Overview

This course surveys data transmission, communication lines, data sets, network modes of transmission, protocols and interfacing. It emphasizes network structure and operation, focuses on application(s) of telecommunications to real world problems.

This course will provide the students with conceptual background for effectively understanding the technical role in satisfying information needs in the business environment. The course will provide the student with the technical background to both efficiently and effectively employ, manage, and maintain the business data and voice communication, resources. The student will develop an undestanding of the fundamentals of data comunications as applied to modern information processing systems, be introduced to data transmission concepts, systems analysis, and design principles as applied to modern communications networks. In addition, the student will be introduced to the network development life cycle and network security.

This course will cover analog and digital datasets, networks, communication standards, and standard making bodies. It will identify the trends and developments in the telecommunications industry. This course will emphasize network structure, operation and maintenance, and the network's role in satisfying business requirements. This course will also strss analog and digital communications concepts, principles and theory, and their applications to real world problems.

Prerequisite: 

• IST 100 (ITE100) or equivalent
• Ability to read and write at college level

Students must be able to read and write at a college level. Students must be able to use a browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. 

Objectives

If you do well in this course, you will:

1. Identify modern communications and network technology trends.
2. Explain the various methods of data transmission media to include both analog and digital transmission and encoding techniques.
3. Describe the methods and techniques for ensuring reliability in data transmission.
4. Explain synchronous and asynchronous transmission, SDLC, interfacing, and error detection techniques.
5. Explain major multiplexing techniques and circuit, message, and packet switching.
6. Identify the issues regarding local area networks and network protocol.
7. Explain data communication techniques used to facilitate decentralization of data processing.
8. Identify the important elements of data communications equipment and describe their function.
9. Describe the functions of a digital private branch exchange. (PBX)
10. Explain the ISO 7-layer model for standards development.

Materials

The required textbook for this course is:

• Business Data Communications and Networking , Fitzgerald & Dennis, 8h Edition, Copyright 2005.

Exams

There are 3 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

ELI Policies and Procedures

Contacting the Instructor

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : zbodwin@nvcc.edu
Telephone during my campus office hours : (703) 323-2197.

You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office in Annandale. 

Beginning the Course

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.