MIS 687: Business Data Communications
SPRING 2016, Course Schedule #: 22170
Class Hours: 4:00-6:40 pm, Classroom: SSW2501
Instructor: Bongsik Shin, Ph.D
Office: SS-3118, Phone: 619-594-2133, email: bshin@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: TTH (14:00-15:00) or by appointment
TO MSIS STUDENTS: PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS
MSIS students will graduate being able to:
 Design and use technology-supported solutions to improve decision making and create value
 Create value through the development of data, information or knowledge (DIK) strategies and the
management of processes and projects
 Demonstrate business professional skills
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This class is intended to teach fundamental as well as in-depth knowledge of computer networking.
This class has following student learning goals and outcomes. At the end of the semester, students should be
able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Explain general networking terminologies.
Explain software and hardware elements necessary to implement a network.
Explain intermediary devices including routers and switches in their internal architecture and operational
mechanism.
Explain internetworking, transmission media, and network protocols.
Discuss and compare major network standards for LAN and WAN and their technical differences.
Develop preliminary competence to design, analyze, and implement small scale networks.
Articulate general approaches available to implement security measures on a computer network.
Discuss standard architectures, layers, and key protocols of each layer.
Explain the Internet architecture.
COURSE DESIGN
Computer networking and security is a technical and challenging subject but is highly rewarding knowledge. To
effectively realize the learning outcomes, this course relies on various pedagogical approaches: reading
assignments (though not enforced), classroom lectures and discussions, and hands-on assignments. The reading
assignment is an “important” self-learning tool and the classroom lecture is designed to supplement the reading
assignment by clarifying and elaborating challenging concepts.
This is an introduction course on networking and therefore during the lecture I will be assuming that students
have little background in networking. So, please “NEVER” feel embarrassed in raising your hand to ask any
questions. A student with significant experience in computer networking is encouraged to consult the instructor.
1
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Required: “A Practical Introduction to Computer Networking and Cybersecurity” 2nd edition (2015) by
Bongsik Shin, Montezuma Publishing.

References: There are useful Internet sources that can help growing knowledge base. They can be
especially beneficial when the textbook lacks explanation.
YouTube
Wikipedia
Techencyclopedia
Whatis.com
Howstuffworks.com
Protocols.com
http://www.youtube.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/
http://whatis.techtarget.com/
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
http://www.protocols.com/
GENERAL CLASS POLICY

Course information including the syllabus, hands-on assignments, and exam scores will be updated on
Blackboard. Students are required to check Blackboard on a regular basis to be informed of updates,
especially test and assignment scores. All students should turn off their laptop computers during the
class.

As for individual assignments, students can work together for troubleshooting. However, collaboration
must not extend to the preparation of the report. Giving or receiving excessive assistance that crosses the
line will be dealt with according to the University rules of academic dishonesty.

If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your
responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt
of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note
that accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot provide accommodations based upon
disability until I have received an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your
cooperation is appreciated.
TESTING AND GRADING
Tests
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There are three non-cumulative exams. All exams must be taken at their scheduled time and at the
course venue. No early or late examinations unless a student experiences an emergency situation or any
other form of unavoidable scheduling conflicts.
Test questions are based on the textbook chapters and lectures.
Test questions will be in multiple-choice format and students are required to bring a Scantron (Form
882-E). There will be 50 questions.
Each test is 100 points (2 points for each question). Test questions can be challenging and those that
require pure memorization are avoided to the extent possible. You should invest enough time and efforts
to thoroughly review covered chapters to meet your performance goal.
Individual extra-credit opportunities will NOT be provided.
2
Hands-on Assignments
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Multiple hands-on assignments are planned throughout the semester and some will rely on a network
simulation program, which will be posted on Blackboard for downloading.
Students should start working on each assignment early rather than waiting until the last moment as
there could be unexpected problems. Sending a frantic SOS email seeking help at the last moment is not
appreciated.
Late submission of an assignment costs 50% penalty per day.
All assignments that need a written report should be submitted at the beginning of a class.
All written reports should be done with professional quality. Unstapled reports are not accepted.
Reading Assignments
There are numerous technical concepts in computer networking, but there is simply not enough time to
cover them all in the class. To make up the gap, students should read the assigned chapter in advance and
prepare for class discussions. Reading it once may NOT be enough to grasp the content. The lecture will be
organized based on the assumption that students have completed the reading assignment.
Final Grading
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There will be no official letter grades for mid-term tests. The letter grades will be decided only once
after the final exam, based on the combined scores of tests, individual assignments, and a project. That
means every scoring opportunity is equally important!
The posting of final grades on the university system will be notified via email. Appeal for grading
should be done within a week of the posting date.
The weight distribution of final grades is shown below (The assignment point is an approximation).
Sources
Midterm 1
Midterm 2
Final exam
Individual hands-on assignments
Total

Points
100
100
100
100 (approximation)
400
Final grades are curved according to the following approximation:
A
AB+ B
BC or below
10% 15% 25% 25% 15% 10%
3
CLASS SCHEDULE
The weekly progress may vary and certain topics may be started before or after the scheduled date. All
scheduled tests, however, are held on the scheduled dates.
Week
1/26
2/2
2/9
2/16
2/23
Class Coverage/Reading Assignment
Introduction to the course
Demonstration: Packet Tracer
Blackboard
Textbook
Chapter 1: Fundamental Elements
Chapter 2: Architectures and Standards
Chapter 3: Intermediary Devices
Chapter 5: IP Address
3/1
Midterm Test 1
3/8
3/15
3/22
3/29
Chapter 6: Packet Routing
Chapter 8: Wireless LAN
Chapter 7: Ethernet
Spring Recess
4/5
Midterm Test 2
4/12
4/19
4/26
5/3
Chapter 10: The Internet
Chapter 11: Cybersecurity: Threats
Chapter 12: Cybersecurity: Defenses
Chapter 9: Wide Area Network
5/10
Final Exam (16:00 – 18:00)
4