Title (Units): COMP3015 Data Communications and Networking (3,3,1)

Course Aims: To learn the principles of data communications, computer networks and network
programming.

Prerequisite: COMP2045 Programming and Problem Solving

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)

Knowledge
1 Describe network components and architectures
2 Explain the fundamental principles of computer communication at the physical layer, data link layer
and network layer.
3 Describe some standardized and popular networks, including Ethernet and WiFi
4 Explain the principles of network programming
Professional Skill
5 Design and implement client-server applications using socket programming

Calendar Description: Students will learn the principles of data communications, computer networks and
network programming.

Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs):

CILOs Type of TLA

1-4 Students will attend lectures to learn the principles of data communications, computer
networks and network programming. They will be given tutorial questions and participate in
class discussion for in-depth learning.
4,5 Students will attend laboratory sessions to gain practical experience in network
programming.
1-4 Students will work on written assignments to consolidate and apply what they have learnt.
4,5 Students will work on programming assignments to design and implement client-server
applications.

Assessment:

No. Assessment Weighting CILOs to be Description of Assessment Tasks

Methods addressed
1 Continuous 40% 1-5 Continuous assessments are designed to measure
Assessment how well students have learned the basic concepts
of data communications and networking. A course
project is designed to measure how well students
have learned the network programming techniques.
2 Examination 60% 1-5 Final examination questions are designed to see
how far students have achieved their intended
learning outcomes.

Assessment Rubrics:

Excellent (A) Good (B) Satisfactory (C) Marginal Pass (D) Fail (F)
Network Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates
components and thorough sufficient moderate some knowledge limited
architectures knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and and understanding knowledge and
understanding of understanding of understanding of of key concepts of understanding of
key concepts of key concepts of key concepts of network key concepts of
network network network network

1
 components and components and components and components and components and
architectures architectures architectures architectures architectures
Principles of Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates
computer thorough sufficient moderate some knowledge limited
communication knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and and understanding knowledge and
understanding of understanding of understanding of of the understanding of
the fundamental the fundamental the fundamental fundamental the fundamental
principles of principles of principles of principles of principles of
computer computer computer computer computer
communications communications communications communications communications
at the physical at the physical at the physical at the physical at the physical
layer, data link layer, data link layer, data link layer, data link layer, data link
layer and network layer and network layer and network layer and network layer and
layer layer layer layer network layer
Standardized Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates
networks thorough sufficient moderate some knowledge limited
knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and and understanding knowledge and
understanding of understanding of understanding of of key concepts understanding of
key concepts and key concepts and key concepts and and principles of key concepts and
principles of principles of principles of standardized principles of
standardized standardized standardized networks such as standardized
networks such as networks such as networks such as Ethernet and WiFi networks such as
Ethernet and WiFi Ethernet and WiFi Ethernet and WiFi Ethernet and
WiFi
Network Has a high degree Has a Has a moderate Has some degree Has a limited
programming of effectiveness considerable degree of of effectiveness degree of
and correctness in degree of effectiveness and and correctness in effectiveness and
the design and effectiveness and correctness in the the design and correctness in the
implementation of correctness in the design and implementation of design and
client-server design and implementation of client-server implementation
applications using implementation of client-server applications using of client-server
socket client-server applications using socket applications
programming applications using socket programming using socket
socket programming programming
programming

Course Content and CILOs Mapping:

Content CILO No. Hours

I Basic Concepts 1 4
II Principles of Computer Communications 2 19
III Standardized Networks 3 10
IV Network Programming 4,5 19

References:
 B. Forouzan, Data Communications and Networking, 5th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2012
 A. S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, 5th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2010
 W. Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, 10th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2013
 E. R. Harold, Java Network Programming, 4th Edition, O’Reilly, 2013

Course Content:

Topic

I. Basic Concepts
A. Communications model
B. Network categories

2
 C. Protocol architecture

II. Principles of Computer Communications

A. Physical layer: transmission media, signal analysis, bandwidth
and data rate, digital transmission, analog transmission,
multiplexing
B. Data link layer: framing, error control, flow control, multiple
access protocols
C. Network layer: virtual circuit and datagram networks, routing

III. Standardized Networks

A. Ethernet
B. Wireless LANs

IV. Network Programming

A. Socket programming: background and principles
B. Design of clients
C. Design of servers