COMP3782 Information Technology Project

This topic provides practical experience in designing, developing and testing a non-trivial information technology project. Projects are generally software-based, although sometimes they may involve investigation of theory. Projects cover the whole systems development life cycle from analysis through design to implementation. The project work will involve project management, comprehensive document preparation and a presentation. The project will be supervised by an academic staff member. The projects offered will be determined by the topic co-ordinator in consultation with the potential supervisors. Students are assigned in groups to a project supervisor. There are no lectures in this topic, although students will be expected to do the equivalent of at least 10 hours per week of practical work for a semester including attending regular meetings with their group and with their project supervisor.

This topic aims to provide third-year IT students the opportunity to:

• Apply skills and knowledge gained in their course to the systematic development of a complex computer-based information system
• Apply their skills and knowledge in a professionally responsible manner
• Communicate effectively with other computer scientists, IT specialists and members of the wider community using a range of communication technologies
• Work professionally as an individual and in a team
• Develop a computer-based solution appropriate to the social, political, economic and environmental context of the project
• Contribute successfully to project management
• Search, access, and analyse research literature as part of the process of developing solutions to problems

1. Participate in a significant group project in an area of information technology
2. Gain experience in professional practice
3. Gain first-hand practical experience in aspects of the systems development life cycle, including the development of system requirements, system design, system testing, system implementation and evaluation
4. Gain experience in formal document preparation
5. Gain experience in the preparation and delivery of a formal oral presentation
6. Gain practical experience and proficiency as an active and valued member of a project team
7. Gain practical experience in project management
8. Gain practical experience in communicating effectively with clients, users and project group members