Unit rationale, description and aim
Modern organisations require robust and scalable and and sustainable IT infrastructures to remain competitive and resilient. This unit introduces postgraduate students to the essential principles and practices of contemporary IT infrastructure, with a specific focus on cloud computing.
Students will gain foundational knowledge in cloud architecture, virtualisation, automation, and infrastructure management. They will also explore leading cloud platforms (e.g. MS Azure, AWS, GCP) and gain practical experience with Microsoft Azure. The unit covers evolving technologies, such as infrastructure as code, containerisation, edge computing, and sustainability practices. Students will apply these concepts through real-world case studies across various sectors. Aligned with Microsoft’s curriculum, the unit also provides a pathway to the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification. Ethical considerations and sustainability are integrated throughout, encouraging students to critically evaluate the social and environmental impacts of IT infrastructure decisions in line with Catholic Social Teaching (CST) principles, particularly stewardship and the common good.The aim is to equip students to design and manage secure, efficient, and sustainable IT infrastructures while critically evaluate their environmental impacts.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Evaluate traditional and modern IT infrastructure ...
Learning Outcome 01
Implement virtualisation techniques and infrastruc...
Learning Outcome 02
Design and deploy secure and scalable cloud-based ...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically evaluate environmental, and sustainabil...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
· Foundations of IT Infrastructure and Cloud Adoption
· Overview of Traditional vs. Cloud Infrastructure
· Cloud Service Models: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
· Azure Fundamentals (aligned with AZ-900 exam)
· Virtualisation Technologies (e.g., Hyper-V, VMware)
· Azure Resource Manager, Storage, and Compute
· Introduction to Cloud Security (e.g., Identity, IAM, Zero Trust)
· Infrastructure as Code and Automation (e.g., Bicep, Terraform overview)
· Containerisation Concepts (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes basics)
· Business Continuity, Monitoring, and Cost Management
· Emerging Trends: Edge Computing, Sustainable IT, Green Cloud
· Case Studies: Real-world infrastructure challenges across sectors (e.g., health, finance, education)
Assessment strategy and rationale
A progressive assessment structure is used to scaffold technical skills and certification-readiness.
The first task focuses on foundational skill development through hands-on lab exercises.
The second task prepares students for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification, validating conceptual understanding.
The final task integrates acquired skills in a comprehensive project requiring students to propose, justify, and design a cloud infrastructure solution for an Australian organisation, incorporating ethical and sustainable IT practices.
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement in all learning outcomes and obtain an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Assessments will be graded using tailored rubrics aligned to the unit’s learning outcomes and graduate capabilities.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Lab Portfolio This assessment cons...
Assessment 1: Lab Portfolio
This assessment consists of a series of lab exercises (e.g. MS Azure tools, virtualisation, and resource deployment) designed to help students transfer their theoretical knowledge into practical skills.
Students use Generative AI tools for developing diagrams and presentation slides and reflect on the effectiveness and limitations of them. Feedback from this assessment will help prepare students to apply the concepts in the assessment task 3.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Practical task
Artefact: Lab Report
30%
Assessment 2: Certification Exam (AZ-900) This a...
Assessment 2: Certification Exam (AZ-900)
This assessment requires students to undertake the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification Exam, which assesses foundational knowledge of cloud computing concepts and their implementation using Microsoft Azure services. The exam is scored on a scale from 100 to 1000, with a passing score of 700.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: One hour invigilated Exam
Artefacts: Certification and official transcript
30%
Assessment 3: Enterprise Cloud Infrastructure Des...
Assessment 3: Enterprise Cloud Infrastructure Design
In this assessment, students will work in groups (2-3 people) to design a cloud-based infrastructure solution for an Australian organisation. The design must address both functional and non-functional requirements (e.g. security, scalability, sustainability) and include a clear justification for each architectural decision.
Students use Generative AI tools for developing diagrams and presentation slides and reflect on the effectiveness and limitations of them.
Submission Type: Group
Assessment Method: Report + Presentation (assessed as a single task)
Artefacts: Report including Architecture diagrams, and design justification (1500 words), and a group presentation (7-10 min) + Online Viva
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit is delivered through Attendance and Online modes using a single, integrated learning and teaching strategy designed to ensure equivalent learning outcomes and a comparable learning experience for all students, while supporting diverse learning needs and maximising access.
Across both modes, learning activities are intentionally aligned to the unit learning outcomes and assessment tasks, and are underpinned by active learning, guided engagement with disciplinary knowledge, opportunities for peer interaction, and regular, timely feedback. While the mode of delivery shapes how students participate, the pedagogical intent, expectations and standards remain consistent.
In Attendance mode, students engage in weekly face-to-face classes at designated locations, supported by preparatory activities prior to workshops and opportunities for consolidation following classes. Online learning platforms are used to complement face-to-face teaching through additional resources and learning activities.
In Online mode, students engage with the same core content and learning outcomes through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, including structured discussions and applied learning tasks that support learning in professional contexts.