Computer Networks
CS 438Spring 2026
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Course Information
TimeTue & Thu, 2pm – 3:15pm
Location 1320 Digital Computer Laboratory
Instructors
OH: Tue 3:30–4:30pm, 3114 Siebel Center & Zoom
OH: Thu 5–6pm, 4130 Siebel Center & Zoom
TAsXiaojuan Ma (xm20), Nishant Sheikh (nsheikh2), Martin Chong (cjchong3)
TA office hours
Weekday
Time: Mon 4–5pm, Wed 3–4pm, Fri 2–3pm
Location: in person in Siebel Center Lower Level (Zoom only for Chicago students)
Weekend
Time: Sat 12–1pm, Sun 4–6pm
Location: Zoom for all
QueuingQueue@Illinois (open during TA office hours)
ConferencingZoom link (for all things remote)
HW submissionGradescope (join using the entry code 7KKYZ4)
MP submissionGitHub (instructions provided in handouts)
CommunicationCampuswire (sign up using the class link and code 3994)

Course Overview

Computer networks are among the most important and influential global infrastructures that humanity has created. The goal of this course is to provide a foundational view of computer networks: the principles upon which the Internet and other computer networks are built; how those principles translate into deployed protocols; and hands-on experience solving challenging problems with network protocols.

Topics will include link-layer technology; switching; routing; the Internet Protocol; reliability, flow control, congestion control, and their embodiment in TCP; quality of service; and network security. The course will involve a significant amount of Unix-based network programming using the C language. Students who are not already familiar with ANSI C should learn it quickly.

More details are available in the course syllabus and schedule.

Prerequisite: This course assumes that you have taken CS 341, ECE 391, or equivalent.