Course
Description

Concepts and principles of business data communications are explored. Topics include communication media and equipment, data transmission, protocols, networks, and network management.

Methods of Course Instruction

This class is conducted online.  All course related information will be maintained on the blackboard.  Students are responsible for retrieving assignments and handouts, reviewing study guides, installing software, etc. from the blackboard.  Students are required to activate their Oak Accounts and to check their email regularly. Students must actively participate in online discussion. Some face-to-face lectures may be scheduled during the quarter for some difficult topics.
Assignments must be grouped for each week and submitted by email. When you email your assignments, you must provide the correct information in the email subject field. The following are some examples.

Email subject field format: CTCH160 Winter2010 your name – assignment name and #
Example 1: CTCH160 Winter2010 Dawn Scott – Weekly Log 1
Example 2: CTCH160 Winter2010 Dawn Scott – Chapter 2 Data and Signals

This course is designed for students majoring in computer science technology, business, information systems, management information system, and other applied fields of computer science. Consult your academic advisor for your program requirement.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Have a command of the vocabulary of data communications.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of data and signals.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the hardware and software components required for communications and how they are related.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the architectural principles used in the development of the OSI reference model and be familiar with the major functions, facilities, and protocols at each level of the OSI reference model.
5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the technology available for local area and wide area networks (topologies, wired/wireless transmission and sharing techniques, interfaces).
6. Have an appreciation for the security issues and approaches relevant to communications-based information systems.
7. Demonstrate rudimentary skills in establishing the communication requirements for information systems.
8. Demonstrate rudimentary skills in designing a basic computer network with a design tool.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the features of the Internet and its role in the national information highway.

A student’s final grade will reflect the results of his/her Proctored Exams, Class Discussion/Participation, Chapter Assignments, and Case Study:

• 1 Midterm Exam on Chapter 1-7 (100 points)    30%
• 1 Final Exam on Chapter 8-14    (100 points)     30%
• 10 Weekly Logs                 (10 points)       5%
• Class Discussion/Participation   (50 points)       10%
• 10 Chapter Assignments             (100 points)     15%
• Case Study                                    (50 points)       10%

Materials

Required

Required and Optional Materials
White, Curt M. Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s Approach, 4th Edition, Course Technology, MA: Boston 2007. ISBN: 1-4188-3610-9

A new edition of the textbook will be used when the class is offered next time. Supplementary materials will be provided by the instructor on the blackboard.

Note: The books for the course are in stock at College Bookstore, (740) 594-3505. Click here for online ordering.

Exams
Requirements

2 exams - Proctoring required

How are exams to be taken: computer-based

Dates of Exams
To be provided