COMP4447: Semester 2, 2025

Units COMP4447 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

COMP4447: Pervasive Computing

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

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.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Computer Science
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	DATA3888 or COMP3888 or COMP3988 or CSEC3888 or ISYS3888 or SOFT3888 or ENGG3112 or SCPU3001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	COMP5047
Assumed knowledge ?	A major in a computer science area. ELEC1601 or COMP2129 or COMP2017. Any other background in programming and operating systems that is sufficient for the student to independently learn new programming tools from standard online technical materials
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Eduardo Velloso, eduardo.velloso@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam Final exam (in-person). Students need to get a minimum of 40% in the final	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Quizzes This is a short, in-class quiz in Week 01 to Week 12	10%	Multiple weeks	5-15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Group project Report Group assignment for projects as a report,	40%	Multiple weeks	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Project: Students are to to create a prototype pervasive computing system, evaluate it and report on the approaches used for the design and evaluation. The assessment will be based on two reports, a video and a presentation.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The standard late penalties policy applies.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to pervasive computing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Interaction devices and techniques	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Project ideation and assumption storming	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Digital input and output	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Digital I/O	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Analogue input and output	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Analogue I/O	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Digital fabrication	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	3D modelling for fabrication	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Gestural interaction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Networking	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Haptics and actuators	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Controlling motors	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Intelligent interactive systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Accessing APIs	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Tangible interaction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Project support	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Wearable interfaces	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Project support	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Gaze interaction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Project support	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Mixed reality	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Project support	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Project showcase	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Project presentation	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

All the lectures/tutorials will be conducted in-person. Attendance is required. There will be in-class quizzes. Students need to get a minimum of 40% in the final exam in order to pass the subject.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. analyse a context to define the overall goals of a new pervasive system
LO2. select suitable techniques for establishing a pervasive computing system and have the ability to make use of these techniques
LO3. apply standard design approaches to creating a pervasive interface, and to adapt these to the particular emerging demands of pervasive computing systems
LO4. evaluate pervasive interfaces, based upon both technical and user-based techniques, and be able to select the most appropriate technique for a particular situation and justify this selection
LO5. explain how technical and human factors influence aspects of design of interfaces
LO6. bring together design and evaluation techniques to create a prototype interface that is designed to address a given need
LO7. write a report on the prototype system created

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The content has been updated since the last run of the unit.

Additional information

Additional costs

Participation in the workshops requires the purchase of an Arduino kit. You might also have to purchase additional electronic components for your group project.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links