IT Capstone Project 1

Unit code: NIT3003 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
VU Brisbane
VU Sydney
Prerequisites
Completion of at least 144 credit points.
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
Enquire

Overview

In this unit you will begin to work on your final-year capstone project, where you’ll work collaboratively to define, design, and plan a professional IT solution. You’ll scope project objectives, develop functional specifications, and produce technical artefacts such as use cases, mock-ups, and system diagrams. You’ll explore how AI tools can accelerate ideation, test design assumptions, and support high-quality project planning. By the end of the unit, you’ll be able to plan and present a complete project proposal, preparing you for the development phase in IT Capstone Project 2 and for transition into professional IT roles.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Design the scope and objectives of a professional IT project using appropriate planning and analysis tools;
  2. Develop functional specifications and system design artefacts, including use cases, UI mock-ups, and technical diagrams;
  3. Evaluate solution feasibility, including the appropriateness, risks and sustainability of any AI-assisted or data-driven components, while centering user needs;
  4. Exhibit professional documentation including design briefs, prompt libraries, model cards and ethical-impact statements to stakeholders;
  5. Articulate collaboration, planning, and communication skills appropriate to professional IT practice.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 30%
Project plan: includes scoping, functional requirements, and timeline (team-based assessment).
Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 50%
Final proposal: revise the project plan, enhance the presentation with UML, UI design, and pseudo code (Team-based assessment) with Q&A verification.
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 20%
Oral presentation: demonstrate and defend the final project proposal to relevant audiences (team-based assessment) with oral Q&A.

Team-based assessment in the IT Capstone Project follows these guidelines:

  1. Team Size: Each team should consist of 2 to 4 students.
  2. Project Variety: Different teams will work on distinct capstone projects.
  3. Individual Responsibilities: Within a team, each student will be assigned specific parts of the capstone project and will collaborate with teammates, reflecting real-world industrial project dynamics.
  4. Individual Assessment: Student's responsibilities and contributions to the project will be evaluated individually in relation to the assessment learning outcomes.

Report 2: Students analyse real data and produce findings in written form, supported by oral presentation or follow-up Q&A verifying interpretations and methods. AI-generated content is flagged via reflective process documentation.

Presentation: Students present technical insights or project findings in real-time, followed by a Q&A session. Understanding is verified via unpredictable questions requiring explanation of methods, assumptions, and decisions.

Required reading

Selected readings will be made available via VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Cyber Security
NBCS | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years
Bachelor of Data Science
NBDS | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

Search for units, majors & minors