CECS 5400

Educational Telecommunications 

Fall 2002 

Syllabus

Instructor: 

Texts:

    1. Shay, William A. Understanding Data Communications and Networks, PWS, 1995. (optional)
    2. Azarmsa, Reza. Telecommunications: A Handbook for Educators. New York & London: Garland Publishing Co, 1993. (optional)
      3. Notes on Texts: The Azarmsa book is at a lower level of content which is adequate for this course (including the exam), when supplemented with handouts which will be given to all in class. The Shay book is good technical reference for those who may want to study beyond the introductory level of this course, or for those who wish to have a nice telecommunications reference book to keep on their shelf. Most of the material in this book will be addressed at a very introductory level in class, or perhaps not touched on at all. Each student should choose whichever book best suits his/her goals and learning style. It should not be necessary to buy both.

Software:

    Internet browser (like Netscape or Internet Explorer) with real player plug-in for those who do not plan to attend class lectures.

Description:

    This course has two areas of focus:
    1. Exploring currently-emerging trends in telecommunications which appear to be destined to become integrated into the field of education in the future, and 
    2. Acquiring hands-on experience with telecommunications systems.

Requirements:

  • Access to an Internet browser, an Internet service provider and e-mail will be necessary for those enrolling in this course. A Real Player plug-in is needed and can be downloaded at www.real.com.
    • Test your equipment with this audio file or this video file.

    Audio and Video files for this course are from previous 5400 sections taught by Dr. Gerald Knezek.

  • E-mail access is required as well. 
  • All are expected to participate in discussions in person or via E-mail, learn to access at least one computer-based communication system, one information retrieval system,one audio-conferencing system, and one video-based telecommunications system.
  • There will be four project-based assignments and a research paper/presentation.

Grading:

     
    A total of 100 points for the course will be allocated as follows: Letter grades will be the higher grade resulting from the following two standards:
    Paper 30 points
    4 Assignments 55 points
    Participation 10 points
    Presentation   5 points
    Total 100 points

    >=90    		 A Top 10% A
    >=80<90 B Next 20% B
    >=70<80 C Next 40% C
    >=60<70 D Next 20% D
    <=59 F Last 10% F
     

    Late assignments, projects, or papers will lose 1 point each day they 
    are past due.
    Any assignments not turned in by the last class meeting will be assigned a
    grade of zero.
     

Meeting Information:

     

Contact Information:

Faculty of Record: Dr. Gerald Knezek

    E-mail is the best method to contact me, since I check my e-mail multiple times daily. Students may use my cell phone number to contact me outside office hours. Please use appropriate discretion at what times you call. 

    Office: Matthews Hall Room 316 H

    Office Phone: (940) 565-4195

    Fax: (940) 565-2185 
    When faxing notify Dana, so that it is retrieved in a timely fashion. 

    E-Mail: gknezek@tenet.edu

    Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Clinical Faculty

Academic Ethics:
Students are expected to create and edit their own assignments and take tests without outside assistance. This is a programming class and it is acceptable to ask for help from others after you have put forth significant effort to debug written code that is not working correctly and when testing your software. However, asking for help in debugging does not mean you have someone rewrite your code. All work is expected to be your own. Cheating and disciplinary action for cheating is defined by the UNT Policy Manual Code for Student Conduct and Discipline. Cheating is an act of academic dishonesty. It is defined and is to be handled as follows:

"Plagiarism and cheating refer to the use of unauthorized books, notes, or otherwise securing help in a test; copying tests, assignments, reports, or term papers; representing the work of another as one's own; collaborating without authority, with another student during an examination or in preparing academic work; or otherwise practicing scholastic dishonesty."

Although there are other possibilities, you should expect that the penalty that will be assigned for such infractions will include a failing grade in the course and a recommendation that you be denied a degree. You are expected to conform to all policies of the University of North Texas and work within the honor code.

As defined by the United States Copyright Act, it is your responsibility to clearly identify all elements in your work that are not ³original works of authorship.² You are expected to strictly obey the provisions of all laws of the United States and the State of Texas in the completion of all course activities, taking particular notice of the provisions of the United States Copyright Act (Title 17 United States Code). This law provides that you may legally use, within certain limitations, certain copyrighted materials in the context of research and scholarship. Do not confuse your ability to legally copy materials under the ³fair use² provisions of the Copyright Act with the ability to claim that such a copy is an original work of authorship.

For more information on academic dishonesty, please refer to your current student catalog. 

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:
The Department of Technology and Cognition complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to contact the faculty member outside of class to make any arrangements involving special accommodations and/or the Department ADA Representatives: Dr. Bertina Hildreth and Dr. Cathie Norris. Their offices are in Matt 316. You may schedule an appointment by call (940) 565-2057. 

EEO/ADA on Discrimination:
The University of North Texas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or disabled veteran status in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies. In addition to complying with federal and state equal opportunity laws and regulations, the university through its diversity policy declares harassment based on individual differences (including sexual orientation) inconsistent with its mission and educational goals. Direct questions or concerns to the equal opportunity office, (940) 565-2456, or the dean of students, (940) 565-2648. TDD access is available through Relay Texas: (800) 735-2989. For more information on EEO/ADA, please refer to your current student catalog.