EMT2455: Data Communications

Instructor

Instructor: Prof. Benito Mendoza
Lecture: Section OL42 Tue, Wed, and Thu 2:30-5:00 
Classroom: Online (Blackboard Collaborate Ultra)
Office: V620
Office Hours: Wednesday 10:00- 12:00  
or by appointment.
Email : bmendoza@citytech.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-260-5885
Website: http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/faculty/BMendoza

TeRequired Textbook (Courseware and Software Simulator)

Reference Books

CompTIA Network+ N10-007 Cert Guide (Certification Guide). Anthony J. Sequeira. Pearson IT Certification; 1 edition (February 22, 2018). ISBN-10: 0789759810
Networking Essentials: A CompTIA Network+ N10-007. Jeffrey S. Beasley, Piyasat Nilkaew. Pearson IT Certification; 5 edition (March 2, 2018). ISBN-10: 0789758741

Course Overview

Fundamentals of data communications and computer network protocols and standards. It provides a basic understanding of data communication systems with practical examples of communication networks as applied in engineering technology. Study of OSI and TCP/IP models, data transmissions, transmission media, network topologies, network cabling system, IP address, TCP/IP suite, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless network, and network security. Students carry out experiments using modern hardware and software networking tools. In particular, this semester will focus on the content required to obtain the CompTIA’s Network+ and TestOut’s Network Pro certifications.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, the learner will be able to meet these overall objectives:

Identify network cable and network types
Identify common network standards
Understand how data and signals are transmitted
Identify wired and wireless network components
Set up a wired or wireless network
Manage static and IP addressing
Manage network protocols
Troubleshoot common network issues

The purpose of the course is to provide the student with the equivalent knowledge of an entry-level network administrator with 9-12 months of experience.

About the Certifications

The purpose of a networking certification is to validate and demonstrate that the recipient has the required networking skills and experience to manage basic network infrastructure. This course meets the specification of two industry certification programs:

TestOut’s Network Pro certification measures the student’s ability to perform real-world job skills using the Windows operating system and common networking hardware.
CompTIA’s Network+ certification is an international vendor-neutral certification with a broad-based knowledge base. Many other vendor-specific certifications require Network+ certification (or its equivalent) as a foundation.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of PC hardware installation and configuration.
Knowledge of using and administering a Windows client computer.

Grading Policy

Online home assignments: 50%

Quizzes: 25%
Labs: 25%

In-class assignments, labs, and exams: 50%

Networking Labs: 20%
In-class quizzes: 10%
Mid Term Exam: 10%
Final Exam: 10%

Homework Assignments

There will be homework assignments every class: quizzes and labs (from TestOut Network Pro).
The student can answer the online quizzes and labs with open notes at home. Every quiz and lab have to be completed before the next class (by 2:25 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). The minimum pass grade is 80. The student has as many attempts as needed to pass them, the highest grade will be taken as the final grade.
The homework online labs and quizzes have to be successfully completed in order to have access to the labs and quizzes in the classroom.
You have to pass all the quizzes and labs to have the right to take the Mid-Term and the Final Exam; the minimum passing grade for those labs and quizzes is 80%.
If for any reason you miss a class, it is your responsibility to complete the corresponding online homework assignments.
There is no make-up time for missing assignments. Nothing will be accepted after the due date.

In-class Exams

The Mid Term exam will cover modules 1 to 5 from TestOut Network Pro training material
The final exam will be a practice test covering all the content expected in a real Network Pro or Network+ exam.

In-class Networking Lab Assignments

The in-class laboratory work has to be completed in classroom time. No late submissions. Lab assignments are graded on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the following criteria:

Criteria	Grade
Successfully completed the lab assignment	100
Made a legitimate attempt to complete the lab assignment	75
Attended the lab, but made no effort to complete the assignment	30
Did not attend the lab	0

Technology Prerequisites

Access to your school email account
Access to your Blackboard account
You need access to a computer with a highspeed Internet connection.
Microphone and Camera, since this is an online course

Note

Please check the list of topics on the weekly schedule at:
https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/emt2455summer20/schedule/

Syllabus