COMP4500 is an annual course that must be completed twice, in consecutive semesters.

This course exposes students to professional software engineering practice and leadership through the development of a software system for an industry, government or university based customer, or by engaging with the ACT innovation community and students across the university to create a software-based start-up business. Students will lead small teams to plan (define, estimate, schedule) and manage an appropriate set of activities to ultimately deliver a software product. The implementation part of the project will include monitoring, measuring, tracking, and managing change.

To enrol in this course you must meet the eligibility criteria, which includes membership of a student project group before the end of week 1, where the project has been approved by the convener. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Develop as a leading member of a team that creatively identifies, implements, and delivers a software solution to a complex problem.
2. Develop lifelong learning through reflection, as demonstrated through continual reflection on the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and teamwork processes experienced throughout the year.
3. Demonstrate and develop the ability to employ team formation strategies and stages leading to a high-performing self-managing team.
4. Present, communicate, and effectively defend sound engineering decisions at project reviews, both orally and in writing, with peers, supervisors, and project stakeholders.
5. Demonstrate a sound understanding of project, configuration, and risk management processes when undertaking a software development project.
6. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the different stages of the SDLC.
7. Demonstrate a sound use of standards in software development.

Field Trips

Depending on the project you select, offsite activities may be required.

If applicable, please following the process linked to here: https://comp.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/course_outline/insurance/

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

The use of Generative AI Tools (e.g., ChatGPT) is permitted in this course, given that proper citation and prompts are provided, along with a description of how the tool contributed to the assignment. Guidelines regarding appropriate citation and use can be found on the ANU library website (https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai> https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai> https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai%3e>)]. Marks will reflect the contribution of the student rather than the contribution of the tools. Further guidance on appropriate use should be directed to the convener for this course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 01 - Team Formation	Students must form and/or join a team of 4-7 students, and commit to working on a project brief. Project briefs are pitched by a range of ecosystem partners. Representatives from external organisations pitching to form engagements with teams are present.
2	Week 03 - First Audit Feedback Task	reading, processing, and rating feedback you have received, 2.5% assessment
4	Week 04 - Learning to Reflect Workshop Session 1	relates to Work Portfolio Package assessment, 2% assessment
5	Break Week 02 - Teaching Break Week 1 - Second Audit Feedback Task	reading, processing, and rating feedback you have received, 2.5% assessment
6	Week 07 - Learning to Reflect Workshop Session 2	relates to Work Portfolio Package assessment, 2% assessment
7	Week 09 - Showcase Video	10% assessment
8	Week 10 - Third and Final Audit Audit Feedback Task	reading, processing, and rating feedback you have received, 5% assessment
11	Week 11 - Learning to Reflect Workshop Session 3	relates to Work Portfolio Package assessment, 2% assessment
12	Week 12 - ANU TechLauncher Program Showcase	Hybrid Conference
13	Week 12 - Work Package Portfolio Submission	14% assessment item in the Learning to Reflect program

Tutorial Registration

Team preferences via online poll completed by midnight Friday Week 1. Before enroling in your Team you may wish to consider the following:

Privacy Notice for course enrolment:

The courses COMP3500/COMP3550/COMP4500/COMP4810/COMP3740/ COMP8715 are group project courses.

Students enrolled in the COMP3500/COMP3550/COMP4500/COMP4810/COMP3740/ COMP8715 may be required to share their personal information with a third party, including any external organisation you choose as your client. 

If you elect to work on a project with an external client, the College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics will provide your client with your name, your ANU ID number, your Academic Degree Program Level (e.g. Master/ Bachelor/Honours) and your ANU email address, as required. 

ANU will share your personal information only to the extent necessary for you to undertake your group project course. 

If you do not wish to share your personal information as outlined above, please consider enrolling in another course.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
First Audit Evaluation and Contribution Reports	10 %	1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11
Second Audit Evaluation and Contribution Reports	20 %	1,2,4,8,9,10,11
Third Audit Evaluation and Contribution Reports	30 %	1,2,4,8,9,10,11
First Audit Feedback Task	0 %	7
Second Audit Feedback Task	0 %	7
Third Audit Feedback Task	5 %	7
Work Portfolio Package 1st Blended Workshop	2 %	2,5
Work Portfolio Package 2nd Blended Workshop	2 %	2,5
Work Portfolio Package 3rd Blended Workshop	2 %	2,5
Showcase Video	10 %	5,11
Work Portfolio Package	14 %	2,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

To enroll in this course you must meet the eligibility criteria, which includes membership of a student project group before the end of Week 1, where the project has been approved by the convener.

Assessment Task 1

First Audit Evaluation and Contribution Reports

To be audited and audit another team.

In being audited all team members must actively expose, represent and describe teams output, decision making, teamwork, stakeholder management, and reflection, in the fore period.

In auditing another team, proactively shadow another team and audit them.

An evaluation record regarding the team members own team must be provided. The record includes natural language prose and quantitative elements.

An evaluation record regarding the team the member is shadowing must be provided.

An record of the contributions made by all team member's team mates must be completed.

https://cs.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/evaluation/project_audits/#project-audit-1-requirements

Assessment Task 2

Second Audit Evaluation and Contribution Reports

To be audited and audit another team.

In being audited all team members must actively expose, represent and describe teams output, decision making, teamwork, stakeholder management, and reflection, in the fore period.

In auditing another team, proactively shadow another team and audit them.

An evaluation record regarding the team members own team must be provided. The record includes natural language prose and quantitative elements.

An evaluation record regarding the team the member is shadowing must be provided.

An record of the contributions made by all team member's team mates must be completed.

https://cs.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/evaluation/project_audits/#later-project-audit-requirements

Assessment Task 3

Third Audit Evaluation and Contribution Reports

To be audited and audit another team.

In being audited all team members must actively expose, represent and describe teams output, decision making, teamwork, stakeholder management, and reflection, in the fore period.

In auditing another team, proactively shadow another team and audit them.

An evaluation record regarding the team members own team must be provided. The record includes natural language prose and quantitative elements.

An evaluation record regarding the team the member is shadowing must be provided.

An record of the contributions made by all team member's team mates must be completed.

https://cs.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/evaluation/project_audits/#later-project-audit-requirements

Assessment Task 4

First Audit Feedback Task

Assessment is 2.5% of total mark for the semester, not 0%.

All evaluation records received must be read, and each piece of feedback must be ranked for its utility.

https://cs.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/evaluation/tag_reports/

Assessment Task 5

Second Audit Feedback Task

Assessment is 2.5% of total mark for the semester, not 0%.

All evaluation records received must be read, and each piece of feedback must be ranked for its utility.

https://cs.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/evaluation/tag_reports/

Assessment Task 6

Third Audit Feedback Task

All evaluation records received must be read, and each piece of feedback must be ranked for its utility.

https://cs.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/evaluation/tag_reports/

Assessment Task 7

Work Portfolio Package 1st Blended Workshop

Attend workshop and complete small reflective activity in Wattle.

Assessment Task 8

Work Portfolio Package 2nd Blended Workshop

Attend workshop and complete small reflective activity in Wattle.

Assessment Task 9

Work Portfolio Package 3rd Blended Workshop

Attend workshop and complete small reflective activity in Wattle

Assessment Task 10

Showcase Video

Each team must submit a video for The Showcase.

https://cs.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/evaluation/project_video/

Assessment Task 11

Work Portfolio Package

An application for an opportunity with a supplementary portfolio showcasing relevant contributions to teamwork during the semester.

https://cs.anu.edu.au/TechLauncher/current_students/evaluation/work_portfolio_package/

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students