CIS 180

Data Communications

Here you will find information about my CIS 180 Class.

Continue to check throughout the semester in case of necessary changes

CIS 180 Introduction to Networking is a 4-unit class. Students should be prepared to spend about twelve hours a week on class material. This is the equivalent of 4 hours' time in the classroom and an additional 8 hours of homework time.  In an online course, the 12 hours will consist of reading the announcements, emails and textbook, going through tutorials and videos, taking part in discussions, optional Zoom sessions and doing assignments quizzes and exams.

Topics in this class are designed to teach you basic network concepts and also help prepare you to take the CompTia Network + exam if you so desire. The TestOut software being used is CompTia certified.

This class is hosted on Canvas and a publisher website called TestOut. There is no textbook for this class but you will need to purchase an Access code for the TestOut Website.  Follow the directions provided for your student discount and DO NOT purchase the access code from a web site such as Craig's list. The access codes cannot be reused so you will be wasting your money.

This class is hosted in Canvas and also involves access to a publisher website. Canvas will be used for class announcements and email, discussion groups and projects. For information on logging into Canvas please visit the Fullerton College Distance Education page. You must be registered through Admissions and Records to be able to log into Canvas. It can take 24 hours after registration for your account to be enabled in Canvas. The Canvas class is typically not available to students until the start of the semester.

When you are first in Canvas, click the View Modules button and go through the links in the Getting Started Module. You will find information on such topics as purchasing your TestOut code and using Canvas features.  Next proceed to the Course Tutorials module. You need to achieve 100% on the Syllabus Quiz, go through the TestOut tutorials and comment on the discussion group before you can continue with the rest of the course materials.

You must complete 70% of the work assigned by the Thursday of the second week of class and have your TestOut code in order to be able to continue with class.

Students can be dropped from the class for non-participation. For an online class, participation is defined as maintaining 60% of the points in class at all times or missing one week's worth of work. For a campus class, students can be dropped for missing the equivalent of one week's worth of class meetings. Please view the College Catalog for more details. While the teacher may officially withdraw a student who is not participating, it is the student’s responsibility to withdraw if the student decides not to, or is unable to continue in the class. Failure to do so may result in a failing grade. You do not need the instructor’s signature to drop the class. You can drop the class using WebStar. The Instructor cannot drop you after the Last Drop Date. It is the student's responsibility to make sure they are properly registered in the class and have not been dropped for non-payment or non-participation. Any student not appearing on the roster at the end of the semester will not receive a grade. It is also the student's responsibility to notify the instructor if they change their name during the semester. If the name and Student ID number do not match the name on the Admissions and Records roster, the student may receive an incorrect grade.

Due to Covid Exams will be online. Students must take all exams in order to be able to pass the class. If a review is provided for any exam, it will be closed at least the day before the first exam session. Makeup exams are not guaranteed and it is up to the discretion of the Instructor whether or not to give a makeup for a missed exam. Things considered in that decision will include the amount and quality of work the student has already completed, the reason for missing the exam and the advance given notice by the student. Makeup exams can be much more difficult than the original exam and will be given at a time selected by the instructor. Most likely the last day of the semester. It is the student's responsibility to make sure the instructor has all portions of the exam, including uploaded files and all paperwork, before the student leaves the Exam. Exams cannot be given early.

Pay attention to Due Dates and times carefully - Homework may include both work done in Canvas and a publisher website. It is the student's responsibility to make sure all assignments are submitted properly. Due dates are listed in Canvas. The student is responsible to check course announcements, email and web content on a regular basis. Late work is not accepted for any reason. There will be extra credit assignments available to make up the points for the occasional missed assignment.  Each student will begin with 50 extra credit points. Each time a student requests additional time to complete assignments, 25 of those extra credit points will be deducted. Students should not expect replies to emails requesting extensions to due dates. If you enter the class late you cannot expect extra time to complete the work. Work done during a class session cannot be made up if a student misses the class.

The best way to contact the instructor outside of class is through email. Send emails for this class through the Canvas mail system. This helps keep emails from ending up in the spam filter or junk mail. Please include your full name, student number, CRN and relevant question information such as chapter or quiz number in all emails. Proper sentence structure including capitalization and punctuation will aid the instructor in understanding your questions and allow for a more timely and helpful response. Here is a Fun link about this topic. The instructor will attempt to answer all properly formatted emails within 24 business hours, but it is not guaranteed. Questions sent last minute may not be answered in time. If Canvas is down, you may email to nwoolridge@fullcoll.edu. Answers to messages that are left on voicemail or come to email outside of Canvas may be delayed or not returned.

Each student must abide by the Academic Honesty policy. All issues of academic dishonesty will be reported. This includes accidental submission of another student's work. There will NOT be any warnings.

Students are expected to have reviewed and comply with the full College Catalog and students should familiarize themselves with the following District, College, and Division Policies including but not limited to the Academic Honesty policy.

If you need additional time to complete a test or if you require special accommodations, you must notify the instructor in a timely manner and make arrangements with the Disability Support Services. This may include filling out forms and making sure they are delivered to the instructor. Otherwise you will be expected to adhere to general class accommodations.

Each student needs to take an active part in his/her own education by reading the book (if applicable), and checking the web site. A student is responsible for all material covered in class. The class material, as presented, assumes the student has purchased the textbook bundle and/or website access. Missing a class or not having the required materials is not sufficient justification for a student's failure to complete assignments. There may a copy of textbooks on reserve in the library, but a student has no guarantee of access to that copy at any point in time.

There are two types of points in the class: Homework and Exam. If a student achieves at least 70% of the homework points and 70% of the total exam points in the class, the final grade will be based on the average of the Homework and Exam percentage. In order to achieve a C in the class each student must get at least 70% of the points in both the homework and test category. For example, if a student receives 80% of the points for the homework, but only 60% for the tests, they will get a D grade. Likewise, if a student receives 90% of the points on the tests and only 65% of the points on the homework, the student will receive a D grade. If the student gets 80% of the homework points and 70% of the exam points, the average of those two scores would be 75%, giving the student a C in the class.

Upon completion of CIS 180 F, Introduction to Networking students should be able to
1. Compare and contrast common Network Architectures
2. Summarize the tools and responsibilities involved in Network Operations
3. Identity common Network Security issues
4. Explain and implement Troubleshooting practices
5. Summarize Industry Standards, Practices and Network Theory


Classes begin - Monday, January 24
Last day to drop with refund - Sunday, February 6
Last day to drop without a W - Sunday, February 6
Last day to add - Sunday, February 6
Last day to apply for Spring Graduation - Thursday, February 17
Last day to withdraw from classes - Sunday, April 24
Last day of the Semester - Saturday, May 21

Contact

Nancy Woolridge
nwoolridge@fullcoll.edu
Virtual Office Hours (held via email and zoom)
Monday 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 7- 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.