CMSC 628

Introduction to Mobile Computing

Description

This 3 credit course will cover the fundamentals of mobile computing. We will start with an overview of the area, and point out where the problems are. We will then concentrate on problems (and their solutions) in the mobile networking and mobile data management areas. No text is prescribed, but there are reference texts. There will also be significant reading from papers, and a term project done in groups.

Course Organization

 
Instructor: Anupam Joshi
Office: ECS 225 E
Office Phone: 455-2590
E-Mail Address: joshi@cs.umbc.edu
Office Hours: Walk-in/ By appointment. 		 TA: Aniruddha Rangnekar
Office: ECS 208
Office Phone: 455-3762
E-Mail Address: arangn1@cs.umbc.edu
Office Hours: Walk-in/ By appointment. 

References:

  1. Anytime Anywhere Computing: Concepts and Technology, Helal et al., Kluwer Academic.
  2. Charles Perkins, Mobile IP: Design Principles and Practices, Addison Wesley Longman.
  3. Lin and Chlamtac, Wireless and Mobile Network Architecture
  4. Papers, a list of which is available on the web page and will grow as the semester progresses.

Prerequisites:

CSEE graduate student. Ideally, must have UG level background in databases (e.g. CMSC 461) and Networking (e.g. CMSC481). A student who does not have UG level exposure to at least one of these subjects will have a very tough time! Talk to the instructor if you would like to take the course, but are not sure of your background.
 

Course Information (or Stuff you should know up front ...)

A few noteworthy points. First, this is a 600 level course, meant for CSEE graduate students. This course will assume that you are largely familiar with most of these topics that are taught in undergraduate networking and database courses. It is your responsibility to catch up, in any case. In class, I will assume that all students have the requisite background. Second, this is a course in the "systems" area. That means that hands on work is almost as important as theoretical knowledge, and projects will account for almost 50% of your grade. Expect to be putting in significant effort! I will expect you to follow good programming practices (commenting, headers, version control, makefiles, etc. etc.) that you have learnt in previous classes.

We will use the World Wide Web as a convenient tool for distributing course material and presenting other information. The URL for the class web page is http://www.cs.umbc.edu/courses/graduate/CMSC691T/spring2002/.

Projects will be done in a group of 2-3 students. Please start forming these groups now, and complete the process by Feb15th. I expect to assign you projects by then. Projects will be tailored to each group based on their prior background and training. If you have a project idea, please discuss it with me ASAP.

Quizzes may be given if needed to ``encourage'' students to read the assigned material. A midterm exam is planned, a final exam will likely not be given. Each student will also be asked to read several papers and present at least one assigned paper in class.

The Important Stuff (i.e. grades)

Given the format of this course, attendance and class discussion are essential for the learning process. While I cannot require attendance, your regular attendance will be needed in order to participate in class and in order to take the (unannounced) quizzes. I will not give any makeups for these quizzes. Course grades will be a function of your performance in the projects, paper presentations, quizzes, and exams, as well as of your participation in class. The grades will be based on a curve. A tentative breakdown of grades, likely to change as we go along is

Academic Dishonesty

As you have probably been told umpteen times by now, violating this policy is a strict no-no! If we catch anyone cheating, we will take the maximum action possible against them, including reporting the matter to the appropriate university authorities. Please cooperate by doing your own work and not seeking inappropriate help from your classmates. You may, of course, discuss homeworks and assignments amongst yourselves, as long as that discussion does not lead to a exchange of solutions.

Here is a part of the formal text from the provost's website:
"...By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBCs scholarly community in which everyones academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the UMBC Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, or the UMBC Policies section of the UMBC Directory...."

ADA Compliance

We recognize that some of you may have disabilities that require special attention from the instruction staff. Please make us aware of them at your earliest so that UMBC can make suitable arrangements.