GCO9806 Information systems design - Semester 2 , 2007

Unit leader :

Shane Moore

Lecturer(s) :

Gippsland

  • Shane Moore

Introduction

Welcome to GCO9806 Information Systems Design for semester 2, 2007. This 6 point unit is designed to let you learn the deeper aspects of software modeling and design using UML. The pre-requisite (GCO9803) introduced you to the concepts of analysis and design and provided some background to the concepts which we examine in more detail in this unit. There is also an emphasis on theoretical object-oriented concepts. By the end of this unit you should be well prepared to design large and complex software systems (such as needed in your final year software development project).

Unit synopsis

This unit examines object-oriented systems modelling/design in greater depth than the prerequisite unit. The key disciplines of the Unified Process will be examined to set a context for analysis and design. Students will learn about static and dynamic modelling, and component-based design, using UML. Some common design patterns will be studied. Some topics about system architecture are examined. The unit also briefly examines the topic of aspect-oriented analysis and design.

The unit prepares students to be able to design large systems such as will be implemented in their final year project unit or after graduation.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this unit students will:

C1. understand object-oriented concepts such as: association, aggregation and composition; polymorphism and generalisation; messaging and object interaction, state and lifespan of objects.

C2. know the syntax and semantics of the Unified Modelling Language with respect to modelling class diagrams, interaction diagrams, state machine diagrams, package diagrams, activity diagrams and deployment diagrams.

C3. have an understanding of the process by which object-oriented system analysis and design is performed using the Unified Process.

C4. be able to interpret or reason about models presented using UML notations and be able to explain the strengths and weaknesses of a particular design models.

C5. know how to present a system analysis or design as a proper collated document/report.

C6. be able to employ several common architectural and design patterns such as tiered computing, client/server, adapter, publisher/subscriber to design systems

C7. be able to explain what is involved in implementing, testing, installing, deploying a system in its final operating environment.

C8. understand aspect-oriented concepts such as: concerns, cross-cutting, aspects, themes, join-points, advice, concept-sharing, themes.

C9. have an understanding of the process by which aspect-oriented systems analysis and design is performed using the theme approach

Attitudes, Values and Beliefs

On successful completion of this unit students will

A1. conform to industry agreed standards of representing models of system design by using the Unified Modelling Language

A2. appreciate that there is a diversity of possible different models of a system that could satisfy the requirements for a given system.

A3. be able to justify why they chose one model over other possible models in designing a system by evaluating the models' quality, limitations, scope for future extension.

A4. appreciate that organisations often institute standards to be followed in conducting a systems development project or presenting a systems design report.

A5. appreciate that in real-world systems development projects deliverables must meet agreed deadlines to minimise impact on later phases of the systems development life cycle or project costs.

Practical Skills

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to

P1. follow a suitable sequence of steps to produce UML models and associated supporting documentation that represents a software design for a small system.

P2. prepare and present a design specification for a system.

P3. complete tasks necessary to ensure a set of design models is complete and consistent, by identifying aspects of models which are only partially present, for example ensuring that a method appearing on a sequence diagram appears also in the class diagram.

P4. apply problem solving techniques at different levels of abstraction to develop a system's design.

P5. apply an iterative process of refining system design models to ensure consistency between components.

P6. utilise IT practioner tools to support the process and documentation of systems design.

Relationships, Communication and TeamWork

On successful completion of this unit student will

S1. be able to present written/printed design-phase deliverables that are usable by other people for implementation of a system.

Workload

On campus students have workload commitments approximately like the following:

  • two-hour lecture/workshop session and
  • two-hour tutorial (requiring preparation in advance - the set readings for the week)
  • a minimum of 2-3 hours of personal study per one hour of contact time in order to satisfy the reading and assignment expectations.
  • You will need to allocate up to 5 hours per week in some weeks, for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Off-campus students: you generally do not attend lecture and tutorial sessions (but are allowed to if you wish), however, you should plan to spend equivalent time working through the relevant resources and participating in discussion groups each week. Suggested times are listed at the front of each module of the unit study guide.

All Students should familiarise themselves with the document "Student Rights and Responsibilities (Information Technology)" available at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html

Unit relationships

Prerequisites

Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed GCO9803 or equivalent. You also should have an understanding of the following key computing concepts:
  • data variables
  • method calling semantics

    Additionally, it would be beneficial to have done GCO9805 (to understand programming)

  • Relationships

    GCO9806 Information Systems 2 is an elective unit in the Graduate Diploma of Computing at Gippsland and is a prerequisite for some of the third and fourth level units in the Graduate Diploma (including GCO3814, GCO3816) and in the MAIT.

    You may not study GCO9806 if you have studied or intend to study any of the following units in your degree: FIT9014.

    Continuous improvement

    Monash is committed to ‘Excellence in education' and strives for the highest possible quality in teaching and learning. To monitor how successful we are in providing quality teaching and learning Monash regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. Two of the formal ways that you are invited to provide feedback are through Unit Evaluations and through Monquest Teaching Evaluations.

    One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through Unit Evaluation Surveys. It is Monash policy for every unit offered to be evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys as they are an important avenue for students to "have their say". The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

    Student Evaluations

    The Faculty of IT administers the Unit Evaluation surveys online through the my.monash portal, although for some smaller classes there may be alternative evaluations conducted in class.

    If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to http://www.monash.edu.au/unit-evaluation-reports/

    Over the past few years the Faculty of Information Technology has made a number of improvements to its courses as a result of unit evaluation feedback. Some of these include systematic analysis and planning of unit improvements, and consistent assignment return guidelines.

    Monquest Teaching Evaluation surveys may be used by some of your academic staff this semester. They are administered by the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ) and may be completed in class with a facilitator or on-line through the my.monash portal. The data provided to lecturers is completely anonymous. Monquest surveys provide academic staff with evidence of the effectiveness of their teaching and identify areas for improvement. Individual Monquest reports are confidential, however, you can see the summary results of Monquest evaluations for 2006 at http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/cheq/evaluations/monquest/profiles/index.html

    Improvements to this unit

    The content for this unit has been significantly changed this semester compared to previous semesters. Topics have changed considerably and a new textbook has been prescribed.

    Unit staff - contact details

    Unit leader

    Mr Shane Moore
    Lecturer
    Phone +61 3 990 26716

    Lecturer(s) :

    Mr Shane Moore
    Lecturer
    Phone +61 3 990 26716

    Additional communication information

    Unless you have personal enquiries all communication related to the content of the unit must be via the MUSO Discussion Forums. If you do send the lecturer an email that relates to the content of the unit it may not be answered.

    Personal enquiries include requests for assignment extensions (where warranted by circumstances), special consideration requests, or the need to discuss your personal progress. You are certainly not asked to put anything of a personal nature into your forum postings. Personal matters can also be dealt with by telephone.

    On-campus students, and off-campus students who live or work near a campus, may also visit the lecturer at their office.

    Teaching and learning method

    On campus students will have two classes per week: a lecture/workshop session and a tutorial session. The purpose of the first is to introduce new concepts, the purpose of the second is to enable you to apply the concepts by working on problems, posibly in small groups.

    Assignments are designed to be attempted after you have completed all required readings and tutorial exercises. They are also likely to be another source of learning, although their primary purpose is for staff to assess how well you have progressed in meeting the learning objectives of the unit.

    Discussion forums are provided as a place where you may ask questions about the content of the unit. They are checked at least twice per week, and sometimes more often.

    Additionally, there will maybe be some quizzes placed online (in MUSO) which will allow you to self-test your understanding. Announcements will be made when they become available. (These are not assessable elements.)

    Off-campus distributed learning or flexible delivery

    Students in Singapore may be able to attend classes at TMC; the purpose of these classes is to discuss the tutorial exercises, it is not meant to be a "lecture".

    All off-campus students are expected to attempt the weekly exercises, and may send their attempts to Shane Moore at Gippsland if desired (but you will not get a significant response back - just general comments).

    Communication, participation and feedback

    Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.

    It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

    Unit Schedule

    Week Topic Study guide Key dates
    1 Introducing UML and UP Module 1 16/7
    2 Use Case Modeling Module 2 23/7
    3 Analysis: Static Modeling Module 3 30/7
    4 Analysis: Use Case Realisation Module 4 6/8
    5 Inheritance and Polymorphism Module 5 13/8
    6 Designing Classes Module 6 20/8
    7 States and State Machine Diagrams Module 7 27/8
    8 Designing Components Module 8 3/9
    9 Design: Use Case Realisation Module 9 10/9
    10 Design Patterns and Architectural Styles Module 10 17/9
    Mid semester break
    11 Overview of Implementation Module 11 1/10
    12 Aspect-Oriented Analysis and Design Module 12 8/10
    13 Review All Modules 15/10

    Unit Resources

    Prescribed text(s) and readings

    Prescribed textbook (compulsory to have this book)

    Arlow, J. & Neustadt, I., UML 2 and the Unified Process, 2nd ed., Addison Wesley Professional, 2005. ISBN: 0321321278

    Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

    Recommended text(s) and readings

    The following are other books which may be helpful. Some of these are listed in the Study Guide. 

    Rumbaugh, J., Jacobson, I. & Booch, G., The Unified Modeling Language Reference Manual, 2nd ed., Addison Wesley Professional, 2005. ISBN: 0321245628

    Blaha, M. & Rumbaugh, J., Object-Oriented Modeling and Design with UML, 2nd ed., Prentice-Hall, 2005. ISBN: 0131968599

    Deacon, J. Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, Addison-Wesley, 2005. ISBN: 0321263170

    Booch, G., Rumbaugh, J. & Jacobson, I., The Unified Modeling Language User Guide, 2nd ed., Addison Wesley Professional, 2005. ISBN: 0321267974

    Required software and/or hardware

    You are not required to have software for this unit, but we suggest that you may want to use Visual Paradigm for UML 6.0 for which Monash has an academic licence.

    Staff will only provide assistance regarding the above-mentioned software. Off-Campus students have been sent a CD-ROM containing the software. On-campus students probably have access to the software in the lab rooms, and may be able to get a CD-ROM from staff.

    Assignment work can be either hand-written or produced by software.

    Equipment and consumables required or provided

    Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access, in order to maintain communication with the staff.

    On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You may need to allocate up to 10 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for reading and posting to the MUSO discussion forums.

    Study resources

    Study resources we will provide for your study are:

    Study resources we will provide for your study are:

    • The Study Guide, consisting of 12 modules (one per week of the semester)
    • A 350 page Reader containing additional reading material which supplements material covered by the prescribed textbook.
    • Weekly tutorial exercises, and sample solutions which are provided several weeks later.
    • Assignment specifications, and sample solutions.
    • Discussion Forums
    • This Unit Guide outlining the administrative information for the unit.
    • The unit web site on MUSO, where resources outlined above will be made available
    • Recordings (in MP3 format) of the workshop sessions from the Gippsland campus.
    • Access to a sample exam paper

    Library access

    The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

    Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)

    All unit and lecture materials are available through the MUSO (Monash University Studies Online) site. You can access this site by going to:

    1. a) https://muso.monash.edu.au or
    2. b) via the portal (http://my.monash.edu.au).

    Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then the MUSO hyperlink.

    In order for your MUSO unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.

    For example :

    • MUSO supported browser
    • Supported Java runtime environment

    For more information, please visit

    http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html

    You can contact the MUSO Support by: Phone: (+61 3) 9903 1268

    For further contact information including operational hours, please visit

    http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html

    Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site:

    http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html

    Assessment

    Unit assessment policy

    The unit is assessed with two assignments and a three hour closed book examination. To pass the unit you must:

    • attempt all assignments and the examination
    • achieve no less than 40% of the possible marks in the exam
    • achieve no less than 50% of possible marks for the unit overall

    Assignment tasks

    • Assignment Task
      Title :
      Assignment 1
      Description :

      Focuses on modules 2, 3 and 4

      Weighting :
      10%
      Criteria for assessment :

      These will be provided in the assignment specification

      Due date :
      20 August (Week 6)
    • Assignment Task
      Title :
      Assignment 2
      Description :
      A set of exercises relating to study guides 4 through 7.
      Weighting :
      10%
      Criteria for assessment :
      These will be provided in the assignment specification
      Due date :
      10 September (Week 9)
    • Assignment Task
      Title :
      Assignment 3
      Description :
      You will perform the activities of the design workflow for a case study.
      Weighting :
      20%
      Criteria for assessment :
      The assignment will be assessed qualitatively and against a selection of the unit's learning objectives. These will be specified in the assignment specification. You will receive a grade indicating the overall quality of the assignment work.
      Due date :
      12 October (Week 12)

    Examinations

    • Examination
      Weighting :
      60%
      Length :
      3 hours
      Type ( open/closed book ) :
      Closed book

    Assignment submission

    As the assignments require much modelling to be done, it is preferable that they be submitted printed on paper.

    Singapore and Hong Kong Students: submit your assignment to your provider's designated office, with the barcoded cover sheet attached to the front, and the Faculty cover sheet behind it. You must submit before close of business on the nominated due date, and the office will stamp that date onto your work.

    Other Off Campus (OCL) students: Mail your assignment to the Off-Campus Learning Centre with the barcoded cover sheet attached to the front, and the Faculty cover sheet behind it. The due date is the date by which you must post before daily collection by the postal company. 

    Alternative arrangements for electronic submission may be permitted by your particular lecturer closer to submission date.

    Assignment coversheets

    All assignments in the Faculty of Information Technology require that a student sign a declaration that the work is their own work. Without this declaration, the lecturer is under no obligation to have the work marked. The official cover sheet for the Faculty of Information Technology is available from http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/assignments/

    Off-Campus students may also have received a bar-coded sheet. This needs to be attached in front of the faculty cover sheet to enable quicker processing by administrative staff. (Do not worry if you did not receive barcoded sheets)

    University and Faculty policy on assessment

    Due dates and extensions

    The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

    Requests for extensions must be made to the unit lecturer at your campus at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must then be attached to the assignment submission.

    Late assignment

    Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of a drop in grade compared to what the work is worth. Assignments sent after the cutoff date (usually 1 week later than the due date) will receive no more than 10% of the available marks.

    This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions and comments may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment. 

    Return dates

    Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

    Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at:

    http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/

    We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.

    Plagiarism, cheating and collusion

    Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html) and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

    In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

    When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

    Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

    Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

    Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

    Register of counselling about plagiarism

    The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.

    Non-discriminatory language

    The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.

    Students with disabilities

    Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:

    Deferred assessment and special consideration

    Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Special consideration in the awarding of grades is also possible in some circumstances. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.