MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE of CUNY
Department of Physical, Environmental and Computer Sciences
Data Communications and Network Technologies (CS 305)
“Time, Effort, Integrity”
3 credits, 3 class hours, 1 lab hour
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide the students with a fundamental technical and practical background in data communications with the context of network technologies. Topics include fundamental concepts of data communications; data transfer modes; the OSI model; transmission mediums and the physical layers; modems and modem standards; local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs); communications standards including communications codes, application support protocols, and network architecture; and intranet/Internet routers.
Prerequisites: TLC 221, and CS 246
Required Textbook: Data Communications and Networking, by Behrouz A. Forouzan
McGraw-Hill - Publishers (Fourth Edition) * ISBN 10: 0-07-296775-3 * ISBN 13:978-0-07-296775-3
Course Requirements: All students have the responsibility to arrive on time, attend class regularly, and to participate fully in the work of the course. Additionally, students are not to work on other materials in class. Assigned readings, problems and programs should be completed before class. Several computer programs (using C++) will be assigned to reinforce the concepts presented in class. Unless you own or have access to equivalent hardware and software, plan on spending a lot of time on campus.
Project/Presentation: A project covering Data Communications and Network Technologies is also required. The project requires you to design a data communications application that can be simulated and demonstrated. Examples of acceptable application areas include: Home Monitoring and Automation, Security and surveillance, Home entertainment, Wireless sensor networks, Embedded System, Mesh network configuration. You will present your work to the class using PowerPoint, and submit a 5-page final report with all supplementary information in electronic format. Observe the required presentation format, described in the CS Booklet, when preparing your proposal. The instructor prior to the midterm exam must approve your outline, along with a project design. Absolutely no project/presentation will be accepted after the last day of class
Grading Procedure: The final grade will be determined objectively by using a weighted average along with the following weighted areas: computer programs, examinations, homework assignments, and the final examination. Check with the college catalog for information regarding the official grading policy. Note that missed chapter examinations cannot be made-up. Programming projects submitted after the stated deadline will receive a reduced grade.
Academic Requirements and Regulations: Students who officially withdraw from a course between the 4th through the 8th week receive a grade of W, which is not counted in computing the grade point average. Courses officially dropped after the 8th week of class will appear as a WF and count as an F grade. INC (Incomplete) or ABS (absent) grades will only be given to students who are passing the course.
Honor Code and Plagiarism: Students are required to sign and adhere to the departmental honor pledge. Check with the department for a copy of the pledge.
CUNY Proficiency Examination (CPE)
The CPE is a graduation requirement. All students between 45-60 credits are required to sit for and pass the CPE. You have only three chances to pass this examination. Each missed scheduled examination after the 45 credit mark counts as a failure. For more information about this requirement, contact the Medgar Evers College CPE Liaison.
MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE of CUNY
Department of Physical, Environmental and Computer Sciences
Data Communications and Network Technologies (CS 305)
Course Outline
| WEEK # | TOPICS | CHAPTER |
| 1 | Part 1 Overview |
1 |
| 2 | Network Models: The Layers of a Network |
2 |
| 3 | Part 1-A Numbering Systems and Mathematics Review Satellite Networks: An Introductory Overview |
Appendix C 16.2 |
| 4 | Part 2 Physical Layer and Media |
3 |
| 5 | Digital Transmission: Digital-To-Digital Conversion | 4.1 |
| 6 | Digital Transmission: Analog-To-Digital Conversion | 4.2-4.3 |
| 7 | Analog Transmission | 5 |
| 8 | Bandwidth Utilization: Multiplexing and Spreading | 6 |
| 9 | Transmission Media | 7 |
| 10 | Switching | 8 |
| 11 | Using Telephone and Cable Networks for Data Transmission | 9 |
| 12 | Part 3 Data Link Layer |
10.1-10.3 |
| 13 | Error Detection and Correction: Cyclic Codes, Checksum | 10.4-10.5 |
| 14 | Data Link Control and Protocols | 11 |
| 15 | Multiple Access | 12 |
| 16 | Final Examination | Comprehensive |
