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Syllabus, Spring, 2008 CSci 4211: Introduction to Networking

Instructor: Dr. Carl Sturtivant, carl@cs.umn.edu

Textbook: Kurose & Ross, "Computer Networking: a Top-down Approach Featuring the Internet" 4th Edition, Addison Wesley

Read this document very carefully, as it defines what is required to perform effectively in this class. Note that you will need an ITlabs account for this class to complete the programming assignments.

Tentative Schedule and Content, defined by the text, Kurose & Ross.   Chapter 1. Computer Networks and Internet   Chapter 2. Application Layer   Chapter 3. Transport Layer   Chapter 4. Network Layer and Routing   Chapter 5. Link Layer and Local Area Networks   Chapter 7. Multimedia Networking   Chapter 8. Security in Computer Networks Much of this class will consist of reading the book to consolidate what is presented in class. You should be careful to read the sections of the book covered in class as the class proceeds.

Evaluation: The following rules will be strictly enforced. Evaluation will consist of assignments (10) (some parts written, some requiring programming), a Midterm exam, and a Final exam. Assignments are a vital part of the learning process: persons who do not submit reasonable attempts at all assignments will receive an F for the course. Due dates for assignments are strict: all assignments must be received during the class in which they are due (or submitted electronically on or before 11:59pm in the case of programming assignments) in order to receive credit. Keep a copy of each of your submissions as evidence that you have indeed submitted each assignment. Do not ever put your assignment under the instructors office door. Grading is absolute (i.e. not on a curve). The overall grade will be based upon: 5% for each asignment, 10% for the midterm, and 40% for the final. A minimum of 60% is necessary for an S or C- grade. Grading will be as follows: 95.0% or above yields an A, 90.0% an A-, 85% = B+, 80% = B, 75% = B-, 70% =: C+, 65% = C, 60% = C-, 55% = D+, 50% = D, and less than 50% yields an F. Percentages are not rounded when using this scheme, because this would be tantamount to moving all of the grade boundaries down by 0.5%. Grading is performed by the TA. If you have a question about grading, address it to the TAs. Only if something wholely unreasonable has occurred will the instructor intervene. And this has not yet proved necessary. Furthermore, there is a limit of ten (10) days from the return of an assignment or examination (or the posting of a grade for a programming assignment) for grading problems to be rectified. After that period, such will not be considered. The sole exception to this rule is the final examination. Please ensure that you verify promptly that your assigment and examination grades have been recorded on GRIT, and complain to the TA if a grade record is missing. Incompletes (or make up exams) will in general not be given. These options will be considered only when a provably serious family or personal emergency arises, proof is presented, and the student has already completed all but a small portion of the work. Scholastic conduct must be acceptable. Specifically, you must do your homeworks, and examinations yourself, on your own. Do not search for answers to questions from the book on the world-wide-web. This is not meant to block general discussion of HOW to tackle homework problems, which you will also get if you come to office hours, but you must declare on your homework with whom you discussed any homework question. Do not write any notes or code when having such discussions, and be alone when writing answers to homework questions. The instructor may at his discretion at any time give any student a short oral quiz on the student's submitted answer to any homework question to determine whether the student understands the text they have supplied. Failure to supply an adequate response will be deemed evidence for academic dishonesty (plagiarism), which may lead to failing the course and disciplinary action from the university.