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CS340 - Fall 2023

CS340 Syllabus

Table of contents

  1. Location and Time
  2. Office Hours
  3. Grading
  4. Asynchronic student-teacher communications via Piazza
  5. Course books
  6. Other reference books
  7. Pair work
  8. Late policy
  9. Academic Integrity
  10. Accessibility
  11. COVID-19 instructions
  12. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  13. Prohibition of Recording of Class Sessions by Students
  14. Support for Wellness and Mental Health

Location and Time

  • Annenberg Hall G21
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30AM - 10:50AM
  • Final exam date: Monday, 12/04/2023: 12PM-2PM

Office Hours

  • Esteban’s: Wed 12:00pm-1:00pm (Mudd 3416)
  • Wenxuan’s: Fri 1:30pm-2:30pm (Mudd 3303)
  • Ying’s: Tue 11:30am-12:30pm (Mudd 1st floor - lobby)
  • Rodney’s: Thu 2:00pm-3:00pm (UNV101)
  • Grigorii’s: Mon 1:30pm-2:30pm (TCHLG68)

Grading

  • 50% – 3 Projects (Python)
    • Done in pairs (or individually)
    • Usually due on Mondays at Midnight
  • 20% – 4 Homework assignments
    • Short written answers
    • Based on reading, lectures, and experimentation with Wireshark
  • 10% – Midterm exam
  • 15% – Final exam (cumulative)
    • Exams are similar to homework assignments
    • Exams are open book & open notes
    • Plan to print all the lecture slides.
    • No electronic devices will be permitted
  • 5% – Participation
    • Class time discussion

Asynchronic student-teacher communications via Piazza

If you would like to ask a question asynchronously, please post your question on Piazza so that all of the teaching staff can respond: https://piazza.com/northwestern/fall2023/cs340. This also allows other students to learn from your questions and to offer answers.

To join Piazza:

  • Go to Course Search
  • Make sure the Selected Term is “Fall 2023”
  • Search for “CS 340”
  • Select to join as student
  • Click “Join Classes”

Course books

There is one required book for the class: Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, by Kurose and Ross. It’s currently in it’s 8th edition, but I suggest you save some money by buying a used 7th or 6th edition. Here is the table of contents for the 8th edition, which might be helpful when trying to translate section numbers to your edition.

Other reference books

TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols (2nd Edition), by Fall and Stevens. is a good reference for TCP, IP, DNS, etc.. There is also a free online version of the 1st edition, which is probably all you’ll need.

Pair work

Projects may be done in paris (2 people) or individually. Groups of three are NOT allowed. But you can switch your partner for different projects.

Both students in a pair must understand how all of their code works. Please find a teammate and join one of the student groups on Canvas. Feel free to use Canvas discussion to find partner.

Late policy

Any assignment may be turned in up to two days late, with a 10 percentage point deduction per late day. In rare circumstances, the instructor may cancel this policy for particular assignments, so please pay attention to the course announcements.

Academic Integrity

Students in this course are required to comply with the policies found in the booklet, “Academic Integrity at Northwestern University: A Basic Guide”. All papers submitted for credit in this course must be submitted electronically unless otherwise instructed by the professor. Your written work may be tested for plagiarized content. For details regarding academic integrity at Northwestern or to download the guide, visit: https://www.northwestern.edu/provost/policies/academic-integrity/index.html

Accessibility

Northwestern University is committed to providing the most accessible learning environment as possible for students with disabilities. Should you anticipate or experience disability-related barriers in the academic setting, please contact AccessibleNU to move forward with the university’s established accommodation process (e: accessiblenu@northwestern.edu; p: 847-467-5530). If you already have established accommodations with AccessibleNU, please let me know as soon as possible, preferably within the first two weeks of the term, so we can work together to implement your disability accommodations. Disability information, including academic accommodations, is confidential under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

COVID-19 instructions

TBA following Northwestern guidelines

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

This course strives to be an inclusive learning community, respecting those of differing backgrounds and beliefs. As a community, we aim to be respectful to all students in this class, regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Prohibition of Recording of Class Sessions by Students

Unauthorized student recording of classroom or other academic activities (including advising sessions or office hours) is prohibited. Unauthorized recording is unethical and may also be a violation of University policy and state law. Students requesting the use of assistive technology as an accommodation should contact AccessibleNU. Unauthorized use of classroom recordings - including distributing or posting them - is also prohibited. Under the University’s Copyright Policy, faculty own the copyright to instructional materials - including those resources created specifically for the purposes of instruction, such as syllabi, lectures and lecture notes, and presentations. Students cannot copy, reproduce, display, or distribute these materials. Students who engage in unauthorized recording, unauthorized use of a recording, or unauthorized distribution of instructional materials will be referred to the appropriate University office for follow-up.

Support for Wellness and Mental Health

Northwestern University is committed to supporting the wellness of our students. Student Affairs has multiple resources to support student wellness and mental health. If you are feeling distressed or overwhelmed, please reach out for help. Students can access confidential resources through the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) and the Center for Awareness, Response and Education (CARE). Additional information on all of the resources mentioned above can be found here:

  • (https://www.northwestern.edu/counseling/)
  • (https://www.northwestern.edu/religious-life/)
  • (https://www.northwestern.edu/care/)