Undergraduate Course: Computer Networking (Level 10) (INFR10011)
Course Outline
| School | School of Informatics | 
College | College of Science and Engineering | 
 
| Course type | Standard | 
Availability | Available to all students | 
 
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) | 
Credits | 10 | 
 
| Home subject area | Informatics | 
Other subject area | None | 
   
| Course website | 
http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/cn | 
Taught in Gaelic? | No | 
 
| Course description | Computer networking is a major area of interest in practical computer science. This course aims to give students a perspective on the many and diverse techniques and structures used in communications networks. Additionally it covers recent developments in the area and future trends. | 
 
 
Information for Visiting Students 
| Pre-requisites | None | 
 
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes | 
 
 
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |   
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes 
1 - Knowledge of key concepts, protocols and algorithms in networking. 
2 - An understanding of the complexity of networks, their structure and utility. 
3 - The ability to apply their knowledge to networking applications, to network infrastructure and to network management. 
4 - The ability to write and present clear and concise descriptions of complex issues. | 
 
 
Assessment Information 
Written Examination	75 
Assessed Assignments	25 
Oral Presentations	0 
 
Assessment 
One submission is required. This will be an in-depth technical report on a topic of protocols and software that enables convergence in all-IP networks in the telecommunications industry. 
 
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: overview of current network structures; message, circuit and packet switching. Influencing factors: technology, regulation, standards and market forces. 
* Applications and layered architectures: web browsing, email; the OSI Reference Model. 
* Properties of media: twisted pair, co-axial cable, optical fibre, radio. Multiplexing: frequency-division; time-division, CDMA, WDM. 
* SONET. Telephone network switches and signalling. Traffic and routing control. Cellular & Satellite phone networks. 
* Peer-to-Peer protocol service models; ARQ protocols: Stop & Wait, Go-Back-N, Selective Repeat; transmission efficiency. 
* Routing algorithms: static and dynamic; centralised and distributed; link state and distance vector routing; Bellman-Ford; Dijkstra; Flooding. Interior and Exterior Internet routing protocols. 
* Traffic Management and Congestion control. 
* TCP/IP architecture; IP packets, addressing, routing; IPv4 & IPv6. Voice over IP. 
* ATM Networks: Adaptation Layers; Quality of Service parameters. Network management. 
* Wireless networks: 802.11, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS/UMTS. 
 
Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections:  Computer Communications, Computer Networks | 
 
| Transferable skills | 
Not entered | 
 
| Reading list | 
* James Kurose, Keith Ross, "Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet", 3rd Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2005, ISBN0321269764 | 
 
| Study Abroad | 
Not entered | 
 
| Study Pattern | 
Lectures	20 
Tutorials	0 
Timetabled Laboratories	0 
Non-timetabled assessed assignments	30 
Private Study/Other	50 
Total	100 | 
 
| Keywords | Not entered | 
 
 
Contacts 
| Course organiser | Dr Mary Cryan 
Tel: (0131 6)50 5153 
Email:  | 
Course secretary | Miss Kate Weston 
Tel: (0131 6)50 2701 
Email:  | 
   
 
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