Network Architecture and Data Communications I

Instructor	Kevin A. Shaffer Heather Hall 107, 600 Park Street Hays, KS 67601 USA phone: (785) 628-4484 fax:  (785) 628-4098 E-mail:  kshaffer@tiger.fhsu.edu
Classroom	The Internet Wiest 016B Classroom Help Sessions: 10:30 am ~ 11:45 am, T Th E-mail Help:  Send questions (or your own answers to student questions) datacom@alleycat.fhsu.edu, after you have subscribed to the class E-mail list.
Required Text	Data and Computer Communications, 6th edition, by William Stallings.  http://www1.shore.net/~ws/DCC5e.html This text is also used for Network Architecture and Data Communications II.
References	Newton's Telecom Dictionary by Harry Newton.  Available from Barnes and Noble, http://www.bn.com/, or Amazon.com, http://www.amazon.com/. (Useful on open book exams!!) RFC's (Request for Comments) located on the IETF's web site, http://www.ietf.org/.
Objective	This course will explore data communications theories and applications.  Students should finish this course with a thorough understanding of the wide variety of communications methods used to internetwork computers.  The foundations of digital transmissions will be studied in the early part of the course.  Then, WAN and LAN protocols are studied.  Finally, internetworking and transmission control protocols are studied.
Activities	Students will participate in a variety of activities that will lead them to a much deeper understanding of data communications in the world today.  On-line lessons will highlight information from the text and introduce additional material of importance.  Homework assignments will challenge students to strive for a deeper understanding of data communications concepts and theories.  Examinations will "raise the bar" of expectation for students, providing yet another challenge.  Finally, students will prepare and present on-line a final student project.
Grading	A students final grade will be based on their achievements on the following tasks, each listed blow with the relative importance to the final grade. 150 points Student Project 350 points Homework 300 points Three equally weighted examinations 200 points Final Exam Final grades earned by each student will be based on the following scale: A 900 ~ 1000 points B 800 ~ 899 points C 700 ~ 799 points D 600 ~ 699 points U <600 points
Late Policy	Late submissions are highly discouraged.  Submissions after the deadline will be scored according to the following table: Submission Reduction 1 day late 2 days late 3 days late 4 days late 5 days late 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Valid burdens will be given consideration, but "poor judgement on your part does not create an emergency on my part".
Expectations	Students are expected to produce high quality work and take an active role in advancing their knowledge base.  The instructor is available to discuss issues and assist students in their research so they may achieve this expectation.