University of Maryland/Asian Division

CMIS 370 - Data Communications

Term 1 Kadena 19 Aug - 17 Oct 2002 -- MW 2000-2245

David Wills

dwills@ad.umuc.edu

PREREQUISITE:
CMIS 310 or equivalent

DESCRIPTION:
Investigation of the effects of communication technology on information systems. Major topics include components of communication systems, architectures and protocols of networks, security measures, regulatory issues, and the design of network systems. Issues and applications in local area networks and communication services are covered. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CMIS 370, CMSC 370, or IFSM 450.

Course Introduction
CMIS 370: Data Communications is the introductory course in data communications. You should have completed CMIS 310: Introduction to Computer Systems and Architecture or an equivalent course before taking this course. A complementary course is CMIS 435: Computer Networking.
CMIS 370: Data Communications explores the technical impact of data communications on computer systems. You will be introduced to the components of data communication, the seven-layered Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model (with emphasis on the four lower layers), many of the protocols and standards required in exchanging information, and design of a simple data communications network. (In CMIS 435, emphasis is on the upper three layers of the OSI model and on networking.)

OBJECTIVES:
On successful completion of this course the student will:

Describe the function of each layer of the seven-layer OSI model
Describe the similarities and differences between the OSI model and other network architectures
Explain the electrical engineering aspects of data communications
Distinguish among the different types and uses of data communications hardware
Design a simple communications network to meet specified user requirements
Describe the major data communications protocols and how they work
Describe the various types of data communications networks

TEXTBOOK:
Stallings Data and Computer Communications, 6th Edition

EVALUATION:

   Midterm Exam:   50%
   Final Exam:     50%

The grade of 'A' means "outstanding", i.e. mastery of the material. The grade of 'B' means "good". The grade of 'C' means "satisfactory".
Grades are curved and related to the class average. "Significantly above" the class average are the A's, "above" (or sometimes even at) the class average are the B's, at or below the class average are the C's. Significantly below the class average are the D's and F's.
Usually, in the 90's is an A, 80's is a B, 70's is a C.

SCHEDULE:

Chap. 1   Chap. 2    Chap. 3    Chap. 4    Chap. 5?   Chap. 6
Chap. 7.1-7.3        Chap. 8.4  Chap. 10.1-10.2    Chap. 12.1-12.4
Chap. 13  Chap. 14.1,14.5       Chap. 15.1-15.3    Chap. 16.1
Chap. 17.1-17.4      Chap. 19.4