FIT1005 Networks and data communications - Semester 2, 2009

Berwick

Caulfield

Clayton

Gippsland

South Africa

Malaysia

Prohibitions

BUS2062, BUS3150, CPE1007, CSE2004, CSE2318, CSE3318, CSE9801, GCO3812, FIT2008.

Relationships

FIT1005 is a core unit of the common core for first year undergraduates in the Faculty of Information Technology (FIT). It is a prerequisite for FIT2018, FIT2020, FIT3030, FIT3031, and FIT3018.

FIT1005 uses a lecture-tutorial teaching approach.

The lectures will discuss the weeks theoretical concepts and will also go through specific examples and demonstrations.

In tutorials students will discussin-depth fundmental aspects about networks and data communications and apply their understanding to practical examples. The tutorials are critical in helping student consolidate concepts andpractise their problem solving skills. Some tutorials will also contain a hands-on laboratory element.

Timetable information

For information on timetabling for on-campus classes please refer to MUTTS, http://mutts.monash.edu.au/MUTTS/

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system: http://allocate.cc.monash.edu.au/

Unit Schedule

Week	Topic	Key dates
1	Introduction to Data Communications
2	Data Transmission
3	Transmission Media
4	Signal Encoding 1
5	Signal Encoding 2
6	Digital Data Communication Techniques	Assignment One due Fri 28/Aug, 12PM
7	Data Link Control Protocols	Hands-on Lab Practical Assessment
8	Multiplexing	Unit Test
9	Local Area Networks
10	High-Speed LANs
Mid semester break
11	Internetworking
12	Internetworking and Transport Protocols	Assignment Two due Fri 16/Oct, 12PM
13	Revision

Prescribed text(s) and readings

William Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, Prentice Hall, 8th Edition, 2007

Textbooks are available to purchase from Campus bookshops.

Recommended text(s) and readings

Behrouz A. Forouzan, Data Communications and Networking, 4th edition, 2007, McGraw-Hill.

David Stamper et al, Business Data Communications, 6th Edition, 2003, Prentice Hall.

Fred Halsall, Data Communications, Computer Networks, and Open Systems, 4th Edition, 1998, Addison-Wesley.

Required software and/or hardware

Web Browser is needed to access study and tutorial material.

Email Client is required.

Wireshark (freeware) is optional; recommeded for home/out-of-lab study.

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Students may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 2 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

(i) Study resources we will provide for your study are:

• The FIT1005 web site on Moodle, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementary material will be posted.
• Newsgroups/discussion groups that can be linked to from the Unit Homepage

(ii) Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) will be available to students enrolled for FIT1005:

The Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) scheme is a program of weekly group study sessions open to all students enrolled in FIT1005.  Each 50-minute session is run by a trained PASS Leader, a more experienced student who has previously studied the unit.  PASS sessions run from Weeks 2 – 12.

The PASS program in FIT1005 has five main objectives:

• To provide a comfortable environment where students can assist one another to revise and discuss coursework and therefore, achieve better results
• To promote deeper understanding and learning of the concepts in the unit
• To allow students to build a network of friends, whom they can turn to for support
• To offer students extra support to aid in the successful transition from high school to university and;
• To demonstrate to students effective learning and study techniques that can be extended to private study and other subjects and promote the development of students as independent learners, including note taking, questioning techniques, vocabulary acquisition, problem solving, and exam preparation.

It is important to understand that PASS sessions are not tutorials and therefore the leader does not simply offer answers to problems, but promotes a coordinated group effort to find the solution.

How do I sign up for PASS?
To sign up, visit the FIT1005 Blackboard/Moodle site on MUSO in Week 1 to view the schedule of PASS sessions.  Choose a session that fits in with your timetable, and sign up.  PASS will be most beneficial to you if you attend your session each week, so please try to make it to all your sessions.  Remember, PASS sessions start in Week 2.

Overview

Assignments: 35%; Practical work: 5%; Unit/Class Test: 10%; Exam (2 hours): 50%

Faculty assessment policy

To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

• 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
• 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
• an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 44% then a mark of no greater than 44-N will be recorded for the unit.

The minimum requirements that need to be satisfied to pass the unit are:

• a minimum result of 40% in the Unit Exam
• a pass in the Non-Exam Component of the unit that ensures the final result for the unit is 50% or greater

Failure to meet the minimum requirements will result in a fail grade, with a maximum achievable final result of 44 N.

It is also a requirement that students attend at least 80% of tutorials. Failure to do so may preclude the student achieving a pass in this subject.

It is recommended that students attend at least 80% of lectures, as success in this subject requires good understanding of the material which cannot be gained by reading lecture notes alone.

DE Students Only: Alternative assessment to Practical work & Unit/Class Test will be given to Distance Education students during teaching week 8

Assignment tasks

Assignment coversheets

Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

Assignment submission and return procedures, and assessment criteria will be specified with each assignment.

• Assignment task 1

  Title:

  Assignment 1

  Description:

  This assignment tests your theoretical understanding of the introductory data communications concepts through a series of short answer questions.

  Weighting:

  15%

  Due date:

  Fri 28/Aug, 12PM

• Assignment task 2

  Title:

  Assignment 2

  Description:

  This is a group assignment. It provides an opportunity for you to apply data communications concepts to a practical networking example. You will be required to analyse a case study and make networking recommendations based on the user requirements. This assignment will also allow you to present your solutions in a formal report format.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Due date:

  Fri 16/Oct, 12PM

• Assignment task 3

  Title:

  Hands-on Lab Practical

  Description:

  Students will be asked to perform a set of networking tasks in the lab and note their results. The results will be assessed.

  Weighting:

  5%

  Due date:

  During the week starting from 31/Aug (Semester teaching week 07)

Examinations

• Examination 1

  Weighting: 50%
  Length: 2 hours
  Type (open/closed book): closed book

• Examination 2

  Weighting: 10%
  Length: 1 hour
  Type (open/closed book): Closed book
  Remarks:

  This will be the mid-term (unit) test. It will be conducted during the lecture of Semester teaching week08.

Due dates and extensions

Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are not regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Students requesting an extension for any assessment during semester (eg. Assignments, tests or presentations) are required to submit a Special Consideration application form (in-semester exam/assessment task), along with original copies of supporting documentation, directly to their lecturer within two working days before the assessment submission deadline. Lecturers will provide specific outcomes directly to students via email within 2 working days. The lecturer reserves the right to refuse late applications.

A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Refer to the Faculty Special consideration webpage or further details and to access application forms: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% per day or part thereof including Saturday and Sunday.

Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not normally be accepted.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.