, essay), will be given. Each test may also include short answer questions and/or a hands-on portion.  On test dates,  students are required to attend. 
                  No make-up test will be given without prior approval of the instructor.

Method of Evaluation and Grading: Several methods of evaluation will be used including Two (2) objective type tests (multiple choice or true/false), and or quizzes. The final grade will be determined according to the following table:

Attendance Policy: It is the belief of the instructor that performance is directly related to class attendance and participation. Failure to attend and participate will result in reduced performance. 
Missed Classes: The student is responsible for obtaining material, which may have been distributed on class days when he/she was absent. This can be done through contacting a classmate who was present or by contacting the instructor during his office hours or other times. Missed or late quizzes can not be made up under any circumstances but with good cause and adequate notice, an early quiz may be given. One quiz (lowest score) will be dropped at the end of the semester. There are no make-up exams. Only official excuses will be accepted.

Any uncoordinated, unexcused missed exam will result in a score of 0 for that exam.

Certification of Academic Integrity:  It is the aim of the faculty of Lincoln Memorial University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity.  The attempt of any student to present as his/her own any work which he/she has not honestly preformed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a very serious offense and renders the offender liable to severe consequences and possible suspension.
Cheating.  Dishonesty of any kind on examinations or written assignments, illegal possession of questions, the use of unauthorized notes during an examination, obtaining information during an examination from another student, assisting others to cheat, altering grade records, or illegally entering an office are instances of cheating.
Plagiarism.  Offering the work of another as one’s own without proper acknowledgement is plagiarism; therefore, any student who fails to give credit for quotations or essentially identical material taken from books, magazines, encyclopedias or other reference works, or from the themes, reports, or other writing of a fellow student has committed plagiarism.

Week               Topics                                                                          Chapter

   1                   Introduction to data comm and computer networks               1

   2                   Fundamentals of data and signals                                          2

   3                   The media - conducted and wireless                                      3

   4                   Interfacing and modems                                                        4

   5                   Multiplexing                                                                          5

   6                   Errors, error detection and error control                                6

   7                   Local area networks                                                            7

   8                   Local area networks - interfacing                                          8

   9                   Local area network - software                                              9

  10                  Intro to wide area networks                                                  10

  11                  The Internet                                                                          11

  12                  The Internet continued

  13                  Telecommunications continued                                               12

  14                  Security                                                                                 13

  15                  Network design and management                                           14

                       Schedule is tentative and subject to change