CIS 3003 Networks and Distributed Systems

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

The climate of rapid technological change which characterises modern society and the desire for increased efficiency and effective decision making in today's business has resulted in enterprise information systems and inter-organisational systems being brought into sharp focus for information systems professionals. Data networks, interoperability and distributed systems philosophies are key components in the delivery of such systems. Therefore it is vital that they form an integral part of all contemporary information systems design and not simply an afterthought at the implementation stage.

SYNOPSIS:

This course seeks to broaden the student's knowledge of telecommunications and networking fundamentals and to provide a greater depth of understanding of networking concepts introduced earlier in the course. In addition, the student will expand upon their knowledge of distributed systems models and concepts. Finally, the student will be provided with the opportunity to combine their knowledge of networking fundamentals and distributed systems to provide tailored solutions for contemporary business problems.

OBJECTIVES:

Successful completion of this course will enable students to:

1. review applicable concepts and techniques learned earlier in the course and integrate these ideas with the concepts and approaches developed in this course.
2. demonstrate an understanding of telecommunications fundamentals.
3. demonstrate an understanding of local area network architectures.
4. demonstrate an understanding of metropolitan and wide area network architectures.
5. discuss and provide solutions for interconnectivity problems.
6. demonstrate a basic understanding of the various problems associated with the management of networks.
7. demonstrate an understanding of Open Systems and contemporary Distributed Systems models and concepts.
8. given a specific business problem, design and justify a suitable networked solution using sound arguments expressed in either spoken or written forms as required.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

CIS3003 study package available from the USQ Bookshop.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. If you are an international student in Australia you are advised to attend all classes at your campus. Failure to attend may infringe the conditions of your student visa.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the assignments in aggregate. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must attempt all of the summative assessment items, achieve an aggregated mark of at least 50% in the total marks allocated for the assignments, achieve at least 50% in the examination, and at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   This is a restricted examination. Candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the examination for this course are (i) Writing materials: non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination; (ii) Translation dictionaries: with the Examiner's approval, candidates may, take an appropriate non-electronic translation dictionary into the examination. This will be subject to perusal and, if it is found to contain annotations or markings that could give the candidate an unfair advantage, it may be removed from the candidate's possession until the appropriate disciplinary action is completed.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Guide to Policies and Procedures of the Faculty which can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/buspolproc.html.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. E-mail and Internet Access: Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.