Students

COMP3850 – PACE: Computing Industry Project

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Deborah Richard
Contact via email
Room 369, 4 Research Park Drive, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park
please email
Games and Software Lecturer
Cameron Edmond
Contact via email
please email
Cybersecurity Lecturer
Hassan Ashgar
Contact via email
please email
Data Science Teaching Staff
Sonit Singh
Contact via sonit.singh@mq.edu.au
please email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including ((COMP2250 or COMP247) or (COMP2110 or COMP249) or (COMP2050 or COMP255) or (COMP2200 or COMP257) or (COMP2750 or ISYS254))
Corequisites Corequisites
20cp from 3000 level units
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This PACE unit draws together learning in previous units to prepare students for the workplace through engaging with a partner organisation. Students will work in close collaboration throughout the session with a community-based project sponsor that has provided the specifications for the work that needs to be completed. Students will work in self-managed teams to first understand the problem or opportunity identified the partner and then develop a project plan and scoping or requirements document. Students will create appropriate designs to solve a given problem, potentially delivering a software product or other outputs as needed by the sponsor. All projects will involve the development of supporting project documentation. The project requires an equal focus on process and the product, requiring the use of quality control and assurance methods, tools and techniques.

Visit Employability Connect for important information on this unit including required preparation and closing dates for PACE activities.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tool, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate understanding of the project stages using appropriate process models in an authentic context
  • ULO3: Apply the basic principles of project management and teamwork while working closely with the project's customer
  • ULO4: Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)
  • ULO5: Recognise and address ethical issues when they arise based on an understanding of professional ethics

General Assessment Information

This unit is a Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) Unit.

This unit is particularly focussed in getting you work ready and increasing your employability. To complete the unit you will need to draw together the knowledge and skills you have learnt in previous units and learn how to identify and gain any missing knowledge and skills needed to solve a real-world problem faced by a client. Furthermore, the unit provides practice in the softskills (see learning outcomes) sought by employers and required to meet the Australian Computer Society accreditation criteria. The unit assessments are structured around multiple deliverables including a final reflective report and exam to ensure these goals are achieved.

This unit includes students from many different majors. Also, sponsors have a wide range of projects. Deliverables have been modified according to the type of project being undertaken. Teams will need to identify the type of project they are delivering, undertake appropriate activities and submit appropriate deliverables according to the identified project type.

PACE units in Science and Engineering, their Unit Convenors, and their students, are supported by a PACE Team within the Faculty.  Throughout the unit offering, members of the Team may be in contact with students to provide or collect information. If you have any questions about PACE in Science and Engineering, please email:  pace.science@mq.edu.au  or visit the following webpages:  http://science.mq.edu.au/pace/

If you require more information about PACE in general or access to forms such as those for the PACE Travel Grants, please go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/professional_and_community_engagement/

Late work will not be accepted. As you are working in a team and also are expected to perform risk management where sickness or other misadventure should be planned for and managed. Disruption and special consideration requests will apply to individuals only, not to groups. For further information about "Grading and Passing", please see that section. If there is a significant problem outside the control of the group, they should contact the convenor well before the deliverable deadline to discuss solutions.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Working in Teams Workshop 1% No 03/08/2023
Feasibility Study 7% No 10/08/23
Project Plan & Scoping/Requirements Document 13% No 31/08/23
Increment 1 13% No 28/09/23
Increment 2 13% No 19/10/23
Final Reflective Report 8% No 2/11/23
Project Presentation 10% No 2/11/23
Delivery of Product to Sponsor 10% No 16/11/23
Final Examination 25% No Week 14/15 TBA

Working in Teams Workshop

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: 03/08/2023
Weighting: 1%

You are required to attend this workshop to learn about working in teams and to participate in a group activity with your team.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply the basic principles of project management and teamwork while working closely with the project's customer

Feasibility Study

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 10/08/23
Weighting: 7%

A feasibility Report to understand the business problem and consider solutions


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the project stages using appropriate process models in an authentic context
  • Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)

Project Plan & Scoping/Requirements Document

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 31/08/23
Weighting: 13%

Project Plan and Software Requirements Specification or Project Scoping Document


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tool, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the project stages using appropriate process models in an authentic context
  • Apply the basic principles of project management and teamwork while working closely with the project's customer
  • Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)

Increment 1

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 28/09/23
Weighting: 13%

Updated Deliverable 2, Design and Testing Document, Prototype development and demonstation


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tool, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the project stages using appropriate process models in an authentic context
  • Apply the basic principles of project management and teamwork while working closely with the project's customer
  • Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)

Increment 2

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 19/10/23
Weighting: 13%

Updated Deliverable 3 and demonstration to client


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tool, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the project stages using appropriate process models in an authentic context
  • Apply the basic principles of project management and teamwork while working closely with the project's customer
  • Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)

Final Reflective Report

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 2/11/23
Weighting: 8%

This report reviews the semester and all project goals, activities and outcomes


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tool, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the project stages using appropriate process models in an authentic context
  • Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)
  • Recognise and address ethical issues when they arise based on an understanding of professional ethics

Project Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 2/11/23
Weighting: 10%

Teams will present their project including problem being addressed, solution proposed, methods and technology used. Presentations may include demonstration of the product/prototype.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tool, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
  • Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)

Delivery of Product to Sponsor

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: 16/11/23
Weighting: 10%

Delivery of Final Product (e.g. documentation, files and software running on sponsor's machine) as agreed with Sponsor. When the sponsor has checked that they have the final product and are able to utilise it, they will provide Individual marks for each student to the unit convenor.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the project stages using appropriate process models in an authentic context
  • Apply the basic principles of project management and teamwork while working closely with the project's customer
  • Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 14/15 TBA
Weighting: 25%

Final Examination


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tool, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the project stages using appropriate process models in an authentic context
  • Apply the basic principles of project management and teamwork while working closely with the project's customer
  • Effectively Communicate results of the project (in both written and oral form)
  • Recognise and address ethical issues when they arise based on an understanding of professional ethics

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

COMP3850 projects will be sponsored by clients from industry.

CLASSES

You are expected to attend at least all compulsory class meetings throughout the year. These are to prepare you for project, working with your team and the assessment tasks.

Please ensure you attend the first lecture session. You should have already received information about which group you are in. If not, check on the first night. You will meet with your group and sponsor.

In week 2 the Careers Development Office will run a "Working in Teams" workshop. Attendance is compulsory. If you have a valid reason not to attend a class (work is not a valid reason), you must get approval from the convenor before the class. In the event of illness or misadventure, contact the convenor ASAP.

If you are unable to attend on campus, please watch the live stream portion of the class. For the team activities, arrange with another team member to discuss how you can connect with the team (e.g. via zoom, phone or technology) so you are able to fully participate in the activities.

 

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

Lecture and Project Material

Some resources useful for your project can be found on iLearn under resources

Please read carefully the document at the Project Deliverables Definition link under Project Description and Deliverables on the unit iLearn website. Follow the instructions provided in that document for the group project work (worth 75% of the course mark).

UNIT WEBPAGE 

Website

Please login to ilearn http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

TECHNOLOGIES USED AND REQUIRED

The technology you use will depend on your client's needs. You will have access to the third year computers and the software on them. You will not be able to add any other software to the machines in the labs. However, you may want to use resources that your sponsor and team members have access to. Your technology needs will be determined and defined by you in your project plan.

Unit Schedule

There are only 4 classes. Attendance should be on campus. However, if this is not possible watch the live stream and coordinate with your team how you can connect electronically with them during the class.

WEEK TOPIC
1 Groups allocated, project management introduction - required attendance
2 Team Training  - required attendance
3 No classes/lectures
4 No classes/lectures
5 No classes/lectures
6 No classes/lectures
7 No classes/lectures
8 No classes/lectures
9 No classes/lectures
10 Exam preparation including Ethics and Professionalism Training
11 No classes/lectures
12 No classes/lectures
13 Group Presentations (Thursday 5-9pm, Location: TBA) - Attendance required

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Changes from S1 2023 include a change to providing sufficient cybersecurity projects to students. Also in Semester 2, cybersecurity projects will not be supervised and marked by the same person.  We have rested some industry partners to provide opportunity for new industry partners to receive a project. The marking rubrics and deliverables definition documents have been modified where deemed appropriate based on feedback and effectiveness.

Grading and Passing

Your final grade will depend on your performance in the project and exam. The final mark for the unit will be calculated by combining the marks for all assessment tasks according to the percentage weightings shown in the assessment summary. Note that in order to receive the full marks awarded to your group you must contribute your equal share to the project. Individual contribution forms will be used to identify the contribution of each team member. Every individual in the team will complete this online form. These forms and the process will be explained further in the week 1 induction.

You are expected to attend all compulsory class sessions or provide a reason (to the unit convenor preferably before the class) why you were unable to attend.

All work submitted should be readable and presented in a business-like and professional format.

Late work will not be accepted. As you are working in a team and also are expected to perform risk management, sickness or other misadventure needs to be planned for and managed. Disruption requests will apply to individuals only, not to groups.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Grade Assessment Standards

Final Grade Summary of required performance
P Has participated in group-based projects which delivered satisfactory outputs throughout the semester and has demonstrated this participation in the final examination.
CR Has participated in group-based projects throughout the semester which delivered quality outputs and demonstrated in the exam a high degree of contribution to those outputs and good grasp of the concepts relating to working in groups, managing projects and the development of software.
D Has participated in group-based projects throughout the semester which consistently delivered high quality outputs and demonstrated in the exam a high degeee of contribution to those outputs and strong grasp of the concepts relating to working in groups, managing projects and the development of software. All the assignment, in-class tasks (programming and written) completed to a very high standard. Excellent performance in the written examination.
HD Has participated in group-based projects throughout the semester which consistently delivered high quality outputs and demonstrated in the exam a high degeee of contribution to those outputs and strong grasp of the concepts relating to working in groups, managing projects and the development of software. Students achieving this grade are often distinguished by a high level of effort, enthusiasm, competence and often leadership in their project groups as well as by excellent performance in the written examination.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
05/10/2023 "practical and tutorial tasks" replaced by "in-class tasks" "tutor" replaced by "teaching staff"

Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook