Instructor

Kevin A. Shaffer
Tomanek Hall 123D, 600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601 USA
phone: (785) 628-4484
fax:  (785) 628-4098
E-mail:  kshaffer@fhsu.edu

Classroom

The Internet and AH 335
On-campus help sessions 10:30 am ~ 11:45 am, T Th
E-mail Help:  Post your questions on the discussion forums in blackboard or send them directly to me (kshaffer@fhsu.edu) if you prefer.

Required Text

Data and Computer Communications, 8th edition, by William Stallings.

Newton's Telecom Dictionary by Harry Newton. Any recent edition (within the last few years) will be sufficient.

Subnetting Basics [DVD] published by the INT Deptartment. Purchase info: 785-628-5373

References

RFC's (Request for Comments) located on the IETF's web site, http://www.ietf.org/.

Objective

This course will explore data communication theories and applications.  Students should finish this course with a thorough understanding of a wide variety of communications methods used to internetwork computers.  The foundations of digital transmissions will be studied in the early part of the course.  Then, WAN and LAN protocols are studied.  Finally, internetworking and transmission control protocols are studied.

Activities

Students will participate in a variety of activities that will lead them to a much deeper understanding of data communications in the world today.  On-line lessons will highlight information from the text and introduce additional material of importance.  Homework assignments will challenge students to strive for a deeper understanding of data communications concepts and theories.  Examinations will "raise the bar" of expectation for students, providing yet another challenge.  Finally, students will prepare a student project.

Undergraduate Student Grading

An undergraduate student's final grade will be based on his or her achievement on each of the following tasks, listed below with the relative importance to the final grade.

15% Project
25% Homework
30% Midterm Exam
30% Final Exam

Final grades earned by each student will be based on the following scale:

A 93.0% - 100%
B 82.0 - 92.9%
C 71.0 - 81.9%
D 60.0 - 70.9%
U <59.9%

Graduate Student Grading

A graduate student's final grade will be based on their achievement on each of the following tasks, listed below with the relative importance to the final grade.

15% Term Paper
25% Homework
30% Midterm Exam
30% Final Exam

Final grades earned by each student will be based on the following scale:

A 93.0% - 100%
B 82.0 ~ 92.9%
C 71.0 ~ 81.9%
D 60.0 ~ 70.9%
U <59.9%

Late Policy

Late submissions are discouraged.  Submissions after the deadline will be scored according to the following table:

Submission	Reduction
48 hours late 96 hours  late over 96 hours late	40% 80% not accepted

Valid emergencies will be given consideration on a case by case basis only. Poor judgement on your part does not create an emergency.

Expectations

Students are expected to produce high quality work and take an active role in advancing their knowledge base.  The instructor is available to discuss issues and assist students in their research so they may achieve this expectation.