Introduction to Information Technology (4478.8)

Required texts

Required:
Greg Anderson, David Ferro & Robert Hilton, "Connecting with Computer Science", 2nd ed., Course Technology, Cengage Learning, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4390-8035-1
This book is available for purchase, for example, in the Co-op Bookshop on campus. A limited number of copies of this book are also available from the library.

Recommended:
B. Eckel, "Thinking in Java", 4th ed., ISBN 978-0-131-87248-6, 2006, Prentice Hall PTR

These books provide additional reading for students wishing to broaden and deepen their understanding. A limited number of copies of these books are also available from the library.

Supplementary:

J.G. Brookshear, "Computer Science - An Overview", 10th ed., ISBN 978-0-321-54428-5, 2009, Pearson

D. Reed, "A Balanced Introduction to Computer Science", 2nd ed., ISBN 978-0-13-601722-6, 2008, Pearson
A limited number of copies of this book are also available from the library.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Assignments will be submitted electronically through the Unit Website interface on Canvas (LearnOnline). For the HTML web programming assignment, this will be the HTML code, CSS file and all other required data files. For the Java programming assignment, this will be the software code developed by each student using the materials and equipment list under 4b. Submissions have to be in ZIP format. Details are given in the specific assignment description on Canvas.

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 and to perform satisfactorily in the final exam. Specifications for the assignments and requirements for satisfactory completion are given on the IIT unit website on Canvas (LearnOnline).

Assignments are meant to be individual work, although talking a problem over with another student or tutor is considered one reasonable way of learning. However, the actual assignment submission must be your own work. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the University's Student Academic Integrity Policy https://guard.canberra.edu.au/policy/policy.php?pol_id=3351

Students will receive formative feedback on their original assignment submissions and may optionally prepare a revised version of their assignment for Resubmission by the resubmission due date (3 weeks after original submission due date). The final assignment mark will then be determined as the average of the marks for the original assignment submission and the revised resubmission. For example, a student received 30/50 marks in the original submission, prepared a revised version based on the feedback and received 50/50 marks for the resubmission. The final mark is then (30+50)/2 = 40 marks. Students contend with their original assignment submission mark may choose not to resubmit a revised version. In that case, the original mark will be the final mark.

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.

Late submission of assignments
Late assignments will attract a penalty of 5% of the assignment's mark per 24 hours or part thereof. In other words, assignments submitted late in the first 24h after the assignment deadline will receive a 5% penalty; assignments submitted between 24h and 48h late will receive a 10% penalty and so on up to the maximum penalty of 100%. An assignment submitted over 7 days late will not be accepted. In extenuating circumstances a late submission may be considered upon the production of supporting documentation and at the discretion of the unit convener.

Extensions: Extensions must be applied for before the due date
Students can apply for an extension to the submission due date for an assessment item on the grounds of illness or other unavoidable and verifiable personal circumstances. The IIT unit follows the same acceptable grounds as for Deferred Exam requests (http://www.canberra.edu.au/student-services/examinations/alternative-exams). Documentary evidence will be expected for an extension to be considered.

It should be noted that such documentation will be considered but will not guarantee that the application will be successful. The Unit Convener will decide whether to grant an extension and the length of the extension.

In the event a student misses the end of semester examination due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, the procedures outlined on http://www.canberra.edu.au/student-services/examinations/alternative-exams must be followed (including submitting the online deferred application form within 3 days of scheduled exam to the Examinations Office). 

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.

To be awarded a particular grade in IIT, students must meet the overall requirements,
the assignment requirements and the exam requirements in the table below. All grades
are conditional upon the following minimum requirements:

• minimum 50% of combined marks from the two assignments, and
• minimum 25% in each of the two assignments, and
• minimum 50% on exam paper

The unit convener reserves the right to question students orally on any of their submitted work.

Supplementary assessment

There will be no supplementary or deferred tests. The final exam will have an increased weighting for students who miss the Week 7 Online Test or the Software Testing Computer Lab Test due to illness or other acceptable grounds and who produce the required documentary evidence.

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

Expected Average Student Workload:            * denotes an assessable item

1. Lectures (face to face):                                               11 x 2h       = 22h
2. Lecture/Workshops                                                     11 x 2h       = 22h
3. Tutorials / Computer labs:                                            11 x 2h       = 22h
4. Preparation (lectures, tutorials, computer labs)              11 x 2h       = 22h
5. *Web Programming Assignment                                                 = 12h
6. *Java Programming Assignment                                                 = 32h
7. *Online Test (Quiz, incl. preparation)                                           =   6h
8. *Final Exam            (incl. preparation)                                           = 12h

Total                                                                                                   150 hours

Participation requirements

Your participation in both class and online 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 will have difficulty in passing the subject.

Required IT skills

Basic familiarity with Windows, Linux or Mac operating systems.

In-unit costs

Text book, 2x USB thumb drives and consumables.

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 (Canvas forum messages are also emailed to student email addresses only).  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).

• UC College Trimester 3, 2017, On-Campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (172518)
• Semester 2, 2017, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (166027)
• Semester 1, 2017, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (165949)
• UC College Trimester 3, 2016, On-Campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (150089)
• Semester 2, 2016, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (152243)
• UC College Trimester 2, 2016, On-Campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (152746)
• UC College Trimester 1, 2016, On-Campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (153302)
• Semester 1, 2016, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (154855)
• UC College Trimester 3, 2015, On-Campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (147368)
• Semester 2, 2015, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (147375)
• UC College Trimester 1, 2015, On-Campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (147366)
• Semester 1, 2015, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (147369)
• Semester 1, 2015, Flexible, UC Melbourne - Chadstone Campus (147374)