41001 Cloud Computing and Software as a Service
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48440 Software Engineering Practice OR 31244 Applications Programming OR 31281 Systems Development Project OR 31061 Database Principles OR 48024 Programming 2 OR 31271 Database Fundamentals
Anti-requisite(s): 42904 Cloud Computing and Software as a Service
Description
This subject introduces students to cloud computing fundamentals. Following a brief introduction to cloud computing, the following topics are covered: cloud architecture, infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, software-as-a-service, virtualisation and multi-tenancy. For the first assignment, students are expected to work in a group and develop a research report that critically analyses an aspect of cloud computing. Subsequently, students are exposed to cloud-based software engineering skills using an existing cloud platform. For the second assignment, students are expected to work in a group and develop a cloud-based software application.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Articulate the need for cloud computing, elements of cloud computing for e-business, e-government, e-banking, e-health and e-learning. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Describe the architecture of different types of Cloud Services (IaaS, PaaS and SaaS), different types of Virtualization and their industrial use. (D.1) |
| 3. | Critically understand the current issues in Cloud Computing for informed business decision making. (D.1) |
| 4. | Create a Cloud Computing prototye that will be on a Cloud platform for areas such as e-government, e-banking, e-health and e-learning. (C.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject will consist of two formal contact sessions per week: 1.5 hours of lecture supplemented by 1.5 hours of lab/tutorial work. The teaching and learning approach used in this subject includes theoretical discussion of topics (during the lectures) supplemented with practical exercises and example (during the labs or tutorials). There will be 10 weekly 1.5 hours classes. The tutorials will consist of a range of critical thinking and collaborative tasks, including group discussions and group presentations. Students are required to form groups (of three) and work as a group during the tutorials on the tutorial case study. During the tutorial students will receive verbal feedback from the tutor (and other fellow students). Students may choose to extend the formed tutorial group for the assignment. In the labs each week students are required to program or build a mini-application in the Cloud. Students can choose to work either in a group or individually during the labs. Similar to the tutorials, students will receive verbal feedback from the tutor specifically on their lab work. Both the tutorial and labs will focus on concepts covered during the classes in the week before.
The subject coordinator/lecturer will release content on certain topics, for pre-reading by the students prior to coming to the class. Students are expected to consult the program section and peruse through the pre-reading section prior to coming to the lecture, labs and tutorials. Students bring conceptual understandings of pre-reading material to classes, tutorials and labs to enable deeper understanding through discussions and feedback.The lectures, tutorials and labs will build on the pre-readings provided to the students. All the pre-reading will be made available on Canvas.
During Week 1, students are expected to view the videos made available by the subject coordinator on Canvas. Subsequently, in order to provide the students with feedback on their understanding of the content covered during the preparation, they will be required to complete an online quiz. Feedback provided is automated and numerical.
Content (topics)
- Cloud computing fundamentals
- Cloud architecture model
- Infrastructure as a Service - IaaS
- Platform as a Service - PaaS
- Software as a Service - SaaS
- Virtualization and multi-tenancy in cloud computing
- Cloud data objects and validations
- Cloud application and data security management
- Cloud application workflow development
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research Essay
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and D.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | Approximately five (5) A4 pages. |
Assessment task 2: Software as a Service (SaaS) Development
| Intent: | This task is based on the Cloud-based software development skills that are covered in the lectures and the labs. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | N/A. |
Assessment task 3: Report on Software as a Service (SaaS) Development
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | There is no word limit. |
Assessment task 4: Presentation
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | There is no word limit. |
Assessment task 5: Final Assessment
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
This is a dynamic and practical subject. There is no fixed or single textbook for this subject. The content covered in this subject is grounded in state-of-the-art knowledge and practices. However, students may choose to buy and consult the relevant recommended texts below. Please note that the below texts are for reference only and it is essential to attend lectures to follow the subject content.
Recommended texts
All lecture slides and assignment handouts will be made available via Canvas (https://canvas.uts.edu.au/)
The following references are recommended for this subject:
Rhoton, J. (2010), Cloud computing explained, Recursive Press, UK.
Shroff, G. (2010), Enterprise cloud computing: technology, architecture, application, Cambridge University Press, UK.
Choi, P., McGuire, C., and Roth, C. (2011), Force.com Platform Fundamentals: An Introduction to Custom Application Development in the Cloud
Some journal articles, conference papers and other reference material will be either provided in the class or made available via CAnvas.
Other resources
(a) Announcements will be made via Canvas (https://canvas.uts.edu.au/). Students are required to check Canvas regularly for any announcements etc. Please familiarize yourself with the working of Canvas.
(b) All lecture slides, assignments, tutorial work plans will be made available via Canvas (https://canvas.uts.edu.au/).