CS 552: Computer Networks (Spring 2025)

Computer networks are among the most influential systems ever created. Billions of users/devices communicate with each other through globally interconnected network infrastructures of wired and wireless links.

CS 552 is a graduate-level course that introduces fundamental elements of modern computer networks. The course will consist of lectures (70%) and paper readings and discussions (30%) based on HotCRP. The course will cover the popular five-layer TCP/IP model: L1 (physical layer), L2 (link layer), L3 (network layer), L4 (transport layer), and L5 (application layer). For the lecture, we will spend 60% on the lower layers (L1, L2) and 40% on the upper layers (L3, L4, L5), i.e., 60% on wireless and 40% on wired networking. For each layer, we will learn the state-of-the-art technologies including MIMO systems, medium access protocols, routing algorithms, TCP/UDP protocols, and DNS, respectively. For the paper discussions (later in this course), students are required to read/present papers and lead discussions.

Prerequisites: Students need to have some basic knowledge of Mathematics for Computer Science (e.g., Linear Algebra, Calculus, and Probability Theory), Data Structures, System Programming, and (undergraduate-level) Computer Networks.  

Recommended Textbook: James F. F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, "Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet", 8th (or 7th) edition.

Reference Textbooks:
Larry Peterson and Bruce S. Davie, "Computer Networks: A Systems Approach"

Andrea Goldsmith, "Wireless Communications"

David Tse and Pramod Viswanath, "Fundamentals of Wireless Communication"

William Stallings, "Data and Computer Communications"

Behrouz A. Forouzan, "Data Communications and Networking"

Announcements

• [05/05/2025] Final Exam Week (Final Exam: 4 pm on 5/9 at SEC 209). Additional office hours:

  • 05/07 Wednesday: 3:30 - 4-30 pm

  • 05/14 Wednesday: 2:00 - 3:20 pm (to check your final)

• [04/10/2025] Programming Assignment 5 (HW5) released (Due 4/24). Check Canvas.

• [04/09/2025] HotCRP for Paper Reading Sessions open. Check out the invitation email and assigned papers (Slides #19).

• [04/08/2025] NO office hours on 4/9 (Quiz Day).

• [04/07/2025] Application Layer will not be covered in Quiz 2

• [04/01/2025] HW4's Deadline extended to 4/6. HW5 will be released on the same day.

• [03/31/2025] Quiz 2 (on 04/09) Range: Lecture File #10 (after OFDM) - Lecture File #18  

• [03/16/2025] Programming Assignment 4 (HW4) released (Due 4/2). Check Canvas.

• [03/12/2025] HW3's Deadline extended to 3/16. HW4 will be released on the same day.

• [03/03/2025] Programming Assignment 3 (HW3) released (Due 3/14). Check Canvas.

• [02/24/2025] HW2's Deadline extended to 3/3. HW3 will be released on the same day. NO office hours on 2/26 (Quiz Day).

• [02/14/2025] Programming Assignment 2 (HW2) released (Due 2/28). Check Canvas.

• [02/11/2025] Class and office hours tomorrow (2/12, Wed) will be online (Zoom) due to the weather conditions. 

  • Class Zoom Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/98822454811?pwd=9LyRozV2dhzTXw8CIdz9tlafSVEXgw.1&from=addon

  • Office Hours Zoom Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/99221569291?pwd=bWoZtoth1tTOkBMWj9E9BKDrssig7E.1&from=addon 

• [02/10/2025] HW1's Deadline extended to 2/14. HW2 will be released on the same day.

• [02/07/2025] Final Exam time and location are announced: 4 pm to 6:30 pm on 05/09 (Fri.) at SEC 209.

• [02/06/2025] Quiz dates are updated. Check out the course schedule.

• [02/05/2025] Additional office hours become available & Supplementary File (for Lec #5) uploaded in Canvas.

• [02/02/2025] Programming Assignment 1 (HW1) released (Due 2/12). Check Canvas.

• [01/22/2025] First day of class.

• [11/10/2024] Lecture website is open. The first day of class is 01/22/2025.

Instructor: Minsung Kim (website)

Email: minsungk.cs@rutgers.edu

Office: Core 313

Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM or by appointment

Office Hours (by Graders):

• Shrey Jatin Patel 

  • sp2675@scarletmail.rutgers.edu 

  • Tuesday 2-3 pm (appointment required) 

• Tejaswini Abburi 

  • ta633@scarletmail.rutgers.edu

  • Thursday 2-3 pm (appointment required)

Class: 

• Monday 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM at Room 209, T. Alexander Pond SERC Science & Engineering Resource Center (SEC 209)

• Wednesday 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM at Room 209, T. Alexander Pond SERC Science & Engineering Resource Center (SEC 209)

Canvas: https://rutgers.instructure.com/courses/336493

Piazza: https://piazza.com/rutgers/spring2025/cs552/

Grading: 

• In-Class Quizzes (30%)

• Homework/Assignments (30%)

• Final Exam (30%)

• Participation (10%)  

Note: Homeworks/Assignments will include problem sets and/or several programming tasks (Python, Matlab, C, or C++ based) 

Policies:

Late submissions will NOT be accepted, except in emergencies, which will be considered at the instructor's discretion.

The use of AI tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Geminie, and Claude, for the assignments is NOT allowed. 

Copying solutions from Stack Overflow, GitHub, or any other web for the assignments is NOT allowed.

Academic Integrity: 

https://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/

https://www.cs.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-integrity-policy

http://nbacademicintegrity.rutgers.edu/home-2/academic-integrity-policy

https://nbprovost.rutgers.edu/academic-integrity-students