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CITC 2326 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

CITC 2326 - Network Security

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:
Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • identify risk and participate in risk mitigation activities
  • provide infrastructure, application, information, and operational security
  • apply security controls to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and identify appropriate technologies and products
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

Math competencies 1 - 5 and READ 0810

Course Topics:
  • Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities
  • Technologies and Tools
  • Architecture and Design
  • Identity and Access Management
  • Risk Management
  • Cryptography and PKI
Specific Course Requirements:

Students are required to Purchase TestOut Security Pro product to be able to complete the lab simulations within this class.  This product acts as your textbook as well.  This may be purchased through the TN eCampus Bookstore - see link below under the "Required Textbooks" heading.  Basic knowledge of network hardware and basic security practices is recommended.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

 Any supplemental materials will be provided within the content section of the course. 

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Grading Procedures:

Letter grades for this course will be assigned based on the following scale.

Percentage RangeAssigned Grade
90 - 100%A
79 - 89%B
70 - 79%C
60 - 69%D
Under 60%F

Graded Items

Description Percentage Weight
6 Module Quizzes @ ~ 1.67% each10%
88 LabSim Practice Question Assessments  @ ~ .23% each20%
6 Discussion Board Case Problems @ 2.5% each15%
78 LabSim Simulations @ ~ .58% each45%
1 Security+ Practice Exam @ 10%10%
Total Percentage100%
Grading Scale:
Assignments and Projects:

All assessments/quizzes will be taken online.  This course does not require proctoring.  LabSim Practice Questions and Simulations will be performed within the TestOut Corp product and grades will be transferred to the class grade book within 2 business days of the assignment's due date.

The following assessment types are used within this course:

Module Quizzes – You will have 6 module quizzes that consist of 10 multiple choice questions that are randomized so that students will not receive the same question. The module quizzes will have a time limit of 15 minutes. You are permitted 3 attempts at each module quiz. The highest score on an individual attempt will be used in the calculation toward your final average.

LabSim Practice Question Assessments - LabSim practice question assessments are included at the end of each LabSim module. There will be 88 in total. LabSim Practice Exams give you a chance to test and reinforce concepts prior to taking the Module quiz. There is no set time limit for these exams, and you may take the practice exams as many times as you wish.  The highest score attempt will be used in the calculation toward your final average. The questions are randomized.

Discussion Board Case Problems – You will be given a case problem (or a list to choose from) to respond to per each module, six in total. Before submitting your initial response, you will need to perform some research on the topic being presented as the answer will not be cut and dr. In addition, you will not see other student's responses until you post your response. All responses must be in paragraph form. Complete sentences are mandatory. It is highly recommended to write your response in Microsoft Word and use spell check prior to submitting your post. Once you post, be sure to check back as your instructor and/or students may have asked questions regarding your post. Additionally, read other students' posts and contribute to and/or ask questions regarding their post. Remember to be respectful in your post. Once the initial deadline has passed, the discussion board will be re-opened to those who posted for 5 days to allow you to post a follow-up to any questions/comments submitted. Posting the follow-up response is just as important to posting the initial response. Each module discussion grade (six total) will be graded using the following:

20% - Grammar and Semantics 
50% - Proposing a correct response to the case problem
15% - Reading, Reviewing, and responding to other posts
15% - Follow-up Post (when necessary)

LabSim Simulations – You will have 78 LabSim simulations to be completed within the course. These include hands-on simulations that will be completed as you progress through the LabSim module. You may attempt LabSim simulations as many times as you’d like and the highest score attempt will be used.

Security + Practice Exam – The course will consist of one examination that is comprehensive of the six modules within the course.  This exam is tailored after the actual CompTIA Security + exam and should prepare you if you wish to take that exam. The time limit for each attempt at the exam is 90 minutes.  There are 100 questions per attempt and you may take the practice exam (which is different each time) as many times as you'd like.  

Class Participation:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in eLearn 
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management eLearn e-mail address rather than a personal e-mail address
  • Observe course netiquette at all times
Late Policy:

All computer assignments, exercises, and exams are due on or before the date/time indicated on eLearn. Unless otherwise stated, the time for all assignments and tests will be 11:59 PM on the due date. NOTE: The due date/time is the absolute deadline for assignments. In case of emergencies, please email the instructor. Any assignments in the process of being uploaded when the deadline is reached may be counted as late. No credit will be given for late assignments.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021