IFB102 Introduction to Computer Systems
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: | IFB102 |
|---|---|
| Antirequisite(s): | ITD102 |
| Equivalent(s): | IFB112, IND102 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,356 |
| International unit fee | $5,172 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | IFB102 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | IFB112 |
| Equivalent: | IND102 |
| Anti-requisite: | ITD102 |
| Coordinator: | Jessica Korte | jessica.korte@qut.edu.au |
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:
- Explain different aspects of computer systems (hardware, software and networks), including their structure and operation, and security.
- Use computer systems to control and understand how they work.
- Use information literacy skills to conduct computer systems research and troubleshoot IT problems.
- Design and build basic computer systems using a variety of technology tools, techniques and resources.
Content
In this unit you will learn about computers, networking and the web from different perspectives, including:
- Evolutionary: how has technology evolved? What are computer systems today? What are the trends and how might we understand and predict future developments.
- Practical: How do computer systems work and how can we interact with them to understand and use them?
- 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 and competency gaps during practical classes and show how you addressed these gaps, so that you master the essential knowledge components. Further Investigation Question and Project Demo will be moderated across all tutors before summative assessment is finalised. Your Prac 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:
- a workbook of practical exercises throughout the semester;
- an investigation question that will require you to research a topic of relevance and report on both the topic and your learning journey; and
- An open-ended project that 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.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical Workbook
This is a weekly structured workbook comprising sets of exercises for you to undertake during practical classes and in your own time. You will have incremental deadlines throughout the semester, to provide feedback as to your learning progress. It will be individual work.
This is not an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Further Investigation Question
For this assessment item, you will select a topic from the unit to research. You will research the topic, and give a presentation to:
- Explain what you learned,
- Tell the story of your learning journey, and
- Answer questions from your assessor and fellow students.
This will be an individual task.
Assessment: Project (applied)
A project comprising the design / construction / configuration of a small novel computer system using a mixture of computer technologies. These projects will be assessed by a demonstration, presentation and Q&A in Week 13.
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
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
5: ICT Management
- 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
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online
| Unit code: | IFB102 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | IFB112 |
| Equivalent: | IND102 |
| Anti-requisite: | ITD102 |
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:
- Explain different aspects of computer systems (hardware, software and networks), including their structure and operation, and security.
- Use computer systems to control and understand how they work.
- Use information literacy skills to conduct computer systems research and troubleshoot IT problems.
- Design and build basic computer systems using a variety of technology tools, techniques and resources.
Content
In this unit you will learn about computers, networking and the web from different perspectives, including:
- Evolutionary: how has technology evolved? What are computer systems today? What are the trends and how might we understand and predict future developments.
- Practical: How do computer systems work and how can we interact with them to understand and use them?
- 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 and competency gaps during practical classes and show how you addressed these gaps, so that you master the essential knowledge components. Further Investigation Question and Project Demo will be moderated across all tutors before summative assessment is finalised. Your Prac 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:
- a workbook of practical exercises throughout the semester;
- an investigation question that will require you to research a topic of relevance and report on both the topic and your learning journey; and
- An open-ended project that 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.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical Workbook
This is a weekly structured workbook comprising sets of exercises for you to undertake during practical classes and in your own time. You will have incremental deadlines throughout the semester, to provide feedback as to your learning progress. It will be individual work.
This is not an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Further Investigation Question
For this assessment item, you will select a topic from the unit to research. You will research the topic, and give a presentation to:
- Explain what you learned,
- Tell the story of your learning journey, and
- Answer questions from your assessor and fellow students.
This will be an individual task.
Assessment: Project (applied)
A project comprising the design / construction / configuration of a small novel computer system using a mixture of computer technologies. These projects will be assessed by a demonstration, presentation and Q&A in Week 13.
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
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
5: ICT Management
- 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
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | IFB102 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | IFB112 |
| Equivalent: | IND102 |
| Anti-requisite: | ITD102 |
| Coordinator: | Jessica Korte | jessica.korte@qut.edu.au |
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:
- Explain different aspects of computer systems (hardware, software and networks), including their structure and operation, and security.
- Use computer systems to control and understand how they work.
- Use information literacy skills to conduct computer systems research and troubleshoot IT problems.
- Design and build basic computer systems using a variety of technology tools, techniques and resources.
Content
In this unit you will learn about computers, networking and the web from different perspectives, including:
- Evolutionary: how has technology evolved? What are computer systems today? What are the trends and how might we understand and predict future developments.
- Practical: How do computer systems work and how can we interact with them to understand and use them?
- 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 and competency gaps during practical classes and show how you addressed these gaps, so that you master the essential knowledge components. Further Investigation Question and Project Demo will be moderated across all tutors before summative assessment is finalised. Your Prac 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:
- a workbook of practical exercises throughout the semester;
- an investigation question that will require you to research a topic of relevance and report on both the topic and your learning journey; and
- An open-ended project that 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.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical Workbook
This is a weekly structured workbook comprising sets of exercises for you to undertake during practical classes and in your own time. You will have incremental deadlines throughout the semester, to provide feedback as to your learning progress. It will be individual work.
This is not an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Further Investigation Question
For this assessment item, you will select a topic from the unit to research. You will research the topic, and give a presentation to:
- Explain what you learned,
- Tell the story of your learning journey, and
- Answer questions from your assessor and fellow students.
This will be an individual task.
Assessment: Project (applied)
A project comprising the design / construction / configuration of a small novel computer system using a mixture of computer technologies. These projects will be assessed by a demonstration, presentation and Q&A in Week 13.
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
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
5: ICT Management
- 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
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online
| Unit code: | IFB102 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | IFB112 |
| Equivalent: | IND102 |
| Anti-requisite: | ITD102 |
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:
- Explain different aspects of computer systems (hardware, software and networks), including their structure and operation, and security.
- Use computer systems to control and understand how they work.
- Use information literacy skills to conduct computer systems research and troubleshoot IT problems.
- Design and build basic computer systems using a variety of technology tools, techniques and resources.
Content
In this unit you will learn about computers, networking and the web from different perspectives, including:
- Evolutionary: how has technology evolved? What are computer systems today? What are the trends and how might we understand and predict future developments.
- Practical: How do computer systems work and how can we interact with them to understand and use them?
- 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 and competency gaps during practical classes and show how you addressed these gaps, so that you master the essential knowledge components. Further Investigation Question and Project Demo will be moderated across all tutors before summative assessment is finalised. Your Prac 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:
- a workbook of practical exercises throughout the semester;
- an investigation question that will require you to research a topic of relevance and report on both the topic and your learning journey; and
- An open-ended project that 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.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical Workbook
This is a weekly structured workbook comprising sets of exercises for you to undertake during practical classes and in your own time. You will have incremental deadlines throughout the semester, to provide feedback as to your learning progress. It will be individual work.
This is not an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Further Investigation Question
For this assessment item, you will select a topic from the unit to research. You will research the topic, and give a presentation to:
- Explain what you learned,
- Tell the story of your learning journey, and
- Answer questions from your assessor and fellow students.
This will be an individual task.
Assessment: Project (applied)
A project comprising the design / construction / configuration of a small novel computer system using a mixture of computer technologies. These projects will be assessed by a demonstration, presentation and Q&A in Week 13.
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
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
5: ICT Management
- Cyber security
Relates to: ULO1