University of Sydney Handbooks - 2016 Archive

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Information Systems

Information Systems

INFO1003 Foundations of Information Technology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josiah Poon, A/Prof Simon Poon Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 3 hrs/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week. Prohibitions: INFS1000, INFO1000, ISYS1003, INFO1903 Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Information technologies (IT) and systems have emerged as the primary platform to support communication, collaboration, research, decision making, and problem solving in contemporary organisations. The essential necessity for all university students to acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills for applying IT effectively for a wide range of tasks is widely recognised. It is an introductory unit of study which prepares students from any academic discipline to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to be competent in the use of information technology for solving a variety of problems. The main focus of this unit is on modelling and problem solving through the effective use of using IT. Students will learn how to navigate independently to solve their problems on their own, and to be capable of fully applying the power of IT tools in the service of their goals in their own domains while not losing sight of the fundamental concepts of computing.
Students are taught core skills related to general purpose computing involving a range of software tools such as spreadsheets, database management systems, internet search engine, HTML, and JavaScript. Students will undertake practical tasks including authoring an interactive website using HTML, JavaScript and AJAX and building a small scale application for managing information. In addition, the course will address the many social, ethical, and intellectual property issues arising from the wide-spread use of information technology in our society.
Textbooks
INFO1003 Foundations of Information Technology Reader//
INFO1103 Introduction to Programming

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Irena Koprinska Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 1 hr/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Programming in a legible, maintainable, reusable way is essential to solve complex problems in the pervasive computing environments. This unit will equip students with foundation of programming concepts that are common to widely used programming languages. The "fundamentals-first and objects-later" strategy is used to progressively guide this introductory unit from necessary and important building blocks of programming to the object-oriented approach. Java, one of the most popular programming languages, is used in this unit. It provides interdisciplinary approaches, applications and examples to support students from broad backgrounds such as science, engineering, and mathematics.
Textbooks
Walter Savitch/Java: An Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming, 7th Edition/7/2014/9781292018331// Rober Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne/Introduction to Programming in JavaAn Interdisciplinary Approach/2007/978-0-321-49805-2//
INFO1903 Informatics (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alan Fekete Session: Semester 1 Classes: Tutorial 3 hrs/week; Lecture 3 hrs/week. Prerequisites: ATAR sufficient to enter BCST(Adv), BIT or BSc(Adv), or portfolio of work suitable for entry Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit covers advanced data processing and management, integrating the use of existing productivity software, e.g. spreadsheets and databases, with the development of custom software using the powerful general-purpose Python scripting language. It will focus on skills directly applicable to research in any quantitative domain. The unit will also cover presentation of data through written publications and dynamically generated web pages, visual representations and oral presentation skills. The assessment, a semester long project, involves the demonstration of these skills and techniques for processing and presenting data in a choice of domains.
INFO1105 Data Structures

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Kalina Yacef Session: Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week. Prerequisites: INFO1003 or INFO1103 or INFO1903 or INFS1000 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit will teach some powerful ideas that are central to quality software: data abstraction and recursion. It will also show how one can analyse the scalability of algorithms using mathematical tools of asymptotic notation. Contents include: both external "interface" view, and internal "implementation" details, for commonly used data structures, including lists, stacks, queues, priority queues, search trees, hash tables, and graphs; asymptotic analysis of algorithm scalability, including use of recurrence relations to analyse recursive code. This unit covers the way information is represented in each structure, algorithms for manipulating the structure, and analysis of asymptotic complexity of the operations. Outcomes include: ability to write code that recursively performs an operation on a data structure; experience designing an algorithmic solution to a problem using appropriate data structures, coding the solution, and analysing its complexity.
Textbooks
Michael Goodrich and Robert Tamassia/Data Structures and Algorithms in Java//
INFO1905 Data Structures (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Kalina Yacef Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week. Prerequisites: Distinction-level performance in INFO1103 or INFO1903 Prohibitions: INFO1105 Assumed knowledge: To enter this unit, students need to possess programming knowledge skills at the level of INFO1103 or INFO1903. Expected knowledge includes use of the Java collections APIs and recursion. Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 9 of the textbook provide review material on these topics. Students who have passed similar units at other universities should apply for special permission to enrol. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit will teach some powerful ideas that are central to quality software: data abstraction and recursion. It will also show how one can analyse the scalability of algorithms using mathematical tools of asymptotic notation. Contents include: both external "interface" view, and internal "implementation" details, for commonly used data structures, including lists, stacks, queues, priority queues, search trees, hash tables, and graphs; asymptotic analysis of algorithm scalability, including use of recurrence relations to analyse recursive code. This unit covers the way information is represented in each structure, algorithms for manipulating the structure, and analysis of asymptotic complexity of the operations. Outcomes include: ability to write code that recursively performs an operation on a data structure; experience designing an algorithmic solution to a problem using appropriate data structures, coding the solution, and analysing its complexity.
Textbooks
Michael Goodrich and Robert Tamassia/Data Structures and Algorithms in Java//
INFO1911 IT Special Project 1A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julian Mestre Session: Semester 1 Classes: Meeting 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 8 hrs/week. Assumed knowledge: Only by invitation from the School of IT. Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This is a unit of study for the junior student who is an academic high achiever as well as talented in IT areas. Students will be involved in advance projects (which may be research-oriented). They need to apply their problem solving and IT skills in the project. As a result, their horizon in computer science and information system is broadened.
INFO1912 IT Special Project 1B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julian Mestre Session: Semester 2 Classes: Meeting 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 8 hrs/week. Prerequisites: UAI score of at least 98 AND 85% average in Junior IT units of study AND 75% average in non-IT junior units of study AND Special permission by the School of IT Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This is a unit of study for the junior students who is an academic high achiever and is talentd in IT areas. Students will involve in advance projects which have research components, so that they can further demonstrate their IT and problem solving capabilities.
COMP2007 Algorithms and Complexity

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Anastasios Viglas Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 2 hrs/week. Prerequisites: INFO1105 or INFO1905. Assumed knowledge: MATH1004 or MATH1904 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit provides an introduction to the design and analysis of algorithms. The main aims are (i) to learn how to develop algorithmic solutions to computational problem and (ii) to develop understanding of algorithm efficiency and the notion of computational hardness.
Textbooks
Jon Kleinberg and Eva Tardos/Algorithm Design//
COMP2907 Algorithms and Complexity (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Anastasios Viglas Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 3 hrs/week; Tutorial 2 hrs/week. Prerequisites: Distinction level result in INFO1105 or INFO1905 Assumed knowledge: MATH1004 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
An advanced alternative to COMP2007; covers material at an advanced and challenging level.



This unit provides an introduction to the design and analysis of algorithms. The main aims are (i) to learn how to develop algorithmic solutions to computational problem and (ii) to develop understanding of algorithm efficiency and the notion of computational hardness.
Textbooks
J. Kleinberg and E. Tardos/Algorithm Design//
COMP2022 Formal Languages and Logic

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Kalina Yacef Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 1 hr/week. Prerequisites: INFO1103 or INFO1903 Assumed knowledge: MATH1004 or MATH2069 or MATH2969 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit aims at providing a deeper understanding of computing systems and of what computation is in general. It covers two essential theoretical aspects of computer science and gives students the foundations to understand the power as well as the limitations of computers. It covers various abstract models for computation such as finite automata, grammars and regular expressions, and the different classes of formal languages that these models recognize such as regular and context-free languages. It also covers the concept of formal proofs in propositional and predicate logic. The course concludes with Turing machines, as well as the notions of computability and decidability.
COMP2121 Distributed Systems and Network Principles

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Guillaume Jourjon Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 2 hrs/week. Prerequisites: (INFO1103 or INFO1903) and (INFO1105 or INFO1905) Corequisites: (COMP2007 OR COMP2907) Assumed knowledge: Introductory Java programming unit, Data Structures, Algorithms Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: The unit will provide the introductory platform for students interested in more advanced units in the area of distributed systems and networks, such as ELEC3506 (Data Communications and the Internet), COMP5116 (Internet Protocols), COMP5416 (Advanced Network Technologies), and COMP5426 (Parallel and Distributed Computing).
The unit will provide a broad introduction to the principles of distributed systems and their design; provide students the fundamental knowledge required to analyse and construct various types of distributed systems; explain the common architectural principles and approaches used in the design of networks at different scales (e.g. shared medium access and routing); introduce the programming skills required for developing distributed applications, and will cover the use of Java class libraries and APIs; cover common approaches and techniques in distributed resource management (e.g. task scheduling).
Textbooks
Tanenbaum & van Steen/Distributed Systems Principles and Paradigms, 2nd edition/2007//
COMP2129 Operating Systems and Machine Principles

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr John Stavrakakis, Dr Masahiro Takatsuka Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week. Prerequisites: INFO1103 or INFO1903. Assumed knowledge: INFO1105 OR INFO1905. Assessment: Through semester assessment (60%) and Final Exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
In this unit of study elementary methods for developing robust, efficient, and re-usable software will be covered. The unit is taught in C, in a Unix environment. Specific coding topics include memory management, the pragmatic aspects of implementing data structures such as lists and hash tables and managing concurrent threads. Debugging tools and techniques are discussed and common programming errors are considered along with defensive programming techniques to avoid such errors. Emphasis is placed on using common Unix tools to manage aspects of the software construction process, such as version control and regression testing. The subject is taught from a practical viewpoint and it includes a considerable amount of programming practice.
Textbooks
TBA during first lecture//
INFO2110 Systems Analysis and Modelling

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Vera Chung Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 2 hrs/week. Assumed knowledge: Experience with a data model as in INFO1003 or INFO1103 or INFS1000 Assessment: Through semester assessment (30%) and Final Exam (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the analysis of complex systems. Key topics are the determination and expression of system requirements (both functional and on-functional), and the representation of structural and behavioural models of the system in UML notations. Students will be expected to evaluate requirements documents and models as well as producing them. This unit covers essential topics from the ACM/IEEE SE2004 curriculum, especially from MAA Software Modelling and Analysis.
Textbooks
Dennis, A., Wixom, B.H., and Tegarden, D./System Analysis & Design with UML Version 2/3rd/2009//
INFO2120 Database Systems 1

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Uwe Roehm Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week; Project Work - own time 3 hrs/week. Prerequisites: INFO1003 OR INFO1103 OR INFO1903 OR INFS1000 OR DECO1012. Prohibitions: INFO2905, COMP5138, INFO2820 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The ubiquitous use of information technology leaves us facing a tsunami of data produced by users, IT systems and mobile devices. The proper management of data is hence essential for all applications and for effective decision making within organizations.
This unit of study will introduce the basic concepts of database designs at the conceptual, logical and physical levels. We will place particular emphasis on introducing integrity constraints and the concept of data normalization which prevents data from being corrupted or duplicated in different parts of the database. This in turn helps in the data remaining consistent during its lifetime. Once a database design is in place, the emphasis shifts towards querying the data in order to extract useful information. The unit will introduce different query languages with a particular emphasis on SQL, which is industry standard. Other topics covered will include the important concept of transaction management, application development with a backend database, an overview of data warehousing and OLAP, and the use of XML as a data integration language.
INFO2150 Health System Data Standards and Analysis

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josiah Poon Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture(2.00 hours per week), Tutorial(1.00 hours per week), Independent Study(6.00 hours per week), Prerequisites: INFO1003 Assumed knowledge: Basic knowledge of Entity Relationship Modelling, database technology and SQL Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Health organisations cannot function effectively without computer information systems. Clinical data are stored and distributed in different databases, different formats and different locations. It requires a lot of effort to create an integrated and clean-up version of data from multiple sources, This unit provides basic introduction to the process and knowledge to enable the analysis of health data. The unit will be of interest to students seeking the understanding of the various coding standards in health industry, data retrieval from databases, data linkage issue, cleaning and pre-processing steps, necessary statistical techniques and presentation of results. It will be valuable to those who want to work as health-related occupations, such as health informatics analysts, healthcare administrators, medical and health services manager or research officers in hospitals, government health agencies and research organisations. Having said that, a good understanding of health data analysis is a useful asset to all students.
INFO2820 Database Systems 1 (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Uwe Roehm Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 3 hrs/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week; Project Work - own time 3 hrs. Prerequisites: Distinction-level result in INFO1003 or INFO1103 or INFO1903 or INFO1105 or INFO1905 or DECO1012. Prohibitions: COMP5138, INFO2905, INFO2120 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The ubiquitous use of information technology leaves us facing a tsunami of data produced by users, IT systems and mobile devices. The proper management of data is essential for all applications, especially new ones that want to make intelligent use of the data, and for effective decision making within organisations.
This unit of study is an advanced alternative to INFO2120 that will introduce the basic concepts of database designs at the conceptual, logical and physical levels. Particular emphasis will be placed on introducing integrity constraints and the concept of data normalization which prevents data from being corrupted or duplicated in different parts of the database. This in turn helps in the data remaining consistent during its lifetime. Once a database design is in place, the emphasis shifts towards querying the data in order to extract useful information. The unit will introduce different query languages with a particular emphasis on SQL and, in INFO2820, deductive databases and DATALOG, which are all industry standard. Other topics covered will include recursive SQL, graphs in databases, NoSQL databases, transaction management, application development with a backend database, an overview of data warehousing and OLAP, and the use of XML as a data integration language.
INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr John Stavrakakis Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Laboratory 1 hr/week. Assumed knowledge: In order to enter this unit, students should have at least one semester of tertiary study of IT. In particular, we assume familiarity with the value of information, and with the varied uses of IT in business and personal activities. We also assume an introductory level of skill in using a computer (for example, creating and moving files and folders, downloading and installing files, etc). The assumed background would be achieved by completing INFO1003 Foundations of IT. We also assume previous instruction in verbal presentations and teamwork. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit provides a broad introduction to the field of IT security. We examine secure and insecure programs, secure and insecure information, secure and insecure computers, and secure and insecure network infrastructure. Key content includes the main threats to security; how to analyse risks; the role in reducing risk that can be played by technical tools (such as encryption, signatures, access control, firewalls, etc); the limitations of technical defences; and the simple process and behavioural changes that can reduce risk.
Textbooks
Pfleeger, C. & Pfleeger, S./Security in Computing/4th/2006//
INFO2911 IT Special Project 2A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julian Mestre Session: Semester 1 Classes: Meeting 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 8 hrs/week. Prerequisites: 85% average in IT units of study in previous year AND 75% average in other non-IT units of study in previous year AND Special permission by the School of IT. Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit enables talented students to apply their IT knowledge from the junior years to do more exciting projects. Students are provided with the opportunities to get involved in projects which are research intensive.
INFO2912 IT Special Project 2B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julian Mestre Session: Semester 2 Classes: Meeting 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 8 hrs/week. Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit enables talented students to apply their It knowledge from their junior years to do more exciting projects. Students are provided with the opportunities to get involved in projects which are research intensive.
ISYS2140 Information Systems

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Kuan Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 1 hr/week. Prerequisites: INFO1103 or INFO1903 or INFS1000 or INFO1003 Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will provide a comprehensive conceptual and practical introduction to information systems (IS) in contemporary organisations. Key topics covered include:
* Basic concepts of information systems
* Network fundamentals and applications
* E-business and e-commerce
* Information systems for competitive advantage
* Functional and enterprise systems
* Business intelligence
* Information systems acquisition
* Information security, ethics, and privacy
INFO3220 Object Oriented Design

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Masahiro Takatsuka Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 2 hrs/week; Project Work - own time 2 hrs. Prerequisites: INFO2110 and COMP2129 Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit covers essential design methods and language mechanisms for successful object-oriented design and programming. C++ is used as the implementation language and a special emphasis is placed on those features of C++ that are important for solving real-world problems. Advanced software engineering features, including exceptions and name spaces are thoroughly covered.
Textbooks
Lippman, Lajoie, Moo/C++ Primer/5/2013/9780321714114// Gamma, Helm, Johnson, Vlissides/Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software/2004/9780201633610//
INFO3315 Human-Computer Interaction

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Judy Kay Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week. Assumed knowledge: Background in programming and operating systems that is sufficient for the student to independently learn new programming tools from standard online technical materials. Ability to conduct a literature search. Ability to write reports of work done. Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This is a course in HCI, Human Computer Interaction, with a focus on web-based Computing. It introduces the key aspects of HCI and web-based system design.
Textbooks
Hartson, Rex, and Pardha S. Pyla./The UX Book: Process and Guidelines for Ensuring a Quality User Experience./2012//
INFO3402 Management of IT Projects and Systems

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Bernard Wong, A/Prof Simon Poon Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 2 hrs. Assumed knowledge: INFO2110 or INFO2810 or INFO2900 Assessment: Through semester assessment (45%) and Final Exam (55%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This course introduces the basic processes and techniques for managing IT projects, systems and services, throughout the IT lifecycle. It addresses both the technical and behavioural aspects of IT management at the enterprise level. Major topics include: IT planning, project planning and scheduling, project tracking, resource estimation, team management, software testing, change and problem management, and quality assurance.
Textbooks
Schwalbe, K. (2014)/Information Technology Project Management,/7th /2014/1285847091//
INFO3404 Database Systems 2

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Sanjay Chawla Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 1 hr/week; Practical assignment on database tuning. 6 hrs. Prohibitions: INFO3504 Assumed knowledge: This unit of study assumes that students have previous knowledge of database concepts including (1) ER modelling, (2) the relational data model and (3) SQL. The prerequisite material is covered in INFO 2120/2820. Familiarity with a programming language (e.g. Java or C) is also expected. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study provides a comprehensive overview of the internal mechanisms and algorithms of Database Management Systems (DBMS) and other systems that manage large data collections. These skills are needed for successful performance tuning and to understand the scalability challenges faced by the information age. This unit builds upon the second- year INFO2120 - 'Database Systems 1' and correspondingly assumes a sound understanding of SQL, schema design and transactional programs.
The first part of this subject focuses on mechanisms for large-scale data management. It provides a deep understanding of the internal components of a database engine. Topics include: physical data organization and disk-based index structures, query processing and optimisation, locking and logging, and database tuning.
The second part focuses on the large-scale management of textual data such as by an information retrieval system or with web search engines. Topics include: distributed and replicated databases, information retrieval, document management, text index structures, and web-scale data processing.
The unit will be of interest to students seeking an introduction to database tuning, disk-based data structures and algorithms, and information retrieval. It will be valuable to those pursuing such careers as Software Engineers, Database Experts, Database Administrators, and e-Business Consultants.
INFO3504 Database Systems 2 (Adv)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Sanjay Chawla Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Advanced Seminar 1 hr/week; Tutorial/lab after advanced seminar 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 6 hrs. Prerequisites: Distinction-level result in INFO2120 or INFO2820 or COMP2007 or COMP2907 Prohibitions: INFO3404 Assumed knowledge: This unit of study assumes that students have previous knowledge of database concepts including (1) ER modelling, (2) the relational data model and (3) SQL. The prerequisite material is covered in INFO 2120/2820. Sound experience with the C programming language and the Unix software development environment is also expected. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study provides a comprehensive overview of the internal mechanisms and algorithms of Database Management Systems (DBMS) and other systems that manage large data collections. These skills are needed for successful performance tuning and to understand the scalability challenges faced by the information age. This unit builds upon the second- year INFO2820 - 'Database Systems 1 (Adv)' and correspondingly assumes a sound understanding of SQL, schema design and transactional programs.
The first part of this subject focuses on mechanisms for large-scale data management. It provides a deep understanding of the internal components of a database engine. Topics include: physical data organization and disk-based index structures, query processing and optimisation, locking and logging, and database tuning.
The second part focuses on the large-scale management of textual data such as by an information retrieval system or with web search engines. Topics include: distributed and replicated databases, information retrieval, document management, text index structures, and web-scale data management.
This is an advanced alternative to INFO3404; it covers material at an advanced and challenging level. In particular, students in this advanced stream will study an actual DBMS implementation on the source code level, and also gain practical experience in extending the DBMS code base.
INFO3406 Introduction to Data Analytics

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Sanjay Chawla Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Laboratory 1 hr/week. Prerequisites: (MATH1005 OR MATH1905) AND (INFO2120 OR INFO2820). Assumed knowledge: Basic statistics and database management. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Big Data refers to datasets that are massive, heterogenous, and dynamic that are beyond current approaches for the capture, storage, management, and analysis of the data. The focus of this unit is on understanding and applying relevant concepts, techniques, algorithms, and tools for the analysis, management and visualization of big data - with the goal of keeping abreast of the continual increase in the volume and complexity of data sets and enabling discovery of information and knowledge to guide effective decision making .
INFO3600 Major Development Project (Advanced)

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Judy Kay Session: Semester 2 Classes: Project Work - in class 2 hrs/week; Site Visit 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 16 hrs/week; Meeting 1 hr/week. Prerequisites: INFO3402 Prohibitions: COMP3615, ISYS3400 Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Only available to students in BIT, BCST(Adv) or BSc(Adv).
This unit will provide students an opportunity to carry out substantial aspects of a significant software development project. The project will be directed towards assisting a client group (from industry or with strong industry links). The student's contribution could cover one or more aspects such as requirements capture, system design, implementation, change management, upgrades, operation, and/or tuning. Assessment will be based on the quality of the delivered outputs, the effectiveness of the process followed, and the understanding of the way the work fits into the client's goals, as shown in a written report.
INFO3911 IT Special Project 3A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julian Mestre Session: Semester 1 Classes: Meeting 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 8 hrs/week. Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Enrolment by department permission for students with 85% average in School of IT units plus minimum 75% average in other units
This unit enables talents students with maturing IT knowledge to integrate various IT skills and techniques to carry out projects. These projects are largely research intensive.
INFO3912 IT Special Project 3B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julian Mestre Session: Semester 2 Classes: Meeting 1 hr/week; Project Work - own time 8 hrs/week. Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Enrolment by department permission for students with 85% average in School of IT units plus minimum 75% average in other units
This unit enables talents students with maturing IT knowledge to integrate various IT skills and techniques to carry out projects. These projects are



largely research intensive.
ISYS3400 Information Systems Project

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Kuan Session: Semester 2 Classes: Project Work - in class 2 hrs/week; Project Work - own time 6 hrs/week; Site Visit 1 hr/week; Meeting 1 hr/week. Prerequisites: INFO2110 and INFO2120 and ISYS2140 and INFO3402 and ISYS3401 Prohibitions: INFO3600 or ISYS3207 Assessment: Through semester assessment (80%) and Final Exam (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will provide students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and practise the skills acquired in the prerequisite and qualifying units, in the context of a substantial information systems research or development project and to experience in a realistic way many aspects of analysing and solving information systems problems. Since information systems projects are often undertaken by small teams, the experience of working in a team is seen as an important feature of the unit. Students often find it difficult to work effectively with others and will benefit from the opportunity provided by this unit to further develop this skill.
ISYS3401 Analytical Methods and Information Systems

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Simon Poon Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 1 hr/week. Assumed knowledge: INFO2110 and ISYS2140 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Information Systems (IS) professionals in today's organisations are required to play leadership roles in change and development. Your success in this field will be aided by your being able to carry out research-based investigations using suitable methods and mastery over data collection and analysis to assist in managing projects and in decision making. Practical research skills are some of the most important assets you will need in your career.
This unit of study will cover important concepts and skills in practical research for solving and managing important problems. This will also provide you with the skills to undertake the capstone project in the IS project unit of study offered in Semester 2 or other projects. It will also provide hand-on experience of using Microsoft Excel and other tools to perform some of the quantitative analysis.
ELEC3610 E-Business Analysis and Design

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Abelardo Pardo Session: Semester 1 Classes: Project Work - in class 2 hrs; Project Work - own time 4 hrs; Presentation 3 hrs; Tutorial 1 hr/week. Prohibitions: EBUS3003 Assessment: Through semester assessment (70%) and Final Exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit examines the essential pre-production stages of designing successful internet websites and services. It focuses on the aspects of analysis, project specification, design, and prototype that lead up to the actual build of a website or application. Topics include, B2C, B2B and B2E systems, business models, methodologies, modeling with use cases / UML and WebML, the Project Proposal and Project Specification Document, Information Architecture and User-Centred Design, legal issues, and standards-based web development. Students build a simple use-case based e-business website prototype with web standards. A final presentation of the analysis, design and prototype are presented in a role play environment where students try to win funding from a venture capitalist. An understanding of these pre-production fundamentals is critical for future IT and Software Engineering Consultants, Project Managers, Analysts and CTOs.
Textbooks
Gary P. Schneider/Electronic Commerce/10/2013/ISBN-10: 1133526829, ISBN-13: 9781133526827//