Instructor: Peter Wood
Phone: 415/239-3229
Office: Batmale 470
Hours: TuTh, 2:05-2:30 pm, 5:00-5:50 pm, or by appt.
E-mail: pwood@ccsf.cc.ca.us
Web: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~pwood
Course Objectives: By the end of this course you will have a basic understanding of the terms and concepts needed to make sense of the rapid changes in data communications. You will understand various ways that computers are used to exchange voice, video, and data, and what is going on behind the scenes when you use the Internet. You will be able to calculate the transmission capacity needed to support different kinds of applications, and understand the basic concepts of different transmission media. You will have experience in configuring telecommunications software and modems, using upload and download protocols, and using online tools to research and communicate answers. You will also understand how networks, online services, and the Internet work; and how they can be connected using technologies like ATM, ISDN, and Cable TV modems. We will also discuss the future of the telecommunications industry and its impacts on society.
Advisory: CIS 135A or equivalent experience using e-mail, Web, newsgroups, ftp.
Required Text: Business Data Communications, 3rd
Edition. William Stallings. Prentice Hall, 1998.
Various handouts will be provided or available from ICL.
Grading: Final grades will be determined in the following manner:
There will be four, mostly multiple choice, quizzes. The lowest quiz score will be dropped. There will be approximately 8 lab assignments, including some group work, which may include a short in-class presentation. Assignments will usually be distributed via the Web. You will usually submit them via e-mail to a special e-mail account. Assignments turned in late may be penalized 5% per day. Assignments more than one week late will receive no credit. The last day to turn in any assignment for credit is the last day the Instructional Computer Lab is open. My assumption is that everyone who is motivated and adequately prepared will succeed in this class. Essentially, everyone starts out with an A.
Communications: E-mail is usually the easiest way to reach me outside of class or office hours. I will try to answer any questions you have promptly. I will let you know of any necessary schedule changes through e-mail or the web. You will submit your assignments to a special e-mail account. A lab aide will help me with much of the grading. They will be able to help you with many questions on assignments.
In class there will be time for discussion as well as lecture. It is important to me that everyone has a chance to participate. My request to those who talk a lot is: Do not talk too often or too long. For those who do not talk much, I ask you to pleas e speak up. If you have a question, probably several others have the same question. We all have different strengths and weaknesses and respect for each other is important. This is a rapidly changing field, so in some areas some of you will know more th an me. I look forward to your contributions, and our learning together.
Attendance and Missing a Class or Quiz: I value your attendance and participation in class, but will not be taking attendance. If you miss a class, you are responsible for getting any handouts not available on the Web from your classmates or during my office hours. Normally, you cannot make u p any in-class assignments. If you miss a quiz, you can make it up if you contact me (by e-mail, voice-mail, or during my office hours) before the day of the next class. Otherwise it is too late. If you need to miss several classes in a row due to an e mergency, please let me know so that I can try to help you schedule your class work. If you wish to drop the course, it is your responsibility to do so. Do not depend on me to drop you.
Software Policy: It is the policy of CCSF that there will be no copying of copyrighted software (applications) on computers belonging to CCSF.
General Outline of the Course