MIS 687: Business Data Communications
SPRING 2015, Course Schedule #: 22070
Class Hours: T 4:00-6:40 pm, Classroom: SSW3630
Instructor: Bongsik Shin, Ph.D
Office: SS-3118, Phone: 619-594-2133, email: bshin@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: TTH (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm) or by appointment
GENERAL LEARNING GOALS & OUTCOMES
This class is intended to teach fundamental as well as in-depth knowledge of computer
networking.
This class has following student learning outcomes:
1. Explain general networking terminologies.
2. Explain software and hardware elements necessary to implement a network.
3. Explain intermediary devices including routers and switches in their internal
architecture and operational mechanism.
4. Explain internetworking, transmission media, and network protocols.
5. Discuss and compare major network standards for LAN and WAN and their technical
differences.
6. Develop preliminary competence to design, analyze, and implement small – scale
networks.
7. Articulate general approaches available to implement security measures on a computer
network.
8. Discuss standard architectures, layers, and key protocols of each layer.
9. Explain the Internet architecture.
COURSE DESIGN
Computer networking is a technical and challenging subject but can be highly rewarding. To
effectively realize the learning outcomes, this course relies on various pedagogical approaches:
reading assignments (not enforced), classroom lectures and discussions, a group project 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.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
1

Required: “A Practical Introduction to Computer Networking and Cybersecurity” 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
Webopedia
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.webopedia.com/
http://www.protocols.com/
GENERAL CLASS POLICY

Course information including the syllabus, hands-on assignments, and exam scores will
be updated on the Blackboard. Students are required to check the 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 to resolve challenging issues.
However, collaboration must not extend to the preparation of the report. Excessive
collaboration 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
 There are two 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.
 Test questions are based on the textbook chapters and lectures covered in the class.
 Test questions will be multiple-choices and students are required to bring a Scantron
(Form 882-E).
 Each test is 100 points. 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 receive good scores.
 Individual extra-credit opportunities will NOT be provided.
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Group Project
 A group project will be assigned in the beginning of the semester. Each group consists of
self-selected 3-4 students. The instructor reserves the right to make necessary adjustments
in group formation should the need arise.
 Use of Turnitin in Blackboard
Students agree that, by taking this course, required reports are subject to submission for
textual similarity review for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be
included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the
purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers.
Hands-on Assignments
 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 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
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 the assigned chapter
in advance and prepare for class discussions. Reading it once may NOT be enough to grasp
the content.
Final Grading
 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, 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 score is an
approximation).
Sources
Midterm
Final test
Group project (written)
Group project (oral)
Individual hands-on assignments
Total

Points
100
100
50
15
75+
340+
Final grades are curved according to the following approximation:
3
A
AB+
B
B- C or below
10% 15% 25% 25% 15% 10%
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 date scheduled.
Week Class Coverage/Reading Assignment
1/27 Introduction to the course
Demonstration: Packet Tracer
Group Project Assignment
Coverage of Blackboard
2/3
Chapter 1: Fundamental Elements
2/10 Chapter 2: Architectures and Standards
2/17 Chapter 3: Intermediary Devices
2/24 Chapter 4: Elements of Data Transmission
3/3
Chapter 5: IP Address
3/10
Midterm test
3/17
3/24
4/7
4/14
4/21
4/28
5/5
Chapter 6: Packet Routing
Chapter 7: Ethernet
Chapter 8: Wireless LAN
Chapter 9: Wide Area Network
Chapter 10: The Internet
Project Presentation
Project Presentation
5/12
Final Exam (16:00 – 18:00)
Due: group member information
Order of presentations to be decided
Due: Final Report, presentation PPTs
*** Presentation PPTs are not subject to review by Turnitin.
*** On the day of presentation, each group prepares a copy of PPT slides for the instructor.
Please include one slide per sheet for better readability.
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