ISM 321-01, Spring 2014
Telecommunications Management
Instructor
Connie S. Albert, ABD
E-mail
Office
434 Bryan Building
Office Hours M/W 3:30 – 4:30pm
Course Days
Monday/Wednesday
Course Time 2pm - 3:15pm
Course Location 222 School of Education
Building
Credits
csalbert@uncg.edu
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Text:

Fitzgerald, Jerry and Dennis, Alan. Business Data Communications and Networking. John Wiley &
Sons: Hoboken, NJ, 2009. Eleventh edition. ISBN: 978-1118086834

Please note that you are required to obtain this edition of this textbook.

Students can choose to purchase a hard copy or an electronic copy. Both will work for this course.
In addition to the textbook, supplemental readings will be posted on Blackboard as pdf files.

Prerquisites/corequisites:
Pr. grade of C or better in ISM 280 or permission of instructor, ISSCM major
Catalog Description:
Telecommunications technology and the use of that technology in business. Coverage of voice, data, and video
communications and LANs and WANs. Emphasis on the delivery and management of telecommunications
services.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Describe and survey computer networking hardware and data transmission protocols and standards
Explain and apply TCP/IP architecture and the 5-Layer Internet Model
Analyze design issues for Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)
Evaluate wireless LAN, WAN and Personal Area (Bluetooth) Networks (PAN)
Assess computing and network management systems as part of IT Services in an organization
Requirements:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Lectures for introducing concepts; Class discussion and interaction
Textbook readings and online articles for general background
Demonstration and hands-on exercises for practical application
Field trip to the UNCG Data Center for real-world exposure
Homework assignments to reinforce learning of networking concepts
Individual meetings with students as needed
Topical Outline:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Overview of networking layers and communications
Application layer
Physical layer
Data link layer
Network and transport layers
Local Area Networks
Wireless Networks
Wide Area Networks
Internet governance
Network management
Evaluation Methods and Guidelines for Assignments:
20% - Homework assignments
15% - 1st Exam
15% - 2nd Exam
15% - 3rd Exam
15% - Class participation (includes attendance and discussion)
20% - Final Project
Adherence to due dates:
Homework assignments must be submitted by the beginning of class on the day they are due. Late homework
is not accepted. Exams must be taken on the day they are scheduled. Make-up exams will not be given.
Additional Information:
Academic Integrity Policy
University students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the demands of academic honesty. A
student is subject to a penalty for academic misconduct, such as plagiarism. Discussing your assignments with
other students can be a valuable learning opportunity. However, you are expected to do your own original
work.
All students are expected to follow the provisions of the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy
(http://sa.uncg.edu/handbook/academic-integrity-policy/) in completing coursework. I assume that by
submitting your work in this course you conform to the Academic Integrity Policy. Any violations will result in
charges.
Extraordinary Circumstances (Discretion of the Instructor)
In case of extraordinary circumstances (inclement weather, family, etc.) your late or missing assignments must
be justified with documented proof. If you are registered with the office of Disability Services and need special
testing accommodations, please let your instructor know as soon as possible.
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Disability Services
If you have any type of learning or physical disability, please contact the UNCG Office of Disability Services in
Suite 208 EUC. The Disability office will contact your instructor once your request is approved. You must make
arrangements for special accommodations for each and every test in advance of the scheduled test date. Please
provide your instructor at least 48 hours notice when requesting testing accommodations.
Course Schedule:
Date
Topic
Required Reading/Deliverables Due
1/13
Introductions & Syllabus
Get the textbook
1/15
Data communications
Read pp. 4-15 of Chapter 1
1/20
No class – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/22
Data communications
Read pp. 15-31 of Chapter 1
1/27
Application layer
HW#1 Due
Read pp. 40-53 of Chapter 2
1/29
Application layer
Read pp. 53-65 of Chapter 2
2/3
Physical layer
HW#2 Due
Read pp. 77-91 of Chapter 3
2/5
Physical layer
Read pp. 91-95, 105-110 of Chapter 3
Read pp. 512-516 of Appendix
2/10
Exam 1 Review – Closed book
Study assigned readings and homework
2/12
Exam #1 on Chapters 1-3
Closed book
2/17
Data link layer
Read pp. 119-131 of Chapter 4
2/19
Data link layer
Read pp. 131-141 of Chapter 4
2/24
Network & Transport layers
HW#3 Due
Read pp. 148-165 of Chapter 5
2/26
Network & Transport layers
Read pp. 165-183 of Chapter 5
3/3
Wired & Wireless LANs
HW#4 Due
Read pp. 197-212 of Chapter 6
3/5
Wired & Wireless LANs
Read pp. 213-228 of Chapter 6
3/10
No Class – Spring Break
3/12
No Class – Spring Break
3/17
Exam 2 Review – Closed book
Study assigned readings and homework
3/19
Exam #2 on Chapters 4-6
Closed Book
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Date
Topic
Required Reading/Deliverables Due
3/24
Backbone networks
Read pp. 239-243 of Chapter 7
3/26
Backbone networks
Read pp. 243-262 of Chapter 7
3/31
WANs
HW#5 Due
Read pp. 270-286 of Chapter 8
4/2
WANs
Read pp. 286-298 of Chapter 8
4/7
The Internet
HW#6 Due
Read pp. 311-317 of Chapter 9
4/9
The Internet
Read pp. 317-329 of Chapter 9
4/14
UNCG Data Center
HW#7 Due
4/16
UNCG Data Center
HW#8 Due
4/21
Guest Speaker: Curtis R. Joslin
4/23
Exam 3 Review – Closed Book
Optional Assignment Due
Study assigned readings and homework
4/28
Exam #3 Chapters 7-10
Closed book
5/7
Class Time – Noon to 3:00pm
Final Project Presentations
Final Project Written Portion Due at
beginning of Class
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