Foundations of Informatics (INFO20002)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2025

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Overview

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Aims

The ability to access, manipulate, organise, analyse and display data are fundamental skills for scientists, historians, managers, financiers, artists and many other professions. This subject explores various computational methods to represent, transform, and make sense of large, diverse sets of data such as share market prices, scientific data or demographic data. This subject is core within the Bachelor of Science for the Major of Informatics. Students completing the Diploma of Informatics can also take this subject.

Indicative Content

This subject serves as an introduction to Informatics. Its main focus is on representing and manipulating data using spreadsheet tools; basic web page construction using HTML and style-sheets; representing and manipulating information on the web using a scripting language. These skills form a useful basis for those looking at careers in which the manipulation and visualisation of information takes place.

Intended learning outcomes

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)


On completion of this subject the student is expected to:



  • Apply the fundamental concepts of the Informatics discipline
  • Manipulate large data sets in various domains
  • Solve practical data management tasks using ICT tools
  • Manipulate live web-based data
  • Communicate information effectively using Informatics tools
  • Appreciate the social implications of computing.

Generic skills

Upon completion of this subject you should have developed the following generic skills:

  • The ability to analyse and solve real-world problems with computers
  • Provide clear and constructive critique of other students’ work
  • Synthesise information and communicate results effectively
  • Work effectively as a member of a project team.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
COMP10001 Foundations of Computing
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

VCE Algorithmics units 3/4

OR

Achieving at least 75% in the programming competency test

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
COMP20008 Elements of Data Processing
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

INFO10002

600-152 Informatics-2: People, Data, and the Web

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

One three-stage project (40% total), comprising of: Part 1 – Individual – Solving a practical data manipulation problem (10%) due in week 4, requiring 10-12 hours of work. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 5 are addressed in part 1 of the project.Part 2 – Groups of 3 students – Design and analysis of data representation (10%) due in week 8, requiring 10-12 hours work per group member. ILOs 1 to 5 are addressed in part 2 of the project.Part 3 – Groups of 3 students – Developing an application that enables the presentation, visualisation, and analysis of data (20%) due in week 8, requiring 20 to 30 hours work per group member. ILOs 1 to 5 are addressed in part 3 of the project.

  • 40-54 hours (of work required)
Hurdle requirement: Please see below		From Week 4 to Week 840%

One written closed book examination. ILOs 1 to 6 are addressed in the examination.

  • 2 hours
Hurdle requirement: Please see below		End of semester60%

Additional details

Hurdle requirement: To pass the subject, students must obtain:

  • at least 50% of the marks available for the non-examination based assessment
  • at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Dates & times

Not available in 2025

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 20 March 2025