Activity reference No.1
Year(s) in which the activity takes place:
1995/96
Type of activity: Update of Computer Networks course
Description of the activity:
The goal of the activity is to update the Computer Networks course designed to teach students a modern computer communication
technology. The program of the course should be built around seven layers of
OSI ISO reference model. The students should receive information about LAN's, MAN's and WAN's
communication protocols, methods of their evaluations, and the area of their
applications.
The main focus should be put on high speed network protocols and
their application to information highway construction.
Particular attention should be put on ATM technology
and its application to multimedia traffic communication.
Finally, the students should be made familiar with network management
protocols, strategy and software environments.
This activity will be carried in cooperation with Cambridge University, which has a profound knowledge and long-term experience in designing and teaching computer networks. That resulted in establishing there a pioneer ATM network called the Cambridge Backbone Ring. However, the experience of the University
of Westminster and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven will also be resorted
to. The Olivetti Research Limited will be consulted about graduate profile with regard to his extensive computer network knowledge as well as other industrial
cooperants.
At the aim of updating the Computer Networks course the following steps are
going to be taken:
- Retraining academic staff
A person to lecture Computer Networks will attend an course (four-week-long)
at Cambridge University in order to update his knowledge and gain experience in how such course should be organized. He will be expected to become acquainted
with the newest technology as well as the newest and the most successful
teaching methods.
One assistant will be sent to Cambridge University and take part in a four-week-long retraining course.
One assistant will be sent to the Olivetti Research Ltd. to participate in a
twelve-week-long industrial placement.
- Comparing diverse syllabuses
The lecturer will also pay a short visit to the University of Westminster and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
After his comeback, his knowledge will be used to compare different Computer Networks syllabuses and teaching methods.
- Consulting with industrial partners concerning the employee profile they require
At this stage consulting will be carried with the Olivetti Research Limited, as the leading EC research division, and MARI Ltd. as well as with Polish
enterprises (Solidex Ltd. and others). It will concern in what direction industry develops and what graduate profile will be in demand in the next few years. This will perfectly fit the UMM's restructuring goals.
- Discussing the course subjects and teaching methods with lecturers and professors
The best and most suitable ideas will be exploited in the process of designing the new teaching programme. This will be discussed with didactic body of the University of Mining and Metallurgy to be adapted to the UMM's development strategy.
- Detailing the course syllabus and coordinating it with other courses
The course syllabus will be detailed in cooperation with Cambridge University teacher during its teaching assignment (four-week-long).
The new syllabus should coordinated with the Multimedia course (activity 4) and Distributed Systems course (activity 2). The new course will include laboratory (see activity 5) exercises, which will cover the practical aspects of computer networks, whose role should be emphasized.
- Preparing presentations for students and teaching aids
Staff responsible for conducting the Computer Networks course is
going to be selected by the management body of the project based on the merits
of candidates. Their experience as well as educational and research activity
will be crucial factors.
Computer Science students (over 100 each year) will be the main beneficiaries
of the course. It is, however, expected that the course will be an advantage for over 50 students (yearly) from other faculties, too.
Outcome of the activity:
- Syllabus of the BSc course in Computer Networks
- Teaching methods with regard to lectures' organisation, lectures' complements (classes and laboratories) and compliance with other courses
- Academic staff retrained in principles and applications of computer networks and appropriate methods of teaching (a lecturer and two assistants)
- Books and teaching aids (lecture notes, slides, examples etc.)