Fall 2009
|
Lectures on Tue &
Thu |
Activity Location |
Instructor |
Office
in Salazar |
Office
hours |
Email |
Tel |
|
2:30-3:45
PM for Sect. 1 |
Stevenson 1002 |
Dr.
Don Estreich |
Room 2010C |
Tue 3:45-5:00 PM, Thu 1:00-2:30 PM or by appointment |
(707)
664-2030 |
|
|
7-8 :15 PM
for Sect. 2 |
Darwin 107 2009A (Exams will be held in
diffèrent room as indicated below) |
Dr.
Ali Kujoory |
Room 2005 |
Mon
11:00-12:00 PM Thu
3:00-4:00 PM, or by appointment |
(707)
664-2030 |
Course Description - 3 hr Lecture.
Concept of digital age, technology and modern communications, understanding various
routinely used technical terms and commonly known computer and communications
components and devices; understanding digital voice, video and data
communication, mobile communication and communication through internet; ill
effects such as radiation, invasion of privacy, unethical usages and protection
from them; assessment of learning. (The companion laboratory course ES 101B is
strongly recommended; the course does not apply to ES major.) Prerequisite: GE
Math eligibility.
Prerequisite - GE Math
eligibility
Course
Objective - The objectives of this course are to achieve
the GE Area B3 objectives which are:
·
This
course aims to achieve the GE Area B3 objectives which are:
·
Improve
their understanding of the concepts and theories of science and technology.
·
Understand
the interconnected and ever-changing relationships among the natural, physical,
and technological sciences.
·
Critically
assess the social and ethical implications of science and technology in
relations to their daily lives.
·
Improve
problem solving and critical thinking skills through application of scientific
knowledge using hands-on activities.
·
Utilize
technology in pursuit of intellectual growth and efficacious human interaction.
·
Explore
and research application of scientific methods.
Lecture
Syllabus:
·
Introduction
to Digital Age and Technology - Introduction
to digital age and technology and its impact on daily life, historical
perspectives of communication technology; interconnection between science and
technology, impact of digital age on modern communication, analog and digital
signals; understanding how voice and video are represented by digital signal
and its effect on the quality of signal. Chapter
I
·
Communications
and Networking Terminologies - Introduction
to basic electric components, electric effects and measurements. Developing an
understanding of communication and networking terminology such as signal power,
decibels, bits and bytes, bit rate, bandwidth, broadband. Introduction to
commonly known computer and communications components and devices such as IC
chips, memory, lasers, LCD, HDTV. Understanding network topologies, network
types, transmission media for information transfer. Chapter
II
·
Voice,
Video, and Data Communications - Developing
a concept of voice, video and data communications over telephone lines, cables,
microwaves and optical fibers. Internet audio/video technologies, audio and
video compression techniques. Chapter
III
·
Communication over the Internet -
Understanding the meaning of narrowband and broadband networks and the
internet, how to access these networks, an understanding and operation of
modems, DSL and ADSL network access technologies. Chapter
IV
·
Wireless
Communications - Develop an understanding of the workings of the
internet, World Wide Web and email. Understand the concept and operation of
mobile and cellular communications and by-pass technology (wireless local
loops) to by-pass local telephone networks. Chapter
V
·
Communications
Devices - Introduction to various types of communications
devices and components which enable modern communication. Understand Personal
computers, laptops, Personal digital assistants (PDAs), Global Positioning
System (GPS), operating systems, computer devices and peripherals and network
components like modems, routers and switches. Chapter
VI
·
Efficient
Home Networking - Concept of seamless global networking; how to
make cost-efficiency tradeoffs in selecting devices, services and/or setting up
home networks. Understanding of bundling and convergence. Introduction to
enterprise network. Chapter
VII
·
Health Hazards
and Network Security - The ill-effects of technology such as health
hazards, loss of privacy, fraud and protection against these; social and
ethical implications; communication in the future. Introduction to hazardous
substances and the new RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous
Substances) standards. Chapter
VIII
·
Course
Review, Discussion, Quiz
Required Text: Required
Text - The scope of the material covered in this course is quite wide,
though at a basic level. There is no single book which can do justice to the
course. Slides of the lecture notes will be provided will ample text and
diagrams. A list of references will be provided for the students to do
literature survey and supplement the classroom instructions. The internet will
be the primary source of information on the topics discussed. All class
material can be access from this website.
In-class
activities - There are many "group discussions"
and exercises
·
To
expand your understanding and scope of the material covered in lectures
including design and lab work
·
To
improve your communication, presentation, and summarizing skills
·
To
enhance your team building via group activities
Class
Participation - Your participation in the class and in the
group discussions (see the list below);
also based on the reading, developing questions, or perspectives you would like
to raise in the class
Homework - Will be assigned for each chapter. Your answers/solutions must be turned
in, preferably electronically in soft copy, no later than the beginning
of the due session. You can use MS
Word attach your solutions in an email to your instructors. Be concise, neat, and organized.
Quizzes - There
are 4 ten-minute multiple-choice quizzes to be given during the class. These quizzes are useful in motivating
you to take your reading of the textbook and the slides seriously. You will
receive a grade of 0 (zero) if you do not appear for an exam.
Attendance
- Attendance is mandatory. There will be no excused absences except
in the case of emergencies that could be substantiated.
Course
Grade Evaluation Policy:
·
Homework 40%
·
Quizzes 40%
·
Participations
in the class and group discussions 20% Unexcused
absences will affect this percentage.
To enjoy good grades, follow the steps at the
bottom of this website (*)!
Academic Honesty - You are
responsible to behave ethically & honestly. Copying, cheating, forgery, and other
unethical or dishonest actions are not tolerated. See http://www.sonoma.edu/uaffairs/policies/cheating_plagiarism.htm
Our
Expectations:
·
Always
come to class prepared and on time to learn
·
Whenever
for some critical reason you cannot attend, send me an email in advance
·
Read the
slides before each lecture and the related chapter after the lecture
·
Reading
the references deepens your understanding as a student
·
Hand in
your assignments on time
·
Ask
questions when you have them and contribute when you can
·
Have fun
and look back on this as a positive and worthwhile course for your study and
career development
Group
Discussions:
·
Objectives
- Let the students learn teamwork, be able to
discuss problems and find total solutions, resolve differences, practice
leadership, summarize ideas, and present their finings
·
The in-class group discussions are for
short topics, about 10 minutes most including the group work, sharing,
and presenting the result of the discussion
·
Structure
– The class is
divided into 2 or more groups, each
group comprises 3-5 students, with one Group Leader chosen by the group members
for each activity or topic
·
Responsibility
of group
members – All members should participate actively in all activities and
contribute to the discussion
·
Responsibility
of Group
Leader
–
Facilitates
the group discussion, keeps the necessary order, makes sure that the group is
focused on the topic, keeps the votes if required, summarizes the output
(according to the votes if necessary), and makes sure that the group delivers
on time (Notes can be captured by a recorder or the leader)
–
Leadership rotates among members so that
every member will have an opportunity to practice leading a group
–
For each
activity the group leader presents the output/result to the class
Outcomes:
·
The
broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in
a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
·
A
knowledge of contemporary issues.
·
An
understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
Tentative List of Activities - Chapters to be
Covered, Homework Due Dates, and Topics for the Group Discussions
|
Days |
Chapter |
Homework Due |
Topics
for Group Discussions and Quizzes |
|
Thur, 8/27 |
Sessions 8/27 through 9/29 were taught by Dr. Shally Sarraf |
|
|
|
Tues, 9/1 |
1: Introduction
to Digital Age and Technology |
|
|
|
Thur, 9/3 |
1 |
|
|
|
Tues, 9/8 |
1 |
|
|
|
Thur, 9/10 |
2: Communications
Networking Terminologies |
List
some electric circuits you know |
|
|
Tues, 9/15 |
2 |
Name
and describe various storage elements use in computing |
|
|
Thur, 9/17 |
2 |
Name and
describe various computer input/output devices |
|
|
Tues, 9/22 |
2 |
|
Discuss
the broadband access technology that you use and your experience |
|
Thur, 9/24 |
2 |
|
NO
CLASS |
|
Tues, 9/29 |
2 |
1.
Compare
conventional telephony and VOIP. 2.
List
and discuss various storage devices you use for recording voice and video
data. |
|
|
Thur, 10/1 |
3 Voice,
Video, and Data Communications |
|
1.
Compare
conventional telephony and VOIP. 2.
List
and discuss briefly various storage equipment you use for
recording voice and video information. |
|
Tues, 10/6 |
3:
Voice, Video, and Data Communications ES 101A Sect 2 meets in Darwin 103 |
QUIZ 1 on Ch I & II |
|
|
Thur, 10/8 |
3 |
1.
How
does Iphone differ from a regular cell phone? 2.
Discuss
briefly the HDTV capabilities and requirements. |
|
|
Tues, 10/13 |
3:
Review of the chapter |
1.
How would
transfer of data for e-commerce and voice over the internet differ? 2.
How
has the Internet helped mobility? |
|
|
Thur, 10/15 |
4: Communication
over the Internet |
1.
What
features of e-mail are most useful?
Are there other features that you would like to see added? 2.
You
have been introduced to the Public Switched telephone Network (PSTN) and the
Internet network. Compare the PSTN and Internet network structures and
list the differences between them. |
|
|
Tues, 10/20 |
4 |
1.
How do
you use the Internet and the WWW help you in your class work (any of the
classes you are taking)? Do you think there are opportunities to use the
Internet and WWW for class work that you could take advantage of in the
future? What are they? 2.
How
has the Internet impacted this information age? |
|
|
Thur, 10/22 |
5: Wireless
Communications (distributed HW5 with 16 solutions
& answers) |
Compare
WiFi and WiMax (Capacity, Distance, ..) |
|
|
Tues, 10/27 |
5: Wireless
Communications ES 101A Sect 2 meets in Darwin 103 |
QUIZ 2 on Ch III & IV |
|
|
Thur, 10/29 |
5 |
|
Discuss the 3G wireless in offering higher
bit rates. Intelligence of PC (Is a PC more intelligent
than a human?) |
|
Tues, 11/3 |
6: Communications
Devices ES 101A Sect 2 meets in Darwin 103 |
QUIZ 2X on Ch III & IV |
What capabilities IPhone
provide |
|
Thur, 11/5 |
6 |
How does Iphone differ from a regular cell
phone? GPS vs Regular Maps
and Compass (Merits and Demerits) |
|
|
Tues, 11/10 |
6 |
|
Describe
a typical home network. Describe
a typical enterprise network. |
|
Thur, 11/12 |
7:
Efficient Home Networking |
Describe
“Media convergence”, its advantages and disadvantages Describe
“Network convergence”, its advantages and disadvantages |
|
|
Tues, 11/17 |
7:
Efficient Home Networking ES 101A Sect 2 meets in Darwin 103 |
QUIZ 3 on Ch V & VI |
|
|
Thur, 11/19 |
7 |
|
List some
of the safety measures related to use of electrical and communication gadgets
you practice at home or at work. |
|
Tues, 11/24 |
8
Health Hazards and Network Security |
List
some of exceptions to the restrictions of hazardous materials. Why are these
restrictions are allowed? |
|
|
Thur, 11/26 |
NO CLASS, THANKSGIVVING HOLIDAY |
||
|
Tues, 12/1 |
8 |
1.
List
the hazardous substances and their max concentration value (MCV). 2.
List
some of exceptions to the restrictions of hazardous materials. Why are these
restrictions are allowed? |
|
|
Thur, 12/3 |
8 |
|
1.
The
cell phone manufacturers and service providers tend to believe that the
effects of cell phone on human heath are minimal. What do you think the reasons of their
mindset are? 2.
List
various security problems with the internet. |
|
Tues, 12/8 |
8 |
|
1.
What
is the difference between passive and active security threats? 2.
What
is the purpose of firewall and where is it used? |
|
Thur, 12/10 |
ES 101A Sect 2 meets in Darwin 103 |
HW9,
QUIZ 4 on all chapters |
Course
review and discussion |
|
Tues, 12/15 |
NO CLASS, NO FINAL EXAM |
||
Notes - Use Microsoft Word or Excel, or plain text
for submission of your homework.
(*) Ways
to succeed in the course efficiently: Practice makes perfect!
Practice the
following and observe how your grades improve quickly:
·
Before the class
o Download the slides
from the website and go through the slides.
o Make a list of
questions on the points that you do not understand
o These are like
“warming up” for a physical workout and make lectures a reinforcement
rather than an initial exposure.
·
In the class:
o Take the front seat
in the class
o Be present, pay attention,
and listen actively
o Take good notes
& record whatever your professor writes on the board.
o Ask the questions
you prepared to clarify. This keeps
you awake and focused and impresses your professor.
o “Do not be
reluctant to ask questions”
·
After the lecture:
o G through the
slides, notes, and do the assignments/hoework problems to practice.
o This way you will
learn the material with no worries and you can do well in your tests with only
little review/preparations.
Note that
you need to study at least 2-3 hours for each lecture hour.
Suggested
Supplementary Texts:
·
Data
Communications and Networking, by Behrouz Forouzan,
4th ed., ISBN: 978-0073250328, McGraw Hill, 2007.
·
Data and
Computer Communications, by William Stallings, 7th ed., ISBN: 978-0131006812,
Prentice Hall, 2003.
·
Understanding
Telecommunications and Lightwave Systems, by John Nellist, 3rd ed., ISBN: 978-0471150329, Wiley-IEEE Press,
2001
·
How
Networks Work, by Frank Derfler and Les Freed, 7th
ed., ISBN: 978-0789732323, Que, 2004.
·
Computer
Networks, by Andrew Tanenbaum, 4th ed. ISBN: 978-0130661029, Prentice Hall,
2002.
·
Data
Communications: From Basics to Broadband, by William Beyda,
4th ed., ISBN: 978-0131456921, Prentice Hall, 2004.
·
How
Wireless Works, by Preston Gralla, 2nd ed., ISBN:
978-0789733443, Que, 2005.
·
The
Feynman Lectures on Physics, by Richard Feynman, ISBN: 978-0201021158,
Addison-Wesley Longman, 1970.