ITN-100

Introduction to telecommunications

Syllabus – updated 4/7/2020

Course Information Instructor
Course: ITN-100 Introduction to telecommunications Name: Robert Dusek
Format: 16W Email: [email protected]
Section: 1L Phone: 703-450-2539
Semester: Spring 2020 Office: Sterling HEC-316-J; Reston 324
Date/Time: Monday 2 to 4:40pm; 10 minutes break at Office See schedule table at the end of syllabus
3:20pm (80+10+70 minutes) Hours:
Location: Sterling HEC-221
Course Objectives and NVCC Course Content Summary
Select the link for further details on NVCC Course Content Summary
Course Description
Surveys data transmission systems, communication lines, data sets, network, interfacing, protocols, and modes of
transmission. Emphasizes network structure and operation. Lecture 3 hours per week.
Course Prerequisites/Co-requisites
ITE-115

Technical Competencies
Basic Canvas knowledge is assumed. Review the link for Canvas Tutorials.
Textbooks for the class:
Business Data Communications and Networking, Alan Dennis, Jerry FitzGerald, Alexandra Durcikova -
published by Wiley; 13th edition (printed ISBN: 978-1-119-36883-0).

Required Materials/Software/Hardware
Access to reliable computer with Internet access, such as campus open computer labs.

Course Grading, Examinations, & Grades Composition

Grading can comprise of factors such as student participation, discussions, assignments, and exams.
Your final grade is based on the following scale: A 90+, B 80+, C 70+, D 60+, F 0+

In class proctored Percent Non-Proctored Grade assignments: Percent

Grade assignments: (in or outside of class)
Concepts midterm exam – about 35 points 21 % Homework approximately 240 points 37 %
Practical midterm exam – about 20 points 12 % Attendance 16 points 3%
Final exam – about 45 points 27 %
Total grade weight: 60 % Total : 40 %

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Introduction to telecommunications

Schedule - Please note: The instructor reserves the right to adjust the schedule.

Class: Date: Unit Lecture Material: Textbook chapter: Homework:

(Check
Canvas)
1 1/13 1 Intro to class
2 Metric prefixes, El. Units; decibels Check resources in Canvas
1/20 Martin L. King, Jr. holiday – college closed
2 1/27 3 Number systems: binary, hexadecimal
4 Number systems: hexadecimal
3 2/3 5 1.1-3 Network types, models Intro to Data
Communications
6 1.3-6 Network standards, trends
4 2/10 7 2.1-3 App. Architectures, WWW, Application Layer
8 2.4-6 Email and other applications
5 2/17 9 3.1-3 Circuits, media Physical Layer
10 3.4 Bit encoding, signaling
6 2/24 11 3.5 Modulation
12 3.6 Analog to digital, PCM
7 3/2 13 4.1-3 Access and Error Control Data Link Layer
14 4.4-3 Protocols, efficiency
3/9 Spring break - No classes college-wide
Class cancelled – switching to remote mode Pandemic - Social distancing.
8 3/16 15 5.1-4 Transport protocols and functions Network and Transport
Layers
9 3/23 16 5.4-7 Addressing, routing, TCP/IP
10 3/30 Midterm exam online
11 4/6 17 Digital audio Check resources in Canvas
18 Digital images
12 4/13 19 Digital video
20 7.1-4 Wired and Wireless LAN Wired and Wireless Local
Area Networks
21 7.5-7 LAN Design, performance
13 4/20 22 8.1-7 Switched, routed, VLAN, performance, Backbone Networks
23 9.1-7 Circuit and packet switched services, Wide Area Networks
VPN, Design, performance, implications
14 4/27 24 10.1-5 Architecture, technologies, future Internet
25 11.1-6 Assessment, continuity, prevention, Network Security
15 5/4 26 12.1-7 Performance, management, support, cost Network Management
16 5/11 27 Final exam at 2pm Online
(College in remote instruction until end of summer semester due to pandemic)

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Introduction to telecommunications

Incomplete Grades
A grade of “I” (Incomplete) is given only when a student has completed the majority of the course (60% or more) and becomes
unable to attend class or to complete course requirements near the end of the course due to a mitigating circumstance.
Also, read the Withdrawal Policy section below for further grade information.
Mitigating Circumstances
Mitigating circumstances are defined as unavoidable situations that can be verified and documented. Examples would include
situations like the serious illness of the student, the serious illness or death of a family member, family financial problems, a
change in employment hours, or temporary absence from the area because of employment.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is expected in both in-class meetings and participation in Canvas. Students are expected to attend every scheduled
face-to-face class meeting and to enter Canvas weekly. When absence from class becomes necessary, please attempt to inform
the instructor ahead of time. Students are responsible for all material missed in class due to an absence. Any instruction
missed and not subsequently completed either in-class or on Canvas will necessarily affect the grade of the student regardless
of the reason for the absence.

Disclaimer
I reserve the right to modify the syllabus contents, policies, and course schedule assignments if I determine that such a change
will improve the effectiveness of the course presentation without unfairly penalizing student assessment.
➢ All online homework in must be submitted by deadline, as specifies in class and in Canvas. Quizzes turned in late will be
graded with 0%.
➢ A grade of zero will be calculated into your final grade for any exams or assignments not completed and submitted.
➢ Exams may be paper or Canvas-generated with multiple choice, fill-ins, essays, true or false, or any other chosen format.
All tests are a closed book, with all personal technologies put away. The test must be completed within a set timeframe
and must be taken in the class, on the scheduled date. In the event of a system failure, the backup method for taking a test
will be at the discretion of the instructor. In the event of inclement weather, the exam may be administered at home, but
that is at the discretion of the instructor. If you are caught cheating during an exam, you will receive a zero grade.
➢ There is a make-up exam in this course that is only given at the end of the semester, except for valid emergencies, which
will be verified. An excused absence is typically defined as death in immediate family, or a student’s emergency
admission to the hospital, which must be verified. I will exercise judgment as to whether an absence is excused for all
other situations and documentation will be required. If you miss an exam or project, a zero grade is recorded in the grade
book. The makeup exam is a comprehensive exam covering all the material of the course.
➢ Electronic devices must be on silent.
➢ Plagiarizing is dishonest and a form of cheating. Consequently, plagiarized work will receive an “F,” or a zero. In addition, such a
practice may prevent students from passing a course and may result in other disciplinary action. (Taken directly from NOVA’s
website on plagiarism). If I find that you have plagiarized any work you will receive a zero grade, if it happens again you will be
reported to academic affairs for it to appear on your transcript.
“NOVA is a place for learning and growing. You should feel safe and comfortable anywhere on this campus. In order to meet this objective, you should:
a) let your instructor, his/her supervisor, the Dean of Students or Provost know if any unsafe, unwelcome or uncomfortable situation arises that interferes
with the learning process (Campus Police-703-764-5000); b) inform the instructor within the first two weeks of classes if you have received a special
needs or a disability accommodation that may affect your performance in this course
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity requirements are found in the NOVA Catalog.
Attendance/Student Participation/Tardiness Policy
Review the student attendance/student participation guidelines Attendance & Student Participation
Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Select the link for detailed information on college Safety & Emergency Preparedness
A student with Special Needs
Select the link for updated information on DSS Support Services
NVCC Policy Statement
Select the link for information pertaining to IT Policies, Procedures, & Plans

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Introduction to telecommunications

Inclement Weather & Closing

Select the link for information on Inclement Weather & Closing
If classes are canceled due to Inclement Weather or other closures, I will post assignments via the “Announcements” tab on our
class’s Canvas.
NOVA Alert
To receive alerts and emergency notifications register for NOVA ALERT
Note: In the event of class cancelation we will continue with class assignments and lessons using online resources. Thus
students are responsible for monitoring their email and checking the class Canvas calendar page for assignments and lessons
material.
Important Dates
Important dates corresponding with your semester are in the Academic Calendar.

Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday – college closed Mo 1/20

Last day to drop with tuition refund or change to audit (census day) Fr 1/31
Spring break March 9-15
Last day to withdraw online and receive a grade of “W” (see note) We 3/25

Instructor’s office hours:

Sterling HEC-316-J; Reston 324

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