University of Cape Coast
College of Agric. And Physical Sciences
Department of Computer Science and Information Technology
Bachelor of Science Information Technology
INF 403: Mobile and Distributed Computing
Course Outline Academic Year – 2020/2021
1.0 Course Information
Course Code and Title INF 403: Mobile and Distributed Computing
Credit hours 3
Level 400
Group BSc. IT
Semester First Semester
Class Schedule Thursday 14:30 – 16:30
Department Computer Science & IT
Office School of Physical Sciences Building, Northern Campus, UCC
Contact Hours Tues. 14:30 p.m. – 15:30 and Thurs. 15:00 - 16:00
Name of Instructor Dr. George Aggrey
Telephone/ Whats app 0203005004
Email [email protected]
2.0 Course Description:
This course focuses on the theoretical foundations of mobile computing systems, wireless networks,
advanced mobile applications. Architectures of mobile distributed computing systems; wireless network
classification and management; mobile distributed file systems; failure recovery, fault tolerance and
reliability of mobile computing systems; replication in mobile distributed systems; case studies for
distributed mobile database systems; mobile information systems; advanced mobile computing
applications and the Internet; research trends; synchronization and global time concepts; transaction
management mechanisms for mobile computing.
3.0 Objectives:
To learn about the concepts and principles of mobile and distributed computing;
To explore both theoretical and practical issues of mobile computing;
Learning Outcomes:
After successful completion of this course a student should be able to:
grasp the concepts and features of mobile and distributed computing technologies and
applications;
have a good understanding of how the underlying wireless and mobile communication networks
work, their technical features, and what kinds of applications they can support;
organize the functionalities and components of mobile computing systems into different layers
and apply various techniques for realizing the functionalities;
develop mobile computing applications by analyzing their characteristics and requirements, and
selecting the appropriate computing models and architectures
.
4.0 Course Outline:
Week Content Topic ACTIVITY
1 Mobile Computing Systems Lectures
2 &3 Wireless networks, classification and managements Lectures
4&5 Applications of Advanced mobile computing and the Lectures
Internet;
6 Quiz I
7 Mobile distributed computing systems and architecture Lectures
8 Distributed mobile database Systems Lectures
9 Failure Recovery, tolerance of faults and reliability Lectures
10 Distributed Files Lectures
11 Mobile Information Systems Lectures
12 Quiz II
13 Replication in mobile distributed systems Lectures
14 Transaction management mechanisms Lectures
In addition to the hours allocated for this course students need more time to do relevant readings and participate in class, tutorials and/or
online discussions.
5.0 Instructional Approach
Instructional approaches employed in this course include the following:
a. Group work/team learning. Teamwork is emphasized. Very early in the course, students are expected
to form teams. Assignments (if any) will be done in teams and learning to work in teams or groups is
part of the learning outcomes of the course.
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b. Group presentations and case analysis – using their groups, students are expected to prepare and make
a PowerPoint presentation to the class on their assigned topic(s). This would form the basis for class
discussion and part of continuous assessment.
c. Short lectures: the lecturer provides information and explains concepts where necessary only briefly.
Where necessary, the lecturer will provide hand-outs to students.
d. Class time will be devoted to highlighting discussing and analysing operation defects and successful
strategies of known organization, and discussing important ways of developing operations strategy. It
is assumed that you have read the topic to be discussed BEFORE class. Failure to do so will place you
at a severe disadvantage to those who have. Frequent and informed participation is expected.
6.0 Assessment Weighting
a. Assessment 40%
b. Final Exams 60 %
GRADING:
The final grade will be ranked on the scale below:
A = 80 - 100 B+ = 75 – 79 B = 70 – 74
C+ = 65 – 69 C = 60 – 64 D+ = 55 – 59
D = 50 – 54 E = 0 - 49
7.0 References:
1. Tanenbaum, A.S. & Maarten, V. S. (2008). Distributed Systems: Principles and Paradigms:
International Edition, 2nd Edition, Publisher: Pearson Higher Education.
2. Ghosh, S. (2007), Distributed Systems – An Algorithmic Approach, Boston: Chapman &
Hall/CRC.
3. Whitman, M. E. Mattord, H J. (2005). Principles of Information Security. Australia:
Thomson Course Technology.
4. Brian Fling, 2008; Mobile Design and Development, O'Reilly Media, Inc.
5. Shane Conder, Lauren Darcey 2009; Android Wireless Application Development; Addison-
Wesley Professional.
6. Computer Network Tutorials - GeeksforGeeks
8.0 Course Policies
Attendance Attendance does not directly affect your grade. However, you should be punctual for lectures.
If you have an occasional absence, it won’t be a problem as long as you keep up with the
work. Attendance is required for presentations.
Class participation Class participation is a major part of the performance indicators. Points will be awarded to
students who show evidence of quality participation. Consequently, students are expected to
come to lectures having thoroughly read their assigned materials. After each reading, outline
the central arguments, offer your analysis of the strengths and weaknesses, and relate the
material to understanding issues in the Ghanaian workplace.
Assignments If for any justifiable reason the student will miss an assignment, the student should get
clearance from the lecturer in advance. Retrospective permissions will not be granted.
All assignments must be handed in at the stated time and in the stated form or they will
automatically receive a grade of zero. Late assignments are not acceptable. It is your
responsibility to retain a copy of all assignments should any questions arise later concerning
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that assignment.
Students are to submit all assignments typed, with font size of 12, doubled spacing, good
margins (justified), with an appropriate referencing style (APA style), with cover page and
table of content. Students are to ensure that they comply with rules of page limit.
Grading of group Unless group members present evidence to the contrary, all members of the group will be
work presumed to have worked equally and be entitled to the same group mark. Groups are
encouraged to indicate in their reports members who did not participate in the group
assignments so that they can be treated differently.
Academic dishonesty Cheating and plagiarism will be severely penalized. Students are advised to acknowledge
sources they consult in preparing their papers and reports. Though students are encouraged to
use the Internet as sources of information, papers copied from the internet will be rejected.
Use of Mobile Phones The use of Mobile/Cell phones, laptops and any other electronic gadget is prohibited during
and lecture hours. It is advisable to put your phone(s) to silent or vibration mode. To be on a safer
side turn it off.
