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Foundations of Information Technology (230.104)
6 points / Semester 1
Handbook Description
The official Handbook entry Unit Aims
By the completion of this unit, you should understand several aspects
of information technology, its
principles, and its practices.
The material in this unit will cover three broad areas of information technology.
General principles.
The functions, benefits and impact of information technology will be addressed.
We will place "computing" in context with information technology.
You will have an understanding of the impact of information technology on the individual and society.
Applications. You will use applications
commonly associated with information technology. In particular you will understand the
principles behind spreadsheets, word processing, databases, web browser technology and web authoring
systems. You will be proficient in their use through laboratory based work.
Systems. In this unit we will cover the "technological" aspects of information
technology by investigating "systems". You will understand the general principles
of the computer, support devices, single and multi-user operating systems,
networks, client-server systems and understand the Internet and the rapidly emerging role of
the World Wide Web.
A component of this course will be focussed on programming.
This unit will provide you will the elementary skills of
programming so that you will be more than an information technology end-user, and be able
to construct your own programming solutions to a variety of tasks.
The unit develops the specific generic attributes of:
- the ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution;
- the ability to communicate effectively in the written form;
- the ability to demonstrate general IT skills, understanding of the role of applications and the use of networks;
- the ability to perform effectively as an individual;
- the ability to engage in lifelong learning.
Teaching Staff
Textbook
The textbook is also available from United Booksellers, Shop 5 126 Broadway Nedlands.
Behrouz A. Forouzan, Foundations of Computer Science - From Data Manipulation to Theory of Computation , Thomson Learning , ISBN: 0-534-37968-0
Recommended Reading
The following books are recommended reading, and copies are held in the Library's Closed Reserve.
Peter Norton, Introduction to Computers (Fifth Edition), Glencoe/McGraw-Hill (2003)
Thomas Powell, HTML & XHTML: The Complete Reference (Fourth Edition), McGraw-Hill (2003)
Robert T. Grauer and Maryann Barber, Exploring Microsoft Excel 2003 Comprehensive, Prentice Hall (2003)
Assessment
The assessment of this unit will consist of two practical components
reinforcing laboratory based skills in the form of small, group or individual based projects (all
of which contribute to 30% of your final mark), a mid term test (contributing 10% to
the final mark), one in-lab test in Week 12 (contributing 5% to the final mark) and tutorial participation - not just attendance (contributing to 5% of the final mark).
A 2 hour final examination held in the June examination period (contributing to
50% of your final mark).
Students must obtain a mark of at least 45% in the exam in order to pass the unit.
A poor exam performance cannot normally be offset by high marks for practical components.
| type |
contribution |
handed out |
due date |
| Practical |
15% |
week 4 |
17:00 26 April 2005 (Week 8) |
| Mid-Term Test |
10% |
during lecture |
27 April 2005 (Week 8) |
| Practical |
15% |
week 8 |
24:00 25 May 2005 (Week 12) |
| In-lab Test |
5% |
during lab 11 |
Week 12 |
| Tutorial |
5% |
before tutorial |
At the end of each tutorial |
| Examination |
50% |
|
June 2005 |
Unsatisfactory Progress
Any student who does not demonstrate satisfactory progress in this
unit, as defined in the FECM
Policy on Assessment Practices and Procedures, may be refused admission to the
final examinations. The final deadline for notification of unsatisfactory progress is the
last day of Week 10.
Penalties
The School of Computer Science and Software Engineering has adopted a policy on
minimum penalties for late items of assessment.
This is the default policy of all units unless indicated otherwise, in writing, by the
specific unit coordinator.
This policy shall apply to all items of continuous assessment, whether
submitted either physically or electronically. Immediately after the submission deadline for an item of continuous
assessment, a penalty of 20 percent will be applied PER DAY or PART THEREOF.
The minimum mark possible for late submission is zero. The
percentage is based on the item´s total contribution to the unit´s
assessment. For example, a project contributing 40% to the unit´s
assessment will incur a penalty of 8 marks for each day late until it is submitted or
a mark of zero results.
A more detailed description is given in this School´s Policy on
Late Submission. The Faculty does have an appeals procedure, the details of which can found at the Policy for Appeals.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is broadly defined to be when any portion
of the work presented for assessment, can be attributed
to another party. The student making the submission should acknowledge
what aspects of the presented work is not directly derived by
them. For the purposes of plagiarism it is irrelevant that you
have been given permission by someone to copy their work
and present it as your own.
You are directed to the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering Policy on Plagiarism and the Faculty of Engineering,Computing and Mathematics Policy on Plagiarism.
Faculty Scaling
Final assessment is subject to the Faculty Scaling Policy.
This information is correct as at 06-Apr-2005, but is subject
to change from time to time. In particular, The University
reserves the right to change the content and/or method of
presentation and/or the method of assessment of any unit of
study, to withdraw any unit of study or programme, and/or to
vary arrangements for any programme.
Copyright© 2005
School of Computer Science, & Software Engineering
The University of Western Australia
CRICOS Provider Code: 00126G
Last updated: 06-Apr-2005 |
