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Monash University

FIT5135 Data communications - Semester 1, 2014

The unit will introduce students to fundamentals of data and computer communications method and techniques. It covers: ISO and TCP/IP layered protocols; physical layer concepts: data transmission methods, signal encoding and digital data communication techniques; data link control protocol, multiplexing methods; WAN and LAN networking fundamentals; internetworking and transport protocols.

Mode of Delivery

Caulfield (Evening)

Workload Requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

  • Two hours of lectures
  • One 2-hour laboratory

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

  • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

FIT9020

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Caulfield

Peter Granville

Consultation hours: Tuesday 11am - 12noon

Your feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The University’s student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

For more information on Monash’s educational strategy, see:

www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students should be able to:
  • describe the underlying fundamental theories and models of transmitting data across a communication channel.
  • identify and describe the concepts and theories of standard network protocols;
  • describe the functions and architectures of LAN and WAN;
  • evaluate several different design options and formulate a simple network design.

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Introduction to Data Communications  
2 Application Layer  
3 Physical Layer  
4 Data Link Layer  
5 Network and Transport Layers - Part 1  
6 Network and Transport Layers - Part 2  
7 Local Area Networks Assignment 1 due 27 April 2014 (after mid-semester break)
8 Wireless Local Area Networks  
9 Metropolitan and Wide Area Neworks  
10 Backbone Networks  
11 The Internet Assignment 2 due 25 May 2014
12 Network Security  
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken during SWOT VAC
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach helps students to initially encounter information at lectures, discuss and explore the information during tutorials, and practice in a hands-on lab environment.

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Assignment 1 20% 27 April 2014
Assignment 2 20% 25 May 2014
Examination 1 60% To be advised

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    Assignment 1
    Description:
    Assignment 1 will include the material covered in Weeks 1 to 5. In particular questions will be related to components of networks, type of networks, internet models, message transmission using layers, application layer architectures, physical and data link layers.
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:

    The criteria used to assess submissions are:

       Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases.

       Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question.

       Presentation - that you have presented your answers using the appropriate method.

       Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument.

    Due date:
    27 April 2014
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Assignment 2
    Description:
    Assignment 2 will include the material covered in Weeks 6 to 10. In particular, the questions will be related to network and transport layers, structures and functions of local area, backbone and wide area networks.
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:

    The criteria used to assess submissions are:

       Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases.

       Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question.

       Presentation - that you have presented your answers using the appropriate method.

       Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument.

    Due date:
    25 May 2014

Examinations

  • Examination 1
    Weighting:
    60%
    Length:
    3 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    None

Learning resources

Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html

Faculty of Information Technology Style Guide

Feedback to you

Examination/other end-of-semester assessment feedback may take the form of feedback classes, provision of sample answers or other group feedback after official results have been published. Please check with your lecturer on the feedback provided and take advantage of this prior to requesting individual consultations with staff. If your unit has an examination, you may request to view your examination script booklet, see http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/procedures/request-to-view-exam-scripts.html

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:

  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Graded assignments with comments

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Required Resources

Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.

Wireshark, Packet Analysis Software freely available from http://www.wireshark.org/

Prescribed text(s)

Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library.

Jerry FitzGerald and Alan Dennis. (2010 or 2012). Business Data Communications & Networking. (10th or 11th Edition) Wiley.

Other Information

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash’s Education Policies at: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

Key educational policies include:

Faculty resources and policies

Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student Charter

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis.

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