CS 3700 — Networks and Distributed Systems
4 semester hoursUndergraduateLecturetypical days: T/FBostonTraditional
Introduces the fundamentals of computer networks, including network architectures, network topologies, network protocols, layering concepts (for example, ISO/OSI, TCP/IP reference models), communication paradigms (point-to-point vs. multicast/broadcast, connectionless vs. connection oriented), and networking APIs (sockets). Also covers the construction of distributed programs, with an emphasis on high-level protocols and distributed state sharing. Topics include design patterns, transactions, performance trade-offs, security implications, and reliability. Uses examples from real networks (TCP/IP, Ethernet, 802.11) and distributed systems (Web, BitTorrent, DNS) to reinforce concepts.
Prerequisites
- CS 2510 (min D-)
Offering history
| Term | Sections | Enrolled | Capacity | Full | Open seats/section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | 3 | 134 | 212 | 63% | 26.0 |
| Spring 2024 | 4 | 166 | 339 | 49% | 43.3 |
Snapshots from scheduled scrapes — not live seat availability. "Full" can exceed 100% when sections over-enroll.
Meeting times
Share of recent sections by weekday: M 0% · T 98% · W 2% · Th 0% · F 98%
Common patterns: TF (98% of sections), W (2% of sections) — in patterns, R means Thursday
Professors
Fall
- Alden Jackson (100% of students) · reviews
Spring
- Alden Jackson (96% of students) · reviews
- Or Katz (4% of students)
Percentages are each professor's average share of the season's enrolled students in recent terms.
Unlocks
Courses that list CS 3700 in their prerequisites.
Links
Official catalog (CS course descriptions) · Student reviews on RateMyHusky · All CS courses · Plan it at numap.app