Course Description
This course explores the concepts and practices involved in business data communications and computer networks. Topics include local area networks, wide area networks, enterprise networks and the Internet, network security and management of computer network environments. Developing an understanding of various networking protocols and management decisions to improve the efficiency of computer networking environments are emphasized throughout the course. Effective communication of concepts and analysis in written format and oral presentations is stressed. Teaching methods include class lecture, case studies and research projects.


Course Objectives
This course introduces students to the logical concepts, technology and business practices involved in the design and operation of modern data communication networks.

After taking this course, a student should be able to:

Understand the various protocols, topologies and configurations used in modern business data communications technologies.

Appreciate the characteristics, engineering and economic trade-offs among the essential hardware and software components of modern computer networks.

Understand the nuances of the design and implementation of computer networks in real world environments

Understand the practices involved in the management of computer network environments using prevalent networking software.

Gain an understanding of how physical hardware and computer software work to create an integrated networking environment

Investigate, understand and evaluate emergent business data communications technologies to solve business problems or fulfill technological needs.

Be able to understand how computers physically work and network together.

Course Text and Materials:
Text Book: Business Data Communications, by David A Stamper, (6^th edition), Prentice Hall ISBN: 0-13-009428-5
Hands-On Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Networking by Byron Wright Course Technology ISBN: 0-619-18609-7
Additional readings and materials as assigned by the Instructor on a periodic basis.

Course Content:
Introduction:
Basic concepts of data communications; Need for and roles of data communications in organizations; Models of computing in organization; Data transmission: media; signals and modulation. Network Architectures, advantages and disadvantages. OSI reference model.

Internetworking Issues. Internet Protocols:
TCP/IP applications suite. Implementation of TCP/IP in the Internet. Managing Internet based data communications. How the Internet works. Security and management issues.

Data transmission and physical network design
Flow control and error control; forms of transmission. Introduction to LAN Topologies. Implications of error and flow control. Trade-offs involved in transmission forms and topologies and implications for management of networks.

LAN Topologies, Protocols and Implementation:
Logical Link Control and Medium Access Control. Local Area Network implementations and security models. Introduction to LAN Software including Novell NetWare and Windows NT. Design of computer networks based on organizational structures and needs.

Enterprise Networks:
Introduction to fundamental concepts of High-Speed and Bridged networks and enterprise networks. Designing for growth in computing requirements and facilities. Design and management of enterprise networks. Software-based management of networks. Improving efficiency of existing networks. Differences between packet and circuit switched networks. Connection-oriented and connectionless networks, synchronous and asynchronous communications. Management of wide area and virtual private networks.

Management of Computer Networks and Network Security
Computer security implementation, viruses, firewalls, data encryption, etc. Safeguarding organizational data transmissions and managing for network security. Network management software. Alignment of organizations needs with technological capabilities. Dispersion of information technologies across organizations. Client Server computing paradigms and its implications on information technology structure

Course requirements
There is one test and one research paper are required of you for this class. There will also be various homework assignments as well as in class lab exercises.

TEACHING METHOD 
The student is expected to have read materials or completed assignments as listed on the course schedule prior to each class. The class discussions/lectures are intended to illustrate the primary concepts from each section and to provide an opportunity to answer any questions that may result from the readings.

Absence/Attendance/Participation/Professionalism:
Attendance is critical for success in this class. Although attendance is neither recorded nor explicitly used to determine your final grade (unless you miss more than 50% of class sessions), you will find it much easier to keep up and master the material if you attend regularly. You are responsible for all material covered in class or assigned during a class even if you were absent. Please contact me as soon as possible if you know you must miss a class. Each student is also expected to provide a contribution through class discussions and group projects. Lastly, professionalism is also taken very seriously. It is very important that proper attention/respect be given towards instructor/guest lectures and student presentations and contributions.

E-Mail:
Due to the subject matter of this course it is very important that every student obtain an email account either from the University or from a private provider of the student’s selection as various assignments will be need to submitted via email. In addition course announcements may be distributed via electronic form. It is the student’s responsibility to check their email account on a regular basis during the duration of the course.

Dishonesty:
Quizzes, exams, assignments, and projects are to be done individually unless otherwise noted by the instructor. Ethical behavior is expected, cheating is not tolerated. Acts of academic dishonesty are taken seriously and dealt with harshly according to the University’s policies. Acts of academic dishonesty include: a) unauthorized assistance on an examination; b) falsification or invention of data; c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise; d) plagiarism; e) misappropriation of research material; f) unauthorized access of an instructor’s files or computer account; or g) any serious violation of academic integrity as established by the instructor. You are encouraged to review the University's academic integrity procedures in the Graduate Bulletin.

Assignments:
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. There will be no late assignments accepted unless approved by the instructor. These projects are to be done individually unless otherwise specified and are to be submitted on the assigned due date and the assigned time. 

Writing
You can communicate your ideas more effectively by writing well. The better you write, the more likely your writing will demonstrate competence with the subject. Surveys of managers consistently show that they consider the lack of adequate communications skills to be the greatest deficiency of the graduates they hire. Managers agree that communications skills should be an important component of business courses. The quality of your writing will affect your grades on assignments and exams. Use an 11-point or larger serif typeface and one-inch margins for all writing assignments. Submit each assignment using one side of 8½" × 11" sheets of paper. All written work must meet standards for English language skills and usage. Marks will be deducted for syntax, semantic, and pragmatic errors, and for not meeting agreed upon submission deadlines. For assistance in writing professional business quality memos and reports please consult the 80/20 Style Guide for Professional Business Writing by Dr. Scott Kunkel (which can be purchased in the bookstore).

Internet:
All material will be distributed on the Internet as well as in class.. Class notes, instructional material, and student assignments will be posted on 'the net' in a class Website located at http://carl.sandiego.edu/msit526

Research Topic Paper:
The research paper is designed to give you an opportunity to learn about a topic of your choice which may not be covered in great detail in class and share this information with the class. You are required to submit a 15-page research paper (double spaced, 12-point font not including appendices or bibliography) that discusses the relevant material of the topic that you have chosen. It would be helpful to you if you clearly define your research topic so that you do not overburden yourself with the volume of information that is available. To this end, you are required to:

·         to decide on a topic of interest by the third week of class and submit a proposed research plan. This should be in the form of an informal, one page, outline of your research proposal that includes your research topic, your areas of interest within that topic and your proposed plan of research (assignment grade).

·         Submit an outline of your research paper in October (assignment grade).

·         Submit a first draft of your paper in November (paper grade).

·         The final research paper is due on the last day of class.

I will be happy to provide any additional information and assistance that you may need to make the research paper as worthwhile and instructional for you as possible. You will be provided with more information about the research paper and the in-class presentation in the class.

Extra Credit
Students may obtain extra credit by submitting a proposal for extra topics to be discussed in class. More points will be awarded for presentations made regarding such topics. In order to obtain extra credit the proposal must be submitted and approved by the instructor prior to start of the project.

Grading:

Notice Regarding IS Courses  
Courses in information systems are often quite different from other classes that you may have taken. To begin, in most cases there is a disparity in experience levels among students. Some individuals enter the class with a great deal of prior knowledge while others have no experience. As such it is difficult to develop a consistent class that satisfies all individuals at all time. There will be times that those who have experience will find the class a little 'slow' while those without prior knowledge get caught up to speed. Likewise there will be times that those students for whom the material is brand new may find the workload difficult. I will strive to help both camps of individuals by providing more challenging assignments and assistance when needed. It is important that you utilize my assistance in order to obtain the maximum amount of knowledge out of this course which in turn will lead to a great experience.

In addition, this course will be taught in an experimental computer laboratory facility which at times might appear to be disarray, or that the computers are dysfunctional. This is a result that the classroom is used by other IS courses including data communication where the computers are taken apart during laboratory assignments. All efforts will be made to provide a consistent working environment for learning, however, the student should be aware and prepared in the event their terminal is not working (ie all work should be saved in multiple locations).