Units
Networks
Unit code: INN251
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Computer systems and communications networks are essential to the activities of modern organisations. When you graduate from a course in Information Technology, employers expect you to have a sound understanding of the terminology and concepts of computer systems, communications networks, and network services. This unit provides you with an introductory study of communications network technologies and network applications. The unit serves as an entry point to further specialised studies in the field of computer network systems.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Computer systems and communications networks are essential to the activities of modern organisations. When you graduate from a course in Information Technology, employers expect you to have a sound understanding of the terminology and concepts of computer systems, communications networks, and network services. This unit provides you with an introductory study of communications network technologies, network operating systems and network applications. The unit serves as an entry point to further specialised studies in the field of computer network systems.
Aims
The main aim of the unit is to provide a broad introduction to computer networking.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Have a good understanding of network terminology, concepts and structures.
2. Configure and troubleshoot simple networks and network operating systems.
3. Appreciate the need for different types of networks.
Content
The areas, within computer networking, covered in this unit include: Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model, Media used in Networking Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs), Network Devices, Network Applications, Network Operating Systems, IP Addressing and Subnetting, Network Security and Network Management.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Weekly contact will consist of a two hour lecture, and a one-hour laboratory session. You will have supervised laboratory sessions every week. Some laboratory sessions will require you to work in small groups, while others will require you to work independently. Your primary source of learning materials is the lectures and the relevant chapters and sections of the textbook. The Blackboard Site: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au contains lecture material and laboratory exercises for each week of the teaching period.
Concurrent Teaching
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same subject. University policy permits postgraduate and undergraduate students to attend the same lectures. Separate practical sessions will be provided for postgraduates students where student numbers allow. As a postgraduate student you will be required to complete separate assessment tasks that reflect the advanced knowledge and understanding of the subject. For this unit that means your assessment will be of increased complexity but not necessarily of greater length or effort. The assessment will require you to show additional evidence of critical evaluation.
Assessment
Appropriate assessment criteria will be made available to students by the end of Week 8 of the semester.You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
Ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during lectures and practical sessions;
Your assignment will be returned to you before the end of semester with comments on your progress;
Private consultation with teaching staff.
Assessment name:
Examination
Description:
Mid Semester Examination.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3.
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6
Assessment name:
Case Study
Description:
Practical Assignment.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3.
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
Final written exam.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3.
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.
Required text:
White, C. 2013. Data Communication and Computer Networks: A Business User's Approach. 7th Ed Course Technology, ISBN-10: 1-133-62721-8 ISBN-13: 978-1-133-62721-0
Risk assessment statement
There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 30-Apr-2012
