Students

TELE3350 – Communications Networks

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Stephen Hanly
stephen.hanly@mq.edu.au
44 Waterloo Road room 108
appointment via email
Demonstrator
Sujan Shrestha
sujan.shrestha1@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp or Admission to MEngElecEng
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit develops core knowledge and understanding in telecommunications engineering examining the technology, concepts and general principles used in modern data communication networks. The focus is on layers 1 and 2 of the OSI reference model spanning local-area, wide-area, metropolitan and access networks and includes Ethernet, wireless networks, optical networks, time-division multiplexing networks and cellular networks. The unit examines these technologies from a number of different perspectives including physical-layer communications, medium access control (MAC), link-layer, network structure, devices, modelling, performance analysis and quality of service. A practical component gives students skills in using and configuring network equipment and modelling and analysis tools.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Critique and compare, using acquired knowledge, different communication technologies and networks.
  • ULO2: Evaluate the advantages and performance of a range of networking technologies.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate knowledge of a range of modelling techniques, including mathematical modelling and simulation modelling, including appropriate simulation tools, to design and analyse communication technologies and networks.
  • ULO4: Design, build and operate networks using switches and routers.
  • ULO5: Apply a systems perspective in the analysis of networks and communications systems.
  • ULO6: Effectively collaborate in small groups while solving networking problems.

General Assessment Information

Grading and Passing Requirement

There are three assessmnet tasks. In order for students to pass this unit, they must obtained an mark accumulated across all assessments of 50% or greater.

Assignment 

Assessment Type 1: Problem set

Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours

Due: Week 7

Weighting: 20%

Assignment on the topic of Ethernet and Queueing.  On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Critique and compare, using acquired knowledge, different communication technologies and networks.
  • Evaluate the advantages and performance of a range of networking technologies.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of a range of modelling techniques, including mathematical modelling and simulation modelling, including appropriate simulation tools, to design and analyse communication technologies and networks.

 

Practical Report

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task

Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours

Due: Week 12

Weighting: 30%

The practical report is a portfolio of work accomplished during the weekly practicals. You will record your answers to all the questions on the practical sheets and show your working. 

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Design, build and operate networks using switches and routers.
  • Apply a systems perspective in the analysis of networks and communications systems.
  • Effectively collaborate in small groups while solving networking problems.

Examination

Assessment Type: Examination

Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours

Due: Exam Period

Weighting: 50%

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Critique and compare, using acquired knowledge, different communication technologies and networks.
  • Evaluate the advantages and performance of a range of networking technologies.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of a range of modelling techniques, including mathematical modelling and simulation modelling, including appropriate simulation tools, to design and analyse communication technologies and networks.
  • Apply a systems perspective in the analysis of networks and communications systems.

Late submissions and Resubmissions

In this unit, no late submissions will be accepted unless a Special Consideration is granted.

Resubmission of work is not allowed.

 

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Practical Report 30% No Week 12
Assignment 20% No Week 7
Examination 50% No Final Exam Period

Practical Report

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 30%

 

The Practical Report will be based on work done in the weekly practical sessions. It will be a single report that covers the practical elements of the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Design, build and operate networks using switches and routers.
  • Apply a systems perspective in the analysis of networks and communications systems.
  • Effectively collaborate in small groups while solving networking problems.

Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

 

Assignment on the topic of Ethernet

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique and compare, using acquired knowledge, different communication technologies and networks.
  • Evaluate the advantages and performance of a range of networking technologies.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of a range of modelling techniques, including mathematical modelling and simulation modelling, including appropriate simulation tools, to design and analyse communication technologies and networks.
  • Apply a systems perspective in the analysis of networks and communications systems.

Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: Final Exam Period
Weighting: 50%

 

Examination

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique and compare, using acquired knowledge, different communication technologies and networks.
  • Evaluate the advantages and performance of a range of networking technologies.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of a range of modelling techniques, including mathematical modelling and simulation modelling, including appropriate simulation tools, to design and analyse communication technologies and networks.
  • Apply a systems perspective in the analysis of networks and communications systems.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

The unit will be delivered via lectures, and practical sessions.

Practical sessions

There will be weekly laboratory sessions, starting in Week 2.

Technology used

Library and internet search engines, word processing and presentation software, switches and routers, Matlab software.

Laboratory Safety

No student will be permitted to enter the laboratory without proper footwear. THONGS OR

SANDALS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. NO FOOD OR DRINK may be taken into the laboratory.

Suggested reference text book:

Computer Networking James F Kurose & Keith W Ross, 6th Edn, 2012.

Other reference book(s)

Communication Networks A Concise Introduction, by J. Walrand and S. Parekh, Morgan &

Claypool Publishers, 2010.

Networking, Second edition, J. S. Beasley, Pearson, 2009.

Data Communications and Networking, 4th Edition by B. A. Forouzan, McGraw-Hill, 2007.

Data and Computer Communications, 9th ed W. Stallings, Pearson, 2012

Lecture and laboratory notes

Lecture notes, laboratory notes, assignments and resources are provided online through iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook