IFN649 Internet of Things

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit is designed for graduate students in the Masters of IT. Students will learn the theory, architecture, hardware/software, and programming of networks, including network services, Internet-of-Things (IoT), as well the security, trust, and privacy considerations in these networks. You will learn the theory and practice of building, monitoring, and tailoring computer networks to applications, including core network functions and services such as routing. You will also learn about the theory and practice of IoT networks that underpin the 'fourth industrial revolution'. There are two main components of the unit: collaborative learning activities covering the principles involved, and practical assignments in which you will build your own miniature networks using free open source software on virtual servers and on IoT devices. 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Appraise the principles, operation and security of heterogeneous computer networks.
2. Design heterogeneous networks using free open-source software.
3. Create a heterogeneous network for a specific application.
4. Justify network design decisions to a specialist audience.
5. Communicate professionally in written and oral formats.

Content

Learning Approaches

-collaborative learning activities address principles of each topic

-tutorials introduce free open source software used for implementing networks

-practical work requires, from principles learned, the use of software to implement networks

-reading materials include online textbooks, reference manuals, and software "man pages"

-troubleshooting may involve digging for information about open source software configuration and usage

You should expect to spend, on average, 10 - 15 hours per week involved in preparing for and attending scheduled classes, preparing and completing assessment tasks as well as in independent study to consolidate your learning. You must be able to manage your time and prioritise activities in order to complete the required unit activities.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will gain feedback in this unit by:

• attaining specific goals in building your network, evaluated weekly 
• feedback and evaluation on your semester project demo and presentation 
• completing a final exam with evaluation and feedback from the teaching team.

Assessment

Overview

The summative assessment items in this unit will allow you to demonstrate the practical skills you have acquired in building  functional miniature computer and IoT network (the practical tasks), and confirm the theoretical knowledge you have gained on network design (the final exam).

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Practical network implementation

Students will perform weekly tasks in building, testing, and maintaining miniature computer and IoT networks.  These will run until approximately week 8.

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

Assessment: Semester project

Students will propose and develop a small IoT network application and demonstrate/present its functionality.

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

Assessment: Final exam

The final exam addresses theoretical and practical material covered during the semester. The exam covers network design for specific applications, as well as a broad coverage of the topics discussed during the lectures. 

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

Raspberry Pi and Teensy Kits

Risk Assessment Statement

There is minimal health and safety risk in this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas.

Course Learning Outcomes

IN20 Master of Information Technology

1. Demonstrate advanced specialist IT knowledge in at least one information technology discipline.
   Relates to: ULO1, Practical network implementation, Semester project , Final exam
2. 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: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Practical network implementation, Semester project , Final exam
3. Integrate advanced, industry-best practice, IT methods, tools and techniques to develop and implement complex IT systems, processes and/or software.
   Relates to: ULO3, Semester project , Final exam
4. Communicate effectively in IT professional and scholarly contexts to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, visual and oral formats.
   Relates to: ULO5, Practical network implementation, Semester project