Name of Course:  Network Fundamentals 

Prerequisites: CS 105, CIT 101 

I. Course Description 

The first in the series of four courses required to prepare the student for the Cisco CCNA certification. Topics covered in this semester include the OSI Model, the TCP/IP Model, IP addressing, subnetting, data encapsulating, basic network design and troubleshooting. 

II  Course Objectives 

By the end of the course the student will be able to: 

• Identify and describe the functions of each of the seven layers of the OSI reference model.
• Describe data link and network addresses and identify key differences between them.
• Define and describe the function of a MAC address.
• List the key internetworking functions of the OSI Network layer.
• Identify at least three reasons why the industry uses a layered model.
• Describe the two parts of network addressing, then identify the parts in specific protocol address examples.
• Identify the functions of each layer of the ISO/OSI reference model.
• Define and explain the five conversion steps of data encapsulation.
• Describe the different classes of IP addresses [and subnetting].
• Identify the functions of the TCP/IP network-layer protocols.

III. Topics to Be Studied 

• OSI Model
• Data Link and Network Addresses
• Internetworking functions of the OSI Network layer
• Functions of each layer of the ISO/OSI reference model
• Data Encapsulation
• IP Addresses
• Subnetting
• TCP/IP

IV. Special Projects to Be Included in Course 

Project 1 - Individual students will be required to write a minimum12 page research paper. The student will describe in detail the 7 layer OSI model and explaining the various functions of each layer and how they interact with each other. 

Project 2 – Individual students will be required to troubleshoot and correct a series of common problems found on networks. 

V. Methods of Student Evaluation 

• Tests
• Lab Activities
• Application Projects

VI. Assessment of Outcomes

The course itself serves as an assessment of the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification requirements. Successful course completion as well achieving the CCNA certification demonstrates that students have mastered the criteria. 

VII.  Other Information 

This course is designed to prepare the student for a career in the computer industry. Along with the above stated course objectives this course will prepare the student to take their actual Cisco certification exam.