Module Specification

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
1. Module Title Computer Networks
2. Module Code COMP211
3. Year Session 2023-24
4. Originating Department Computer Science
5. Faculty Fac of Science & Engineering
6. Semester First Semester
7. CATS Level Level 5 FHEQ
8. CATS Value 15
9. Member of staff with responsibility for the module
Professor M Gairing Computer Science M.Gairing@liverpool.ac.uk
10. Module Moderator
11. Other Contributing Departments  
12. Other Staff Teaching on this Module
Mrs J Birtall School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science Judith.Birtall@liverpool.ac.uk
13. Board of Studies
14. Mode of Delivery
15. Location Main Liverpool City Campus
    Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
16. Study Hours 30

    10

    40
17.

Private Study

110
18.

TOTAL HOURS

150
 
    Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other
19. Timetable (if known)            
 
20. Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

COMP122 Object-Oriented Programming
21. Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:

 
22. Co-requisite modules:

 
23. Linked Modules:

 
24. Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a mandatory basis:

25. Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:

26. Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:

27. Aims
 

1. To introduce networked computer systems in general, and the Internet in particular.
2. To introduce the basic principles that govern their operation.
3. To introduce the design and organisation principles of successful computer networks.
4. To introduce the key protocols and technologies that are used in the Internet.

 
28. Learning Outcomes
 

(LO1) Students should be able to describe and justify the OSI Reference Model and the key protocols that govern the Internet.

 

(LO2) Students should be able to program applications and protocols for computer networks.

 

(LO3) Students should be able to illustrate and debate the use and need of cryptographic techniques in nework security.

 

(S1) Problem Solving - Numeracy and computational skills

 

(S2) Problem solving – analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

 
29. Teaching and Learning Strategies
 

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided
Notes: 3 lectures per week for 10 weeks

Teaching Method 2 - Laboratory Work
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Standard on-campus delivery
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Mix of on-campus/on-line synchronous/asynchronous sessions
Teaching Method 2 - Laboratory Work
Description: On-campus synchronous sessions

 
30. Syllabus
   

- Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet [3 lectures] - The OSI Reference Model and the Internet Protocol Stack: 1. Internet applications (application layer) - including eMail, WWW and DNS [5 lectures] 2. Communication between processes (transport layer) - including the TCP & UDP protocols [5 lectures] 3. Communication between host (network layer) - including the IP protocol, routing and forwarding [5 lectures] 4. Communication between physically adjacent devices (data link layer) - including error correction, and multiple access protocols [4 lectures] 5. Physical layer - basic communications theory [2 lectures] - Network security issues, including cryptography, public key encryption, authentication & integrity [6 lectures].

 
31. Recommended Texts
  Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
 

Assessment

32. EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
  (211) Written Exam There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 1 120 70
33. CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
  (211.3) Class Test There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :1 0 10
  (211.2) Assessment 2 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :1 0 10
  (211.1) Assessment 1 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :1 0 10