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Unit outline_

INFO1111: Computing 1A Professionalism

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to the fundamental principles that underlie professional practice in computing. It lays the foundation for later studies, and presents to the students challenges common to a multidisciplinary IT environment. The subject also provides students with the opportunity to develop important attributes such as communication skills, an understanding of professional ethics, and of working as a part of a team. Tool use is an important aspect of this unit: students are required to learn to use tools for planning and completing work, managing artefacts including reports, and communicating within the team. A selection of guest speakers will address students on different career paths. Dalyell students may enrol in ENGD1000 Building a Sustainable World in place of INFO1111

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ENGG1805 OR ENGG1111 OR ENGD1000
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Lowe, david.lowe@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) David Lowe, david.lowe@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Knowledge Task 2A (Advanced) - Final exam
Final exam (pre-req: Knowledge Task 1 = Strong)
0% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Oral exam
? 
Knowledge Task 2B (Advanced) - Oral exam
Oral exam (pre-req: Final Exam = OK)
0% Formal exam period 20 minutes (oral)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Skills Task 1 (Foundation)
Group project with individual sections, (Foundation Skills, 3 submissions)
0% Multiple weeks 13 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Assignment group assignment Skills Task 2 (Advanced)
Group project with individual sections, (Advanced Skills, 3 submissions)
0% Multiple weeks 13 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Small test hurdle task Knowledge Task 1 (Foundation) - Online Quiz
Mandatory exam to assess Knowledge stream
0% Multiple weeks 20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Self-learning Task 1 (Foundation)
Learning of selected technology (Self-Learning - Foundation, 3 submissions)
0% Multiple weeks 13 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO12 LO11 LO10
Small continuous assessment Self-learning Task 2 (Advanced)
Learning of selected technology (Self-Learning - Advanced, 3 submissions)
0% Multiple weeks 13 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO12 LO11 LO10
Participation Weeks 1-3 participation rating
Assessment of participation in class activities #earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 03 3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO12
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

The assessment in this unit is structured in an unusual way. There are three different assessment themes: Knowledge; Skills; and Self-Learning. For each theme, you will have multiple opportunities to submit an initial foundation task. If/when the foundation task is completed to a high level, you can move on to attempting the advanced task.

No marks are awarded for the tasks. Instead, they are each assessed as: not OK; OK; almost Strong; Strong. Your final result in the unit will then be determined based on the levels achieved in each task. e.g. Achieving an OK in the Knowledge and Skills foundation tasks will result in a 50P. Achieving a Strong in all three foundation tasks will result in a 70C.

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The usual University policy is that you are penalised 5% per day for late submissions (up to a maximum of 10 days). Since the assessment tasks in this unit don't have marks awarded (instead you achieve progressively higher levels) applying a percentage penalty doesn't make sense. Instead, you are penalised 0.5 marks per day for late submissions. These penalties accrue through the semester, and are applied to your final grade.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Nature of computing 2. Administration Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO9 LO11 LO12
Week 02 1. Core skills 2. CLIs and Scripts Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 03 1. Communications 2. LaTeX Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO9
Week 04 1. Technology stacks 2. make Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO7 LO8 LO11
Week 05 1. Version control 2. github Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO8 LO9 LO11
Week 06 1. Problem Solving 2. Debugging Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO10
Week 07 1. IP and Ethics 2. Review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Majors: Computer Science Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO11
Week 09 Majors: Software Development Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO11
Week 10 Majors: Cyber Security Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO11
Week 11 Majors: Data science Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO11
Week 12 Majors: Others.... Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO11
Week 13 Review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12

Attendance and class requirements

It is expected that students attend all tutorials that occur during periods when group projects are underway.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. analyse and evaluate situations where ethical issues arise within IT professional activities, and relate the choices to ethical frameworks as well as professional standards and requirements
  • LO2. explain the principles behind problem-solving in a professional IT environment and apply these to example problems
  • LO3. explain the theoretical concepts and principles of intellectual property and its protection
  • LO4. explain and give examples of the principles governing participation in a professional IT context including codes of practice, professional standards and legislative and statutory requirements
  • LO5. track issues, and manage group work and communication for a small scale project using project methodologies and tools, as well as evaluate the limits and capabilities of the project tools
  • LO6. negotiate and evaluate team responsibilities and team processes with respect to the various points of view of team members
  • LO7. execute defined project tasks within a predefined project context in small diverse teams
  • LO8. carry out the processes of the small team project according to professional codes and principles and then compare the process to what one would expect to find in a large-scale professional IT environment
  • LO9. confidently use IT specific language and concepts in communication
  • LO10. formulate queries about a particular topic, research, retrieve relevant information from digital and other sources, evaluate it for reliability and synthesise it for a task, as well as adapt communication to meet the format and needs of the audience (including producing a written report and delivering an oral presentation)
  • LO11. explain and give examples of the scope of activities and responsibilities of professionals working in the areas of information technology and how these are described by the degree major options
  • LO12. reflect on, and assess, own skills and attributes to create a professional development plan.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The structure of the assessment (and hence much of the learning) in INFO1111 is somewhat different from most units, and was run as a trial in 2021 and then refined in 2022 and 2023. The feedback indicated that some aspects of this worked really well (for example, many students really appreciated the opportunity to focus on topics of interest to them in the self-learning) and other aspects didn't work as well (for example, many students felt that being able to submit work at various points in the semester meant that they didn't have a clear deadline). Based on feedback, a number of improvements will be made for 2024. - Simplify the assessment structure and how the result are then used to derive a final unit result; - Clearer rubrics associated with the level of performance required in each assessment task; - Provide more specific skills development associated with how to approach your own self-learning.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.