Students who are concerned about not meeting the prerequisites for this course are encouraged to contact the course coordinator before registering.
Overview
COMP 348 is designed to extend students’ knowledge and practice in analysis and design of computer networks by focusing on computer network programming. In addition, some advanced network topics including network security and multimedia computer networks are introduced in this course. The Java programming language will be used throughout the course. To be able to complete this course, a student should have both sufficient knowledge about computer networks, especially the Internet, and some good programming skills in Java.
Outline
COMP 348 consists of the following units:
Unit 0: Orientation
Unit 1: Basic Network Concepts
Unit 2: Java Streams
Unit 3: Java Threads
Unit 4: Internet Addresses
Unit 5: URLs and URIs
Unit 6: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Unit 7: URLConnection
Unit 8: Sockets for Clients
Unit 9: Sockets for Servers
Unit 10: Secure Sockets
Unit 11: Nonblocking I/O
Unit 12: User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
Unit 13: IP Multicast
Unit 14: Remote Method Invocation (RMI)
The units are closely based on material from Java Network Programming by Elliotte Rusty Harold, with additional material supplied via web reference links. Unit 1 is a review of material students have studied in the prerequisite computer networking course (COMP 347). Unit 2 and Unit 3 comprise a review of material students should have studied in the prerequisite Java programming courses (COMP 268, COMP 272).
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to
discuss network programming with Java in general, including some of the history and features that Java brings to network programming.
type, compile, and execute example Java programs from the textbook that demonstrate key concepts of network programming.
modify example programs to further demonstrate key concepts of network programming.
create original programs in Java that demonstrate key concepts of network programming.
create Java network programs that fulfill specific deliverables and provide significant network capability, as required, to fulfill assignment objectives and deliverables.
articulate design decisions and create a diary describing learning experiences. (This is an essential component of the course project.)
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 348, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent), including a grade of 50 percent on each assignment, and at least 50 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
15%
Assignment 2
15%
Assignment 3
15%
Assignment 4 (Project)
25%
Participation and Reflection
15%
Final Online Exam
15%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Harold, E. R. (2013) Java Network Programming, 4th ed. O'Reilly. (Print)
Other materials
The remainder of the learning materials for COMP 348 is available from the course site or other websites.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.