Distributed Information

Subject SINF30007 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1 x two hour lecture and 1 x two hour workshop per week
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours
Prerequisites: One of
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
  • 615-230 Database Concepts (prior to 2009)
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Atif Ahmad, Dr Sean Maynard

Contact

Email: seanbm@unimelb.edu.au

Email: atif@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

An understanding of how to access and integrate information from geographically distributed sources is essential to organisational productivity.

This subject imparts theory on the effective deployment of technologies; the nature of distributed cognitive work; knowledge management; management of virtual teams; and related security aspects.

Other topics may include: communication standards and frameworks; using and integrating distributed information sources; distributed web application platforms; and web collaboration tools and groupware.

Students will develop knowledge of a broad range of collaborative tools and technologies and their application in specific settings.
Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • understand the effective use of teams in project work
  • understand the underlying standards and frameworks for simple Internet based distributed systems
  • understand modern technologies that support collaborative teamwork
  • understand and demonstrate an information system that makes use of distributed resources
Assessment:

Individual participation 10% (throughout the semester); group work comprised of written seminar papers (about 5 pages in length, 10%) and oral presentations (about 90 minutes long, 20%) throughout the semester; a 2-hour written examination (60%) in the examination period.

A mark of at least 50% in the examination and at least 50% in the other components of assessment is required to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • the ability to analyse and solve real-world problems with computers;
  • the ability to synthesise information and communicate results effectively;
  • the ability to work effectively as a member of a project team
  • the capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection
  • the capacity to communicate, both orally and in writing
  • the capacity to plan and manage time
  • the capacity to solve problems, including through the collection and evaluation of information
Notes: This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (new degree).
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Science Informatics
Related Breadth Track(s): Information and the Web
Informatics A

Download PDF version.