The wireless sensor networks course examines the fundamental issues of sensor network and design of collections of smart sensors that are networked to form self-configuring pervasive computing systems. Topics include introduction to ad-hoc and senor network including challenges and unique constraints, wireless communication characteristics, ad-hoc wireless networks, media access control protocols, routing protocols, networking sensors including unique features, deployment techniques, sensor tasking and control, and transport layer and security protocols, sensor network platforms and tools including sensor network programming challenges, operating systems, and middleware devices, applications of ad-hoc and sensors networks and future trends including ultra wide band radio communication and wireless fidelity systems, and applications such as embedded sensor networks and pervasive computing.