| Instructor: | Tom Bennet |
| Office: | 302 MCC |
| Phone: | 601-925-3815 |
| Email: | bennet@mc.edu |
| Text: | Computer Networks and Internets, 6th ed., by Douglas E Comer, Prentice-Hall |
| Web Page: |
This course is a study of the physical and logical components used in modern computer networks. Topics include: fundamentals of signaling and data transmission using electromagnetic media, data encoding, multiplexing, circuit switching, packet switching, LAN and WAN technologies, internet working concepts, transport protocols, network security, and distributed applications. May include programming or laboratory assignments to demonstrate key concepts.
Prerequisite: CSc 220
Networking is an important topic in Computer Science. Computers are routinely networked, and connected to the global Internet. This course will discuss basic principles of data communications, and applications both to LANs and longer-range networks. We also discuss the concept of a protocol stack, and some of the commonly used protocols at various levels. Programming projects include use of the socket API.
We will have the graded activities listed below. Grades are assigned by percentage of the total. Graduate students have an extra project worth 50 points, so their total is larger.
| Activity | Points |
|---|---|
| Projects and Exercises | 300 |
| Regular exams (3 @ 100) | 300 |
| Comprehensive Final Exam | 200 |
| TOTAL | 800 |
| Undergrad | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Percent | Grade | ||||
| 720 | – | 800 | 90% | – | 100% | A |
| 640 | – | 719 | 80% | – | 89% | B |
| 560 | – | 639 | 70% | – | 79% | C |
| 480 | – | 559 | 60% | – | 69% | D |
| 0 | – | 479 | 50% | – | 59% | F |
| Graduate (+100 pts) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Percent | Grade | ||||
| 810 | – | 900 | 90% | – | 100% | A |
| 720 | – | 809 | 80% | – | 89% | B |
| 630 | – | 719 | 70% | – | 79% | C |
| 540 | – | 629 | 60% | – | 69% | D |
| 0 | – | 539 | 50% | – | 59% | F |
Projects should be handed in on time, and late projects are charged 10 points for each day late. However, each student has five free late days which may be spent on any programming project in any combination. Free late days are not transferable, and expire at start of the final exam.
Graduate students must perform an additional project, which must be approved by the instructor. The project may be a library research paper, or present the results of the student's own work. The topic must be approved by the instructor. A research paper must be at least 6 pages single-spaced, using reasonable fonts and margins. It must have at least 10 references. A programming project should be accompanied by a short paper (one page is usually sufficient) describing what it does and how to run it.
The semester point total may vary due to unforeseen circumstances. Any variance should be small. Final grades will be based on these same percentages of the actual total.
The final exam will be on Monday, April 29, at 12:00 pm. See the schedule.
The last day to drop this course is Friday, March 22, 2024.
The date of the final exam assigned by the college is firm. You will not be allowed to take the final at another time without a compelling reason. That you have a flight home before the final is absolutely not compelling. Schedules are published well in advance; plan travel and local accomodations accordingly.
Mississippi College class attendance policies as described on p. 96 of the college catalog will be enforced. Absences may be excused for illness or other appropriate cause. Exams missed due to circumstances beyond the student's control may be made up at a mutually agreeable time and place. Adequate documentation of the cause of an absence may be required.
The MC Syllabus contains all policies and procedures that are applicable to every course offered by Mississippi College, both on campus and online. The policies in the MC Syllabus describe the official policies of the University as they relate to instruction and will take precedence over those found elsewhere. It is the student's responsibility to read and be familiar with every policy.