Computer Networks
CS 438Spring 2026
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Course Information
TimeTue & Thu, 2pm – 3:15pm
Location 1320 Digital Computer Laboratory
Instructors
OH: Wed, 9am – 10am, Zoom
TAsTBA
TA office hoursTBA
For remote office hours
Zoom link (NetID authentication required)
CommunicationCampuswire discussion board (invitation will be emailed)
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.

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