Computer Science (COMP) 348

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.

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.)

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).

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:

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.