SIT111 - Computer Systems
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Je Sen Teh Trimester 2: Feifei Chen |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | SIT102 |
| Incompatible with: | SIT101 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 3 hour seminar per week, weekly meetings. |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Online independent and collaborative learning including 1 x 2 hour seminar per week, weekly meetings. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Note:Equipment requirements: Learning experiences and assessment activities in this unit require that students have access to specific computing equipment, such as single-board computers and microcontrollers. The expected cost of this equipment for this unit is $150. This equipment will also be usable in subsequent units. | |
Content
Over the past 70 years, computers have revolutionised nearly every facet of modern life, from healthcare to education, manufacturing to transport, and entertainment to agriculture. Computing hardware and the algorithms encoded into software are thus vital to the continued growth of modern society, as are computer scientists and software engineers - the professionals who design and develop computational solutions to many of the world's problems. In this unit, students will learn the building blocks of computing systems and the tools used by information technology professionals. The unit connects students with hardware and software elements of computer systems, ensuring they are ready to engage with configuring, operating, and building computing systems.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Describe the elements of computer systems, and how they provide the foundations required for software applications. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Describe functions of modern operating systems and utilise Unix tools to configure and operate computer systems. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Prototype and build the hardware and software for small digital systems using microcontroller boards with a range of input and output components attached. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Describe characteristics and expectations of IT professionals, and reflect upon associated competencies within the context of a study and career plan. | GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO5 | Independently identify knowledge gaps and effectively seek and use appropriate learning resources to acquire the necessary knowledge. | GLO3: Digital literacy |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning portfolio | Written and visual documentation (program code, reports, concept maps) | 100% | Weekly submissions Final submission Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirement
To be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must meet certain milestones as part of the portfolio.
Learning resource
Prescribed text(s): Nisan and Schocken, 2021, The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles, 2nd Ed, MIT Press (available as an e-Book in the Deakin Library).
The texts and reading list for SIT111 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.