Introduction to Information Technology (4478.9)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Introduction to Information Technology
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
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. Data structures include arrays. Those parts of the software engineering process, in particular testing and debugging, which are applicable to an introductory subject are incorporated. The subject 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. Demonstrate competency in applying fundamental programming concepts and data structures to create small software applications using a graphical user interface and a variety of controls for user interaction, and employing good programming principles;
4. Understand the fundamentals of file input/output 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.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
Not available

Required texts

Required:
William Punch, Richard Enbody, "The Practice of Computing Using Python", Global Edition, ISBN 978-0-13-280557-5, Pearson.

Supplementary:

David I. Schneider, "An Introduction to Programming Using Python", Global Edition, ISBN 978-1-2921-0344-0, Pearson.

Lawrence Snyder, "Fluency with Information Technology", Global Edition, ISBN 978-1-292-06124-5, Pearson.

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 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 Python 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 Conduct Rules (http://www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/conduct). Experience has shown that students who do not do their own work are unlikely to pass the exam (and therefore the unit).

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.

Deffered exams:

In the event a student misses the end of term examination due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, the student must submit the deferred final exam application form within 3 working days of scheduled exam to the UC College student services team. 

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 12. 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:

  • Complete the AIM module, pass the quiz and submit the AIM badge, and
  • Obtain minimum 50% as a combined mark of the first major assignment(HTML Web Programming Assignment) and the second major assignment(Programming Assignment), and
  • Obtain minimum 40% on final assessment, and
  • Obtain minimum 50% on overall

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

Supplementary assessment

There will be no deferred tests. The final exam will receive 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 (Online):

11 x 2h = 22h
  1. Lecture/Workshops(Online)

11 x 2h = 22h
  1. Tutorials / Computer labs:

 11 x 2h = 22h
  1. Preparation (lectures, tutorials, computer labs)

 11 x 2h = 22h
  1. *Web Programming Assignment

 = 12h
  1. *Programming Assignment

 = 32h
  1. *Online Test (Quiz, incl. preparation)

 = 6h
  1. *Final Assessment(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.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 (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).