Outline

Overview

The Information Technology Capstone project provides an opportunity for students to carry out a defined piece of independent research or design. These skills include the capacity to define a research or design question, show how it relates to existing knowledge and carry out the research or design in a systematic manner. Students will be expected to choose a research/development project that demonstrates their prior learning in their advanced IT specialist domain (MIT) or the management of IT (MITM) or both technical and IT management domains (MIT/MITM) or in the data science domain (MDS). The results will be presented in a final project presentation and report. It is not expected that the project outcomes from this unit will represent a significant contribution to new knowledge. The unit aims to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a defined piece of independent investigative research or design work in a setting and manner that fosters the development of IT/DS skills in research or design.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	COMP5703
Academic unit	Computer Science
Credit points	12
Prohibitions ?	COMP5702 OR COMP5704 OR COMP5707 OR COMP5708 OR COMP5709
Prerequisites ?	A candidate for the MDS, MIT, MITM or MIT / MITM who has completed 24 credit points from Core, Specialist or Foundation units of study may take this unit
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ali Anaissi, ali.anaissi@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Project Proposal Individual weekly report on week 3,4,5; Group proposal report on week 5	10%	Multiple weeks	Individual: 5 pages, Group: 15 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Progress Report Individual weekly report on week 6,7,8; Group progress report on week 9	5%	Multiple weeks	Individual: 5 pages; Group: 15 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final Report/Deliverable Individual weekly report from week 9 to 13; Group final report on week 13	75%	Multiple weeks	Maximum 50 pages in length
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Online Presentation/Seminar Online Group presentation	10%	Week 13	Recording:10-15 minutes; Q&A: 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment Overview: The Information Technology Capstone project can be in performed in teams of 4-5 group members. Groups are supervised by tutors. A mark for project proposal, progress report, presentation and final report/deliverable, respectively, consists of both individual component and group component.
Individual Weekly Report *: An individual weekly report of around 5 pages is required from week 3 to week 13. Each team member delivers a report including their own contribution as well as reporting on individual work performed.
Proposal and Progress Report *: Group project proposal and group progress report of around 15 pages is required that includes problem/task specification, literature survey, proposed methodology, expected outcomes, progress and proposed timeline.
Online Presentation/Seminar *: Each student will be required to participate in an online presentation, which is compulsory. Failure to deliver a scheduled presentation seminar will result in a fail grade for the project units.
Final Report *: Maximum length of group final report is 50 pages (including tables, figures and references, but not appendices). Students should closely consult the report template and marking sheet for content and formatting requirements.

* indicates an assessment tasks which must be repeated if a student misses it due to special considerations.

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.

There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

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 10 calendar days late, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Project and supervisor negotiation/allocation; 2. Kick-off Meeting	Online class (1 hr)
Week 02	1. Complete project and supervisor allocation; 2. Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 03	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 04	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 05	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 06	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 07	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 08	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 09	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 10	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 11	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 12	Project work	Individual study (19 hr)
Week 13	Online Presentation and Reports	Online class (1 hr)

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

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. utilise prior domain knowledge to define and develop a research/development project relevant to an advanced IT specialist domain (MIT) or the management of IT (MITM) or both technical and IT management domains (MIT/MITM)
LO2. initiate, formulate and plan an IT research project based on research and development
LO3. analyse and synthesise information, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved
LO4. demonstrate knowledge of recent IT research literature and possess an ability to apply investigative research to their own project
LO5. document, report and present project work undertaken to engage an academic and/or professional audience
LO6. develop, substantiate and articulate professional positions on issues relevant to the chosen area of practice, critically reflect on and evaluate the outcomes and process of the project
LO7. plan a semester-long project, incorporating risk mitigation strategies and follow the plan methodically.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty. Similarity of any submitted assessment cannot be higher than 35%.

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

COMP5703: Information Technology Capstone Project

Semester 1, 2022 [Supervision] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect