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Monash University

FIT1038 Introduction to information technology - Semester 2, 2011

This unit provides an introduction to information technology architecture. It gives broad coverage of a range of different devices used to build an IT infrastructure for an organisation. For each device, its usage, functionality, internal architecture and connectivity will be explored. The exploration will enable students to see the relevance of different devices to the overall solution provided by an ICT infrastructure.

Mode of Delivery

Caulfield (Day)

Contact Hours

1 hr lecture/wk, 3 hrs studios/wk

Workload

Students will be expected to spend a total of 12 hours per week during semester on this unit.

This will include:

  • Lecture: 1 hour per week
  • Tutorial/Lab Sessions: 3 hours per week
  • Private study, revision, reading: 6 hours per week.
  • Working in a group outside tutorial classes to complete assessments : 2 hours per week

Chief Examiner

Dr Campbell Wilson

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Caulfield

Javier Candeira

Academic Overview

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

  • understand different components of a typical ICT infrastructure;
  • understand the different roles of devices in supporting human activities through exploration of ICT history;
  • identify different devices used in ICT, their usage, interfaces, operating systems and connectivity support;
  • understand the role of each device in building an ICT infrastructure;
  • design a basic ICT infrastructure for a given real world problem.

Graduate Attributes

Monash prepares its graduates to be:
  1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
    1. engage in an internationalised world
    2. exhibit cross-cultural competence
    3. demonstrate ethical values
  2. critical and creative scholars who:
    1. produce innovative solutions to problems
    2. apply research skills to a range of challenges
    3. communicate perceptively and effectively

Assessment Summary

In-semester assessment: 100%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Unit Test 1 10% Tutorial Week 5
Unit Test 2 10% Tutorial Week 8
Unit Test 3 10% Tutorial Week 11
Project proposal 15% Week 5, Monday, 22nd August 2011. 4 PM
Project Final Presentation 10% Tutorial Week 12
Final Report and Video 30% Week 14, Friday, 4th November 2011. 4 PM
Small Laboratory Projects 3 x 5% = 15% Week 4, 6, 9 Tutorials

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
The one-hour lecture sessions in this unit aim to provide overview of the topic for the week.

The 3-hours tutorial/laboratory classes provides practical exercises and activities related to topic for the week. This unit aims to provide students with hands-on experience on the materials. Students are expected to actively participate in the class activities.

Students are also expected to do some independent reading on the topic provided for a given week. The reading will provide background information to the lecture materials and laboratory exercises. These readings  are examinable through the unit tests (theory questions).

Feedback

Our feedback to You

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Graded assignments with comments
  • Quiz results

Your feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Introduction  
2 History of Computing  
3 Information Technology and Communication Infrastructure  
4 Workstations, PCs , Laptops, Netbooks, mainstream work and lifestyle computing Small Laboratory Projects - Marked laboratory exercises due in tutorial
5 Peripheral devices Unit Test 1 due in tutorial; Project proposal Monday, 22nd August 2011. 4 PM
6 Convergence devices (Tablets, Mobile Technology) Small Laboratory Projects - Marked laboratory exercises due in tutorial
7 Networking Technology  
8 Specialised Computing Technology (Supercomputer, Cluster, Cloud) Unit Test 2 due in tutorial
9 Physical Computing (Sensors) Small Laboratory Projects - Marked laboratory exercises due in tutorial
10 Entertainment devices (Games consoles)  
11 Software licensing Unit Test 3 due in tutorial
12 Digital Divide and Green Computing Project final presentation due in Week 12 Tutorial; Final Report and Video due Week 14, Friday, 4th November 2011. 4 PM
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    Unit Test 1
    Description:
    Test on week 1-4 materials.
    Multiple Choice and Short Answers Questions.
    Weighting:
    10%
    Criteria for assessment:

    Correct answers to questions (demonstrates understanding of the material learned)

    Due date:
    Tutorial Week 5
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Unit Test 2
    Description:
    Test on week 5,6 and 7 materials.
    Multiple Choice and Short Answers Questions.
    Weighting:
    10%
    Criteria for assessment:

    Correct answers to questions (demonstrates understanding of the material learned)

    Due date:
    Tutorial Week 8
  • Assessment task 3
    Title:
    Unit Test 3
    Description:
    Test on week 8-10 materials.
    Multiple Choice and Short Answers Questions.
    Weighting:
    10%
    Criteria for assessment:

    Correct answers to questions (demonstrates understanding of the material learned)

    Due date:
    Tutorial Week 11
  • Assessment task 4
    Title:
    Project proposal
    Description:
    It is a group-based assignment. The proposal contains description of real-life problem that the group will try to find solution using information technology.
    Weighting:
    15%
    Criteria for assessment:

    The proposal will be assessed on its:

    • clarity in describing the problem and the justification of selecting the problem.
    • creativity in identifying problem that may be novel but unique.
    • clarity in describing how finding the solution to this problem impact individual or society.
    Due date:
    Week 5, Monday, 22nd August 2011. 4 PM
  • Assessment task 5
    Title:
    Project Final Presentation
    Description:
    20 minutes presentation on the proposed solution for the problem defined in the proposal. It is a group presentation.
    Weighting:
    10%
    Criteria for assessment:

    The same mark will be given for all the group members presenting on the day.

    Details criteria for assessment will be given with the project assignment description.

    Due date:
    Tutorial Week 12
  • Assessment task 6
    Title:
    Final Report and Video
    Description:
    Written report on the proposed solution, accompanying by a video produced by the group promoting their proposed solution.
    Weighting:
    30%
    Criteria for assessment:
    Due date:
    Week 14, Friday, 4th November 2011. 4 PM
  • Assessment task 7
    Title:
    Small Laboratory Projects
    Description:
    Three different projects to be completed during laboratory sessions.
    Weighting:
    3 x 5% = 15%
    Criteria for assessment:

    Completion of the project tasks given during the selected laboratory sessions.

    Due date:
    Week 4, 6, 9 Tutorials

Examinations

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).

Extensions and penalties

Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.

You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

Returning assignments

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

Other Information

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

Key educational policies include:

Student services

The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis

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