Your knowledge of the course topics will be assessed through: quizzes, assignments and exams. Discussion of these components will be given in lectures (for example, hints, solutions and feedback).

Quizzes

Short online quizzes will be available for each topic via ICT Moodle (in some cases there will be multiple quizzes for a topic). Each quiz aims to test your understanding of the lectures and compulsory readings. The quizzes may have time limits (e.g. you must complete the quiz within 10 minutes of starting it) and deadlines (e.g. you must complete the quiz before some time/data). The quizzes are for your own practice: you should attempt them on your own (you must not let someone take your quiz for you).

Assessment: You are expected to make reasonable attempts at each quiz. Your grade for the quiz component will depend on those attempts. Specifically, if you obtain 50% or more for an individual quiz, then your attempt will be counted. If you obtain less than 50% for a quiz, then that attempt will not be counted. In each quiz, you will be allowed at least 1 re-take: the highest score will be used if re-taking the quiz. That is, if you take the quiz and obtain 20%, then you may re-take the quiz. If on the 2nd attempt you obtain 60%, then this quiz is considered a reasonable attempt (score more than 50%).

If you make reasonable attempts at all quizzes (i.e. 50% or more for all quizzes) then you will receive full marks for the quiz component (15%). Your score above 50% for the quiz doesn't impact on your grade: 50% is the same as 100%. It's the attempt that is counted. There will a penalty for missed quizzes (i.e. quizzes not submitted by the deadline and attempts with score less than 50%) as follows:

Medical leave (or other urgent issues) will not be accepted as a reason for missing a quiz unless it covers 50% of the period in which the quiz was available.

Cheating: letting someone else take your quiz is considered cheating and will be penalized (0 for all quizzes). Giving others your Moodle username/password or inappropriate/malicious use of Moodle (or other computer resources) is considered cheating (0 for all quizzes) and will be treated as a case of inappropriate use of SIIT computer resources.

Assignments

Assignments will aim to test your detailed knowledge and understanding of the topics, as well as your critical thinking and research ability. Assignments may include tasks involving: programming; searching on the Internet; writing detailed designs; reading research papers; learning and using specialist software/hardware.

Assessment: the assignment will be worth 15% of the total course assessment.

Extension of Due Dates: Each assignment will be made available at least 2 weeks before the due date. Therefore you should have enough time to plan the completion of your assignment (as well as tasks from other courses) by the due date. Requests for extensions several days before the due date will not be granted. Similarly, being sick or absent for several days does not guarantee you to an extension. If you have any issues with due dates or load, then please let me know as early as possible.

Exams

Exams may include all material covered in lectures, quizzes, assignments and compulsory readings. Some discussion of the topics to be included (or not included) will be given in the lecture leading up to the exam.

Assessment: the Midterm Exam will be worth 30% and the Final Exam 40% of the total course assessment.