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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Informatics : Informatics

Undergraduate Course: Computer Communications and Networks (INFR09027)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Informatics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaInformatics Other subject areaNone
Course website http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/comn Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis is an introductory course on Computer Communications and Networks, focusing on fundamental concepts, principles and techniques. The course will introduce basic networking concepts, including: protocol, network architecture, reference models, layering, service, interface, multiplexing, switching and standards. An overview of digital communication from the perspective of computer networking will also be provided. Topics covered in this course include: Internet (TCP/IP) architecture and protocols, network applications, congestion/flow/error control, routing and internetworking, data link protocols, error detection and correction, channel allocation and multiple access protocols, communication media and selected topics in wireless and mobile networks. This course will also give hands-on experience in network programming using the socket API.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Successful completion of Year 2 of an Informatics Single or Combined Degree, or equivalent by permission of the School. Students are also assumed to have basic programming expertise on Unix-type systems (e.g., Linux). Basic knowledge of operating systems would be helpful.
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  No Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLecture1-11 14:00 - 15:50
First Class Week 1, Tuesday, 14:00 - 15:50, Zone: Central. AT LT1
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)2:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)2:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1 - Be able to explain key networking concepts, principles, design issues and techniques at all protocol layers.
2 - Be able to contrast between different types of networks (e.g., wide area networks vs. local area networks, wired vs. wireless) in terms of their characteristics and protocols used.
3 - Be able to describe the Internet architecture, salient features of TCP/IP protocols, and unique characteristics of Ethernet and Wireless LANs.
4 - Have obtained hands-on experience in programming applications and protocols using TCP/UDP sockets.
Assessment Information
Written Examination 60
Assessed Assignments 40
Oral Presentations 0

Assessment
Two programming assignments.

If delivered in semester 1, this course will have an option for semester 1 only visiting undergraduate students, providing assessment prior to the end of the calendar year.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus * Introduction to Computer Networking and the Internet
* Digital Communication Basics
* The Application Layer
* The Transport Layer
* The Network Layer
* The Data Link Layer
* The Medium Access Control Sub-Layer
* The Physical Layer

Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections: Computer Communications, Computer Networks
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list * J. F. Kurose and K. W. Ross, "Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach" (4th edition), Pearson Education, 2008.
* L. L. Peterson and B. S. Davie, "Computer Networks: A Systems Approach" (4th edition), Morgan Kaufmann, 2007.
* A. S. Tanenbaum, "Computer Networks" (4th edition), Pearson Education, 2003.
* D. E. Comer, "Computer Networks and Internets" (4th edition), Prentice Hall, 2003.
* W. Stallings, "Data and Computer Communications" (7th edition), Prentice Hall, 2004.
* A. Leon-Garcia and I. Widjaja, "Communication Networks: Fundamental Concepts and Key Architectures" (1st edition), McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Lectures 20
Tutorials 0
Timetabled Laboratories 0
Non-timetabled assessed assignments 40
Private Study/Other 40
Total 100
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Nigel Goddard
Tel: (0131 6)51 3091
Email: Nigel.Goddard@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Tamise Totterdell
Tel: 0131 650 9970
Email: t.totterdell@ed.ac.uk
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:16 am