CAB432 Cloud Computing
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CAB432 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CAB301 or CAB302 or INB370 or INB371 or IFN666 or IFQ666 or (IFN582 and IFN584) or (IFQ582 and IFQ584) |
| Equivalent(s): | CAZ432 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | You have the option to use either Python or Javascript for assessments. It's expected that you have good programming skills in one of these languages, or have good skills in another language and the ability to learn Python or Javascript on your own. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,640 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CAB432 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CAB301 or CAB302 or INB370 or INB371 or IFN666 or IFQ666 or (IFN582 and IFN584) or (IFQ582 and IFQ584) |
| Equivalent: | CAZ432 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | You will have the option to use either Python or Javascript for assessments. It is expected that you have good programming skills in one of these languages, or have good skills in another language and the ability to learn Python or Javascript on your own. |
| Coordinator: | Matthew McKague | matthew.mckague@qut.edu.au |
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:
- Critically analyse application design requirements and cloud service offerings from the perspectives of scaling, security, and cost.
- 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.
- Discuss the elastic nature of cloud technologies and business models, and their application in technical, commercial and sustainability contexts.
- Investigate the uses, characteristics, and implementation requirements of cloud services on your own from vendor documentation, code samples, and other online sources.
- Communicate in written, verbal and visual forms about cloud applications, services, and architectures.
- Construct AI applications using cloud services and architectures.
Content
This unit introduces you to Cloud Computing, with an emphasis on the practical use of cloud services. The approach is to introduce the context and terminology of the area, and then to focus on the technical issues of creating, hosting and managing cloud applications.
Topics to be covered over the course of the semester may include:
- The relationship of cloud computing to business models
- Virtualisation, containers, and container orchestration
- Microservice architectures
- Communication mechanisms and patterns in cloud architecture
- Serverless and event driven architectures
- Statelessness, persistence and their relation to horizontal scaling
- Managed cloud services
- Security in the cloud computing context
- Application architecture and design choices for sustainability, cost and performance
- Using cloud computing for AI
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
There is no textbook and there are no specialist 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.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Australian Computer Society Core Body of Knowledge
1: ICT Professional Knowledge
3: Technology Resources
4: Technology Building
- Programming
Relates to: ULO4
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Machine learning in the cloud
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Machine learning in the cloud
Relates to: Cloud project
2: Engineering Application Ability
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project
Relates to: Machine learning in the cloud
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Cloud project
Relates to: Cloud project
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: ULO1, Cloud project - Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
Relates to: ULO4, Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
Relates to: ULO3, Cloud-native API, Cloud project - Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project - Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
Relates to: ULO2, Cloud-native API, Cloud project
EV01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Cloud project - Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
Relates to: Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project - Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project - Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project
IN01 Bachelor of Information Technology
- Demonstrate a broad theoretical and technical knowledge of well-established and emerging IT disciplines, with in-depth knowledge in at least one specialist area aligned to multiple ICT professional roles.
Relates to: ULO2 - 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, ULO2, Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - 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 - Demonstrate an understanding of the role of IT in enabling business outcomes and how business realities shape IT decisions.
Relates to: ULO3, Cloud project - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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
IN20 Master of Information Technology
- Demonstrate advanced specialist IT knowledge in at least one information technology discipline.
Relates to: ULO1 - Critically analyse complex IT problems and opportunities and use creativity and problem-solving skills to generate innovative and novel solutions that are convincingly justified.
Relates to: ULO3 - Integrate advanced, industry-best practice, IT methods, tools and techniques to develop and implement complex IT systems, processes and/or software.
Relates to: ULO2 - Communicate effectively in IT professional and scholarly contexts to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, visual and oral formats.
Relates to: ULO3 - Create positive change through critically reflecting upon and actioning responses to the social, cultural, ethical, sustainability, legal and accessibility issues in the IT field, including how they relate to First Nations Australians and diverse populations.
Relates to: ULO4
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Online
| Unit code: | CAB432 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CAB301 or CAB302 or INB370 or INB371 or IFN666 or IFQ666 or (IFN582 and IFN584) or (IFQ582 and IFQ584) |
| Equivalent: | CAZ432 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | You will have the option to use either Python or Javascript for assessments. It is expected that you have good programming skills in one of these languages, or have good skills in another language and the ability to learn Python or Javascript on your own. |
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:
- Critically analyse application design requirements and cloud service offerings from the perspectives of scaling, security, and cost.
- 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.
- Discuss the elastic nature of cloud technologies and business models, and their application in technical, commercial and sustainability contexts.
- Investigate the uses, characteristics, and implementation requirements of cloud services on your own from vendor documentation, code samples, and other online sources.
- Communicate in written, verbal and visual forms about cloud applications, services, and architectures.
- Construct AI applications using cloud services and architectures.
Content
This unit introduces you to Cloud Computing, with an emphasis on the practical use of cloud services. The approach is to introduce the context and terminology of the area, and then to focus on the technical issues of creating, hosting and managing cloud applications.
Topics to be covered over the course of the semester may include:
- The relationship of cloud computing to business models
- Virtualisation, containers, and container orchestration
- Microservice architectures
- Communication mechanisms and patterns in cloud architecture
- Serverless and event driven architectures
- Statelessness, persistence and their relation to horizontal scaling
- Managed cloud services
- Security in the cloud computing context
- Application architecture and design choices for sustainability, cost and performance
- Using cloud computing for AI
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
There is no textbook and there are no specialist 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.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Australian Computer Society Core Body of Knowledge
1: ICT Professional Knowledge
3: Technology Resources
4: Technology Building
- Programming
Relates to: ULO4
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Machine learning in the cloud
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Machine learning in the cloud
Relates to: Cloud project
2: Engineering Application Ability
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project
Relates to: Machine learning in the cloud
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Cloud project
Relates to: Cloud project
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: ULO1, Cloud project - Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
Relates to: ULO4, Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
Relates to: ULO3, Cloud-native API, Cloud project - Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project - Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
Relates to: ULO2, Cloud-native API, Cloud project
EV01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Cloud project - Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
Relates to: Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project - Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project - Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Cloud-native API, Cloud project
IN01 Bachelor of Information Technology
- Demonstrate a broad theoretical and technical knowledge of well-established and emerging IT disciplines, with in-depth knowledge in at least one specialist area aligned to multiple ICT professional roles.
Relates to: ULO2 - 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, ULO2, Machine learning in the cloud, Cloud project - 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 - Demonstrate an understanding of the role of IT in enabling business outcomes and how business realities shape IT decisions.
Relates to: ULO3, Cloud project - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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
IN20 Master of Information Technology
- Demonstrate advanced specialist IT knowledge in at least one information technology discipline.
Relates to: ULO1 - Critically analyse complex IT problems and opportunities and use creativity and problem-solving skills to generate innovative and novel solutions that are convincingly justified.
Relates to: ULO3 - Integrate advanced, industry-best practice, IT methods, tools and techniques to develop and implement complex IT systems, processes and/or software.
Relates to: ULO2 - Communicate effectively in IT professional and scholarly contexts to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, visual and oral formats.
Relates to: ULO3 - Create positive change through critically reflecting upon and actioning responses to the social, cultural, ethical, sustainability, legal and accessibility issues in the IT field, including how they relate to First Nations Australians and diverse populations.
Relates to: ULO4