Unit Synopsis
This unit will provide you with the foundation knowledge of computer and network infrastructure that underpins Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in modern organisations. You will study networking essentials including virtualisation, wireless networks, cloud computing, cyber security, and risk management. By the end of this unit, you will be able to build and manage basic computer networks. You will conduct hands-on practical activities with industrial-grade networking equipment and cyber security tools to enhance the security of built networks.
Details
| Level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Unit Level | 1 |
| Credit Points | 6 |
| Student Contribution Band | SCA Band 2 |
| Fraction of Full-Time Student Load | 0.125 |
| Pre-requisites or Co-requisites |
Anti-requisite: If students have undertaken COIT11233 Information and Communication Technology Foundations, then this unit should not be taken. Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework). |
| Class Timetable | View Unit Timetable |
| Residential School | No Residential School |
Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2027
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Assessment Tasks
To see assessment details from an earlier availability, please search via a previous term.
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%).
Past Exams
All University policies are available on the Policy web site, however you may wish to directly view the following policies below.
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of policies are available on the Policy web site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Source: Teaching team feedback.
Student engagement in the unit varies across activities, with opportunities to further strengthen active participation.
In-class test activities could be considered to enhance the students' engagement.
The portfolio assessment required students to build networks in the tutorial class. In Term 1 2026, this was modified to require assessed builds in weeks 3, 6, 8 and 9, rather than just in weeks 2 and 3. In addition, later tutorials were modified to include practical activities aligned with the assignment, encouraging students to engage in the tutorial class to support their assessments. There was also an in-class test in Week 12. Students who attended were active and generally performed well.
Source: Students and unit coordinator's feedback
Some tutorial questions could be refreshed to better align with the current unit content and evolving networking practices, helping maintain the unit’s relevance and quality.
Review the tutorial question sets and update or replace outdated items to reflect current networking practice and real-world applications.
Most tutorials were revised for Term 1 2026, introducing new practical activities including building a real website, using encryption software, and inspecting HTTP with Developer Tools in a browser. Also, PowerShell replaced the old command prompt for Windows networking. Tutors observed that students enjoyed these activities.
Source: Student feedback and teaching team reflections
The quizzes lack strong integrity mechanisms, are not well aligned with the many practical tasks during the term, and can create a stressful environment with a minimum mark on a low-weight assessment.
Shift the assessment focus (and weights) from quizzes to practical activities, e.g., where a student builds and tests a network in class.
In Progress
Source: Student feedback
Some of the lab facilities, including cabling and routers, were not working, resulting in students receiving less hands-on practice than desired.
Develop and apply a plan to ensure all equipment is working before the start of term, e.g., ensuring backup devices are available and allocating resources to equipment testing.
In Progress
Source: Teaching team reflection
The lectures in some weeks are long and lack practical examples that students can relate to.
Include interactive activities in lectures (e.g., allowing students to visualise packet flow through a network) to make the live lectures more engaging and make it easier for students who miss a lecture to self-study.
In Progress
To see Learning Outcomes from an earlier availability, please search via a previous term.