University of Sydney Handbooks - 2017 Archive

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Unit of study descriptions

Master of Engineering majoring in Software Engineering

To qualify for the award of the Master of Engineering in this specialisation, a candidate must complete 72 credit points, including core and elective units of study as listed below.
Candidates with a Bachelor of Engineering Honours or equivalent in the relevant discipline, and who have reached the required level of academic achievement in their prior degree, may be eligible for a reduction of volume in learning of up to 24 credit points.

Core units

Candidates must complete 24 credit points of Core units.
Where Reduced Volume Learning has been granted candidates must complete a minimum of 12 credit points of Core units.
ENGG5102 Entrepreneurship for Engineers

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Prohibitions: ELEC5701 Assumed knowledge: Some limited industry experience is preferred but not essential. Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study aims to introduce graduate engineering students from all disciplines to the concepts and practices of entrepreneurial thinking. Introduction to Entrepreneurship will offer the foundation for leaders of tomorrow's high-tech companies, by providing the knowledge and skills important to the creation and leadership of entrepreneurial ventures. The focus of the unit of study is on how to launch, lead and manage a viable business starting with concept validation to commercialisation and successful business formation.
The following topics are covered: Entrepreneurship: Turning Ideas into Reality, Building the Business Plan, Creating a Successful Financial Plan, Project planning and resource management, Budgeting and managing cash flow, Marketing and advertising strategies, E-Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Procurement Management Strategies, The Legal Environment: Business Law and Government Regulation, Intellectual property: inventions, patents and copyright, Workplace, workforce and employment topics, Conflict resolution and working relationships, Ethics and Social Responsibility.
ENGG5202 Sustainable Design, Eng and Mgt

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Assumed knowledge: General knowledge in science and calculus and understanding of basic principles of chemistry, physics and mechanics Assessment: Through semester assessment (70%) and Final Exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The aim of this unit of study is to give students an insight and understanding of the environmental and sustainability challenges that Australia and the planet are facing and how these have given rise to the practice of Sustainable Design, Engineering and Management. The objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of the nature and causes of the major environmental problems facing our planet, with a particular focus on energy and water, and how engineering is addressing these challenges.
The course starts with a description of the physical basis of global warming, and proceeds with a discussion of Australia's energy and water use, an overview of sustainable energy and water technologies and sustainable building design. Topics include the principles of sustainability, sustainable design and social responsibility, sustainable and renewable energy sources, and sustainable use of water. Aspects of designing a sustainable building, technologies that minimise energy and water consumption, consider recycling and reducing waste disposal using advanced design will also be discussed during this course.
ENGG5103 Safety Systems and Risk Analysis

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Assessment: Through semester assessment (60%) and Final Exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
To develop an understanding of principles of safety systems management and risk management, as applied to engineering systems. AS/NZS 4801:2001 & 4804:2001 form the foundation for teaching methods of developing, implementing, monitoring and improving a safety management system in an Engineering context.
Students will be exposed to a number of case studies related to safety systems and on completion of the course be able to develop a safety management plan for an Engineering facility that meets the requirements of NSW legislation and Australian standards for Occupational Health and Safety management systems.
Students are introduced to a variety of risk management approaches used by industry, and methods to quantify and estimate the consequences and probabilities of risks occurring, as applied to realistic industrial scenarios.
PMGT5871 Project Process Planning and Control

Credit points: 6 Session: Intensive December,Intensive July,Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Assessment: Through semester assessment (60%) and Final Exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening
"Project Management processes are what moves the project from initiation through all its phases to a successful conclusion. This course takes the project manager from a detailed understanding of process modelling through to the development and implementation of management processes applicable to various project types and industries and covers approaches to reviewing, monitoring and improving these processes.
Specifically, the UoS aims to: Develop understanding of the nature and purpose of project management in the context of economic enterprise; Develop knowledge of various models and frameworks for the practical application of project management; Explore core elements of effective project management with particular focus on technological development and innovation"

Specialist units

Candidates must complete 24 credit points of Specialist units, but may take additional units as Electives.
Where Reduced Volume Learning has been granted candidates must complete a minimum of 24 credit points of Specialist units.
Exchange units may be taken as Specialist units with the approval of the Program Director.
COMP5047 Pervasive Computing

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Studio class Assumed knowledge: Background in programming and operating systems that is sufficient for the student to independently learn new programming tools from standard online technical materials. Ability to conduct a literature search. Ability to write reports of work done. Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This is an advanced course on Pervasive Computing, with a focus on the "Internet of Things" (IoT). It introduces the key aspects of the IoT and explores these in terms of the new research towards creating user interfaces that disappear into the environment and are available pervasively, for example in homes, workplaces, cars and carried.
COMP5416 Advanced Network Technologies

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Laboratory Assumed knowledge: ELEC3506 OR ELEC9506 OR ELEC5740 OR COMP5116 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit introduces networking concepts beyond the best effort service of the core TCP/IP protocol suite. Understanding of the fundamental issues in building an integrated multi-service network for global Internet services, taking into account service objectives, application characteristics and needs and network mechanisms will be discussed. Enables students to understand the core issues and be aware of proposed solutions so they can actively follow and participate in the development of the Internet beyond the basic bit transport service.
COMP5424 Information Technology in Biomedicine

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Information technology (IT) has significantly contributed to the research and practice of medicine, biology and health care. The IT field is growing enormously in scope with biomedicine taking a lead role in utilising the evolving applications to its best advantage. The goal of this unit of study is to provide students with the necessary knowledge to understand the information technology in biomedicine. The major emphasis will be on the principles associated with biomedical digital imaging systems and related biomedicine data processing, analysis, visualisation, registration, modelling, retrieval and management. A broad range of practical integrated clinical applications will be also elaborated.
ELEC5614 Real Time Computing

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Project Work - own time 2 hrs; Lecture 2 hrs/week; Laboratory 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 1 hr/week; E-Learning 1 hr. Prohibitions: MECH5701 Assumed knowledge: SOFT2130 Software Construction (or SOFT2004 Software Development Methods 1) and ELEC3607 Embedded Computing (or ELEC2601 Microprocessor Systems) Assessment: Through semester assessment (30%) Final Exam (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit is concerned with the theory and practice of real time computer systems as applied to the design of embedded systems and computer control systems in engineering, manufacturing and automation.
Some background in programming, object oriented design and system architecture is assumed. A prime aim of this unit of study is to develop a capacity for research and inquiry in the field of real-time and embedded systems. Completion of this unit will facilitate progression to advanced study or to work in embedded systems and industrial real-time computer systems.
The following topics are covered. Hard real time and embedded systems, as applied to engineering, manufacturing and automation. Timing and scheduling: periodic vs aperiodic processes, deadlines, rate monotonic, deadline monotonic and earliest deadline scheduling. Management of shared resources. Real-time languages and their features. Real time operating systems. Real time software design. Embedded Systems: overview, signal flow, interfacing. Reliability and fault tolerance in hardware and software. SCADA and DCCS. Some case studies.
ELEC5618 Software Quality Engineering

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Assumed knowledge: You are capable of writing programs with multiple functions or methods in multiple files. You are capable of design complex data structures and combine them in non trivial algorithms. You know how to use an integrated development environment. You are familiar and have worked previously with software version control systems. You know how to distribute the workload derived from the unit of study effectively throughout the week and make sure that time is truly productive. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will cover software quality planning, validation and verification methods and techniques, risk analysis, software review techniques, software standards and software process improvement and software reliability.
Students who successfully complete this unit will understand the fundamental concepts of software quality engineering and be able to define software quality requirements, assess the quality of a software design, explain specific methods of building software quality, understand software reliability models and metrics, develop a software quality plan, understand quality assurance and control activities and techniques, understand various testing techniques including being able to verify and test a unit of code and comprehend ISO standards, SPICE, CMM and CMMI.
ELEC5619 Object Oriented Application Frameworks

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Project Work - in class, Project Work - own time, Presentation, Tutorials Assumed knowledge: Java programming, and some web development experience are essential. Databases strongly recommended Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit aims to introduce students to the main issues involved in producing large Internet systems by using and building application frameworks. Frameworks allow great reuse so developers do not have to design and implement applications from scratch, as students have done in ELEC3610 The unit lays down the basic concepts and hands on experience on the design and development of enterprise systems, emphasizing the development of systems using design patterns and application frameworks.
A project-based approach will introduce the problems often found when building such systems, and will require students to take control of their learning. A project-based approach will introduce the problems often found when building such systems, and will require students to take control of their learning. Several development Java frameworks will be used, including Spring, Hibernate, and others. Principles of design patterns will also be studied.
ELEC5620 Model Based Software Engineering

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials, Laboratories, Project Work - in class, Project Work - own time Assumed knowledge: A programming language, basic maths. Assessment: Through semester assessment (65%) and Final Exam (35%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Model-Based Software Engineering focuses on modern software engineering methods, technologies, and processes used in professional development projects. It covers both the pragmatic engineering elements and the underlying theory of the model-based approach to the analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance of complex software-intensive systems.
Students will participate in a group project, which will entail developing and/or evolving a software system, following a full development cycle from requirements specification through to implementation and testing using up-to-date industrial development tools and processes. At the end of the course they will provide a presentation and demonstration of their project work to the class. There is no formal teaching of a programming language in this unit, although students will be expected to demonstrate through their project work their general software engineering and architectural skills as well as their mastery of model-based methods and technologies.
Students successfully completing this unit will have a strong practical and theoretical understanding of the modern software development cycle as applied in industrial settings. In particular, they will be familiar with the latest model-based software engineering approaches necessary for successfully dealing with today's highly complex and challenging software systems.
The pedagogic grounds for this course and its focus on model-based approaches are to arm new software engineers with skills and perspectives that extend beyond the level of basic programming. Such skills are essential to success in software development nowadays, and are in great demand but very low supply. The dearth of such expertise is one of the key reasons behind the alarmingly high failure rate of industrial software projects (currently estimated at being greater than 40%). Therefore, this unit complements SQE and strengthens a key area in the program.
ELEC5622 Signals, Software and Health

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Project Work - in class, Project Work - own time, Presentation, Tutorials, Laboratories Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit aims to introduce students to the main issues involved in producing systems that use sensor data, such as those from physiology and activity tracking, often combined with patients self-reports. As sensing devices become ubiquitous, data processing, storage and visualisation techniques are becoming part of all health systems, both institutionalised and individually driven.
The unit is related to, but distinct, to health informatics- an area that focuses on the the use of computing to deliver cost efficient healthcare and the area of bioinformatics, that explores the role of computing in understanding biology at the cellular level (e.g. genome). This unit focuses on the technical and non-technical problems of developing increasingly ubiquitous devices and systems that can be used for personal and clinical monitoring.

Research units

All candidates are required to complete a minimum of 12 credit points from the following units:
ELEC5020 Capstone Project A

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Project Work - own time Prerequisites: 96 cp from MPE degree program or 24 cp from the ME program (including any credit for previous study) Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
The capstone project requires the student to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, using their technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice thus demonstrating the achievement of AQF Level 9.
The Capstone Project aims to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a defined piece of independent research or design work in a setting and in a manner that fosters the development of engineering skills in research or design. These skills include the capacity to define a research or design question, showing how it relates to existing knowledge, identifying the tools needed to investigate the question, carrying out the research or design in a systematic way, analysing the results obtained and presenting the outcomes in a report that is clear, coherent and logically structured. Capstone Project is undertaken across two semesters of enrolment, in two successive Units of Study of 6 credits points each. Capstone Project A covers first steps of thesis research starting with development of research proposal. Capstone Project B covers the second of stage writing up and presenting the research results.
Students are asked to write a thesis based on a research or major design project, which is very often related to some aspect of a staff member's research interests. Some projects will be experimental in nature, others may involve computer-based simulation, feasibility studies or the design, construction and testing of equipment. Direction of thesis work may be determined by the supervisor or be of an original nature, but in either case the student is responsible for the execution of the practical work and the general layout and content of the thesis itself. The final thesis must be the student's individual work, although research is sometimes conducted in the framework of a group project shared with others. Students undertaking research on this basis will need to take care in ensuring the individual quality of their own research work and the final thesis submission. The thesis will be judged on the extent and quality of the student's original work and particularly how critical, perceptive and constructive they have been in assessing their work and that of others. Students will also be required to present the results of their findings to their peers and supervisors as part of a seminar program.
A thesis at this level will represent a contribution to professional practice or research, however the timeframe available for the thesis also needs to be considered when developing project scope. Indeed, a key aim of the thesis is to specify a research topic that arouses sufficient intellectual curiosity, and presents an appropriate range and diversity of technical and conceptual challenges, while remaining manageable and allowing achievable outcomes within the time and resources available. It is important that the topic be of sufficient scope and complexity to allow a student to learn their craft and demonstrate their research skills. Equally imperative is that the task not be so demanding as to elude completion. Finally, the ability to plan such a project to achieve results within constraints, and also the identification of promising areas and approaches for future research, are key assessment criteria.
ELEC5021 Capstone Project B

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Project Work - own time Corequisites: ELEC5020 Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
The capstone project requires the student to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, using their technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice thus demonstrating the achievement of AQF Level 9.
The Capstone Project aims to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a defined piece of independent research or design work in a setting and in a manner that fosters the development of engineering skills in research or design. These skills include the capacity to define a research or design question, showing how it relates to existing knowledge, identifying the tools needed to investigate the question, carrying out the research or design in a systematic way, analysing the results obtained and presenting the outcomes in a report that is clear, coherent and logically structured. Capstone Project is undertaken across two semesters of enrolment, in two successive Units of Study of 6 credits points each. Capstone Project A covers first steps of thesis research starting with development of research proposal. Capstone Project B covers the second of stage writing up and presenting the research results.
Students are asked to write a thesis based on a research or major design project, which is very often related to some aspect of a staff member's research interests. Some projects will be experimental in nature, others may involve computer-based simulation, feasibility studies or the design, construction and testing of equipment. Direction of thesis work may be determined by the supervisor or be of an original nature, but in either case the student is responsible for the execution of the practical work and the general layout and content of the thesis itself. The final thesis must be the student's individual work, although research is sometimes conducted in the framework of a group project shared with others. Students undertaking research on this basis will need to take care in ensuring the individual quality of their own research work and the final thesis submission. The thesis will be judged on the extent and quality of the student's original work and particularly how critical, perceptive and constructive they have been in assessing their work and that of others. Students will also be required to present the results of their findings to their peers and supervisors as part of a seminar program.
A thesis at this level will represent a contribution to professional practice or research, however the timeframe available for the thesis also needs to be considered when developing project scope. Indeed, a key aim of the thesis is to specify a research topic that arouses sufficient intellectual curiosity, and presents an appropriate range and diversity of technical and conceptual challenges, while remaining manageable and allowing achievable outcomes within the time and resources available. It is important that the topic be of sufficient scope and complexity to allow a student to learn their craft and demonstrate their research skills. Equally imperative is that the task not be so demanding as to elude completion. Finally, the ability to plan such a project to achieve results within constraints, and also the identification of promising areas and approaches for future research, are key assessment criteria.
ELEC5022 Capstone Project B Extended

Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Project Work - own time Prerequisites: 42 credit points in the Master of Engineering and WAM >70, or 66 credit points in the Master of Professional Engineering and WAM >70 or exemption Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
The capstone project requires the student to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, using their technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice thus demonstrating the achievement of AQF Level 9.
The Capstone Project aims to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a defined piece of independent research or design work in a setting and in a manner that fosters the development of engineering skills in research or design. These skills include the capacity to define a research or design question, showing how it relates to existing knowledge, identifying the tools needed to investigate the question, carrying out the research or design in a systematic way, analysing the results obtained and presenting the outcomes in a report that is clear, coherent and logically structured. Capstone Project is undertaken across two semesters of enrolment, in two successive Units of Study of 6 credits points each. Capstone Project A covers first steps of thesis research starting with development of research proposal. Capstone Project B covers the second of stage writing up and presenting the research results.
Students are asked to write a thesis based on a research or major design project, which is very often related to some aspect of a staff member's research interests. Some projects will be experimental in nature, others may involve computer-based simulation, feasibility studies or the design, construction and testing of equipment. Direction of thesis work may be determined by the supervisor or be of an original nature, but in either case the student is responsible for the execution of the practical work and the general layout and content of the thesis itself. The final thesis must be the student's individual work, although research is sometimes conducted in the framework of a group project shared with others. Students undertaking research on this basis will need to take care in ensuring the individual quality of their own research work and the final thesis submission. The thesis will be judged on the extent and quality of the student's original work and particularly how critical, perceptive and constructive they have been in assessing their work and that of others. Students will also be required to present the results of their findings to their peers and supervisors as part of a seminar program.
A thesis at this level will represent a contribution to professional practice or research, however the timeframe available for the thesis also needs to be considered when developing project scope. Indeed, a key aim of the thesis is to specify a research topic that arouses sufficient intellectual curiosity, and presents an appropriate range and diversity of technical and conceptual challenges, while remaining manageable and allowing achievable outcomes within the time and resources available. It is important that the topic be of sufficient scope and complexity to allow a student to learn their craft and demonstrate their research skills. Equally imperative is that the task not be so demanding as to elude completion. Finally, the ability to plan such a project to achieve results within constraints, and also the identification of promising areas and approaches for future research, are key assessment criteria.
ELEC5222 Dissertation A

Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prohibitions: ELEC8902, ENGG5222, ENGG5223, ELEC8901 Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: In order to enrol in a project, students must first secure an academic supervisor in an area that they are interested. The topic of your project must be determined in discussion with the supervisor. The supervisor can come from any of the Engineering Departments, however, they need to send confirmation of their supervision approval to the Postgraduate Administrator.
To complete a substantial research project and successfully analyse a problem, devise appropriate experiments, analyse the results and produce a well-argued, in-depth thesis.
ELEC5223 Dissertation B

Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prohibitions: ELEC8901, ENGG5223, ENGG5222, ELEC8902 Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: In order to enrol in a project, students must first secure an academic supervisor in an area that they are interested. The topic of your project must be determined in discussion with the supervisor. The supervisor can come from any of the Engineering Departments, however, they need to send confirmation of their supervision approval to the Postgraduate Administrator.
To complete a substantial research project and successfully analyse a problem, devise appropriate experiments, analyse the results and produce a well-argued, in-depth thesis.
With permission from the Head of Department candidates progressing with distinction (75%) average or higher results may replace ELEC5020, ELEC5021 and 12 credit points of electives with ELEC5222 & ELEC5223 Dissertation A & B.
A candidate who has been granted RVL and who is eligible to undertake the extended capstone project or dissertation may be granted exemption of up to 12 credit points of specialist units.

Elective units

Candidates may complete a maximum of 12 credit points from the following units:
Specialist units may also be taken as Elective units. Other Postgraduate units in the Faculty may be taken as Elective units with the approval of the Program Director.
Electives may be approved for candidates who have been granted RVL with the approval of the Program Director.
COMP5116 Design of Networks & Distributed Systems

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 1 hr/week. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit covers general foundations of communication systems and a detailed walk through of the implementation of the TCP/IP protocol stack, which forms the basis of the Internet. The unit also covers the basic knowledge of how to analyse, design and implement simple communication protocols.
Objectives: On completion of this unit students will have developed an understanding of the principles and practice of the layered model of communications architecture, the TCP/IP protocol stack and its component protocols, and various common techniques and tools for protocol analysis and design.
COMP5347 Web Application Development

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Laboratory, Project Work Assumed knowledge: INFO9220 or COMP5028. The course assumes basic knowledge on OO design and UML diagrams. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Nowadays most client facing enterprise applications are running on web or at least with a web interface. The design and implementation of a web application require totally different set of skills to those are required for traditional desktop applications. All web applications are of client/ server architecture. Requests sent to a web application are expected to go through the public Internet, which slows the responsiveness and increases the possible security threat. A typical web application is also expected to handle large number of requests coming from every corner of the Internet and sent by all sorts of client systems. This further complicates the design of such system.
This course aims at providing both conceptual understanding and hand-on experiences for the technologies used in building web applications. We will examine how data/messages are communicated between client and server; how to improve the responsiveness using rich client technology; as well as how to build a secure web application.
At the end of this course, students are expected to have a clear understanding of the structure and technologies of web applications. Students are also expected to have practical knowledge of some major web application environments and to be able to develop and deploy simple web applications. Cloud based platform are increasingly popular as the development and deployment platform. This course will incorporate the cloud aspect of web application development as well.
COMP5348 Enterprise Scale Software Architecture

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Laboratory Assumed knowledge: Programming competence in Java or similar OO language. Capacity to master novel technologies (especially to program against novel APIs) using manuals, tutorial examples, etc. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit covers topics on software architecture for large-scale enterprises. Computer systems for large-scale enterprises handle critical business processes, interact with computer systems of other organisations, and have to be highly reliable, available and scalable. This class of systems are built up from several application components, incorporating existing "legacy" code and data stores as well as linking these through middleware technologies, such as distributed transaction processing, remote objects, message-queuing, publish-subscribe, and clustering. The choice of middleware can decide whether the system achieves essential non- functional requirements such as performance and availability. The objective of this unit of study is to educate students for their later professional career and it covers Software Architecture topics of the ACM/IEEE Software Engineering curriculum. Objective: The objective of this unit of study is to educate students for their later professional career and it covers topics of the ACM/IEEE Software Engineering curriculum.
COMP5426 Parallel and Distributed Computing

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Assessment: Through semester assessment (45%) and Final Exam (55%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit is intended to introduce and motivate the study of high performance computer systems. The student will be presented with the foundational concepts pertaining to the different types and classes of high performance computers. The student will be exposed to the description of the technological context of current high performance computer systems. Students will gain skills in evaluating, experimenting with, and optimising the performance of high performance computers. The unit also provides students with the ability to undertake more advanced topics and courses on high performance computing.
COMP5456 Introduction to Bioinformatics

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Laboratory Prohibitions: COMP3456 Assumed knowledge: Some experience with basic programming (coding) in Java, C, C++ or Perl; Some proven ability in mathematical or information sciences (as evinced in the prerequisites);Some knowledge of molecular biology either through first year BIOL papers or MBLG1001. Assessment: Through semester assessment (30%) and Final Exam (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit brings together a wide range of skills that are routinely practised in bioinformatics, from the 'hard' subjects of mathematics, statistics and computer science, to the 'soft' subjects in the biological / health sciences and pharmacology. The unit covers the essentials of bioinformatics data gathering, manipulation, mining and storage that underpin bioinformatics research. It further provides additional practice in the graduate attributes of Research and Inquiry, Information Literacy and Communication through analysis of scientific research, use of large bioinformatics data sets, and writing of reports.
COMP9007 Algorithms

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Prohibitions: COMP5211 Assumed knowledge: This unit of study assumes that students have general knowledge of mathematics (especially Discrete Math) and problem solving. Having moderate knowledge about Data structure can also help students to better understand the concepts of Algorithms will be taught in this course. Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The study of algorithms is a fundamental aspect of computing. This unit of study covers data structures, algorithms, and gives an overview of the main ways of computational thinking from simple list manipulation and data format conversion, up to shortest paths and cycle detection in graphs. Students will gain essential knowledge in computer science, including basic concepts in data structures, algorithms, and intractability, using paradigms such as dynamic programming, divide and conquer, greed, local search, and randomisation, as well NP-hardness.
COMP9103 Software Development in Java

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Lecture, Laboratory Prohibitions: COMP5214 Assessment: Through semester assessment (40%) and Final Exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Programming in a legible, maintainable, reusable way is essential to solve complex problems in the pervasive computing environments. This unit will equip students with foundation of programming concepts that are common to widely used programming languages. Students will be progressively guided in this introductory unit from necessary and important building blocks of programming to the object-oriented approach. Java, one of the most popular programming languages, is used in this unit. It provides interdisciplinary approaches, applications and examples to support students from broad backgrounds such as science, engineering, and mathematics.
ELEC5206 Sustainable Energy Systems

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials, Laboratories, Project Work - own time Assumed knowledge: Following concepts are assumed knowledge for this unit of study: familiarity with transformers, ac power, capacitors and inductors, electric circuits such as three-phase circuits and circuits with switches, and basic electronic circuit theory. Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit builds upon the knowledge of engineering mathematics, electronic devices and circuit theory and simulation techniques. It deals with both technical and business aspects of sustainable electrical energy systems. In technical aspect, it focuses on energy conversion and electrical characteristics of different renewable energy sources and integration of multiple energy sources into power system both at distribution and transmission levels. In business aspect, it focuses on economical, marketing and political aspects of installing and managing sustainable electrical energy systems in present and future society. It lays a solid foundation of practical and managerial skills on electronics and electrical (power) engineering and later studies such as intelligent electricity networks and advanced energy conversion and power systems. The following topics are covered: modern power systems; distributed generation; co-generation; tri-generation; microturbines; fuel cells; renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydro, biomass, wind turbines; photovoltaic; grid-connected power systems; stand-alone power systems.
ELEC5208 Intelligent Electricity Networks

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials, Laboratories, Project Work - own time Assumed knowledge: Fundamentals of Electricity Networks, Control Systems and Telecommunications Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit aims to give students an introduction to the planning and operation of modern electricity grids, also known as "smart" grids. Traditional power networks featured a small number of large base-load plants sending power out over transmission lines to be distributed in radial lower voltage networks to loads. In response to the need to reduce carbon impact, future networks will feature diverse generation scattered all over the network including at distribution levels. Also there will be new loads such as electric vehicles and technologies including energy storage and lower voltage power flow control devices. The operation of these new networks will be possible by much greater use of information and communication technology (ICT) and control over the information networks.
The unit will cover recent relevant developments in energy technologies as well as important components of 'smart grids' such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), substation automation, remote terminal units (RTU), sensors and intelligent electronic devices (IED). Operation of these electricity grids requires a huge amount of data gathering, communication and information processing. The unit will discuss many emerging technologies for such data, information, knowledge and decision processes including communication protocols and network layouts, networking middleware and coordinated control. Information systems and data gathering will be used to assess key performance and security indicators associated with the operation of such grids including stability, reliability and power quality.
ELEC5303 Computer Control System Design

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Yash Shrivastava Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2 hrs/week; Tutorial 2 hrs/week. Assumed knowledge: This unit assumes a basic knowledge of calculus, functions of real variables, Laplace transform, matrix theory and control theory. Assessment: Through semester assessment (44%) and Final Exam (56%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit aims to teach the basic issues involved in the analysis and design of computer-controlled systems. The emphasis is on theory rather than technological application or industrial practice.
However, students are expected to test some of these ideas on a few benchmark control problems in the laboratory. Completion of the unit will facilitate progression to advanced study in the area and to work in industrial control. This unit assumes a basic knowledge of calculus, functions of real variables, Laplace transform, matrix theory and control theory.
The following topics are covered. Sampled data systems: aliasing. Zero order hold equivalent: inverse of sampling, sampling system with time delay. Properties of difference equations: solution, stability, change of co-ordinates, Z transform. Input output models: pulse response, pulse transfer operator, pulse transfer function, interpretation of poles and zeros.
Analysis of discrete time system: stability (Jury's test, Nyquist criterion, Lyapunov method), sensitivity and robustness, observability (observers, reduced order observers), reachability and controllers, loss of reachability/observability through sampling, output feedback, the Separation theorem. Optimal control: Kalman filter, linear quadratic regulator, output feedback, the Separation theorem.
Approximating continuous time controllers. Finite word length mplementations.
Textbooks
Astrom and Wittenmark/Computer Controlled System: Theory and Design/3rd/1997/0133148998//
ELEC5508 Wireless Engineering

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Assumed knowledge: Basic knowledge in probability and statistics, analog and digital communications, error probability calculation in communications channels, and telecommunications network. Assessment: Through semester assessment (30%) and Final Exam (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will introduce the key ideas in modern wireless telecommunications networks. It will address both physical layer issues such as propagation and modulation, plus network layer issues such as capacity, radio resource management and mobility management issues.
The following topics are covered. Mobile radio channel: Multipath fading, diversity, log-normal fading, mean propagation loss, propagation models. Cellular technologies: Cell types, coverage, frequency reuse, spectral efficiency, link budget, power budget, traffic capacity. Omnidirectional and sectorised antennas. Handover, interaction with the fixed network. Microcells and macrocells, Medium access control: Near-far effect and the hidden terminal problem. Multiple access schemes: FDMA, TDMA, CDMA. Aloha and s-Aloha, carrier sense multiple access, reservation-based MAC schemes, polling, spread-aloha multiple access. GSM: System architecture, radio resource management, mobility management, connection management. Third generation systems: WCDMA and cdma2000. Wireless LANs: IEEE802.11, Hiperlan, Bluetooth. Convergence: GSM evolution to data services via GPRS and EDGE. Issues with TCP over wireless. Mobility management in MobileIP.
ELEC5509 Mobile Networks

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials Assumed knowledge: Basically, students need to know the concepts of data communications and mobile communications, which could be gained in one the following units of study: ELEC3505 Communications, ELEC3506 Data Communications and the Internet, or similar units. If you are not sure, please contact the instructor. Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study serves as an introduction to communications network research. The unit relies on a solid understanding of data communications and mobile networks. It introduces some of the currently most debated research topics in mobile networking and presents an overview of different technical solutions. Students are expected to critically evaluate these solutions in their context and produce an objective analysis of the advantages/disadvantages of the different research proposals. The general areas covered are wireless Internet, mobility management, quality of service in mobile and IP networks, ad hoc networks, and cellular network architectures.
The following topics are covered. Introduction to wireless and mobile Internet. Wireless cellular data networks. Cellular mobile networks. Mobile networks of the future. Quality of service in a mobile environment. Traffic modelling for wireless Internet. Traffic management for wireless Internet. Mobility management in mobile networks. Transport protocols for mobile networks. Internet protocols for mobile networks.
ELEC5510 Satellite Communication Systems

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Site Visit, Project Work - own time, Tutorials, Laboratories Assumed knowledge: Knowledge of error probabilities, analog and digital modulation techniques and error performance evaluation studied in ELEC3505 Communications and ELEC4505 Digital Communication Systems, is assumed. Assessment: Through semester assessment (30%) and Final Exam (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Satellite communication systems provide fixed and mobile communication services over very large areas of land, sea and air. This unit presents the fundamental knowledge and skills in the analysis and design of such systems. It introduces students to the broad spectrum of satellite communications and its position in the entire telecommunications network; helps students to develop awareness of the key factors affecting a good satellite communications system and theoretical and practical skills in the design of a satellite communications link.
Topic areas include: satellite communication link design; propagation effects and their impact on satellite performance; satellite antennas; digital modem design, speech codec design; error control for digital satellite links.
ELEC5514 Networked Embedded Systems

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Laboratories Assumed knowledge: ELEC3305, ELEC3506, ELEC3607 and ELEC5508 Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit aim to teach the fundamentals concepts associated with: Networked Embedded Systems, wireless sensor networks; Wireless channel propagation and radio power consumption; Wireless networks, ZigBee, Bluetooth, etc.; Sensor principle, data fusion, source detection and identification; Multiple source detection, multiple access communications; Network topology, routing, network information theory; Distributed source channel coding for sensor networks; Power-aware and energy-aware communication protocols; Distributed embedded systems problems such as time synchronization and node localisation; Exposure to several recently developed solutions to address problems in wireless sensor networks and ubiquitous computing giving them a well-rounded view of the state-of the-art in the networked embedded systems field.
Student involvement with projects will expose them to the usage of simulators and/or programming some types of networked embedded systems platforms.
Ability to identify the main issues and trade-offs in networked embedded systems; Understanding of the state-of-the-art solutions in the area; Based on the above understanding, ability to analyse requirements and devise first-order solutions for particular networked embedded systems problems; Familiarisation with a simulator platform and real hardware platforms for network embedded systems through the students involvement in projects.
ELEC5616 Computer and Network Security

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials, Laboratories, Project Work - own time Assumed knowledge: A programming language, basic maths. Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit examines the basic cryptographic building blocks of security, working through to their applications in authentication, key exchange, secret and public key encryption, digital signatures, protocols and systems. It then considers these applications in the real world, including models for integrity, authentication, electronic cash, viruses, firewalls, electronic voting, risk assessment, secure web browsers and electronic warfare. Practical cryptosystems are analysed with regard to the assumptions with which they were designed, their limitations, failure modes and ultimately why most end up broken.
ELEC5701 Technology Venture Creation

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Workgroups Prohibitions: ENGG5102 Assessment: Through semester assessment (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study prepares graduating students with insight and skills in how to turn a concept into a high technology startup company. The class will provide students with knowledge, practical experience and frameworks to assist in evaluating the market for a technology product or service, the design and viability of business models around it, the formulation of a funding-reading business plan and financials, capital raising options and process, venture capital, building distribution channels, intellectual property protection, putting together an A-grade management team, term sheets and funding documentation, technology sales models and going global. We will look at real world case studies of successful technology companies (and flame outs). Does Twitter have a viable business model? Will Facebook eat its lunch? Is YouTube just burning cash? Will Google rule the world?
During the period of the course, students will form teams and write a business plan around a concept they propose. Each student will assume a role in the team (CEO, CTO, CFO, VP Sales and Marketing). The plan will be judged by a panel of real world venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and angel investors to determine the final grade for the course.
ENGG5231 Engineering Graduate Exchange A

Credit points: 6 Session: Intensive January,Intensive July Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The purpose of this unit is to enable students to undertake an overseas learning activity during the university's summer or winter break while completing a Masters degree in either Engineering, Professional Engineering, Information Technologies or Project Management. The learning activity may comprise either a short project under academic or industry supervision or summer or winter school unit of study at an approved overseas institution. The learning activity should demonstrate outcomes and workload equivalent to a 6 credit point Master's level unit in the student's current award program.
Students may enrol in this unit with permission from the school and the Sub-Dean Students for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.
ENGG5232 Engineering Graduate Exchange B

Credit points: 6 Session: Intensive January,Intensive July Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The purpose of this unit is to enable students to undertake an overseas learning activity during the university's summer or winter break while completing a Masters degree in either Engineering, Professional Engineering, Information Technologies or Project Management. The learning activity may comprise either a short project under academic or industry supervision or summer or winter school unit of study at an approved overseas institution. The learning activity should demonstrate outcomes and workload equivalent to a 6 credit point Master's level unit in the student's current award program.
Students may enrol in this unit with permission from the school and the Sub-Dean Students for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.
INFO5010 IT Advanced Topic A

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit will cover some topic of active and cutting-edge research within IT; the content of this unit may be varied depending on special opportunities such as a distinguished researcher visiting the University.
INFO5011 IT Advanced Topic B

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit will cover some topic of active and cutting-edge research within IT; the content of this unit may be varied depending on special opportunities such as a distinguished researcher visiting the University.
INFO6010 Advanced Topics in IT Project Management

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, Tutorials (applied workshop), E-Learning Prerequisites: INFO6007, OR 3-5 years working experience in IT Project Management Assumed knowledge: Students are assumed to understand the role of IT projects. Assessment: Through semester assessment (50%) and Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will explore the limitations of IT project management and the most promising techniques to overcome project failure. It will start by reviewing case study research showing we have reached the limits of traditional IT project management practice. The theoretical base will be completed by exploring the finding that senior management have more impact on success than traditional approaches.
Participants will be introduced to and learn to apply the most promising tools and techniques needed to govern IT projects. The topics reviewed will include: 1) Strategy; 2) Organisational change; 3) Project sponsorship; 4) Programme management; 5) Performance measurement; 6) Culture; 7) Portfolio management; 8) Relevant Australian and International Standards on IT/Project Governance and new industry methodologies around portfolio, programme and change management will be reviewed.
INFS6004 Business Transformation Projects

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Steve Elliot Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x3hr seminar per week Assumed knowledge: Understanding the major functions of a business and how those business functions interact internally and externally so the company can be competitive in a changing market. How Information Systems can be used and managed in a business. How to critically analyse a business and determine its options for transformation. Desirable Experience as a member of a project team. Assessment: assignment 1 (10%), assignment 2 (40%), assignment 3 - report (40%), assignment 3 - presentation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening
The forces that currently drive business transformation, such as globalisation, the IT revolution and environmental sustainability, require businesses to be in a constant state of change to stay competitive in turbulent markets. However, as companies need to maintain their current revenue streams, they need to progress through a series of integrated business transformation projects. In this unit students learn how to analyse an organisation within a local and global context and develop knowledge of techniques required for managing technology-enabled business transformation projects. Topics covered include: the drivers of business transformation, managing change as a process, analysing information and processes, and planning, leading, sustaining, diffusing and learning from transformational projects.

For more information on units of study visit CUSP (https://cusp.sydney.edu.au).