Students

COMP8292 – Sensor Networks, Cloud and Edge Computing in IoT

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Dr. Adnan Mahmood
adnan.mahmood@mq.edu.au
Contact via +61 2 9850 9079
Room 286, 4 Research Park Drive
By Appointment
Co-Lecturer
Dr. Hassan Bajwa
hassan.bajwa@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Room 230, 4 Research Park Drive
By Appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit aims to provide a solid theoretical and practical understanding of wireless sensor networks (WSN), and cloud and edge technologies that augment the capabilities of such networks from an IoT context. This unit will provide a detailed understanding of WSN sensor communication architecture and technology, and will examine routing, power management, and security protocols that have been specifically designed for WSNs. The unit will further examine cloud, edge, and cellular technologies and investigate solutions that facilitate the convergence of cloud computing with IoT to create a mobile ecosystem that facilitates monitoring, data gathering, and enhanced connectivity.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Sustainable Cities and Communities

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: Configure, administer, and troubleshoot wireless sensor communication protocols and complex IoT networks. 
  • ULO2: Design and implement cloud-/edge-based IoT solutions and applications based on the customer requirements, and in accordance with the principles of project management to ensure an efficient and timely delivery of the said solutions and applications.
  • ULO3: Implement cloud computing-related tools and techniques such as virtual machines, and mobile services to augment sensor network capabilities. 
  • ULO4: Identify security vulnerabilities, and design and implement security features' controls to protect wireless sensor networks and safeguard data stored in the cloud/edge.
  • ULO5: Demonstrate an understanding of modern cellular network architecture and how it supports IoT and sensor networks. 
  • ULO6: Demonstrate an understanding of power management in IoT devices and sensor networks.

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this Unit, a Student must satisfactorily attempt All Assessments and achieve a Total Mark equal to or greater than 50%. 

Assessments Release Dates

  • Assessment 1 – Systematic Review : Specifications to be released no later than Friday, August 1, 2025.
  • Assessment 2 – Major Project : Specifications to be released no later than Friday, September 5, 2025.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration Request has been submitted and approved, a 5% Penalty (of the Total Possible Marks of an Assessment) would be applied for each day an Assessment has not been submitted, i.e., up until the 7th day (including the weekends). Subsequent to the 7th day, a Grade of ‘0’ would be awarded even if the Assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded Assessments is 11:55 PM. A 1-hour grace period would be provided to Students who experience a technical concern.

For any late attempt of the Time-sensitive Tasks, i.e., scheduled Individual Presentation pertinent to Assessment 2 – Major Project and Final Exam, please apply for Special Consideration.

Assessments where late submissions would be accepted:

  • Assessment 1 – Systematic Review – Yes, Standard Late Penalty applies
  • Assessment 2 – Major Project (Group Report) – Yes, Standard Late Penalty applies

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support Students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable, and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in an Assessment. If a Student experiences circumstances or events which affect their ability to complete the Assessments in this Unit on time, they should inform the Unit Convenor and subsequently submit a Special Consideration Request through AskMQ.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Systematic Review 30% No Week 6's Sunday – 11:55 PM
Major Project 30% No Week 11's Sunday – 11:55 PM (Group Report)
Final Exam 40% No Week 13's Monday – 11 AM

Systematic Review

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 6's Sunday – 11:55 PM
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will produce a Review Report on a specific discipline-relevant topic by systematically analyzing and evaluating key studies within the field.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify security vulnerabilities, and design and implement security features' controls to protect wireless sensor networks and safeguard data stored in the cloud/edge.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of modern cellular network architecture and how it supports IoT and sensor networks. 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of power management in IoT devices and sensor networks.

Major Project

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 11's Sunday – 11:55 PM (Group Report)
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will design, implement, and subsequently test a real-world Cloud-based IoT Scenario. The outcomes of the same will be delineated in the form of a Group Report and an Individual Presentation. 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Configure, administer, and troubleshoot wireless sensor communication protocols and complex IoT networks. 
  • Design and implement cloud-/edge-based IoT solutions and applications based on the customer requirements, and in accordance with the principles of project management to ensure an efficient and timely delivery of the said solutions and applications.
  • Implement cloud computing-related tools and techniques such as virtual machines, and mobile services to augment sensor network capabilities. 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of power management in IoT devices and sensor networks.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13's Monday – 11 AM
Weighting: 40%

 

A Final Exam will assess the students' overall mastery of the unit content. 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Design and implement cloud-/edge-based IoT solutions and applications based on the customer requirements, and in accordance with the principles of project management to ensure an efficient and timely delivery of the said solutions and applications.
  • Implement cloud computing-related tools and techniques such as virtual machines, and mobile services to augment sensor network capabilities. 
  • Identify security vulnerabilities, and design and implement security features' controls to protect wireless sensor networks and safeguard data stored in the cloud/edge.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of modern cellular network architecture and how it supports IoT and sensor networks. 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of power management in IoT devices and sensor networks.

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

Lectures

Live (In-person) Lecture Sessions will be held from Weeks 1 – 13, and would provide an opportunity for Students to ask Questions pertinent to the Weekly Topic(s) and to clarify anything that they might not be sure of. Owing to the nature of this Unit, the Live (In-person) Lecture Sessions encourage Students to engage in a number of Brainstorming Activities and, therefore, participation in these Sessions is of the essence and critical to Students' success within this Unit. Also, Learnings embedded in these Sessions are indispensable for both Assessment 1 – Systematic Review and Assessment 2 – Major Project.

Workshops

Workshops (In-person) will be held from Weeks 2 – 13 and would offer Students an opportunity to learn, develop, and subsequently practice Concepts pertinent to the Unit's Content via Hands-on Tasks in a Lab Setting under the Supervision of the Teaching Associate. Workshops would also facilitate Students to discuss their respective Problems effectively with the Peers and maximize the Feedback they get on their Work.

Please note that Assessment 2 – Major Project depends to a considerable extent on the Learnings embedded in the Workshop Sessions. Therefore, participation in these Sessions is critical to Students' success within this Unit.

Assessments

Assessments will be made available on iLearn and would be submitted via Turnitin.

Recommended Readings

The Unit's Content has been drawn from a variety of sources, including but not limited to, Research Papers, White Papers, and Standards' Documents. Students are, therefore, highly encouraged to read the recommended respective Weekly Reading List in a bid to gain a solid understanding of the Weekly Topics.

Methods of Communication

The Unit Convenor / Co-Lecturer will communicate with the Students via their respective Macquarie University's Email or through Announcements on iLearn. Queries may either be placed on the iLearn Discussion Board or could be sent to the Unit Convenor, Dr. Adnan Mahmood, at adnan.mahmood@mq.edu.au.

Unit Schedule

Week #

Topic

Week 1

 The Internet of Things (IoT)

Week 2

 Cloud, Fog, and Edge Computing – Part I

Week 3

 Cloud, Fog, and Edge Computing – Part II

Week 4

 IoT Security – A Case Study

Week 5

 IoT Project Management

Week 6

 Cellular IoT

Week 7 

 Introduction to Sensor Network – Motivation and Applications

Week 8

Introduction to Sensor Network – Architecture and Protocol Stack

Week 9

 Routing Protocols in Sensor Networks

Week 10

 Localization Techniques in Wireless Sensor Networks

Week 11

 Revision

Week 12

 Students' Presentations

Week 13

 Final Exam

Note – This particular Unit is about you and your participation in the same is critical for your success within this Unit since the Learnings embedded in Lectures and Workshops are indispensable for both Assessment 1 – Systematic Review and Assessment 2 – Major Project. Please also note that Indvidual Presentations pertinent to Assessment 2 – Major Project would be held during Week 12. In case of a Lecture or Workshop falling on a Public Holiday, alternate arrangements would be made and Students would be informed well in advance about the same.

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 connect.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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 the Service Connect Portal, 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

No significant change to the delivery of the Unit is planned. Please note that the Teaching Staff highly values Students' Feedback so as to continually improve the way this Unit is offered. Accordingly, please feel free to provide Constructive Feedback to the Teaching Staff.

Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook