Course Outline

ICT120 Computer Networks

Course Coordinator:Abigail Koay (akoay@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

UniSC Adelaide

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Internet, the network of computers worldwide, has become an indispensable part of almost every business, school, and home. This course guides you to explore the fundamental technologies and solutions in network applications, hardware components, architectures, communication protocols, industrial standards, and system management. You will understand how networks, as small as an in-home local area network or as big as the Internet, are built and how they work to enable information sharing and communications across devices. You will also gain hands-on experience in network simulations and traffic analysis which will help you utilise the learned knowledge into real-world practices. 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – In-class tutorial 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – Common Session 1hr Week 1 Once Only
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Interactive Zoom tutorial 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – Common Session 1hr Week 1 Once Only

Course Topics

Introduction to Computer Networks.
Network Hardware Essentials.
Network Topologies and Technologies.
Network Media.
Network Protocols.
IP Addressing.
Network Reference Models and Standards.
Network Hardware in Depth.
Introduction to Network Security.
Wide Area Networking and Cloud Computing.
Network Management and Administration.
Troubleshooting and Support.

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Implement the foundation concepts of networks. Knowledgeable
Empowered
2 Explain fundamental networking concepts. Empowered
3 Apply networking concepts to solve a business problem. Creative and critical thinker
4 Demonstrate knowledge and uses of new areas of networking. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

case studies discussed in the tutorial provide early feedback.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 20%
One-hour
Week 5 Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Report Individual 40%
weeks 6-10
Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 40%
one hour
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Mid-trimester test
Goal:
To demonstrate knowledge of foundation concepts of computer networks.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This is an individual assessment that covers the first 4 weeks of content. Further details will be available on Canvas in the assignment specification.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Comprehension and knowledge of foundation concepts of computer networks.
2 4
Generic Skills:
Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 2:Technical report
Goal:
To demonstrate your ability to design and implement networking solutions according to
business needs.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This is an individual assessment. 
A technical report (between 1500 to 2500 words) explaining the networking solution for a specified business case study.
Further details will be available on Canvas in the assignment specification.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Critical analysis of an organisation’s networking requirements
Application of the networking concepts to the business problem
Justification of developed network solution
Written communication skills
1 3 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 3:Final examination
Goal:
To demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of computer networks.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This is an individual assessment
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application and communication of definitions and concepts used in networking design Discussion of the position of networking design in organisations
Definition of a business problem and presentation of a networking solution to solve the
problem
1 2 4
Generic Skills:
Applying technologies

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Greg Tomsho 2025 Guide to Networking Essentials 9 Cengage Learning

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: