FIT9135 - Data communications - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Information Technology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Guido Tack (Semester 1)
Dr Amin Sakzad (Semester 2)

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2019 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2019 (On-campus)

Prohibitions

FIT9020, FIT5135

Synopsis

The unit will introduce students to fundamentals of data and computer communications methods and techniques. It covers: ISO and TCP/IP layered protocols; physical layer concepts: data transmission methods, signal encoding and digital data communication techniques; data link control protocol, multiplexing methods; WAN and LAN networking fundamentals; internetworking and transport protocols; and basic concepts of network security.

Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. describe the underlying fundamental theories and models of transmitting data across a communication channel;
  2. identify and describe the concepts and theories of standard network protocols;
  3. describe the functions and architectures of local area networks, wide area networks and the Internet;
  4. identify and describe fundamental concepts of network security including common threats and countermeasures;
  5. evaluate several different design options and formulate a simple network design.

Assessment

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Examination (2 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

  1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
    • Two hours of lectures
    • One 2-hour laboratory
  2. Additional requirements (all students):
    • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information