Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Information technology is a key enabling tool in a rapidly evolving global economy. IT systems underpin innovation across a range of application areas including business, economics, science, engineering, education and the arts. In order to educate graduates in this climate, Scalable Systems Development adopts an integrated approach to provide broad hands-on experiences designed to orient students to the range of possibilities within the IT discipline.
This team-based unit is an extension of project work introduced in Building IT Systems. Within a concrete, project-based context students will encounter the practical challenges of designing and implementing a substantial IT system. The unit aims to increase students' awareness of the potential of IT in enabling innovation through providing active, constructive and challenging problem-based learning experiences..

Aims

Scalable Systems Development addresses a wide range of goals. The unit is designed to support professional development from both a personal and technical perspective. On a personal level, the unit requires that students take responsibility for their own learning - they are required to set appropriate goals, formulate strategies for completing tasks and effectively manage the design and development process. At a technical level, students will continue to be exposed to a variety of technologies, tools and IT contexts. Within the structure of unit, students control the focus and application of their technical skills and knowledge. Working as a team, students may be only lightly exposed to some technical skill areas, while deeply developing their abilities in other technical areas.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Apply a rigorous development process to create a complete IT system or product (GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5)
2. Identify, decompose and solve problems related to creation of IT system prototypes (GC1, GC2)
3. Apply technical knowledge to develop IT systems or products (GC1)
4. Effectively communicate the requirements of IT systems to your peers and others (GC1, GC3)
5. Reflect critically on the outcomes and solutions to problems that you have developed (GC4)
Demonstrate your ability to work independently and collaboratively to develop IT solutions within an applied problem space (GC3, GC5)

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
GC4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration

Content

Scalable Systems Development is a learning-by-doing class that allows students the opportunity to design and build complete IT-based systems in a loosely structured team environment. The unit is based on a hands-on approach to learning which provides students with valuable opportunities to connect theoretical knowledge to practical experience. As an integrator unit, Scalable Systems Development follows the same structure as Building IT Systems, but with product design challenges that are more difficult. Students will have the opportunity to build innovative IT systems across a range of contexts (e.g. physical computing, computer games, social networking systems) using a variety of technological solutions such as programming and scripting, databases, web development and network programming. Scalable Systems Development will extend IT skills and knowledge through engaging students in producing technological solutions within a project-based context. Through the use of practical examples, you will apply your emerging knowledge of IT to real-world problems. The systems and products that will be designed and developed should not be overly challenging for a student with second year technical knowledge. The unit allows students to further develop the teamwork, communication and design skills required for the successful development of a complete IT system.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit emphasises a hands-on approach to learning through an engaging laboratory program which will provide you with the opportunity to carry out a number of practical exercises aimed at building IT systems. While weekly one-hour lectures will provide stimulus material when appropriate, much of the learning will take place through active participation in the practical sessions. You will work in teams towards developing a complete working IT system, providing hands-on experience in applying theoretical concepts to a real world problem. Team meetings and presentations will provide you with the opportunity to effectively communicate your progress throughout the semester. Much of the learning in this unit is achieved through direct experience and discussion, therefore your active participation in practical sessions is compulsory and you will be awarded marks for your positive participation. Group work will foster your ability to perform as part of a development team. You are encouraged to discuss the difficulties you are having with the practical tasks with your group or tutor. The QUT Blackboard site for this unit will support the learning process. Tutorial staff will be available to provide assistance.

Assessment

Formative feedback will be provided during the presentation sessions and through the return of marked assignments.
Criterion-Referenced Assessment
Appropriate assessment criteria will be made available to students at the introduction of each piece of assessment.

• Advice and assistance will be provided by the teaching staff during lectures and presentation sessions


• Guidelines and objectives will be provided for each piece of assessment to help you assess your progress


• Written feedback will be provided on items of assessment


• Consultation times, allowing individual contact between staff and students will be specified

Assessment name: Demonstration
Description: Students will be assessed on presentations in team-based design, development and testing activities. They will also be required to participate in on-going team meetings with tutors.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Throughout semester

Assessment name: Reflective Journal
Description: Students are required to produce a project related documents. All students are required to produce individual reflective reports.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout semester

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: The system developed by students will be assessed over the examination period. Assessment of the system will also be performed during presentations in the final week of semester. The final submission will be during the examination period. The principle criterion for assessment purposes is how well the system meets system specifications.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required Textbook(s):
None
Reference(s):
None
Students will be required to access a variety of readings in order to complete the assessment for this unit. Readings will be made available to students through the QUT Blackboard website and via the Course Materials Database.
No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.

Risk assessment statement

There is minimal health and safety risk in this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas and laboratories.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 24-Oct-2012