IFB102 Introduction to Computer Systems


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:IFB102
Credit points:12
Equivalent:IFB112
Equivalent:IND102
Anti-requisite:ITD102
Coordinators:Lawrence Buckingham | l.buckingham@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This is an introductory computer science unit concerning computer systems, in particular how modern computer systems work, how they are structured, and how they operate. Computer systems are ubiquitous and yet they are unlike any other man-made product or system; they appear magical and are notoriously difficult to work with and manage in projects. This unit’s goal is to demystify computer systems so students can appreciate, understand and utilise computer systems in their subsequent learning, and effectively participate in the IT industry. Students will study computers, networks, operating systems and the Web. Raspberry Pi computers will be used throughout the unit and at the end students will build their own small computer system using a Raspberry Pi.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Explain different aspects of computer systems (hardware, software and networks), including their structure and operation, and security.
    Relates to: ACS CBOK: 3, 3.1, 3.3, 5, 5.4
  2. Use computer systems to control and understand how they work.
    Relates to: ACS CBOK: 3, 3.1
  3. Use information literacy skills to conduct computer systems research and troubleshoot IT problems.
  4. Design and build basic computer systems using a variety of technology tools, techniques and resources.
    Relates to: ACS CBOK: 3, 3.1

Content

In this unit you will learn about computers, networking and the web from different perspectives, including:

  1. Evolutionary: how has technology evolved? What are computer systems today? What are the trends and how might we understand and predict future developments.

  2. Practical: How do computer systems work and how can we interact with them to understand and use them?

  3. Conceptual: What are the fundamental aspects of computers, networks and the web?

Learning Approaches

This unit is available for you to study in either on-campus or online mode. The unit is designed to engage you in learning through an active, artefact-driven set of practical exercises. Each week includes a pre-recorded lecture videos, Q&A session and a practical class. Pre-recorded lectures will motivate, introduce, demonstrate and roadmap computer technologies and associated concepts. Practical classes provide an interactive and participatory forum where you can collaborate with peers and interact with a tutor. Practical classes will use workbooks to guide your learning through exercises involving research and practical problem solving using different computer technologies. Each workbook is accompanied by a related multiple choice quiz to test conceptual understanding. Projects will allow you to undertake a deeper study into a mix of computer technologies. Educational technologies, including the Raspberry Pi computer, will be used to support your progressive conceptual and practical understanding of computer technologies, system architecture and applications.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive progressive feedback through the semester on both your workbook exercises and your projects. Workbooks will be regularly marked providing formative feedback. You will be asked to address knowledge gaps and show how you addressed these gaps that are discovered in the quizzes so that you master the essential knowledge components. Workbook feedback will use criteria reference assessment forms and written comments on the exercises. All quizzes, exercises and workbooks will be moderated across all tutors before written formative assessment is finalised. Your quiz results will provide you formative feedback of how you are achieving the unit's knowledge outcomes. You can also receive informal feedback during practical classes from your tutors and peers.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment will comprise structured workbooks comprising: practical exercises, investigation questions and quizzes. These will form the basis for assessment for the first half of the unit. Projects will form the second part of the assessment. These will be open ended and will allow you to undertake a project of interest which comprises the design of a set of different computer technologies configured for a novel purpose. These projects will be assessed by a presentation and a report.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Low Level Technologies Workbook

This is a weekly structured workbook comprising sets of exercises for you to undertake during practical classes and in your own time. It includes a quiz, further work questions and set practical tasks relating to your understanding of the component technologies introduced during the unit. It will be individual work.

Only the investigation questions is an assignment for the purposes of an extension. 

Weight: 35
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Early semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: High Level Architecture Workbook

This is a weekly structured workbook comprising sets of exercises for you to undertake during practical classes and in your own time. It includes a quiz, further work questions and set practical tasks relating to the way computer systems are designed and operate. It will be individual work.

Only the investigation questions is an assignment for the purposes of an extension. 

Weight: 35
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Mid Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Project (applied)

A project comprising the design / construction / configuration of a small novel computer system using a mixture of computer technologies.

Only the report is an assignment for the purposes of an extension. 

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Library and web-based information will be used. There is no prescribed text book for this unit.

PLEASE NOTE: As part of this unit you will be required to purchase a Raspberry Pi kit.

This can be purchased from the QUT Bookshop.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Australian Computer Society Core Body of Knowledge

3: Technology Resources

  1. Hardware and software fundamentals
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4
  2. Networking
    Relates to: ULO1

5: ICT Management

  1. Cyber security
    Relates to: ULO1

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

IN01 Bachelor of Information Technology

  1. Demonstrate well-developed IT discipline knowledge
    Relates to: ULO1
  2. Employ appropriate IT Methods
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Critically apply design and problem solving skills
    Relates to: ULO3
  4. Create considered and relevant IT solutions
    Relates to: ULO4