module specification

This module aims to develop an understanding of all means of digital communication technologies and the underlying principles and standards that make them possible. Topics include wireless technology, broadband communication, mobile communication, Internet communication and web servers, cloud/grid computing, geo-computing, net-centric computing, communication systems and services, multimedia communication, and security in communication technologies. This module aims to understand communication technologies for computing and IT professionals.

The overall aims of the module are to facilitate and provide an understanding of all communication technologies in wired, wireless, mobile and Internet, and their underlying principles and standards for computing and IT professionals.

Local area network, metropolitan area network and wide area network topologies LO1
home area network, personal area network and body area network technologies LO2
Wireless technology LO3
Broadband communication LO4
Mobile communication LO5
Internet communication and web servers LO5
Cloud/grid computing, geo-computing and net-centric computing LO6
Communication systems and services; multimedia communication  LO7,LO8
Security in communication technologies LO9

The distance learning delivery of the module allows the student the flexibility of studying for the module in their own time in their own style at their own location, while receiving effective guidance and support throughout the module. The University’s state-of-art Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is used to provide a highly interactive, supportive and collaborative learning experience for the students. A wide range of synchronous and asynchronous facilities are used where appropriate for the effective delivery and assessment of the module. Among these facilities are WebLearn learning materials, video lectures, discussion board and online forum, and online presentation, viva and feedback.  Students are encouraged to become active participants, rather than passive recipients, of this learning process.

This module requires students to do two courseworks, Research, application, presentation and report for coursework 1 and Computer simulation for coursework 2.

In each coursework, the module leader requires to provide the followings to students via VLE (e.g. Weblearn):
• Clear description of required learning activities including required reading list and
             exercises.
• Lecture slides and/or other supporting materials.
• Answer questions posted on the discussion forum on the VLE and facilitate the
             discussion among students.
• a clear description of tasks, submission instruction, submission deadlines, 
              assessment criteria and marking sheet.

Students are required to:
• Complete required learning activities.
• Post questions related to module to the correct Forum in discussion board and
              engage in online discussion with peers and with the tutor.
• Submit solutions to assignments and the final assessment on time in accordance
              with published procedures by the given deadline.
• complete 200 hours of study.
• regularly check mail boxes, notice boards, e-mails for update on the module.

Opportunities for feedback will be available throughout the semester and also on draft attempts of courseworks 1 and 2.

There will be four learning units throughout the semester which will contribute towards the development works of courseworks 1 and 2, where formative feedback for each unit will be provided. 

There will be an assessment at the end of each coursework, where summative feedback for will be provided within three weeks after the submission deadline.

LO1 an understanding of underlying principles of local area network, metropolitan area
  network and wide area network topologies.
LO2 an understanding of underlying principles of home area network, personal area
  network and body area network technologies.
LO3 an understanding of wireless technology and mobile communication.
LO4 an understanding of broadband communication technology.
LO5 an ability to understand Internet communication and web servers.
LO6 an awareness of cloud/grid computing, geo-computing and net-centric computing.
LO7 an understanding of communication systems and services.
LO8 an understanding of multimedia communication. 
LO9 an awareness of various securities in all communication technologies.

•     Assessment methods:
Coursework 1: A technical report (60%).
Coursework 2: Computer simulation (40%).

• Assessment profile:
Coursework 1 provides students with the opportunities to carry out research on current issues in communication technologies for computing and IT professionals.
Coursework 2 provides students with the opportunity to conduct computer simulation related to the coursework 1.

Courseworks 1 and 2 are designed to enhance learning in communication Technologies in IT and also offer an IT related computer simulation, the phases of which are highly specified.

• Timing of assessment:
Coursework 1 is assigned during week one – induction week and is due for submission on week seven. 
Coursework 2 is assigned during week eight and is due for submission on week 13.  
       
Misconceptions or weaknesses are identified throughout the semester, before students commit significant effort to development, implementation and testing.

• Opportunities for formative feedback:
Throughout the semester and at the end of each unit.
• Opportunities for summative feedback:
Within three weeks after the submission deadline of courseworks 1 and 2.

There will be an online oral presentation for the courseworks and verbal feedback will be provided at the end of the presentation.

Textbooks:

Core Text:
• William Stallings, Business Data Communications: International Version, Pearson; 6th edition, ISBN-10: 0136065430, ISBN-13: 978-0136065432, 1st Jan 2009.
Other Texts:
• William Stallings, Wireless Communications and Networks. 2nd Edition, Pretice Hall, ISBN 0-13-191835-4, 2005.

• Douglas H. Morais, Fixed Broadband Wireless Communications: Principles and Practical Applications, Prentice Hall; 1 edition, ISBN-10: 0132886022, ISBN-13: 978-0132886024, 2nd Sep 2011.

• Leslie Haddon (Author), Nicola Green, Mobile Communications, Berg New Media Series, ISBN-10: 1845208145, ISBN-13: 978-1845208141, 1st Nov 2009.

• Todd Kitta, Brett Grego, Chris Caplinger, Russ Houberg, SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise Content Management, Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, ISBN-10: 0470584653, ISBN-13: 978-0470584651, 20th Sep 2011.

• Toby Velte, Anthony Velte, Robert C. Elsenpeter, Cloud Computing, A Practical Approach, Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne, 1 edition, ISBN-10: 0071626948, ISBN-13: 978-0071626941, 1st Nov 2009.

• Huilin Xing, Advances in Geocomputing (Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences), Publisher: Springer, ISBN-10: 3540858776, ISBN-13: 978-3540858775, 26th Mar 2009.

• Lillian N. Cassel, Thomas J. Connolly, Paul N Schragger, Net Centric Computing, Publisher: Prentice Hall, 1st edition, ISBN-10: 013142372X, ISBN-13: 978-0131423725, 1st July 2006.

• PANDYA RAJ, Mobile And Personal Communication Systems And Services, Publisher: Prentice Hall India; 1st edition, ISBN-10: 8120317106, ISBN-13: 978-8120317109, 1999.

• Mario Marques da Silva, Multimedia Communications and Networking, Publisher: CRC Press; 1st edition, ISBN-10: 1439874840, ISBN-13: 978-1439874844, 5th April 2012.

• Robert Fischer, Edward Halibozek MBA, Introduction to Security, Publisher: A Butterworth-Heinemann Title; 8th edition, ISBN-10: 0750684321, ISBN-13: 978-0750684323, 29th April 2008.

• James F Kurose and Keith W Ross, Computer Networking – a top-down approach, sixth ed., ISBN-13:978-0-273-76896-8, ISBN-10: 0-273-76896-4.

Journals: Taylor and Francis Journals, Journal TOCs

Electronic Databases: ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore/IET Digital Library