42904 Cloud Computing and Software as a Service
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 41001 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 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 prototype on a Cloud platform for areas such as e-business, e-government, e-banking 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, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (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 examples (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)
(1) Cloud computing fundamentals
(2) Cloud architecture model
(3) Infrastructure as a Service - IaaS
(4) Platform as a Service - PaaS
(5) Software as a Service - SaaS
(6) Virtualization and multi-tenancy in cloud computing
(7) Cloud data objects and validations
(8) Cloud application and data security management
(9) 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: | 30% |
| Length: | Approximately fifteen (15) A4 pages. |
Assessment task 2: Software as a Service (SaaS) Development
| Intent: | In this task students are required to demonstrate software development skills using a Cloud platform. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 15% |
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% |
Assessment task 4: Presentation
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | Each presentation is expected to last no more than 15 minutes and subsequently allow 5 minutes for questions. |
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 relevant recommended texts below. Please note that the below texts are for reference and it is essential to attend lectures and tutorial 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 unit:
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 or updates. Please familiarize yourself with the working of Canvas.
(b) All lecture slides, assignments, tutorial work plans will be made available via Canvas.