CSCI 466: Networks

Fall 2024

For course schedule, click here .

Course Logistics

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
Location: Reid Hall 202

Instructor

Teaching Assistant and Grader

Textbook (Optional)

Other fees

Class Communication

CSCI 466 Code Github Repository

Other Resources

Catalog Description

Note from Reese: Before taking this class, you should feel comfortable with writing programs of basic and moderate complexity in Python. You should also have a basic understanding of Git (clone, commit, add, push, pull, fetch, etc).

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be be able to:

Grading

40% - Programming Assignments (5 @ 8% each)
30% - Labs (5 @ 6% each)
20% - Quizzes (online) (6 quizzes, lowest quiz grade gets dropped @ 4% each)
10% - Final Quiz (in person)

Grading Breakdown

Programming Assignments (40%)- There will be 5 programming assignments throughout the semester. These assignments generally take more time to complete and involve creating a program of moderate complexity. Python is recommended, but you can use any language you'd like. Assignments will be submitted via GitHub, and you will also record a short demo of your program. You can work with up to 2 partners, but one partner is recommended.

Labs (30%)- There will be 5 Wireshark labs assigned during the semester. You will use Wireshark to analyze real network traffic and record your observations. Labs will be submitted to D2L as a PDF. You are allowed to work with one (1) partner.

Quizzes (20%)- Every other week, there will be a quiz. Quizzes will be administered through D2L. The quiz will be open for about between 8AM and 5PM, and you only have one attempt. Once you start the quiz, you will not be timed, although you need to finish the quiz before the quiz window closes. The quizzes should only take 15-20 minutes, and the quizzes will test you on topics we discuss during lecture. Quizzes are open-notes.

Final Quiz (10%)- There will be a final quiz at the end of the semester. This quiz will be in person, and will take place the week before finls week. There will only be two questions on the final quiz. The first question will ask you to name each layer of the OSI model and list the important responsibilities of each layer. The second question is a secret, but it will require cumulative knowledge from the entire semester. You are not allowed to use any notes or a cheat sheet.

Grading Scale

Q: Do you curve exams or final grades?
A: Maybe, but probably not. If exams or final grades are lower than I anticipated, then I may apply a curve. For final grades, if you are within 1% of the next letter grade, I will bump you up.

Late Assignment Policy

You will be given 1 virtual late pass. Late passes allow you to submit a program or lab up to 48 hours late with NO penalty-- no excuse required.

To use a late pass, you must indicate in your submission that you are electing to use a late pass (e.g. in a comment on your submission in D2L).

Note that you cannot change this decision later. You cannot use a late pass on the last programming assignment (PA5)

If you do not use a late pass, the penalties for late submissions are as follows:

Getting Help and Succeeding

You should not wait until the last night to do a programming assignment or lab. Because this is a senior level class, you should feel comfortable with debugging your programs. Reese will not hold your hand through every single step of an assignment and I should not have to help with basic python errors.

Collaboration Policy

All students should read the MSU Student Conduct Code.

On labs, you are allowed to work with one partner. On programming assignments, you may work up to groups of three, but groups of two are preferred. You can always work alone if you prefer that.

When it comes to Python assignments, you may

You may NOT

Failure to abide by these rules will result in an "F" for the course and being reported to the Dean of Students.

Plagiarism

You may not copy or modify solutions that are not your own (e.g. from the Internet, classmate, ...) for any graded material. Copying and pasting very small snippets of code is acceptable, however copying/pasting or stealing entire solutions from an external source is prohibited. I know how to use the Google and I have a Chegg membership, so If you find something, I will too! It is easy for me to tell if you copy and pasted code from the Internet, so please do not engage in such academic misconduct. If you do use code from the internet, please include a reference as a comment. If I find a student engaging in plagiarism, I will have to report you to the Dean of Students.

Generative AI

You are not allowed to use generative AI to help you write code, or to solve assignment answers. You are allowed to use generative AI for debugging code.

Copyright

Course Materials: The syllabus, course lectures and presentations, and any course materials provided throughout this term are protected by U.S. copyright laws. Students enrolled in the course may use them for their own research and educational purposes. However, reproducing, selling or otherwise distributing these materials without written permission of the copyright owner is expressly prohibited, including providing materials to commercial platforms such as Chegg or CourseHero. Doing so may constitute a violation of U.S. copyright law as well as MSU’s Code of Student Conduct.

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