Course Syllabus
Department of Computer Science
The George Washington University
Csci 183.80 - Computer Networks I
Csci 183W.80 - Computer Networks I
Csci 232.80 - Computer Networks
Fall 2009


General Course Information
Meeting time:
Classroom:
Class Webpage:
6:10PM -- 8:40PM, Monday
COR 111
http://www.seas.gwu.edu/~cheng/232
Instructor Information
Instructor Name:
Office:
Tel/Fax:
Email:
Office hours:
Xiuzhen Cheng
Academic Center, Room 716
202 994 9751 / 202 994 4875
cheng AT gwu.edu
1:00PM-3:00PM on Tuesday; 10:00AM-12:00PM Thursday.
TA Information
Name:
Office:
Tel:
Email:
Office hours:
Mingyang Zhang
AC 725

mingyang AT gwmail.gwu.edu
4:00PM-6:00PM Thursday & Friday
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts in the design and implementation of computer communication networks, their protocols, and applications. Topics to be covered include: layered network architectures, network applications, network programming interfaces (e.g., sockets), transport layer services, data link protocols, local area networks and network routing. Examples will be drawn primarily from the Internet protocol suite.
Course Objective
Upon successful completion of the course, you will have an understanding of the layered network architecture, the fundamental design issues in each layer, and the solution approaches towards addressing these issues.
Textbooks
"Computer Networks: A Systems Approach", by Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie, 4th Edition.   --- Required
"Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet", by Jim Kurose and Keith Ross.   --- Recommended Reference
"Computer Networks", by Andrew S. Tanenbaum.   --- Recommended Reference
Prerequisites
Csci 135 or 136 Computer Architectures or equivalent knowledge;
A rudimentary understanding of operating systems and probability would be helpful.
Programming ability in C/C++, in particular, socket programming.
Method of Instruction
The course will be taught mainly through lectures and in-class discussion. Please refer to Class Schedule for details. You are required to actively participate the in-class discussion!
There is a Announcement link in our class webpage. Please visit routinely for up-to-date information.
There will be five homework assignments, each containing a number of problems drawn from your textbook.
We will have two programming projects, 1 midterm and 1 final. The exams will be close-book.
All the written assignments and the programming project have to be done individually. No late homework/project will be accepted.
Method of Evaluation
Grades will be computed based on the following weights:
       Homework assignments 20%
       Projects 30%
       Midterm exam 25%
       Final exam 25%

Final letter grade will be curved based on the distribution of the overall scores. However, you may expect the following tentative grading scale to evaluate your performance: A's,A-'s:90-100%, B+'s,B's,B-'s:80-89%, C+'s,C's,C-'s:70-79%, D+'s,D's,D-'s:60-69%.
If you have questions regarding the grading of your homeworks, project or exams, you MUST come to see either the instructor or the TA WITHIN ONE WEEK after the date your homeworks, projects or exams have been returned to you.
Make-up policy:
Do not miss exams - there is no make-up policy. However, if for some unavoidable and valid (in the judgment of the instructor) reasons you have to miss an exam, speak with me before the exam.

Academic Integrity Policy
All examinations, projects, and other graded work products and assignments are to be completed in accordance with GW Code of Academic Integrity and CS Department Policy on Academic Integrity.