CS510 Data Communications and Computer Networks
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Nov 11, 2025
Syllabus Quick Jump
Search and navigate to any syllabus instantly
Computer Sciences and Engineering
Amal Mersni
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the communication protocol stack, emphasizing the widespread communication systems and data networks (TCP/IP protocol suite).
- To cover core enterprise network technologies in detail, including dual stack (IPv4 and IPv6) architecture, switching technologies, L2 redundancy, and advanced routing technologies.
- To explain the purposes and characteristics of first-hop redundancy protocols.
- To implement advanced technologies to support a secure and scalable enterprise network architecture.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
- Cisco Networking Academy CCNP Enterprise: Core Networking (CCNP ENCOR v8).
Additional Literature
CCNP Routing and Switching v2.0 Official Cert Guide Library. By Kevin Wallace, David Hucaby, Cristian Matie, Wendell Odom. Published Dec 23rd 2014 by CISCO Press.Teaching Methods
Lectures
In-class examples and discussions for engaged learning. Added weight on independent work through course projects
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Networking Fundamentals (OSI, TCP/IP, Network Topologies, Devices) | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources |
| 2 | IP Addressing and Subnetting Fundamentals (IPv4/IPv6, Subnetting, VLSM) | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources |
| 3 | Network Device Communication and Forwarding Architectures ((Layer 2 forwarding, MAC addressing, ARP, packet flow)) | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources |
| 4 | Network Devices Communication and Forwarding Architectures (Layer 3 routing, routing tables, load balancing techniques) | |
| 5 | IP Routing Essentials | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources |
| 6 | Course project pitch | |
| 7 | FundamentalsFirst Hop Redundancy Protocols (FHRPs) Concepts | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources |
| 8 | No Midterm Exam | No mid-term exam |
| 9 | Research Paper Presentations and Discussions | |
| 10 | Quality of Service (QoS) and Traffic Management and Course Project Progress Presentations | Slides and online resources |
| 11 | Introduction to Network Optimization (Basic concepts in network optimization, resource allocation, traffic engineering fundamentals) | Slides and online resources |
| 12 | Research Paper Presentations and Discussions | |
| 13 | Research Paper Presentations and Discussions | |
| 14 | Course Project Final Presentations | |
| 15 | Research Paper Final Presentations and review for Final Exam |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS510.1 | Course | Thursday 17:00 - 19:50 | A F1.3 - Computer Lab | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 14:00 - 16:00 | A F1.6 | |
| Thursday | 13:00 - 14:00 | A F1.6 | (Internship consultations , internship application forms) |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Research Paper
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Course Project
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours and and In-Class discussions
42 hours ⏳ (14 week × 3 h)
Research and Project
60 hours ⏳ (6 week × 10 h)
Home study
30 hours ⏳ (15 week × 2 h)
Final exam study
18 hours ⏳ (9 week × 2 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [CS510] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Nov 11, 2025 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| CS510 | Data Communications and Computer Networks | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Amal Mersni | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Tuesday: 14:00-16:00 Thursday: 9:00-11:00 , 13:00-14:00 (Internship consultations , internship application forms) |
|||||||
| amersni@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | To provide a comprehensive overview of the communication protocol stack, emphasizing the widespread communication systems and data networks (TCP/IP protocol suite). To cover core enterprise network technologies in detail, including dual stack (IPv4 and IPv6) architecture, switching technologies, L2 redundancy, and advanced routing technologies. To explain the purposes and characteristics of first-hop redundancy protocols. To implement advanced technologies to support a secure and scalable enterprise network architecture. |
|||||||||
| Textbook | Cisco Networking Academy CCNP Enterprise: Core Networking (CCNP ENCOR v8). | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lectures, in-class examples and discussions for engaged learning. Added weight on independent work through course projects | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Networking Fundamentals (OSI, TCP/IP, Network Topologies, Devices) | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources | ||||||||
| Week 2 | IP Addressing and Subnetting Fundamentals (IPv4/IPv6, Subnetting, VLSM) | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Network Device Communication and Forwarding Architectures ((Layer 2 forwarding, MAC addressing, ARP, packet flow)) | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Network Devices Communication and Forwarding Architectures (Layer 3 routing, routing tables, load balancing techniques) | |||||||||
| Week 5 | IP Routing Essentials | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Course project pitch | |||||||||
| Week 7 | FundamentalsFirst Hop Redundancy Protocols (FHRPs) Concepts | Slides, Netacad platform, and online resources | ||||||||
| Week 8 | No Midterm Exam | No mid-term exam | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Research Paper Presentations and Discussions | |||||||||
| Week 10 | Quality of Service (QoS) and Traffic Management and Course Project Progress Presentations | Slides and online resources | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Introduction to Network Optimization (Basic concepts in network optimization, resource allocation, traffic engineering fundamentals) | Slides and online resources | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Research Paper Presentations and Discussions | |||||||||
| Week 13 | Research Paper Presentations and Discussions | |||||||||
| Week 14 | Course Project Final Presentations | |||||||||
| Week 15 | Research Paper Final Presentations and review for Final Exam | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Research Paper | 1 | 35 | 1,2,3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Course Project | 1 | 25 | 1,2,3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours and and In-Class discussions | 3 | 14 | 42 | Research and Project | 10 | 6 | 60 | |||
| Home study | 2 | 15 | 30 | Final exam study | 2 | 9 | 18 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 09/11/2025 | |||||||||