Module: Data Communications & Networks I

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Data Communications & Networks I
Module Code	EEN1023 (ITS: EE224)
Faculty	Electronic Engineering	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The overall aim is to familiarize the students with the operation and implementation of data communications used to exchange information between computer systems. In particular the course aims to provide a good understanding of the electrical characteristics of digital signals and the basic methods of data transmission, to introduce the concept of communication protocols and give an overview of Data Communication Standards and to give an introduction to the area of computer networks, with emphasis on the range of communication protocols utilized.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the design principles of layered network protocol stack models.
2. Compare and contrast digital transmission techniques and apply various encoding and modulation techniques
3. Describe functionality of the data link layer and use various error detection and correction solutions
4. Discuss the design decisions behind various MAC and LLC protocols, Ethernet, token ring, token bus, FDDI, WLAN
5. Determine optimal network routing using distance vector and link-state network routing protocols
6. Solve network-related problems

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	81	No Description
Laboratory	20	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11020	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jennifer McManis	Module Teacher	Dushyantha A Basnayaka, Gabriel Muntean, Martin Collier

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Laboratory Portfolio	perform 5 network related experiments and analyse results.	25%	Every Week
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	75%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Network Reference Models
OSI and TCP/IP

Physical Aspects (Basics)
Transmission Media, Attenuation and Distortion Sources, Signal Types, etc.

Physical Aspects (Advanced)
Data Transmission, Error Detection Methods, etc.

Data Link Layer
Go-Back-N retransmission techniques

Local Area Networks (Basics)
Ethernet, Token Ring, Token Bus, etc.

The Network layer
Routing, Inter-networking, etc.

The Transport layer (Basics)
UDP and TCP Protocols

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Andrew S. Tanenbaum: 2003, Computer networks, 4, Prentice Hall PTR, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 978-0130661029
Fred Halsall: 2005, Computer Networking and the Internet, 5, Addison-Wesley, Pearson Education, ISBN 0-321-26358-8
Fred Halsall: 1996, Data Communications, Computer Networks and Open Systems, 4, Addison-Wesley, Pearson Education, ISBN 0-201-42293-X
James Kurose and Keith Ross: 2021, Computer Networking: A Topdown Approach,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None