Instructor: Peter Wood
Phone: 415/239-3229
Office: Batmale 311
Hours: Tuesday, 2-3 pm, 5-6 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. 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 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. Assignments turned in late may be penalized 10% per week. Assignments more than three weeks 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.
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. 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 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