Unit rationale, description and aim
Information technology infrastructure underpins the effective delivery of digital services across contemporary organisations. A sound understanding of IT infrastructure architecture is essential for students seeking to operate responsibly and effectively within technology-enabled environments. This foundation level unit is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of architecture components of IT Infrastructure. It covers the Information Technology architectural building blocks which include hardware, software and network facilities that are necessary to deliver seamless and ethically informed Information technology services. This includes ethical considerations such as stewardship responsibilities.
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the fundamental understanding of IT infrastructure capabilities and the knowledge and practical skills they need to plan, design or manage information technology solutions.
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.
Examine different number systems and their applica...
Learning Outcome 01
Determine how to operate digital information and c...
Learning Outcome 02
Design cloud-based solutions and services by utili...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply principles underlying social, environmental ...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to computer systems
- Data representation
- Digital logic operations
- Azure Fundamentals
- Number system
- Memory and storage organisation
- Computer networks and applications
- Packet Transmission and Internetworking
- Ethical Issues
- Social and environmental Impacts of IT
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. The first assessment task provides opportunities for students to apply their theoretical knowledge in solving problems in the environment. The purpose of this assessment is to guide students to build essential skills required to solve critical problems. The second assessment is an opportunity to assess students’ understanding of digital logic operations. The final assessment is an exam which provides students with an opportunity to evaluate their knowledge and skills learned throughout the unit.
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure students’ level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the unit.
Overview of assessments
Task 1: Lab assessment This assessment consists ...
Task 1: Lab assessment
This assessment consists of a series of weekly lab exercises that will assist students to transfer their theoretical knowledge to practical skills with the help of lab instructor. The feedback from this assessment will help students to be ready to apply the concepts in the assessment task 2.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Lab Practical task
Artefact: Source Code/Lab report
20%
Task 2: Logic Implementation The purpose of thi...
Task 2: Logic Implementation
The purpose of this assessment is to assess students’ understanding of number representation. Students will solve a digital logic problem using different logic gates. They will also need to submit a 1500-word report detailing the design process, truth table, inputs and outputs.
50% Group (collective) mark – awarded for the overall quality of the group work.
50% Individual mark – awarded based on each student’s demonstrated contribution.
Submission Type: Group
Assessment Method: Interview, Written report
Artefacts: LogiSim Circuit, Report
30%
Assessment Task 3: Cloud based Solutions Design a...
Assessment Task 3: Cloud based Solutions Design and Case Study
Develop professional skills through the application of theoretical knowledge and understanding of cloud computing platforms and technologies using Azure cloud platform. Students are required to sit for Microsoft Azure fundamentals certification exam and pass the exam to receive Azure fundamentals certification. The assessment task will also test how effectively students can apply social, environmental and ethical requirements in designing IT solutions through a case study.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: MS Certification Exam & Written Report
Artefacts: Report (1200 words) + Viva
50%
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.
Across both delivery modes, students should plan to commit approximately 150 hours to this unit over the semester, including participation in learning activities, independent study, readings and assessment preparation.