MIS 483: Networks and Data Communications
FALL 2015
Class Hours: W 4:00-6:40 pm, Classroom: SSW2532
Instructor: Skip Austin
Network Systems Analyst
Office: EBA-006G, Phone: 619-594-4211, email austin@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: by appointment
GENERAL BSBA GOALS & LEARNING OUTCOMES
BSBA students will graduate being:
 Effective Communicators
 Critical Thinkers
 Able to Analyze Ethical Problems
 Global in their perspective
 Knowledgeable about the essentials of business
This class contributes to these goals through following student learning outcomes:
 Comprehend and explain general networking terminologies.
 Understand software and hardware elements necessary to implement a network.
 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
To effectively realize the learning outcomes, this course relies on various pedagogical
approaches: reading assignments and quizzes, 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 do not have much background in networking. Those with significant experience in
computer networking are encouraged to consult the instructor for possible course substitution.
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
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Required: “A Practical Introduction to Computer Networking and Cybersecurity” by
Bongsik Shin, Montezuma Publishing.
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References: There are useful Internet sources that can help growing knowledge base.
They can be especially beneficial when the textbook lacks explanation.
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Techencyclopedia
http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/
Whatis.com
http://whatis.techtarget.com/
Howstuffworks.com http://www.howstuffworks.com/
Webopedia
http://www.webopedia.com/
Protocols.com
http://www.protocols.com/
GENERAL CLASS POLICY

Although not a part of course grading, attendance is important to earn a high grade.
Computer networking is a difficult subject and students should make much effort to meet
the challenges.
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Course information including the syllabus, hands-on assignments, and exam/quiz 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 cell phones and laptop computers during the class. Anyone using a
laptop or a cell phone during the class without the instructor’s permission will be
asked to leave the class.

Please be punctual. Being late is a disrespectful behavior to the instructor and classmates.

Students caught giving or receiving assistance to/from another student(s) during an exam
will be asked to leave and will receive an F for the course, PERIOD. Every case will be
reported to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for a possible disciplinary
action. Visit http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/index.html for more information on academic
dishonesty.

As for individual assignments, students can work together to resolve challenging issues.
However, collaboration must not extend to the preparation of the report. Similarity in
writing will be regarded as an evidence of excessive collaboration and be dealt with
according to the University rules of academic dishonesty. Copying somebody else’s work
is never acceptable.
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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.
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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 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.
Test questions are based on the assigned textbook chapters and lectures.
Exams are not cumulative.
Test questions will be multiple-choices and students are required to bring a Scantron
(Form 882-E).
Each test is 100 points. Warning: Test questions are NOT easy. You should invest
enough time and effort to thoroughly review covered chapters to receive good scores.
Based on the past experience, the class average is around 65.
Individual extra-credit opportunities will NOT be provided.
Hands-on Assignments
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Multiple hands-on assignments are planned throughout the semester and some will rely
on a networking 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 because there will 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 Assignment & Quiz
At the beginning of a class, there will be a quiz to decide class preparedness (see the class
schedule below). There are numerous technical concepts in the networking field, but simply
not enough time to cover them all in the class. To make up the gap, students should read
assigned sections in advance and digest them to prepare for class discussions. In preparing
for the quiz:
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The assigned portion of the textbook should be read meticulously. Reading it once
will NOT be enough to grasp the content.
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Each quiz has 3-5 multiple-choice questions.
Quiz scores will be continuously updated on Blackboard and you are responsible to
report any discrepancies immediately.
Quiz questions are designed to assess a student’s readiness to participate in the class.
Students should bring a Scantron (Form No 815-E) to the class.
Final Grading
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There will be no official letter grading for mid-term tests. The letter grade will be decided
only once after the final exam, based on the combined scores of tests, assignments, and
quizzes. 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 posted date.
The final grade will be based on three in-class exams, quizzes, and hands-on assignments.
Their weights are shown below (assignment scores are approximation). The weights
slightly vary depending on the number of hands-on assignments and quizzes.
Sources
Midterm #1
Midterm #2
Final test
Quizzes
Hands-on assignments
Total
Scores
100
100
100
50+
100+
450+
points
points
points
points
points
CLASS SCHEDULE/READING ASSIGNMENTS
The weekly progress may vary and certain topics may be started before or after the scheduled
date. The date of each quiz/reading assignment can be changed accordingly. All scheduled tests,
however, are held on the date specified.
Week Reading Assignments
Sections excluded from reading/exam
8/26 Introduction to the course
Demonstration: Packet Tracer
9/2 Chapter 1: Fundamental Elements
9/9 Chapter 2: Architectures and Standards
2.6.2 Perform Supervisory Functions
9/16 Chapter 3: Intermediary Devices
9/23 Chapter 4: Elements of Data Transmission
9/30
10/7
Midterm test 1
Chapter 5: IP Address
5.4 Classful IP – Legacy
5.8.1 Subnet Mask (Challenge part)
5.9 Supernetting
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10/14 Chapter 6: Packet Routing
10/21 Chapter 7: Ethernet (IEEE 802.3)
10/28 Chapter 8: Wireless LAN
11/4 Midterm test 2
11/11 Veterans Day Holiday – No Class
11/18
Chapter 9: Wide Area Network
11/25 Chapter 10: The Internet
12/2 Chapter 11: Network Security
12/9 Chapter 12: Network Security
7.11.2 Sub-interfaces
8.8 WiFi Mesh Network
9.11 ATM
9.12 Metro-Ethernet
10.6 Server Virtualization
12/16 Final Exam (16:00 – 18:00)
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