605.671.81 - Principles of Data Communications Networks

Course Structure

A list of reading assignments from the textbook, class modules and the Internet are posted each week in the Canvas Course Contents area. A schedule of the weekly assignments and their due dates is provided to ensure that you progress through the materials in a timely fashion. You are responsible for keeping up with the class reading assignments. You will use Canvas for course communications and submission of assignments. A drop box in the assignment area will be used for submitting your homework assignments, exams, and term paper. Assignments must be submitted on time. You will be penalized for handing in assignments after the due date. Please keep up with your readings and visit the Canvas course interface regularly!

Participation in class discussions is a mandatory part of the course. You will be graded on your participation in the class discussion. Discussions will be held every other week for a period of 5 days. You are expected to take part in the discussion and make substantial contributions to the discussion on a minimum of three of the five days in which the discussion takes place. You may use email to privately communicate with the instructor about anything pertaining to the course. You may also use the discussion area to ask questions or make comments of general interest to the class. Please check the homepage regularly for announcements pertinent to the course.

Course Topics

• Fundamentals of Data Communications
• Signaling and Encoding Techniques
• Physical Layer
• Transmission Facilities
• Line Sharing
• Data Link Layer
• Error Detection and Correction
• Network Security
• Data Compression
• Network Performance
• Wired and Wireless LANs
• IP Networks

Course Goals

The objective of this course is for the student to gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of data communications over a computer network. The student will learn the methods for sending data over a communications channel and the techniques for assuring reliable and cost-effective communications. The basic data communication components are introduced, the fundamentals of signaling and data transmission are explained, communications circuit offerings are identified, the communications equipment and techniques for making optimum use of the available communications bandwidth are discussed, line control techniques are explained, the protocols for communicating over a data link are discussed, network security techniques are shown, local area and IP networks are examined, and network performance techniques are explained.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• By the end of this course you will be able to: Apply frequency and time division multiplexing techniques to share network bandwidth among multiple users
• Employ signal encoding and modulation techniques for transmitting data over a communications circuit
• Use the Shannon formula to calculate the maximum bit rate of a communications channel
• Use error detection and correction algorithms to determine if the data is error free
• Calculate the CRC for a data frame
• Identify the basic components of a data communications network
• Analyze data link layer protocols
• Use data compression algorithms to maximize network throughput
• Identify the requirements for network security
• Use queuing theory and reliability and availability techniques to meet network performance criteria
• Describe the protocols used in local area and IP networks

Textbooks

Stallings, W. (2014). Data and Computer Communications (10th ed.); Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

ISBN: 978-0-13-350648-8

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website. MBS website.

Student Coursework Requirements

Your final grade will be based on a set of assignments, class discussions, a midterm exam, and a term paper. Due dates are final - late assignments will be penalized. The percentage value for each of the items is as follows:

It is assumed that graduate students are adept at writing English and no points will normally be subtracted for English errors; in cases of exceptionally poor English points will be deducted. All external sources of information used to support must be appropriately referenced.

Grading Policy

The final grade for the course will be determined as follows:

Course Policies

All assignments must be handed in on time. There is a one-time one day grace period for a late assignment. You are allowed to use the one-day grace period one time without penalty. A 10% penalty will be assessed for subsequent late assignments. No assignment will be accepted outside the one-day grace period. You will receive a failing grade for that assignment.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.