Course Title: Essentials of Information Technology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Essentials of Information Technology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COSC1078	City Campus	Undergraduate	140H Computer Science & Information Technology	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 2 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2016
COSC1078	City Campus	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2017, Sem 2 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 2 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 2 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 2 2020, Sem 1 2021
COSC1078	City Campus	Undergraduate	175H Computing Technologies	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2022, Sem 2 2022
COSC2083	RMIT University Vietnam	Undergraduate	140H Computer Science & Information Technology	Face-to-Face	Viet3 2007, Viet2 2008, Viet3 2008, Viet1 2009, Viet2 2009, Viet3 2009, Viet1 2010, Viet2 2010, Viet3 2010, Viet1 2011, Viet2 2011, Viet3 2011, Viet1 2012, Viet2 2012, Viet3 2012, Viet1 2013, Viet2 2013, Viet3 2013, Viet2 2014, Viet3 2014, Viet1 2015, Viet2 2015, Viet3 2015, Viet1 2016, Viet2 2016, Viet3 2016
COSC2083	RMIT University Vietnam	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Face-to-Face	Viet1 2017, Viet2 2017, Viet3 2017, Viet1 2018, Viet2 2018, Viet3 2018, Viet1 2019, Viet2 2019, Viet3 2019, Viet1 2020, Viet2 2020, Viet3 2020, Viet2 2021, Viet3 2021
COSC2083	RMIT University Vietnam	Undergraduate	175H Computing Technologies	Face-to-Face	Viet1 2022, Viet3 2022, Viet1 2023, Viet2 2023, Viet3 2023, Viet2 2024, Viet3 2024
COSC2230	Taylors College KL	Undergraduate	140H Computer Science & Information Technology	Face-to-Face	Offsh 3 10, Offsh 1 11, Offsh 3 11
COSC2708	RMIT Vietnam Hanoi Campus	Undergraduate	175H Computing Technologies	Face-to-Face	Viet2 2024, Viet3 2024

Flexible Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COSC2677	OUA CSP	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Internet	OUACSP2021 (All)
COSC2677	OUA CSP	Undergraduate	175H Computing Technologies	Internet	OUACSP2022 (All)

Course Coordinator: Shekhar Kalra

Course Coordinator Phone: -

Course Coordinator Email: shekhar.kalra@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: -

Course Coordinator Availability: via email

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

This course aims to provide you with the foundation knowledge of contemporary Information Technology areas, software, applications and job skills required to enter the IT market.

A major component of the course is the practical application of the knowledge gained from the theoretical content. The material covers a broad range of introductory Information Technology concepts.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

 

This course contributes to the following program learning outcomes BP162 Bachelor of Information Technology:

• Enabling Knowledge: You will gain skills as you apply knowledge effectively in diverse contexts.

• Critical Analysis: You will learn to accurately and objectively examine and consider computer science and information technology (IT) topics, evidence, or situations, in particular to: analyse and model requirements and constraints for the purpose of designing and implementing software artefacts and IT systems

• Problem Solving: Your capability to analyse problems and synthesise suitable solutions will be extended as you learn to: design and implement software solutions that accommodate specified requirements and constraints, based on analysis or modelling or requirements specification.

• Communication: You will learn to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through a range of modes and media, in particular to: present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of software applications, alternative IT solutions, and decision recommendations to both IT and non-IT personnel via technical reports of professional standard and technical presentations.

• Team Work: You will learn to work as an effective and productive team member in a range of professional and social situations, in particular to: work effectively in different roles, to form, manage, and successfully produce outcomes from teams, whose members may have diverse cultural backgrounds and life circumstances, and differing levels of technical expertise.

Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:

1. describe and apply basic concepts of contemporary technologies
2. analyse human and social contexts of technological innovations
3. apply the knowledge of various ICT components to create a prototype of a product/service
4. identify principles of collaborative work and explain potential conflict resolution techniques
5. participate effectively and creatively in a team environment
6. prepare a professional and comprehensively written IT report within provided parameters

Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:

• Lectures: Key concepts will be explained in lectures in which course material will be presented and the subject matter will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
• In tutorials there will be opportunities to elaborate on key concepts and in teams you will analyse IT scenarios and identify suitable problem-solving techniques. These assignment-directed tutorial sessions will prepare you to work on your team projects in an efficient manner. Project work provides opportunities to work effectively in teams, be creative in developing an IT product/service idea, present idea to peers for analysis, problem-solve issues on mechanics and legal issues, identity users and present your IT product/service idea in a marketing sales pitch.
• Lab sessions alternate between preparation and assessment exercises to engage with, and consolidate meaning of, the course content.
• Another important learning activity is private study, working on aspects of the project in a self-directed and autonomous manner within a team framework.

 

A total of 120 hours of study is expected during this course, comprising:

Teacher-directed hours (48 hours): lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions. Each week there will be 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of tutorial work. You are encouraged to participate during lectures through asking questions, commenting on the lecture material based on your own experiences and through presenting solutions to written exercises. The tutorial sessions will introduce you to the tools necessary to undertake the assignment work.

Student-directed hours (72 hours): You are expected to be self-directed, studying independently outside class.

Overview of Learning Resources

The course is supported by the Canvas learning management system which provides specific learning resources. See the RMIT Library Guide at http://rmit.libguides.com/compsci

Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course comprises written assignments, programming exercises, presentations and completion of laboratory activities. A mix of independent learning and teamwork is required.
The assignments involve progressive team reports and presentations on your project work, including various stages of analysis and problem-solving throughout the development of your IT product/serve idea.

Note: This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment tasks
Assessment Task 1: Written Assignment – part 1
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 and 6
In this assignment, you will develop your IT profile, which will be used as an input to further assignments. Profile will be presented via GitHub Pages, assessing GitHub and basic Web Development technical skills.

Assessment Task 2: Written Assignment – part 2
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
This assessment is an extension of the IT project component, which early results were assessed in Assessment Task 1. Working in a group of 4 to 6 to produce a Written Report and have an accompanying HTML+ CSS report on GitHub Pages on various aspects of the IT industry as well as a plan for an IT project

Assessment 3: Written and Project-based Assignment - part 3
Weighting 30%
This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
This assessment is an extension of the team-based project, which results were assessed in Assessment Task 2. Developing the chosen project and web skills with your team to produce demonstratable artifacts/deliverables of project progress.

Assessment Task 4: Group participation and Group Presentation

Weighting 30%
This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
This assessment is an extension of the team-based project, which results were assessed in Assessment Task 3. You need to successfully present a pitch of your chosen project’s development, covering demonstratable artifacts/deliverables that were produced throughout Assessment Task 3. Continued focus on group participation elements.