SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

BSc. CS/BSc ICT

GSOT 305: Data Communication and Networking 2023/2024 (3 Credit Hours)

Period: Morning & Evening Sessions (September to December, 2023)

Lecturer: Dr. Eric Kuada

Office Locations: D20
Office Hours: Mondays, Saturdays 8AM– 8PM
E-mail: ekuada@gimpa.edu.gh

Description
This course is to provide students with an overview of the concepts and fundamentals of data
communication and computer networks. Topics to be covered include: data communication
concepts and techniques in a layered network architecture, communications switching and routing,
types of communication, network congestion, network topologies, network configuration and
management, network model components, layered network models (OSI reference model, TCP/IP
networking architecture) and their protocols, various types of networks (LAN, MAN, WAN and
Wireless networks) and their protocols, network layer routing, link layer multiple access protocols,
MAC addresses and Ethernet, packet switching, circuit switching and physical technologies.

Objectives
The course will prepare students to better understand the three broad areas under data
communication and networking namely; Data Communication, Communication Networks and
Communication Protocols

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
 Understand the theory and practice of Data Communication.
 Design Communication Networks.
 Appreciate how Communication Protocols work.
 Demonstrate knowledge in basic communication technologies terminologies
 Identify the different components and their respective roles in a communication system
 Design an enterprise network employing the common LAN and WAN technologies and be able
to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages

Broad Topics
a. Introduction/overview of data communications, data networks, and the Internet
b. Protocol Architecture, TCP/IP, and Internet-Based Applications
c. Communication fundamentals (frequency, amplitude, bandwidth, modulation,
transmission media, etc.)
d. Error Detection and Correction techniques
e. Network topologies, protocols and standards
f. Wide Area Networks
g. mobile communications and wireless technologies
h. Network Security

1
SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)
BSc. CS/BSc ICT

GSOT 305: Data Communication and Networking 2023/2024 (3 Credit Hours)

Course Delivery Methods
The course will be delivered through lectures, and laboratory work to support group projects; reading assignments,
and possibly video tutorials.

Prescribed Text
Books
Book #1: Data and Computer Communications, Tenth Edition by William Stallings, (c) Pearson Education –
2013

Book #2: Data Communications and Networking, Fifth Edition, Behrouz A. Forouzan, Copyright © 2013 by
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., ISBN 978-0-07-337622-6

Tools
Cisco Packet Tracer network simulation tool https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer

COURSE CONTENTS AND SCHEDULE

Session Theme Topics Remarks

1. Introduction/ business 1. Data Communications and Chapter1 of book #1

proposition of data Networking for Today’s Enterprise
2. A Communications Model
networks, and the
3. Data Communications
Internet for enterprises 4. Networks
5. The Internet
2. Protocol Architecture, 6.
1. 1.6 An
The Example
Need Configuration
for a Protocol 29
Architecture Chapter2 of book #1
TCP/IP, and Internet- 2. The TCP/IP Protocol Architecture
Based Applications 3. The OSI Model
4. Standardization within a Protocol
Architecture
5. Traditional Internet-Based
Applications
6. Multimedia
3. Data Transmission 1. Concepts and Terminology Chapter3 of book #1
2. Analog and Digital Data Transmission
3. Transmission Impairments
4. Channel Capacity

4. Digital Data 1. Asynchronous and Synchronous Chapter6 of book #1

Communication Transmission
Techniques
2. Types of Errors
3. Error Detection
4. Error Correction
5. Circuit Switching and 1. Switched Communications Networks Chapter10 of book
Packet Switching 2. Circuit Switching Networks #1
3. Circuit Switching Concepts
4. Packet-Switching Principles

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SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)
BSc. CS/BSc ICT

GSOT 305: Data Communication and Networking 2023/2024 (3 Credit Hours)

6. Local Area Network 1. Background Chapter 1 and 2 of
Overview 2. Topologies and Transmission Media book #3
3. LAN Protocol Architecture
4. Bridges
5. Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches
7. Wireless LANs 1. Overview
2. Wireless LAN Technology
3. IEEE 802.11 Architecture and
Services
4. IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control
5. IEEE 802.11Physical Layer
6. IEEE 802.11 Security Considerations

8. Cellular Wireless 1. Principles of Cellular Networks Chapter14 of book

Networks 2. First Generation Analog #1
3. Second Generation CDMA

9. Cellular Wireless 1. Third Generation Systems Chapter14 of book

Networks 2. Fourth Generation Systems #1
3. Long Term Evolution

10. Network Security 1. Discuss the following:

2. Security Requirements and
3. Attacks
4. Confidentiality with
5. Conventional Encryption
6. Message Authentication and
11. Network Security 7.
1. Hash Functions
Discuss the following:
8.
2. Public
Secure Key Encryption
Socket and
Layer and Digital
Transport
Signatures
Layer Security
3. IPV4 and IPV6 Security
4. Wi-Fi Protected Access
5. Public Key Encryption and Digital
12. Project Submission 1. Signatures
Mini project submission
2. Presentation and project assessment

13. Revision Summary of the main topics during the course.

I respond to questions from the class

14. End of Semester

Examination

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SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)
BSc. CS/BSc ICT

GSOT 305: Data Communication and Networking 2023/2024 (3 Credit Hours)

Grading Policy on measurement of learning outcomes

Continuous Assessment (40%)
- Assignments (40%)
The continuous assessment will be an assignment in the form of a mini-project. Students will
be required to work on a project either alone or in groups, submit a report, and make
presentation on the project.

End-of-semester examination (60%)

This will be a written exam at the end of the semester

Grading Scheme

Grade Numerical Mark Interpretation Grade Point

%
A 75 – 100 Distinction 4.00
A- 70 - <75 Excellent 3.75
B+ 65 - <70 Very Good 3.50
B 60 - <65 Good 3.00
C+ 55 - <60 Average 2.50
C 50 - <55 Average 2.00
C- 45 - <50 Weak Pass 1.75
D 30 -<45 Fail 1.50
F Below 30 Fail 1.00
Z - Disqualification -
I - Incomplete -

Other Policies and Regulations

Please locate the Undergraduate Student Handbook on the GIMPA website, read it carefully,
and endeavour to observe all of the provisions published in it.

Policy on Plagiarism
Please note that in accordance with the policies in the undergraduate student handbook,
plagiarism in any form (both in terms of appropriating someone’s text as your own or
developed software as yours) will not be tolerated on this course. Any such occurrence that is
verified will attract a score of zero.

Policy and/or Possible Syllabus Revision

The instructor or/and the School of Technology reserve the right to amend the policy and content
of this course without prior notice to its participants if deemed necessary as long as this is consistent
with the GIMPA policy on course revisions.

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SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)
BSc. CS/BSc ICT

GSOT 305: Data Communication and Networking 2023/2024 (3 Credit Hours)