Associate Degree of Applied Cloud Technology

Cloud computing is becoming an increasingly common environment for organisations to operate their IT systems. In this subject, you will learn about the breadth of cloud computing, including an introduction to cloud concepts, the services that can be provided on the cloud, and the setup of cloud services. You will also examine various cloud models and their suitability for specific organisational circumstances. This subject is designed to prepare students for undertaking an associated vendor certification.

To operate effectively within any information system, an understanding of the theory and practice of database management systems is essential. This subject is designed to deepen students' interest and expertise in databases in general with a focus on cloud databases. A cloud database stores/processes data on the cloud. We start by looking at how database systems have evolved. The subject is mainly concerned with the relational data model and students learn the basics of database design using entity-relationship diagrams and how this design can then be mapped onto the relational model. A significant part of the subject is devoted to the use of structured query language (SQL). A commercial database management system will be used throughout the subject to provide hands-on skills. Foundations of normalising as well as data security will also be discussed. This subject is designed to prepare students for undertaking an associated vendor certification.

In this subject, students are introduced to the concept of an information system (IS) including file design, input/output/interface design, file conversion and implementation techniques. This subject deals with systems development life cycle as a framework for IS development and emphasises the role and involvement of users in an IS project. The use of appropriate fact-finding techniques in systems analysis and an introduction to data flow and E-R modelling are covered. Several information system case studies are used to illustrate the concepts introduced. Students will receive hands-on experience in the construction of a small information system using a suitable prototyping tool.

This subject provides a general introduction to the breadth of the field of information technology. Areas covered include the main components and operation of IT devices, data storage and retrieval, networks, programming and website development.

The object-oriented programming (OOP) approach allows for the streamlined development of complex programming solutions. This subject aims to build on the knowledge and skills with object-oriented programming gained in prior studies. The subject delves more deeply into object-oriented programming concepts and how they can be applied to develop more complex and innovative programming solutions. Previously learnt software engineering skills are also further developed.

In this subject, we lay the foundation for internetworking. Basic building blocks of internetworking in terms of two main reference models are introduced. Two main reference models, OSI and TCP/IP, are examined in detail, mainly by analysing each layer’s functionality and different protocols involved. A few of the critical concepts in network design like IP addressing, IP subnetting, VLSM, IP routing, local area network technologies (Ethernet), switching and packet analysis are also introduced with a practical approach as an enabler to perform small network designs. This subject is designed to prepare students for undertaking an associated vendor certification.

Students are introduced to object-oriented programming concepts through a contemporary programming language. Topics covered include classes and objects, encapsulation and inheritance, primitive data types, flow of control, methods, basic input/output and arrays. Software engineering principles are introduced, including coding standards, class design and testing strategies.

In this subject, students are introduced to developing and implementing a workplace sustainability policy in line with a current theoretical framework and modifying it to suit the interconnections between the economy, society and the environment. Students identify, analyse and evaluate information to develop, monitor and modify organisational policies in accordance with legislative and organisational goals and changing business circumstances. During this process, they are required to communicate and consult with internal and external stakeholders. The subject also introduces students to planning, sequencing and using systematic and analytical processes to research and gather data and to evaluate outcomes of decision-making to identify improvement. This subject addresses La Trobe’s Sustainability Thinking Essential. Sustainability Thinking entails deep appreciation of how the choices we make affect the natural, economic, social, political and cultural systems – now and in the future.

This subject is an introduction to discrete mathematics. Concepts in discrete mathematics are useful in several branches of computer science as computers operate in discrete binary states. Among the topics covered are: sets, functions, relations, counting, sequences, modular arithmetic and Big-O notation. All these topics are central to the application of mathematics in electronics and computer science.

The focus of this subject is the skills and knowledge required to develop applications on the cloud platform. The subject provides information on creating applications, using communication protocols, web connectivity and the application of different techniques. Key concepts of application development on the cloud such as design, debug, develop and deploy are also covered.

LAN switching and IP routing are the two key enablers of internetworking. This subject mainly focuses on how the switching technologies are implemented in a network and how we can secure access to a network in switch level using port-security and enhance performance of a network by using VLANs. The other main aspect covered in this subject is IP routing. Key concepts of IP routing together with different types of routing and routing protocols are carefully analysed to make critical decisions on which routing type or protocol is most suitable for a given scenario. Also, practical implementation of each of these key features is covered in a simulated environment.

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of machine learning (history, algorithm types, uses) and then covers an efficient implementation of machine learning algorithms on real-world data of moderate complexity using an open source ecosystem and MapReduce and R environments. Students explore the practical aspects of this subject using the AWS platform.

This subject focuses on the skills and knowledge required to manage information and communications technology projects in the cloud. The subject takes a practical approach by taking students from the project planning stage to the project closure stage. It covers conducting a feasibility study, how to establish and work effectively in a project team, financial planning, project management tools and software, and project management methodologies. It provides students with an opportunity to gain practical skills and knowledge in using various project management tools that are available in the cloud.

In this subject, students are introduced to modern operating systems and their major components. Students will learn these concepts by working on an operating system. Process and memory management, file systems, system management and several other concepts are also covered.

This subject provides an understanding of virtualisation concepts and exposure to different virtualisation solutions. Students will utilise this knowledge to design, implement and manage a virtualisation solution for a given scenario. The practicality of using virtualisation on cloud is particularly emphasised.

This subject covers multiple WAN technologies and how these are configured in different network scenarios. Students will apply their knowledge to implement appropriate WAN connectivity options on given network scenarios. Also, this covers a few of the crucial functional areas of network infrastructure such as managing, maintaining and securing the network infrastructure. This subject is designed to prepare students for the opportunity to undertake a vendor certification on networking.

This subject covers the skills and knowledge required for the deployment of network servers based on an operating system. Techniques and skills for system administration are developed throughout the course of this subject. It further validates the candidate's technical abilities in understanding the architecture of an operating system, installing and configuring an operating system, working at the operating systems command line, handling files and access permissions as well as system security and performing certain maintenance tasks such as backup and restore. This subject is designed to prepare students for undertaking a vendor certification on Linux operating system.

This subject addresses a wide spectrum of fundamental technical concepts relating to client-side web programming including creating HTML pages, writing CSS to enhance the look of HTML pages, using JavaScript and the JQuery library to implement the underlying logic, and specialised topics such as drawing, web storage, geolocation, exception handling, event handling, asynchronous programming, serialization and parallel programming. This subject is designed to prepare students for the opportunity of undertaking a vendor certification on HTML5 and JavaScript.