1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Social Computing
  4. Print

Social Computing (INFO90007)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2024 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Availability
Semester 2
FeesLook up fees

Social Computing is a field of study that investigates computing techniques and systems to support, mediate, and understand aspects of social behaviours. Understanding the principles and foundations of Social Computing is important because of the rapid proliferation of social systems, particularly those aimed at end-users (e.g. social networking websites, crowd sourcing platforms, knowledge sharing platforms, etc.). This subject will introduce you to key concepts and principles of Social Computing, and provide you with training to investigate how these systems influence human behaviours, how to improve current implementations, and how to identify ways to better support social activities and interactions.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of a range of social computing applications and concepts
  • Demonstrate an ability to apply and analyse the different approaches to using socio-technical designs for supporting social behaviours and activities
  • Be able to evaluate and create social computing applications
  • Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary tools and environments for social analytics

Last updated: 10 November 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Option 1

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
COMP90041 Programming and Software Development
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP90059 Introduction to Programming
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP10001 Foundations of Computing
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP10002 Foundations of Algorithms
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP10003 Media Computation
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Option 2

  • Admission into or selection of one of the following:
    • MC-CS Master of Computer Science
    • MC-IT100 Master of Information Technology
    • MC-IT150 Master of Information Technology

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Students are expected to have basic proficiency in computing, and familiarity with interactive technologies.

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: 10 November 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Assignment 1 – Review: Individual report on different types of social computing systems, and how they differ in supporting social behaviours and activities. A report of 1000 words requiring approximately 10 hours of work. Due in week 3 or week 4. Addressing Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO's) 1 and 2.

  • 10 hours (of work required)
From Week 3 to Week 420%

Assignment 2 – Social System Design: Group project (3-4 students) involving the design of an application that supports collaborative and co-located crowdsourcing. A report of 2000 to 3000 words, requiring approximately 20 hours of work per student. Addressing ILO's 2 and 3. 

  • 60-80 hours (of work required)
Week 730%

Assignment 3 – Social System Implementation and Analysis: Propose and complete a group project (3-4 students) that entails designing, launching and evaluating a social computing application. A demonstration of the system lasting 10 minutes, requiring approximately 10 hours of work per student. Addressing ILO's 3 and 4.

  • 30-40 hours (of work required)
Week 1220%

Assignment 4 - Social System Implementation and Analysis: Final report describing the group work and findings. Due second week of examination (30%). Addressing ILO's 3 and 4.

  • 2000-3000 words
During the examination period30%

Last updated: 10 November 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorJorge Goncalves
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours35, comprising of one 2-hour lecture per week and one 1-hour tutorial in Weeks 2 - 12
    Total time commitment200 hours
    Teaching period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    Semester 2 contact information

    Jorge Goncalves

    jorge.goncalves@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

200 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Last updated: 10 November 2023

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 10 November 2023