CSE 310: Computer Networks

Announcements

• We will be using Piazza for discussions and sharing lecture notes and assignments.
  
  Piazza course Sign up link

• Classes start 8/24!
• A tentative schedule is up

Course Description

The goal of this course is to cover the introductory topics in networking. We will learn how network applications such as the Web work, what constitutes the "Internet", and how information is transmitted from one part of the world to another. More importantly we will learn the design patterns and general principles in designing Computer Networks. We we learn networking concepts using the OSI layer abstraction going from the application layer all the way down to the physical layer. The class will have a mix of programming assignments and homeworks, take-home exams, and a final exam.

Textbook

The recommended textbook is: Computer Networks, A Top Down Approach by Kurose and Ross. 7th Edition

I will also make my slides and other reading material available through Piazza. Assignment submissions must be done on Blackboard.

Grading Policy (Tentative)

Final exam: 20%
Midterm Exam: 20%
Programming Assignments: 30%
Homeworks: 30%

Programming Assignments: There will be 3 programming assignments. You will get about 2 weeks for each assignment. The assignments are programming heavy. You can program in Python or C. Python is by far the easiest for the assignments and I will strongly advice you to use Python. Assignments should be submitted by 11.59 PM on the day they are due. You will typically get 2 weeks to finish your homework.

Homeworks: There will be 3 homeworks. These do not require programming and are written assignments. They are due before 11.59 PM on the day they are due. You will typically get 1 week to finish each homework.

Midterm and Final Exam: These will be timed exams. Details will be shared closer to the exam date.

Submissions instructions and total attempts: We will use Blackboard for submissions. If you want to resubmit after you already submitted one version of your assignment, you may do so. But you are allowed a maximum of 2 resubmissions (i.e., a maximum of 3 attempts). Irrespective of anything else, your last attempt will be considered. This means, if you submit one version of your homework before the deadline and submit another version after the deadline, we will grade the later submission and grade you according to the late submission policy.

Grace period: You get a 72 hours grace period spanning all 3 assignments. You will not be penalized as long as the total hours that you are late does not exceed 72 hours across your assignments. Once your grace period is over, each assignment you submit late will be subject to the late penalty below.

Late submission policy: If you submit your assignment at hour h after your deadline (after your grace period), here are the grade penalties

• If 0 < h <= 5, 5% of your grade
• If 5 < h <=15 hours, 8% of your grade,
• If 15 < h <= 24, 15% of your grade
• If 24 < h <= 48, 30% of your grade
• If 48 < h <= 72, 40% of your grade
• If 72 < h <= 96, 60% of your grade,
• h > 96, you cannot submit the assignment.

Re-grading Requests

All issues with grading must be brought up with the instructors on Piazza (in a private post) within 1 week of release of the graded assignment or exam. Any requests/concerns after this date will not be honored. The request must include a detailed explanation of the specific grading issues and reason/correction. We believe students often learn by investigating and understanding their mistakes. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to determine the issues, not the grader/instructor/TA. To promote consistency of grading, questions and concerns about grading should be addressed first to the TA and then, if that does not resolve the issue, to the instructor.

Office Hours

Office hours will be announced on Piazza.

The following schedule is tentative and subject to change.