CSCI B438 - Foundations of Computer Networking Teaching/Learning Goals

The Who and What of B438

Who - Anyone with an interest in understanding data communications and digital computer networking at more than a user or administrator level. Background should include two semesters of programming that covers C, C++, Java style languages and basic data structures such as queues and lists, an operating systems course that covers multiprogramming concepts such as semaphores. Additional background in computer architecture is useful. This course satisfies the Computer Science requirement for a C3xx or C4xx course.

What - The lecture topics cover the theoretical basis of computer networking organized into the corresponding general layer structure roughly used to implement many existing networks. Main topics include the physical layer or the wire that connects networked systems, different standards used to communicate bits over the wire such as token ring and Ether net, implementation of primitive and study of existing protocols for communicating messages between two systems such as TCP (Transport Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol), methods for routing messages such as those used by IP (Internet Protocol), application protocols such as HTTP (The Web) and SMTP (email).

Exercises often complement lecture topics but are also used to expose one to certain useful skills applicable should it be necessary to actually make a network work. These exercises include the design and implementation of a typical small network, basic network administration from the computer insides to making it work for other users. A final project offers the opportunity to delve deeper into an interesting topic, past projects have implemented FTP and Web servers, multi-user chats, and simple file and printer sharing clients and servers. More specific information can be obtained by reading the following discussion of course goals or by examining exercises listed as homeworks on the course syllabus.


CSCI B438 Learning Goals

The learning goals of each computer science course strive to capture intended learning outcomes. The goals are expressed using the terms that follow. These terms describe the level of familiarity (most to least) with respect to various kinds of material and procedures.

The B438 learning goals cover important areas recommended jointly in a report by the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Computer Society of the IEEE in 2001 for university computing curricula. These international organizations were established to promote academic and professional excellence in the computer sciences. The complete baccalaureate curricula list consists of fourteen subject areas, of which a portion are covered in this course, primarily those areas which better prepare the student to succeed in subsequent Indiana University Southeast computer science courses and as professional computer scientists. Certain of these subjects listed below have been presented in previous courses or will recur in subsequent courses.
Design of B438 to Achieve These Goals

Computer science demands competency in a range of skills. Therefore, students benefit from the guided practice in the environment of a university class. To facilitate this, B438 includes the following:

  1. Students complete weekly assignments aimed at developing and practicing foundational skills.
  2. Class time is divided between instructor lecture and student discussion. Individual student questions serve to guide the class discussion.
  3. Assignments are available as Web-pages and are discussed in class when assigned using the pages available to the student.
  4. Most questions arise when students are working on exercises outside of class. Students are encouraged to contact the instructor directly or by emailing their questions and code of the troublesome exercise for guidance.
  5. A large project or research paper is required of all students.
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