Winter 2023 Computer Networks & Security (SFWR ENG 4C03)

Instructor: Rong Zheng

Email: rzheng@mcmaster.ca

Lecture time: TuThF11:30AM - 12:20AM

Tutorial: Thu, We 10:30AM - 11:20AM

Office Hours: Tue. 5 – 6pm

Avenue: http://avenue.mcmaster.ca/

TAs: 

• Yunkai Yu (yu284): Tuesday 9:00-10:00am (ITB 223), Week 1 - 2
• Andrew Mitchell (mitchaj2): Thursdays 1-2 pm (ITB 223), Week 3 - 8
• Rui Qi (Jessie) Ji (jir4): Wednesdays, 3:30 - 4:30PM, Week 9 - 14 

Textbook:

• James F. Kurose, Keith W. Ross, "Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet", 8^th ed. Pearson Education

Synopsis:

Computer networking is a rapidly advancing field. The Internet is already an integral part of society. It is important for computer scientists and computer engineers to be familiar with the fundamentals as well as practices of computer networking. This graduate course will emphasize on the algorithms, protocols and performance evaluation of the Internet. Topics include TCP/IP protocol stack, routing, congestion control, wireless networks and selected materials in network security.

Grading:

• Online quizzes (~5): 25% (typically due in one week)
• 6 Assignments: 40% total
• Final: 35%
• 3% bonus for students who answer the most questions and/or ask the most GOOD questions on piazza

MSAF policy: 

• The FIRST missing assignments with MSAF approvals will be counted toward the total grade of assignments of the
• Subsequent missing assignments with MSAF approval need to be completed in 10 days from the due day; otherwise, starting from the 11^th day, the late submission policy applies.

Late submission policy:

• a deduction of 10% of the maximum mark available from the actual mark achieved by the student shall be imposed upon expiry of the deadline;
• a further deduction of 5% of the maximum mark available from the actual mark achieved by the student shall then be imposed on each of the next subsequent days;

Academic Dishonesty

You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behavior in all aspects of the learning process. Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity.

Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic credit or advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: "Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty"), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various types academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at

http://www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

• Plagiarism, e.g. the submission if work that is not one's own or for which other credits has been obtained.
• Improper collaboration in group work.
• Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

MOSS will be used for plagiarism detection for programming assignments in this course.

Faculty Notices

"The Faculty of Engineering is concerned with ensuring an environment that is free of all discrimination. If there is a problem, individuals are reminded that they should contact the Department Chair, the Sexual Harassment Officer or the Human Rights Consultant, as the problem occurs." 

Tentative Schedule:

AM: Andrew Mitchell; JJ: Jessical Ji; YY: Yunkai Yu