CSC 102: How the Internet Works (Fall 2009)

Catalog Description

An introduction to the structure, design, and operation of the Internet, including the electronic and physical structure of networks; how email and Web browsers work; domain names; mail and file transfer protocols; encoding and compression of both text and graphics; http and HTML; the design of Web pages; and the operation of search engines. Both history and societal implications are explored.
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with word processing and email.

Syllabus Link

Details

• Dates: Starts Mon 26 Oct, ends Mon Dec 14. (2nd-half semester course immediately following CSC103; requires separate registration)
• Times: MW 9:00-10:20AM
• Location: Seelye 212
• Instructor: Joseph O'Rourke
• Texbook (Required): None!
• Texbook (Recommended only): How The Internet Works, 8th Edition; Que Press; ISBN: 0789736268
• O'Rourke Office Hours & Schedule
• Grading:
  • Attendance & Participation: 10%
  • Homework Assignments: 45%
  • Quizzes: 25%
  • Either a short Paper or a Take-Home Exam: 20% (approx. two assignments)
  See also Grading Numerology.
• S/U Grading Option: I encourage you to consider the S/U grading option to relieve stress and just learn. The Registrar's web site says the deadline is Monday, November 30.
• Assignments Schedule: Quizzes and assignments posted a week in advance, always due the following Thursday.
  • Assignments: Linked from Syllabus
  • Quizzes: In Moodle for this class.
  • Assignment and Quiz Rules

Teaching Assistants

• Lei Lie, llei@smith.edu
• Alexandra Chang, acheng@smith.edu

TAs Schedule