CSE 461: Computer Networks Autumn 2026 · University of Washington

Syllabus

Goals

This course introduces the basics of networking, ranging from sending bits over wires to the web and distributed computing. We focus on the internetworking ground between these two extremes, particularly the engineering of the Internet: its goals, constraints, solutions, and experiences. The main points of the course are:

  1. To learn the fundamentals of computer networks.
  2. To learn how the Internet works. What really happens when you “browse the web”? TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, NAT, VPNs, 802.11, and more.
  3. To understand why the Internet is designed the way it is: SDN, load balancers, and network architectures.

Learning IT job skills, like configuring specific equipment or earning Cisco certifications, is not a course goal. The material is still relevant, and we use hands-on tools; by the end of the quarter you should be able to use them to build things.

Course structure

Topics

We expect to cover (at least) the following topics:

Textbooks

Absence policy

Students are expected to keep the course lecture time free and available; surprise quizzes take place during lecture. If you have any symptoms of illness, don't attend class in person until it is safe for you to come back, and let the staff know before class. Make-ups for quizzes and exams are offered only for illness, and require a doctor's note.

Exams

There is a midterm exam in class on Monday, November 9, and a final exam on Thursday, December 17, 9:00–10:20 a.m. See the Exams page for details.

Homework

There will be 5 homework assignments, submitted on Gradescope. Some questions come from the textbooks. Announcements are made on Ed and the course mailing list.

Projects

There will be 3 projects, done individually or in groups of 2. Each project has a project quiz, held within a week of the project's due date. Use Ed to find partners. Announcements about projects are also made on Ed.

Surprise quizzes

There will be 4–6 short, unannounced, timed quizzes during lecture, based on class material and assignments. Your lowest quiz score is dropped.

Section

Quiz sections meet on Thursdays, starting October 8. Section attendance counts for 5% of your grade.

Policies

Inclusiveness

Students should expect and demand to be treated with respect by their classmates and the course staff. All students belong here, and the staff is here to help them learn and enjoy a challenging course. If any incident occurs that challenges this commitment to a supportive and inclusive environment, please let the staff know so the issue can be addressed.

Grading

See the Grading page for exactly how grades are calculated.

Late policy

Each person gets 8 free late days for the quarter: 8 days of lateness with no penalty, counted per person, not per group. A late day is 24 hours, including weekends, or any portion of one. Beyond your free late days, there is a 20% penalty for each late day. You can use up to 5 late days on a project and up to 3 late days on a homework assignment.

Make-ups

Make-ups are offered only for illness, and a doctor's note is required.

Cheating vs. collaboration

Collaboration is a very good thing. On the other hand, cheating is considered a very serious offense, and is vigorously prosecuted. Vigorous prosecution requires that you be advised of the cheating policy of the course before the offending act. For this course, the policy is simple: don't cheat. You know it when you're doing it. We'll recognize it when you do it. That said, collaborating is, for many people, an effective way to learn. Learning isn't cheating. Misrepresenting that you've learned something, or done the work that implies you've learned something, almost certainly is.

Disability accommodations

If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please share your approved accommodations with the staff early in the quarter. If you have, or think you may have, a temporary or permanent health condition or disability that affects your access to this course, DRS can help you set up accommodations. See the DRS accommodations page for how to get started.

Religious accommodations

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW's policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form.

Accessibility of course materials

This website is built to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA. If any course material, including slides, homework, or project files, doesn't work for you, email cse461-staff@cs.washington.edu and we'll provide an accessible version.