This unit is a combination of topics from FIT9134 and FIT9135. The unit is being proposed as a replacement for those two units, in order to enable the reorganisation of the Foundations component of the Master of IT (addition of FIT9136 Algorithms and programming fundamentals in Python).

October 2019: Remove FIT9134 and other old FIT units from prohibitions as there is only approximately 25% content cross over.

16/09/2020 - Admin: Update to include new assessment and teaching approach fields as per Handbook requirements.

08/10/2020 - Malik Khan: Updated the 2hours lab activity to 2 hours tutorials.

10/02/2021: revised assessment regime to increase diversity of approaches and reduce workload

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. examine and describe computer hardware and software architectures;
2. explain the three major functions of an operating system (OS), namely, process management, memory management, and file management;
3. describe the underlying fundamental theories, models and protocols for transmitting data across a network;
4. describe the functions and architectures of local area networks, wide area networks and the Internet;
5. identify and describe fundamental concepts of network security including common threats and countermeasures;
6. evaluate several different design options and formulate a simple network design.

020113

This unit will introduce students to fundamentals of computer systems, with a focus on modern operating systems and networking technology. It covers: CPU, memory, storage and peripherals; Operating System basics; TCP/IP layered protocols; WAN and LAN networking fundamentals; internetworking and transport protocols; and basic concepts of computer and network security.

On-campus

Examination: (2 hours and 10 minutes) 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

1. Presentation - 10% - ULO: 3, 4, 6
2. Assignment - 20% - ULO: 3, 4, 5, 6
3. Lab assessment tasks - 20% - ULO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4. End of semester examination - 50% - ULO: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

• Contact hours for on-campus students:
  • Two hours of lectures
  • One 2-hour Tutorials
• Additional requirements (all students):
  • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

FIT