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.

2026 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

Nil

Incompatible

ISYS615 - Information Technology Infrastructure, ITEC615 - Information Technology Essentials

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

Evaluate traditional and modern IT infrastructure such as cloud computing.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC10

Implement virtualisation techniques and infrastruc...

Learning Outcome 02

Implement virtualisation techniques and infrastructure simulations using cloud-aligned tools.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC10

Design and deploy secure and scalable cloud-based ...

Learning Outcome 03

Design and deploy secure and scalable cloud-based systems using Azure services and automation tools.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC10

Critically evaluate environmental, and sustainabil...

Learning Outcome 04

Critically evaluate environmental, and sustainability considerations in IT infrastructure design and decision-making.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC6, GC7

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 consi...

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. 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

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC10

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

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC10

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.

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)

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC4, GC6

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Learning is scaffolded across the semester through progressively complex tasks that build on prior knowledge, integrating theory with applied skills. This design reflects constructivist and experiential learning principles, ensuring that students build a deep, practical understanding of IT infrastructure over time. The strategy is tailored to postgraduate learners by emphasising autonomy, real-world relevance, and critical engagement—core to professional growth in the rapidly evolving IT sector.

Multimode

This unit will be delivered in multimode over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period. Students will access all primary learning materials, formative activities, and summative assessments online via the LMS, enabling a flexible and engaging learning experience beyond the classroom. Weekly two-hour workshops and fortnightly labs are required. Workshops adopt a “learning by doing” approach—highly effective for IT education—where students develop technical competencies through hands-on practice. Labs offer structured experiential learning aligned with real-world application.

ACU Online

In ACU Online, students engage through an active learning model that supports exploration, reflection, and application of key concepts. Students are encouraged to participate in asynchronous weekly discussions, choose from varied learning resources, and receive timely, constructive feedback to support their development.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Erl, T., & Monroy, E. B. (2024). Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology, and Architecture (2nd ed.). Pearson.

Microsoft Learn. (2024). Azure Fundamentals Learning Path — Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals - Certifications | Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification and Beyond : Simplified Cloud Concepts and Core Azure Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners to Pass the AZ-900 Exam, Birmingham, Packt Publishing, Limited,, 2022.

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