Year
2021Credit points
10Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Prerequisites
NilIncompatible
ISYS615 Information Technology InfrastructureTeaching organisation
3 hours per week for twelve weeks or equivalent.Unit rationale, description and aim
This foundation level unit introduces the basic knowledge and techniques needed to use computer systems effectively. It covers the Information Technology architectural building blocks which include hardware, software and network facilities that are necessary to deliver seamless and ethically informed Information technology services. These building blocks are crucial for students to grasp the knowledge and technical skills in other IT units.
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the fundamental understanding of Information Technology capabilities and the knowledge and skills they need to plan, design or manage Information technology solutions. Students will also learn how to use IT to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resource use such as natural, human and financial resources.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
LO1 - Identify common computer hardware and software elements and collaborate with peers to demonstrate how they interact with each other (GA5, GA8)
LO2 - Construct and evaluate digital logic components and processes using LogiSim simulator (GA5, GA7)
LO3 - Design cloud-based solutions and services by utilising the knowledge of networking models and the underlying concepts of cloud computing (GA5, GA10)
LO4 - Apply principles underlying the security, ethical aspects, and stewardship of resources in designing IT solutions for an organisation (GA3, GA5)
Graduate attributes
GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making
GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession
GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively
GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information
GA10 - utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.
Content
Topics covered:
- Evolution of computers
- Data representation: Binary, Octal, Decimal, Hexadecimal
- Decimal and real numbers
- Logic operations and Digital Circuit
- Operating system concepts
- Memory and storage organisation
- Computer networks and applications
- Azure Fundamentals
- Packet transmission
- Internetworking
- Ethical Issues, SDG, E-Waste and green computing
- Impacts of IT: a case study on digital health
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Online- This unit utilises an active learning approach whereby students will engage in e-module activities, readings and reflections, and opportunities to collaborate with peers in an online environment. This can involve, but is not limited to, online workshops and lab, activity tasks, discussion forums, guided reading, and webinars. To deliver core content, pre-recorded lectures and labs will be incorporated within the online learning environment and e-modules. In addition, extra resources and reading instructions for each workshop will be provided to guide students’ reading and extend other aspects of online learning.
Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including online workshops and labs, weekly tasks, webinars, readings, online forum participation and assessment preparation and demonstration.
Multimode- This unit will be delivered in multimode over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period. Students will have access to all primary learning materials online through LEO, along with formative and summative assessments, all of which will be available online, to provide a learning experience beyond the classroom. While there are no formal classroom lectures for this unit, students will be required to attend weekly three-hour workshops, which will include a seminar and specific tasks related to achievement of the unit learning outcomes. Workshops facilitate learning by doing, which is particularly effective for information technology units as technical skills can be better learned through hands on practices.
Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, online forum participation and assessment preparation.
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. The first assessment provides students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge and gain practical skills. The second assessment provides opportunities for students to understand core concepts of digital logics through a game design using logic circuits. The final assessment will develop students’ knowledge and skills on general technology concepts, including concepts of networking, storage, compute, application support, and application development.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
Task 1: Lab assessment This assessment consists of a series of lab exercises that will assist students to transfer their theoretical knowledge to practical skills with the help of lab instructor. The exercises will be collated by students and submitted as a portfolio of work. Submission Type: Individual Assessment Method: Lab Practical task Artefact: Source Code/Lab report | 20% | LO1, LO2, LO3 | GA5, GA7, GA8, GA10 |
Task 2: Report on Logic Implementation The purpose of this assessment is to assess students’ understanding of number representation. Students will solve a digital logic problem using different logic gates. They will also need to submit a report detailing the design process, truth table, inputs and outputs. Submission Type: Group Assessment Method: Written report Artefacts: LogiSim design file, report (1500 words) | 30% | LO2 | GA5, GA7 |
Task 3: Cloud-based Solutions and Service Design Develop professional skills through the application of theoretical knowledge and understanding of cloud computing platforms and technologies using Azure cloud platform. Students are required to sit for Microsoft Azure fundamentals certification exam and pass the exam to receive Azure fundamentals certification. The purpose of this assessment is to familiarise students with the general technology concepts, including concepts of networking, storage, compute, application support, and application development. Submission Type: Individual Assessment Method: Exam Artefacts: Submitted response | 50% | LO3, LO4 | GA3, GA5, GA10 |
Representative texts and references
Blundell B. G, Khan N, Lasebae A, Jabbar M, 2007, Computer Systems and Networks, Cernage Learning EMEA, ISBN: 9781844806393.
Kurose JF & Ross KW 2016, Computer Networking A Top-Down Approach, 7th ed, Addison Wesley, New Jersey.
Rountree D & Castrillo I 2013, The Basics of Cloud Computing Understanding the Fundamentals of Cloud Computing in Theory and Practice. Elsevier Science, Burlington.