BOLGATANGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND ARTS

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/25 – FIRST SEMESTER

1. DCN112: FUNDAMENTALS OF DATA COMMUNICATION (3 CREDITS)

Course Description
This course exposes the student to the principles of data communication and covers
fundamental topics such as data, information and signals, data communication, the Open
Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model and communication Protocols. The main objective is to
provide an understanding to students about the seamless concepts of exchanging data
between any two points in the world over a medium.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, students should;
▪ Understand the basics of data and information
▪ Demonstrate an understanding of Data communication
▪ Apply their knowledge in Data flow
▪ Understand Protocols and elements of protocols
▪ Be familiar with Data & Signals such as analog and digital signals as well as channels.
▪ Have insights to the concept of bandwidth especially bandwidth of signal and medium.
▪ Explain various transmission impairments
▪ Learn of the OSI model and be able to describe the seven Layers in the OSI Model
Expected Outcomes:
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
▪ Differentiate between data and information
▪ Describe the data communication and its characteristics.
▪ Explain the various elements of a data communication system
▪ Demonstrate strong understanding of data representation, encoding systems and
communication methods.
▪ Understand data flow directions and transmission impairments
▪ Explain the various protocols in the OSI layered model
Mode of Delivery
 Lectures
 Practical
Summary of Course Content
 Introduction to Data and Information
 Fundamentals of data communication and characteristics
 Components of data communication
 Data representations, Encoding and Communication Technique
 Data flows such as simplex, half duplex and full duplex
 Protocols and elements of protocols
 The OSI standardization model
Reading materials
▪ Gallo, M. A., & Hancock, W. M. (2002). Computer communications and networking
technologies. Brooks/Cole Publishing Co..Gallo and William M. Hancock, Thomson Asia,
Second Reprint, 2002.
▪ Forouzan, B. A. (2007). Data communications and networking. Huga Media.
▪ Communications Networks, Leon Garcia, and Widjaja, Tata McGraw- Hill, 1999.
▪ Computer Networking, J. F. Kurose & K. W. Ross, A Top Down Approach Featuring the
Internet, Pearson Edition, 2003.
2. DNT215: ROUTING & SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY (3
CREDITS)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course teaches students on how to install, operate, configure, and verify a basic IPv4
and IPv6 network, including configuring a LAN switch, configuring an IP router,
identifying basic security threats, understanding redundant topologies, troubleshooting
common network issues, connecting to a WAN, configuring Enhanced Interior Gateway
Routing Protocol (EIGRP) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) in both IPv4 and IPv6,
understanding wide-area network technologies, and getting familiar with device
management.

Course Objective
● To provide students with basic routing technologies
● To explain the purpose and properties of routing and switching
● To identify a router as a computer with an operating system (OS) and hardware
designed for the routing process
● To explain how private and public IP addresses system works
● To describe how a router determines a path and switches packets
● Explain the basic operation and the configuration of Network Address Translation
(NAT) and DHCP
● Explain the differences between static and dynamic routing.
● To familiarize students with the use of routing algorithms to determine the best path

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing requirements for this course, the student will be able to
● Provide solutions for network routing problems.
● Identify and correct common network problems at the various layers
● Explain the basic operation of Network Address Translation (NAT)
● Troubleshoot WAN implementation issues
● Configure and verify a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection between routers
● Configure and verify Frame Relay connections
● Describe the components required for network and Internet communications
● Describe the importance, benefits, role, impact, and components of VPN technology.
● Describe current network security threats and explain how to implement a
comprehensive security policy to mitigate common threats to network devices, hosts,
and applications
● Describe the purpose and types of access control lists (ACLs)

Course Content
● Operation of IP Data Networks
● LAN Switching Technologies
● IP addressing (IPv4 / IPv6)
● IP Routing Technologies
● Describe basic routing concepts
● Configure and verify utilizing the CLI to set basic Router configuration
● Configure and verify routing configuration for a static or default route given specific
routing requirements
● Differentiate methods of routing and routing protocols
● Configure and verify OSPF and EIGRP (

● IP Services
● WAN Technologies
● Identify different WAN Technologies
● Configure and verify a basic WAN serial connection
● Configure and verify a PPP connection between routers
● Implement and troubleshoot PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet)

Reading Material
1. Duggan, M., (2011). CCIE routing and switching v4. 0 troubleshooting practice labs
2. SC Liew, TT Lee. (2010), Principles of Broadband Switching and Networking
3. D Medhi, K Ramasamy (2010) Network routing: algorithms, protocols, and
architectures
4. Hartpence, Bruce. 2011. Packet guide to routing and switching. Sebastopol, CA:
O'Reilly Media.
5. Lammle, Todd. 2016. CCNA routing and switching complete study guide.
3. DCN212: PROGRAMMING II - MOBILE DEVICES PROGRAMMING (3
CREDITS)
Course Objective
Today's applications are increasingly mobile. Computers are no longer confined to desks and
laps but instead live in our pockets and hands.
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Gain proficiency in building mobile applications for Android, iOS, and Windows 8,
encompassing both web and native app development.
 Acquire hands-on experience with tools like Eclipse, Android SDK, Xcode, and iOS
SDK to develop robust native apps tailored for each platform.
 Develop an understanding of web app development for Android and iOS platforms,
utilizing appropriate technologies and frameworks.
 Gain insights into Windows 8 application programming, serving as a foundation for
students to explore application development across different operating systems.
 Learn about crucial aspects such as application deployment strategies, security
considerations, power management techniques, and ensuring mobile device security
to create comprehensive and effective mobile applications.
COURSE CONTENT
This course teaches students how to build mobile apps for Android, iOS, and Windows 8, the
trinity that is today's mobile operating platforms. Students learn to write both web apps and
native apps for Android using Eclipse and the Android SDK, to write native apps for iPhones,
iPod Touches, and iPads using Xcode and the iOS SDK, and to write web apps for both
platforms. The course also touches on Windows 8 application programming, so as to provide
students with a stepping stone for application development in the mobile operating system of
their choice. Additional topics covered include application deployment and availability on the
corresponding app stores and markets, application security, efficient power management, and
mobile device security.
MODE OF DELIVERY
 Lectures - 2Hrs
 Practical Lab = 2 Hr.
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS
 Bill Phillips, Chris Stewart, Brian Hardy, Kristin Marsicano (2015): Android
Programming:
 John Horton (2015): Android Programming for Beginners, Packt Publishing.
 Zigurd Mednieks, Laird Dornin, Blake Meike, (2012): Programming Android: Java
 Programming for the New Generation of Mobile Devices 2nd Edition. O'Reilly Media
 Brian Fling, 2008; Mobile Design and Development, O'Reilly Media, Inc.
 Shane Conder, Lauren Darcey 2009; Android Wireless Application Development;
AddisonWesley Professional.