Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
BMIS 520 Course Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
BMIS 520
IT INFRASTRUCTURE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores the design, implementation, and management of digital networks. Topics
will include telecommunications fundamentals, server architecture, as well as cluster and grid
computing. The course will explore the development of an integrated technical architecture
(hardware, software, networks, and data) to serve organizational needs in a rapidly changing and
competitive technological environment.
RATIONALE
The course will explore the development of an integrated technical architecture (hardware,
software, networks, and data) in order to serve organizational needs in a rapidly changing and
competitive technological environment. This course explores the design, implementation, and
management of digital networks.
I.
PREREQUISITE
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE PURCHASE
FitzGerald, J., Dennis, A., & Durcikova, A. (2014). Business data communications and
networking (12th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9781118891681.
IV.
V.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A.
Integrate biblical principles within the field of information technology and
infrastructure.
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BMIS 520 Course Syllabus
VI.
B.
Distinguish parallel and distributed computing systems.
C.
Contrast computing infrastructure used by competing organizations.
D.
Appraise advanced business technologies for scalable infrastructure.
E.
Create an infrastructure plan that will support the business objectives of an
organization.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the
related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (5)
The student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for
each forum. Each thread must be 500 words and demonstrate course-related
knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other
classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250 words.
D.
Case Study
The student will be assigned into a group of 5–6 members and will choose a
leader for the project. Each group will review the assigned case study before
discussing and answering questions about the study. The group leader will
compile and submit the group’s contributions.
E.
Research Projects (3)
The student will write a 5–7-page research-based paper in current APA format
that focuses on 1 of the recommended topics from the provided writing
assignment form. The paper must include at least 8 references that includes books,
Internet sites, and peer-reviewed journal articles.
F.
IT Infrastructure Group Projects (3)
The group project deliverables are divided into 3 modules/weeks and require the
group to complete tasks that are related to topics covered in the textbook. Reports
must conform to current APA guidelines.
G.
IT Infrastructure Practical Assignments (4)
The student will complete 4 practical assignments that involve how different
network configurations affect network performance. Each assignment builds upon
the previous assignment. This will enable the student to see different real-life
network designs and will allow him/her to experience how changing a few
components in a network can improve performance.
H.
Exams (2) The Midterm and Final Exams will cover the Reading & Study
materials for the modules/weeks in which they are assigned. Each exam will be
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BMIS 520 Course Syllabus
open-book/open-notes, contain 50 multiple-choice questions, and have a 1-hour
and 10-minute time limit.
VII.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (5 at 40 pts ea)
Case Study
Research Projects (3 at 50 pts ea)
IT Infrastructure Practical Assignments (4 at 30 pts ea)
IT Infrastructure Group Projects (2 at 50 pts ea; 1 at
100 pts)
Midterm Exam
(Modules 1–4)
Final Exam
(Modules 5–8)
Total
B.
10
200
30
150
120
200
150
150
1010
Scale
A = 940–1010 A- = 920–939 B+ = 900–919 B = 860–899 B- = 840–859
C+ = 820–839 C = 780–819 C- = 760–779 F = 0–759
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
class will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
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COUR ### Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
BMIS 520
Textbook: Stallings & Case, Business Data Communications (2013).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
Stallings & Case: ch. 1
1 presentation
2
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Course Requirements Checklist
DB Forum 1
Case Study
10
40
30
Stallings & Case: chs. 2–3
1 presentation
DB Forum 2
Research Project 1
40
50
3
Stallings & Case: chs. 4–6
1 presentation
DB Forum 3
IT Infrastructure Group Project 1
IT Infrastructure Practical Assignment 1
40
50
30
4
Stallings & Case: chs. 7–9
1 presentation
DB Forum 4
Midterm Exam
40
150
5
Stallings & Case: chs. 10–11
1 presentation
Research Project 2
IT Infrastructure Practical Assignment 2
50
30
6
Stallings & Case: chs. 12–14
1 presentation
DB Forum 5
IT Infrastructure Group Project 2
IT Infrastructure Practical Assignment 3
40
100
30
7
Stallings & Case: chs. 15–17
1 presentation
Research Project 3
IT Infrastructure Practical Assignment 4
50
30
8
Stallings & Case: chs. 18–19
1 presentation
IT Infrastructure Group Project 3
Final Exam
50
150
TOTAL
1010
DB = Discussion Board
NOTE: Each course week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday
night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.