Major in Communications & Networks - Department of Digital Systems

Human Factor Management

This course offered by Department of Business Administration of University of Piraeus.

Network Oriented Information Systems

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to explain the nature and basic characteristics of the Information Systems that are run and managed over a network. With the completion of the course, the student will be in position:

to understand and become familiar with the key aspect for the design and development of network-oriented information systems.
to know the main characteristics of the information systems, the required interfaces and the approaches to realize the network-oriented aspect of such information systems.
to be able to implement network-oriented information systems, by utilizing programming techniques and methods.

Course Contents

Information Systems and Networks.
Portals, Middleware, Integration, Enterprise Application Integration, Enterprise Service Bus.
Web Services, Service-Oriented Architectures, SOA governance.
Organizational change, the impact of integrated network oriented IS on organizations.
Enterprise Resource Planning applications, Customer Relationship Management systems, Supply Chain Management solutions, e-business applications.

Moreover, the EVDOXOS system is utilized to provide additional useful information to the students as well as exercises that respond to the corresponding thematic topics / sessions covered by the course.

Computer Networks II

Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course “Computer Networks II” is to complement the course “Computer Networks I”, in order for the students to deepen their knowledge in Computer Networks and their functions. In particular, through this course the students will get familiar with the operation of the data link layer, the Medium Access Control (MAC) sub-level and the Logical Link Control (LLC) sub-level.

Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be in position to:

select and apply parity bit, CRC and hamming techniques,
select and apply information retranslation techniques through the computer network,
use the corresponding communication protocols,
combine their knowledge in the field routing,
use the most appropriate protocol according to the needs of the network, based on correction and retransmission techniques, thus developing a critical way of thinking.

Course Contents

Section 1: Introduction to the functionality of the Data Link Layer (DLL), Medium Access Control (MAC) and Logical Link Control (LLC) layers, error control, error detection, error correction, retransmission techniques, error detection techniques.
Section 2: Cyclic Redundancy Codes (CRC), error correction techniques.
Section 3: Hamming techniques, Forward Error Correction (FEC), retransmission techniques.
Section 4: Stop-and-Wait (S&W), Alternating Bit Protocol (ABP), Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), sliding window techniques, Go Back N (GBN), Soptional Repeat (SRP).
Section 5: MAC protocols; Aloha; Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA); MAC protocols in Wireless Section 6: LANs/MANs/PANs; ΙΕΕΕ 802; x standards; LLC protocols; 802.2 standard.
In addition, articles, web addresses for useful information, as well as exercises for practicing students are posted in the platform Evdoxos.

Associated scientific Journals

ΙΕΕΕ Computer Networks
IEEE Communications Magazine
EEE Access
IEEE Wireless Communications
International Journal of Network Management
Transactions on Emerging Telecommunications Technologies
EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Mobile and Personal Communication Networks

Learning Outcomes

The course presents the architectures and functional characteristics of modern mobile communication networks. Emphasis is given on the networking physical and functional entities and their interoperability, the communication and signaling protocols, the fixed network infrastructure and the mobile services in 2^nd generation (GSM), 3^rd generation (UMTS) and 4^th generation (LTE) networks.

Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be in position to:

understand, analyze and evaluate the basic design options in the development, operation and maintenance of the different generations of mobile communication networks
know the architecture and physical and functional entities of the different generations of mobile communication networks
know of the basic functionalities of radio resource, handover, mobility and communication management of the different generations of mobile communication networks
dimension cellular networks based on the offered traffic load and the desirable quality of service

Course Contents

Overview of mobile communication networks with emphasis on 2nd generation GSM and 3rd generation UMTS systems.
Network architecture (network subsystems, functional layers, physical architecture, radiocoverage, mobility).
Radio resource management (functions and procedures for radio management, handover procedure, handover in multi-layer architecture).
Mobility management (paging and location update procedures).
Communication management (call control, call setup, call release, complementary services, message services).
Systems and standards GSM, HSCSD, GPRS, UMTS and LTE. Signalling protocols (SS7).
Location based services (architectures, methods).

Didactics of Informatics

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able:

to understand the specificities of ICT and digital technology teaching in school taking into consideration the issue of diversity in terms of characteristics, motivation, preferred way, place and learning time of learner audience.
to describe the historical development of its computer science teaching with or without the use of educational software.
to design learning scenarios for promoting computational thinking using learning strategies.
to implementing applications with the use specialized software such as Jeroo, KarelRobot, Alice
to design and develop digital games using platforms such as Scratch.
to assess systematically the quality of educational software.

Course Contents

Educational policies about the integration of information technology in Greece’s education system.
The teaching of Informatics as a course subject in Greece: primaty and secondary education curricula, lesson plans, educational textbooks, in0-service teacher training workshops.
Computer science didactic issues: traditional didactic approaches and approaches based on modern learning theories, learning difficulties in basic concepts of computer science, examples of lesson plans and activities.
Computer-aided programming environments such as Jeroo, KarelRobot, Alice.
Design and development of games with MIT Scratch tool.
Laboratory experimentation with the development of simulation interactive games.

Instructional Methods

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to promote a fundamental understanding of the theoretical and applied knowledge related to instructional theories and models (principles, methods, strategies) for the design, development, implementation and evaluation of Technology Enhanced Learning Environments (TELE). The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the orchestrated elements of instruction.

At completion of the course, the students will be able:

to understand the fundamental principles of instructional theories and models
to analyze, design, develop and evaluate different types of instructional methods & strategies for an effective teaching.
to demonstrate a knowledge of the ‘what’, ‘how’, and ‘when’, in the instructional design process in different disciplines.
to integrate ICT educational technologies into activities for K-16 and business settings.
to create an educational plan/scenarios for reflective thinking into educational practice.
to create the appropriate orchestrated instructional methods and strategies for an effective teaching.
to articulate a personal set of values, motivation, attitudes and a vision for the future classroom.

Course Contents

Introduction to the concepts: Education – Learning – Instruction – Training.
Principles of the learning processing in different Teaching Models (behavioral, cognitive and social constructivist principles & theories in specific instructional methods).
Personal and psychological factors in learning and instruction (individual differences, self-efficacy beliefs, motivations, needs, attitudes, learning styles, cognitive learning styles on TELE).
Models of teaching and instructional design (Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction, Bruner, Pr/jBL, Kirkpatrick model).
Taxonomies and learning objectives (Bloom’s Taxonomy).
Formative, summative and authentic assessment.
ICT in educational settings (synchronous and asynchronous learning, web 2.0 environments, authoring tools, AHLE, LMS, CMS, smart education, e-portfolios, educational games, gamification).
ICT applications (lesson plans, educational scenarios, macro/micro scenarios).
School and professional environment (interpersonal relationships, communication, ethics).

Digital Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship

This course focuses on the interconnection between entrepreneurial thinking and innovation. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

understand the differences between innovation and entrepreneurship and how the two work in conjunction to create dynamic startups.
learn how to analyze markets when searching for potential segments to target
select among strategies that could aid in growing customer base through inbound and outbound marketing
recognize business innovation opportunities
create a business plan around a minimum viable product

Course Contents

Methods and tools of enhancing innovativeness and creativity (Mindmapping, SixHats, SCAMPER)
Why startups are not smaller versions of large companies. Why Do Startups Fail
How do you find your customer archetype? Types of Customers & Types of Business Models
Relationship between Value Proposition and Customer Segments
Customer Acquisition Models and Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
How do you make your money? Revenue Stream and Pricing Revenue Streams
What is most important for the business? Financial Resources & Financial Planning
Intellectual Property – Patents & Trademarks
Presenting your startup–pitching for funds(seed & venture capital, angels, etc)
Business plan competitions and accelerator programs

Business Process Management

Learning Outcomes

The objective of this course is to present fundamental principles of Business Process Management (BPM) and to study various methods and techniques for analyzing, modeling, automating, executing and optimizing business processes. The course will incorporate a laboratory component with well-known BPM software tools that allow students to practice some of the principles addressed.

Upon successful completion of this course student will be able to:

Create business process models by using BPMN based modelling tools
Execute business processes by using Business Process Management Systems
Analyze the performance of existing business processes and improve business processes that are not sufficient according to certain criteria
Create business process management strategies and business processes implementation plans within organizations

Course Content

Business process definition, intra- and inter-organizational processes. Process-oriented organizations. Build processes’ business models. Virtual enterprises. Business processes and workflows.
Process analysis techniques. Qualitative process analysis (e.g. Pareto analysis, value-added analysis, root-cause analysis). Quantitative process analysis (e.g. queuing analysis, simulation). Performance metrics (time, cost, quality).
BPM life cycle. Discover, analyze, model, monitor, map, simulate, deploy. Business Process Reengineering-BPR and Business Process Improvement- BPI methodologies. Business Process modeling tools.
The BPMN standard for business process modelling.
Business process automation. Conceptual and executable process models.
Business Processes Management Systems-BPMS (e.g. structure, architecture, standards).
Process and activity life cycles. Workflow-based applications.
Business processes and workflows, workflow categories, workflow dimensions, workflow management, workflow functional requirements, workflow specifications and execution languages.
Workflow management using a specific BPMS software tool.
Process Analytics. Metrics for evaluating business processes’ performance. Monitoring of standard metrics and process specific, user dined metrics.
BPM methodologies (e.g. Six Sigma, Lean).
Service-oriented and process-oriented information systems.

Suggested Bibliography

John Jeston and Johan Nelis (2008): Business Process Management, Second Edition: Practical Guidelines to Successful Implementations, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, ISBN: 0750669217.
Artie Mahal (2010): How Work Gets Done: Business Process Management, Basics and Beyond, Technics Publications, New Jersey, ISBN: 193550407.
Matias Weske, (2010): Business Process Management: Concepts, Languages, Architectures, Springer, New York, ISBN: 3642092640.
Simha Magal and Jeffry Word (2009): Essentials of Business Processes and Information Systems, Wiley, New York, ISBN: 0470418540.
Howard Smith and Peter Fingar (2003): Business Process Management: The third wave. Meghan Kiffer, ISBN: 0929652339.
Mark McDonald, (2010): Improving Business Processes, Harvard Business Review Press, Boston, ISBN: 142212973.
Business process management Journal, Emerald.
International Journal of Business Process Integration and management, Inderscience Publishers.

Network Management

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be able to:
select the adoption of appropriate models and protocols for network management, depending on their technical characteristics
design solutions for the initial design and the development of computer networks, in the context of specific business objectives and technical requirements/problem
analyze, recognize, and assess design issues in wireless sensor networks
identify and evaluate technical and business conditions and clauses to monitor the required level of service in networks through a service level agreement (SLA).

During the laboratory practice, the student exercises to monitor and control the operation of remote network elements with the utilization of specific protocols.

Course Contents

•The architecture of the Internet, Review of basic concepts of networks and network protocols
•Subnetting and Hierarchical Routing
•Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
•Data center networking
•Role of management systems, Introductory management concepts, Management functions: configuration, fault, accounting, performance and security management, Management levels: element management, network management, service management, business management
•Management entities and managed nodes, Design and development of management applications
•SNMP Protocol (Simple Network Management Protocol), Management Information Base (MIB), MIB-II
•RMON (Remote network Monitoring)
•NETCONF protocol
•Web-based Management
•ISO/OSI management standard
•TMN management model
•Design of fixed and wireless access networks
•Design Issues of Wireless Sensor Networks
•Network performance monitoring through a Service Level Agreement

Furthermore, in the platform eclass /Aristarchus lecture notes and laboratory exercises are posted for the students.

Knowledge and Competence Management

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able:

to know and understand the key concepts of knowledge management and competence management.
to analyse, assess and select systems that support the management of organisational knowledge and the management of professional competences.
to know, understand and apply international and European standards for modelling and describing Individual and Organisational Competences.

Course Contents

Knowledge Management:
- Introduction to Knowledge Management
- The Nature of Knowledge: What is Knowledge, Alternative Views of Knowledge, Different Types of Knowledge, Locations of Knowledge
- Knowledge Management Methods and Tools: KM Processes, KM Systems, KM Infrastructure
- Organizational Impacts of Knowledge Management
- Factors Influencing Knowledge Management
- Case Studies: Professional Knowledge and Professional Practices Management through Online Professional Communities
Competence Management:
- Introduction to Competence Management
- Definition of Competence. Competence vs Competency
- Competence Models: Definition and Methods for developing Competence Models
- Case Studies:
  - Individual Non-Professional Competences: the European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp 2.1)
  - Individual Professional Competences: the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers (ICT-CFT).
  - Organizational Competences: the European Framework for Digitally-Competent Educational Organisations (DigCompOrg)

Κατεύθυνση: Major in Communications & Networks

Human Factor Management

Network Oriented Information Systems

Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

Recommended Readings

Computer Networks II

Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

Recommended Readings

Associated scientific Journals

Mobile and Personal Communication Networks

Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

Recommended Readings

Didactics of Informatics

Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

Recommended Readings

Instructional Methods

Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

Recommended Readings

Digital Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship

Course Contents

Recommended Readings

Business Process Management

Learning Outcomes

Course Content

Suggested Bibliography

Network Management

Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

Recommended Readings

Knowledge and Competence Management

Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

Recommended Readings

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