Units

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Sample subject outline - 13 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013

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

Rationale

Today's modern integrated technology is built on IT systems which run in a range of contexts (e.g. mobile computing, robotics, and web-based systems) using a range of technological solutions such as programming and scripting, databases, web development and network protocols.

This team-based unit is an integrated introduction to information technology designed to engage, inspire and inform and will demonstrate the important role that technical system design and development plays in achieving robust operation of a large variety of technological solutions. This unit will give you substantial hands-on, practical learning experiences and will motivate you through engagement in the creative, explorative and meaningful development of technological artefacts that operate in real world contexts.

Aims

This unit aims to give students the opportunity to construct small IT systems and to expose you to a wide variety of aspects of system development.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students should:

1. have been exposed to a wide variety of experiences in programming or scripting, networks and databases to develop IT systems (GC1);


2. demonstrate the ability to identify, decompose and solve problems related to creation of IT system prototypes (GC2);


3. effectively communicate the requirements of small IT systems to your peers and others (GC3);


4. reflect critically on the process that has been used to develop IT systems (GC4 & GC2);


5. show your ability to work independently and collaboratively to develop small IT systems (GC5);

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
CG4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration

Content

This unit will provide you with a variety of engaging experiences in the broad areas of programming, databases, networking and Internet technologies to broaden your skill set and knowledge about Information Technology systems. This will be accomplished by providing you with a learning framework which will be used to allow you to attempt problems related to technical computing issues so that solutions can be developed which may integrate concepts from different technical areas.

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 small IT systems. By necessity some material to support the practical exercises will be delivered through lectures. The QUT BlackBoard site can also be used for further unit assistance. Tutorial staff will be available to provide assistance.

The practical exercises will be carried out using the pair programming peradigm to allow analysis and implementation of a variety of approaches to solving the exercise. This 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 partner or tutor.

Late Assignment Policy

Students will be penalised for the late submission of assignments. Refer to the Diploma Course Guide for details.

Review of Grades or Academic Rulings

For rules on how to apply for a review of grade, refer to the Diploma Course Guide.

Consultation

The lecturer will be available for consultation from Week 2. Times will be advised in class and will also be displayed on a schedule at Reception on Level 3, on consultation room doors and on the IND104 Blackboard site under Announcements section.

Exam Timetable

The exam timetable will be displayed on the Noticeboard on Level 3 by Week 11 of the semester.
Feedback
You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:

• ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during lectures and practical sessions


• you will receive formative feedback on the draft submissions of your portfolio


• your assessments will be returned to you before the end of semester with comments on your progress


• private consultation with teaching staff

Assessment

You and your programmin partner will submit two Portfolios of assessment items electronically through Blackboard - details will be announced during the semester. You are expected to work on the submissions in pairs, but you can ask for assistance from the teaching staff.

This unit may require students to submit their assessment items through SafeAssign.
Please refer to the Week 1 document for this unit.

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: Online quizzes relating to weekly technical topics will be provided via the Blackboard Site. You should complete these in your own time to assess your understanding of the material.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 1-12

Assessment name: Portfolios
Description: Two selections of project tasks carried ut during the semester to test the practical skills you have acquired.
Portfolio 1 and portfolio 2
Reflective Report (Individual)
Draft and final submission (Group)
Reflective Report (Individual)
Relates to objectives: 1 to 5
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 7 & 12

Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: A final examination to test the knowledge and skills you have acquired in using computer languages to build IT systems. Skills in programming, databases and simple web development.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

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:

There are no prescribed textbooks for this unit.


Recommended Textbooks:

Mount, Shuttleworth & Winder (2008). Python for Rookies. A First Course in Programming. Thomson Learning (EMEA) Ltd.

Gaddis, Tony. Starting out with Python. 2nd edition. Pearson.


Other Resources:

IND104 Blackboard Site.

Risk assessment statement

There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit.

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: 14-Mar-2013