Pervasive Computing

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Students who are enrolled in the two year 200 point Master of Information Systems must have completed 50 points of study to enrol in this subject.

Pervasive computing describes access to information using new communications and networking technologies. The technology implies computing power, freed from the desktop, extended to wireless handheld devices, home appliances, and commercial tools-of-the-trade.

Pervasive computing solutions must support much more than just the devices and the embedded technology: businesses and service providers are further challenged to develop software solutions that manage the complex, flexible infrastructure and the mobility of those who use these devices; information architectures and system designs must flexibly support changing interaction models and user interface technologies.

Pervasive computing helps to bring about changes in lifestyle as new applications and services become available to business and consumers. Pervasive computing also places particular demands on information systems designs in dealing with complex security and privacy considerations.

The pervasive presence of portable devices and wireless networks results an environment that is crowded, heterogeneous, and always changing. To succeed without distracting the user, pervasive computing applications must be aware of the context in which they execute, and adapt in ways appropriate to user needs, as that context changes.

In this subject students will be introduced to technical, organisational, and user-oriented issues associated with the development and deployment of these emerging technologies.

Two written assignments of 1700 words each due in the first half of semester (25% each); a project involving an individual written assignment of 1700 words due in the first half of semester (25%), one group written assignment of 1000 words (15%) due second half of semester and a 10-20 minute oral presentation due end of semester (10%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Through their studies in this subject, students will: enhance their analytical skills through examination of case scenarios and study of published research papers; and broaden their exposure to modern computing technologies.