CAZ432 Cloud Computing

Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 11A 2026, Non-QUT location, Internal (Start Date: 01 Sep 2026)

Overview

Cloud Computing is among the most important developments in the IT industry in recent years, and one which has received enormous attention. Cloud is a natural progression from earlier trends in service and infrastructure outsourcing and virtualisation, but is distinguished by its elasticity and scale: service and infrastructure provisioning may change rapidly in response to variations in demand, allowing clients to cater for unexpected spikes in load without tying up capital in expensive and potentially underutilised assets.

Cloud services and technologies are becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated, moving rapidly from the original 'bare metal' offerings and providing a rich set of options and APIs. This unit provides a technically oriented introduction to Cloud Computing, giving you experience in developing modern cloud applications and deploying them to the public clouds of the major vendors.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse application design requirements and cloud service offerings from the perspectives of scaling, security, and cost.
2. Design and implement scalable cloud applications using industry standard languages and APIs, deployed on a public cloud infrastructure and leveraging a range of cloud services.
3. Discuss the elastic nature of cloud technologies and business models, and their application in technical, commercial and sustainability contexts.
4. Investigate the uses, characteristics, and implementation requirements of cloud services on your own from vendor documentation, code samples, and other online sources.
5. Communicate in written, verbal and visual forms about cloud applications, services, and architectures.
6. Construct AI applications using cloud services and architectures.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will use pre-recorded lectures, question-and-answer sessions, and practical sessions to focus on the context and principles of cloud computing. Technologies will as far as possible be introduced in a practical context, and you will be given every opportunity to undertake practical exercises using a major public cloud.

You can expect to spend between 10 - 15 hours per week on average involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

There are multiple opportunities in this unit to receive feedback on your learning. Participation in Q&A sessions and practicals provides you with the opportunity to receive informal feedback from your tutors and peers. All summative assessment tasks will be graded using a rubric, with personalised written feedback provide on each task.

Assessment

Overview

All assessment contributes to your grade.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Cloud-native API

You will implement an HTTP API using cloud-native technologies such as serverless functions and managed databases.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Machine learning in the cloud

You will use cloud services and cloud architectures to perform machine learning tasks such as model training and deploying a models in an application.  You will demonstrate your deployment to teaching staff during the practicals.

Assessment: Cloud project

You will create a cloud application using that makes use of multiple cloud compute services and appropriate cloud architecture, designed to be cost effective and scalable. You will be required to write a professional report describing your work.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

All required resources will be made available via Canvas.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit. Some aspects of the unit may need to be modified in the event of changes to the available cloud offerings.

Course Learning Outcomes

IZ02 Bachelor of Information Technology

1. Critically analyse and conceptualise complex IT challenges and opportunities using modelling, abstraction, ideation and problem-solving to generate, evaluate and justify recommended solutions.
   Relates to: ULO1, Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project
2. Integrate and apply technical knowledge and skills to analyse, design, build, operate and maintain sustainable, secure IT systems using industry-standard tools, technologies, platforms, and processes.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Cloud-native API, Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of IT in enabling business outcomes and how business realities shape IT decisions.
   Relates to: ULO3, Cloud project
4. Demonstrate initiative, autonomy and personal responsibility for continuous learning, working both independently and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, employing state-of-the-art IT project management methodologies to plan and manage time, resources, and risk.
   Relates to: ULO4, Cloud project
5. Communicate professionally and effectively in written, verbal and visual formats to a diverse range of stakeholders, considering the audience and explaining complex ideas in a simple and understandable manner in a range of IT-related contexts.
   Relates to: ULO5, Cloud project
6. Assess the risks and potential of artificial intelligence (and other disruptive emerging technologies) within an organisation and leverage AI knowledge and skills to solve IT challenges, improve productivity and add value.
   Relates to: ULO6, Machine learning in the cloud
7. Critically reflect, using a human-centric approach, on the social, cultural, ethical, privacy, legal, sustainability, and accessibility issues shaping the development and use of IT, including respecting the perspectives and knowledge systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring IT solutions empower and support people with disabilities, and fostering inclusive and equitable digital technologies that serve diverse communities.
   Relates to: ULO3, Cloud project