48410 Introduction to ICT Engineering

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Handbook description

This subject introduces students to the foundations of information and communication technology (ICT) engineering. This includes the nature of the ICT industry and basic concepts and terminology used in ICT. Particular emphasis is given to the way in which the ICT industry has developed and is continuing to evolve, and the way in which this industry can benefit from (and in turn help shape) the practice of engineering.

Case studies are undertaken as problem-based assessment items which offer students opportunities to delve into the specialties of telecommunications engineering, computer systems engineering and software engineering.

Subject objectives/outcomes

The aims of the subject are to:

1. provide a set of foundations for the ICT Engineering program at UTS which enables students to understand, contextualise and integrate the subsequent elements of their academic program;
2. introduce students to the nature, scope and role of information and communications technologies (ICT) in historical, social and technical contexts;
3. introduce students to engineering innovation processes (particularly in the context of ICT Engineering) through analysis of industry and social needs;
4. develop students’ understanding of and interest in current issues and trends in the field of ICT engineering;
5. develop students practical skills in implementing simple ICT systems through a laboratory program;
6. familiarise students with the language of ICT engineering; and
7. develop students appreciation of professionalism in academic and engineering contexts.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Research the organisational needs of ICTs for a particular organisation; (PF1)
• Demonstrate ethical conduct within their academic work environment as well as in their role as representatives of the UTS Engineering student body in their interaction with external stakeholders; (PF1)
• Give examples of the mutual shaping of engineers’ professional roles and social change in the context of ICT engineering.(PF1)

Students will be able to:

• Manage their defined responsibilities in completing a group project; (PF2)
• Negotiate group dynamics and conflicts through critical reflection and seeking timely assistance from appropriate sources; (PF2)
• Produce and present an academic report in a professional manner. (PF2)

Students will be able to

• Describe the relationships between and workings of some basic ICT technologies, using the language of ICT engineering; (PF3)
• Explain and give examples of some of the technical challenges and tradeoffs in ICT engineering; (PF3)
• Set up a simple live telecommunications networks in a laboratory environment with assistance and guidance; (PF3)
• Begin to understand representations of information and start the development of the manipulation of information (signal processing). (PF3)
• Maintain a laboratory logbook. (PF3)

Students will be able to

• Demonstrate sensitivity and respect in working with others. (PD1)

Students will be able to

• Interpret, apply information and follow procedures in lab notes; (AD1)
• Produce a laboratory logbook; (AD1)
• Produce a project report with other project team members. (AD1)

Students will be able to

• Select, evaluate and critically read academic and authoritative texts for academic purposes. (AD2)

Students will be able to

• Identify problems and apply problem solving strategies in a laboratory situation; (AD2)
• Identify interpersonal conflicts in project work and seek resolution in a timely and appropriate manner (AD2)

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

Stages 1 & 2 - Focus on the university experience
Orient and support students as learners in the University including

1. developing academic literacy skills
2. gaining an overview of professional engineering and how it is informed by academic experiences and workplace experiences
3. developing information literacy skills
4. beginning to develop a personal Portfolio
5. starting to build the academic foundations of professional engineering education
6. starting to acquire equipment mastery, and computer and programming skills required for the academic & workplace experiences

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and laboratories. Students work in pairs or groups in the practical computer laboratories, and in groups on the assignments involving problem definition, research, and analysis. Students are encouraged to become aware of learning support available to them (texts, classes, UTSOnline, peers) and how to use this support.

Ultimately learning is the student’s responsibility. It is recognised that at the early stage of the course, when this subject is usually encountered, students are unpractised in independent learning and unaccustomed to the expectations of a university. Indeed it is an aim of this subject to help students develop strategies that will enable them to more effectively undertake the responsibility of learning. It is hoped that these strategies will help students throughout the rest of their course and later in practice. In this subject students are encouraged to recognise the resources around them, and to use them. Activities in the subject have been designed to encourage student learning.
Specific strategies include:

• Establishment of study groups to encourage collaborative learning with peers and a tutor. You will also be provided with focus questions to guide your reading.
• Plenary resource sessions during which information and guidance regarding the teaching staff’s expectations of students will be presented.
• A laboratory program.
• Individual reflections to help you reflect on and consolidate what you have learned.

Study groups are used to develop skills such as:

• teamwork skills (skills in working within team dynamics; leadership skills);
• analytical and cognitive skills (analysing task requirements; questioning; critically interpreting material; evaluating the work of others);
• collaborative skills (conflict management and resolution; accepting intellectual criticism; flexibility; negotiation and compromise); and
• organisational and time management skills: 'Having to do group work has changed the way I worked. I could not do it all the night before. I had to be more organised and efficient'.

(from "Assessing group work" section of Assessing Learning in Australian Universities, Centre for the Study for Higher Education, University of Melbourne, http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/assessinglearning/03/group.html, [last accessed 20/02/08].

Members of the teaching staff will also be available for individual or group consultation during timetabled LDC hours. To benefit from this contact students are advised to come prepared, that is with evidence of your individual effort to understand, notes and specific questions.

Students are also encouraged to obtain the recommended material associated with the subject. Material relevant to the subject will be available in the LDC, in the library and on the subject UTSOnline web-site.

Some of the concepts and ideas that you will encounter while studying in this subject may be difficult to understand. Do not be satisfied with a lack of, or a superficial understanding. Use the resources around you. Read widely and critically, ask questions and discuss. In short be active about learning.

Effective oral and written communication skills, as well as cross-cultural and interpersonal skills are essential for professional practice. Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism and sensitivity in working with students from backgrounds different from their own, and to support each other in the learning process.

Students who are not confident in their English writing should seek assistance from the ELSSA Centre. Students who do not demonstrate adequate academic literacy skills by the end of the semester will be required to complete an ELSSA intensive course.

Introduction to Information and Communication Technology Engineering (IICT) is a Field of Practice (FoP) subject undertaken by most students enrolled in the ICT major in the engineering course at UTS. Students from other majors, students undertaking a general engineering degree and students from other faculties may also enrol in the subject. The subject has no pre-requisite requirements.

In this subject you will explore issues related to ICT that include fundamental technical concepts and systems level implications. You will consider how, as future engineers, you have a responsibility to understand and respond to stakeholder requirements. It is hoped that you will develop an understanding of the context and language of ICT engineering. You will also be expected to develop reporting and presentation skills.

You will undertake a laboratory program that will enable you to develop skills in computer hardware and software.

Introduction to ICT Engineering is a 6 credit point subject. The faculty expects a nine hour/ week commitment for the subject. Some of this occurs during class time. You are expected to attend all timetabled sessions. As well as focussing on your own learning, we expect you to contribute to your peers' learning. Students who do not attend, are not prepared for or do not contribute during timetabled sessions can expect no special consideration in the subject.

Graduate Attributes:

Facilitates students’ development of specialist skills and knowledge, and strategies for doing so in the following fields
of practice: developing competence using complex development tools used in modifying operating systems source
code; developing a theoretical base for their field of practice; developing competence in the use of laboratory
equipment through laboratory based project work and problem based learning.

Assessment Items 1, 2 and 3 (the assignments) verify: Problem Solving and Design, and Self Management, Abstraction and
Modelling, and Communication and Coordination.
Assessment Item 4 (the final examination) verifies: Problem Solving and Design, and Self Management.

Content

The subject will be structured around the following broad areas of inquiry:

1. What are/is ICT?, What is engineering? What is ICT engineering?  Sources of information on ICT Engineering.
2. What are basic I&C technologies, how have they evolved, and how are they currently being used: basic communication technologies; networking;  software and computing technologies; embedded systems
3. What is the internet? How does communication take place over the internet? What enabling technologies were necessary for the internet to evolve? What is the Web?
4. What ICT architectures and models are utilised? The OSI model; software modelling; basic UML; network modelling; frameworks, languages, COTS vs component-based development.
5. How are Engineering approaches and methodologies applied in the context of ICT, for example in relation to both technical (e.g. realtime performance, latency, concurrency, security) and non-technical (e.g. privacy, accessibility, mobility, legal, regulatory) issues?
6. What are illustrative ICT applications?
7. How does ICT shape and is shaped by organisational and social practices and cultures?
8. How are ICTs applied in other areas of engineering?
9. What tools and techniques will be useful during your studies in ICT engineering at UTS?

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Assignment 1 - Telecommunications Engineering Module Case Study

Assessment Item 2: Assignment 2 - Computer Systems Engineering Module Case Study

Assessment Item 3: Assignment 3 - Software Engineering Module Case Study

Assessment Item 4: Final Examination

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject ...

• Students must attempt all components of the course. A lack of a contribution to a group task will be interpreted as no attept at that particular task; and,
• Students must obtain an overall mark of at least 50% in the subject; and,
• Students must obtain a raw score of at least 50% in the final examination.

Stuidents who achieve a total mark of 50 or more, but fail to meet the requirement for the final examination will be awarded an X grade (fail)

Recommended texts

There will be several documents placed on UTSOnline, which students will be expected to review, discuss and critique.

Other resources

This subject will be supported by UTS-Online. It will be used for announcements, distribution of information, links, discussion and submission of tasks.