Introduction to Information Technology (4478.10)

Please note these are the 2025 details for this unit
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Introduction to Information Technology
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Online
On-Campus
 Bruce, Canberra
UC College, Bruce, ACT
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Technology Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit provides an introduction and overview to computer systems, information technology and software technology from a technological point of view. The unit covers the mathematical and theoretical foundations of computer science, including Boolean logic, an overview of computer architecture as well as the fundamental concepts of modern programming languages. Students will learn basic web programming and will develop small event-driven applications using a Graphical User Interface. Those parts of the software engineering process, in particular testing and debugging, which are applicable to an introductory unit are incorporated. The unit also includes an introduction to graphics and relational databases. The unit finishes with an introduction to human-computer interaction.

This unit may be cotaught with 8936 Introduction to Information Technology G.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the theoretical foundations of information technology (including binary numbers and Boolean logic);
2. Design and write HTML webpages, including CSS;
3. Apply fundamental programming concepts and data structures to create small software applications using a graphical user interface;
4. Apply the fundamentals of database management systems and relational databases; and
5. Test software applications in a systematic and efficient way.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

8936 Introduction to Information Technology G

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2025 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 05 February 2024 Online Dr Julio Romero
2024 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 1 05 February 2024 On-Campus Mr Tariq Alqura'N Alzyadat
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 05 February 2024 On-Campus Dr Julio Romero
2024 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 2 03 June 2024 On-Campus Mr Tariq Alqura'N Alzyadat
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 29 July 2024 Online Dr Julio Romero
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 29 July 2024 On-Campus Dr Julio Romero
2024 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 3 23 September 2024 On-Campus Mr Tariq Alqura'N Alzyadat
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Online Dr Julio Romero
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-Campus Dr Julio Romero
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 1 03 February 2025 On-Campus Mr Tariq Alqura'N Alzyadat
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 2 26 May 2025 On-Campus Mr Tariq Alqura'N Alzyadat
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Online Dr Julio Romero
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-Campus Dr Julio Romero
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 3 15 September 2025 On-Campus Mr Tariq Alqura'N Alzyadat
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Required:

Gaddys, T. Starting Out with Python. Pearson, 2022.

Guzdial, M.J. & Ericson, B. Introduction to Computing and Programming in Python. A Multimedia Approach. Pearson, ISBN: 9781292109862

Supplementary:

Punch, W.F. and Enbody, R. Practice of Computing Using Python, The: Pearson New International Edition, ISBN:9781292038353
 

A limited number of copies of these books will be available from the library.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Assignments will be submitted electronically through the Unit's Website.
For all assessable components, when coding tasks are required, written code submission is compulsory (such as Python modules,
HTML and CSS files, and Quantum diagrams). This will be the code developed by each student using the materials and equipment listed under 4b.

Canvas will be set up for accepting submissions via ZIP files only. That is, students are asked to compress all assignments' files in one single zip file.

No concession will be given if the submitted files are incomplete, wrong, the compressed file does not open, pictures do not load, code points to relative path, and the like.

Special assessment requirements

The IIT unit uses both formative and summative forms of assessment. Students are required to satisfactorily complete a number of assignments and assessable items. Specifications for the assignments and requirements for satisfactory completion are given on the IIT unit website on Canvas (LearnOnline). 
 

Assignment submissions will be assessed for addressing the specific requirements of each assignment, as stated in the assignment descriptions, as well as for employing good programming principles. All assessment items will receive a numerical mark, which together in their entirety define a student's final grade and mark as outlined in section 5a. 

Responsibility for understanding 

If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignments or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the unit Convener or tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details. 
 

Final Grade and Mark 

To obtain a particular grade in this unit it is necessary that there are no outstanding resubmissions at the end of Week 13. All assessment items will receive a numerical mark. The final grade will be determined as a weighted average of the individual assessment items as follows: 

Final grade = (Assignment 1 mark) x 0.25 + (Assignment 2 mark) x 0.25 + (Assignment 3 mark) x 0.25 + (Assignment 4 mark) x 0.25  
 

(note that the marks for each assessment are scaled to 100 before performing this calculation) 

To be awarded a particular grade in IIT, students must meet all the requirements listed below. That is, all grades are conditional upon the following minimum requirements: 

  • submit the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) completion certificate or Badge, and 

  • achieve a minimum 50% overall, and 

  • achieve at least 50% in each assessable component but one. That is, the student will be allowed to fail no more than one assessable component. 

  • In addition, students will receive a grade in any of the assessable components listed in Section 5a ONLY if the Unit Readiness test (that is, the AIM) has been successfully completed. Late penalties will apply even if the student submitted the task on time, but the Unit Readiness Test is pending for completion. 

Finally, the following criteria also apply: 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Grade 
 
 
 
 
 

Assignments + Exam 
 
 
 
 
 

Pass 
 
 
 
 

Minimum 50% of combined weighted marks of all assessment items 
 
 
 
 
 

Credit 
 
 
 
 

Minimum 65% combined weighted marks of all assessment items 
 
 
 
 
 

Distinction 
 
 
 
 

Minimum 75% combined weighted score of all assessment item 
 
 
 
 
 

High Distinction 
 
 
 
 

Minimum 85% combined weighted score of all assessment item 

The unit convenor reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes, which may result in an adjustment to the marks awarded for a specific task. 

 

Supplementary assessment


 

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.


 

Learner engagement

Activities Hours
Weekly lectures 24
Weekly tutorials/labs 24
Preparation for assessments 36
Weekly study commitments (5 hours/week; 12 times) 66
Total 150

Participation requirements

Your participation in all activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation may result in your inability to satisfactorily pass assessment items. Experience has shown that students who do not attend the classes (either online or face to face) will have difficulty in passing the subject.

Required IT skills

Some of the components of this unit involve online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

It is assumed that the student has basic understanding of computers.

In-unit costs

Textbook, 2x USB thumb drives and consumables (using a cloud storage is recommended). The book and e-book are available in the library.

Work placement, internships or practicums

Not applicable to this unit.

Additional information

Foundation of Unit

This unit provides an introduction of fundamental technical concepts in the area of information technology as well as an overview of basic programming concepts.

Provision of information to the group

Notifications through the Canvas Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class.  It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's Canvas website.  Students should ensure they check their student email regularly.  The Canvas discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.

Use of student email account

The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes".  Therefore all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.

In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the unit Convener is informed. The minimum participation requirement must be met in order to pass the unit (regardless of supporting documentation).

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