SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT (BFM) BUSINESS AND

MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

COM312 – DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING

SYLLABUS AND DETAILED COURSE GUIDE

Part 1: Course Description and Resources

Lecturer: Alex Ng’uni

Office: 2nd Floor
Office Hours: 8.00 – 17:00 hrs; Monday-Friday
Office Telephone: 0977286765
Lecturer’s E-mail: [email protected]

Course Description
This module introduces basic networking, LAN, WAN, Ethernet, Wireless technology,
basic topologies, internet, intranet, extranet and VLAN technology. Computer
networking is the engineering concerned with communication between computers,
that is, share data and resources. Computer networks have become an essential tool
enabling users to communicate with other systems and to co-operate on
applications. It will cover the design and operation of both local and wide area
networks, illustrated with typical practical examples in widespread use.

Prerequisites
None

Required Texts
Key Texts:
Title: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s Approach
Author: Curt M. White
Edition: 7th
Year Published: 2013
ISBN-978-1-133-62721-0

Other Reading:

Page 1
 1) Title: Data and Computer Communications
Author: Willian Stallings
Edition: 8th Edition.
Publisher: Pearson Education
Year Published: 2007

2) Title: Computer Networks: Principles, Technologies and Protocols for Network

Design,
Author: Olifer, N. & Olifer, N,
Publisher: J. Wiley & Sons.,
Year Published: 2006,
3) Title: Computer Networks
Author: Tanenbaum, A.S & Weatherall,D.J
Edition: 5th Edition.
Publisher: Pearson Education
Year Published: 2010,
4) Data Communication and Computer Network Tutorial: Tutorials Point, Simply
Easy Learning

Online Resources
1. http://www.tutorialpoint.com/data_communication_computer_networkin
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/data communication and networking
3. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG6WGvzmVaw: lecture series on Data
Communication

Course Delivery
Module aims: This module aims to provide the learner with broad introduction to
the networking and communication systems commonly employed in a business
environment, along with understanding of the underlying theoretical frameworks and
of associated issues.

Rationale: The module provides a good background for students to analyze

networks, data transmission and communication. The module equips the learner to
use the skills taught to determine an array of recommendations and outcomes.

Teaching Hours & Methods: Approximately 50 hours class contact time or

equivalent; 150 hours of independent study.
Directed and undirected reading plus centre based tutor support.

Part 2: Student Learning Outcomes

Page 2
 General Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand network and communication protocols

2. Understand the principles of common network topologies and architectures.

3. Be able to install and configure internet and communication systems.

Specific Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the student should be able to:

1. Be able to design and install network and server operating systems to meet
the requirements of a precise specification

Part 3: Weekly Topics and Assignments

WEEK 1:

Topic: Introduction to Data Communication

Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s
Approach (Page1-20)

Free online videos: www. youtube.com/ watch?v=sG6WGvzmVaw:

Problems sets for week 1: Answer the review questions on page 26, “Data
Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s Approach” by Curt M.
White

WEEK 2:

Topic: Data Communication Concepts

Readings: Data and Computer Communications. (page 16-21)
Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s
Approach(Page29-55)

Free online videos:

Problems sets for week 2: Answer the review questions on page 59, “Data
Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s Approach” by Curt M.
White

WEEK 3:

Topic: Introduction to Networks

Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s

Approach (Page175-) Data and Computer Communications. (Page 22-31)

Page 3
Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVvEheZVwdg

Problems sets for week 3: Individual questions shall be given out to learners.

WEEK 4:

Topic: Network protocols and Standards

Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s

Approach (Page209-)Data and Computer Communications. (Page 33-
48)
Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsBxJ-UxeHk

Problems sets for week 4: Individual questions shall be given out to learners.

WEEK 5:

Topic: Wireless Networking Standards

Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s
Approach (Page209) Data and Computer Communications. (Page 522-
549)

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2eyrijSbhs

Problems sets for week 5: Individual questions shall be given out to learners.

WEEK 6:

Topic: Network Topologies and Architectures

Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s
Approach (Page175-) Data and Computer Communications. (Page446-
473)

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr7AhRluLlw

Problems sets for week 6: Individual questions shall be given out to learners.

WEEK 7:

Topic: Network Media and Connectors

Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s
Approach (Page63-99)

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_e_dj02HoI

Problems sets for week 7: Individual questions shall be given out to learners.

Page 4
WEEK 8:

Topic: Network Security

Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s
Approach (Page339-350) Data and Computer Communications. (Page
699-737)

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcks1FLBVOI

Problems sets for week 8: Individual questions shall be given out to learners.

WEEK 9:

Topic: Firewalls
Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s
Approach (Page359-364)

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OlJZ0gI-cM

Problems sets for week 9: Individual questions shall be given out to learners.

WEEK 10:

Topic: Virtual Private Networks

Readings: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s
Approach (Page285-299)

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGjGQ24cXAY

Problems sets for week 10: Individual questions shall be given out to learners.

Part 4: Grading Policy

Graded Coursework, assignments and examinations

ASSESSMENT COMMENTS % OF FINAL GRADE

Continuous Assessment Assessment for topics 1, 10%

(CA 1) 2, 3, 4

Test (or CA 2) Test 1will be given for 10%

Page 5
 topics 5, 6,7

Test 2 (or third Test 2 will be given for 10%

assessment) topics 8,9,10.

Teamwork

Presentations 10%

FINAL EXAM 60%

TOTAL POINTS 100%

Letter Grades

Letter Grade Percentage Performance

A+ 75 - 100% Distinction
A 70 - 74% Distinction
B+ 65 - 69% Merit
B 60 - 64% Merit
C+ 55 - 59% Credit
C 50 - 54% Pass
D 40 - 49% Fail
E Below 40% Fail

Part 5: Course Policies

Class Attendance, Participation and Emergencies

1. Attending classes is mandatory for all students.

2. Participation in group work or teamwork is required whenever such work is
assigned.
3. In case of any emergency that disenables a student from attending classes
or completing work, the student is expected to communicate with the
lecturer or dean as soon as possible.
4. Students with disabilities should inform the dean of the faculty of any
special needs that they may have.

Late Work and Missing Assessments

1. Each student is responsible for making sure that his or her work is done
on time.

Page 6
2. Any student who misses assessments or misses class should talk to his or
her lecturer or professor as soon as possible and seek the lecturer’s advice
on how to make up for work missed or assessments missed.
3. Students who expect to miss classes or to miss assessments for health
reasons or special family reasons should communicate with the lecturer or
professor for the course as soon as possible.
4. Students should note that there may be a penalty for late work, and
missed assessments. The penalty may include not being allowed to sit for
the final examination.
5. Students who are unable to keep up with class work should consult with
the course lecturer or faculty dean or dean of students, and seek advice.

Integrity and Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism

1. All students are expected to abide by the university’s policy on ethical

conduct.

2. Any student involved in cheating in tests, coursework or examinations will

be suspended pending investigations, and may be expelled from the
University.

3. Any student involved in buying or selling tests or examinations will be

suspended from the University pending investigations.

4. Any student involved in using sexual favors in exchange for marks will be
suspended pending investigations, and may be expelled from the
University.

5. Plagiarism means presenting other people’s work from online or from other
sources as your own. Plagiarism is a serious offence and will not be
tolerated, and offenders will fail that particular course.

6. Students are required to read the University’s policy on examinations.

Make up of Missed Classes

1. There will be special make up classes for each class that is missed because
the lecturer could not come to class on a particular day

2. Students are required to treat make up classes as part of the regular

learning program

Page 7