CSC8112 : Internet of Things
CSC8112 : Internet of Things
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Raj Ranjan
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Tejal Shah, Dr Tomasz Szydlo
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a distributed system, in which autonomous devices, sometimes called motes, collect environmental data (such as location, speed, temperature, humidity and sound level) or, more recently, medical data (such as heart rate, blood oxygen level and pulse rate). The data is collected across the network, aggregated and fed into data processing IoT applications. Sensor and actuator networks, telemetry, data processing, distributed data bases, machine vision, AI and analytics are enablers for IoT applications across multiple disciplines, including environmental monitoring and control, agricultural monitoring, healthcare, habitat monitoring and military surveillance.
In order to successfully design and build scalable application systems in the IoT, a range of knowledge and skills are needed. This module will introduce and examine the core concepts, theoretical underpinnings and software frameworks relevant to the IoT. It will describe the network protocols, hardware resources, data programming models, and virtualization technologies from which the IoT cloud infrastructure and applications are constructed. Methods for building scalable IoT applications that span across multiple parts of infrastructure (sensor, edge, and cloud) will be described and explained. Case studies drawn from industrial applications of IoT will be used throughout to motivate the teaching and learning process.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus will cover following topics:
• IoT theory, concepts, components and delivery models
• IoT architecture and topologies
• Sensors and Actuators in IoT
• IoT Standards and Communication Protocols
• Fundamentals of Software Defined Networking and its role in IoT
• Issues and Challenges in building IoT applications
• IoT Data Management and Data Integration
• IoT knowledge graph and data fusion
• IoT and Blockchain
• IoT in Context of Cloud Computing and Analytics
• IoT and Edge/Fog Computing
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
To be able to describe and discuss:
- How businesses and society can benefit from the IoT paradigm
- The role of IoT of data for automatic decision making workflows in a chosen field or industry
- The legal and ethical implications of collecting and processing data using IoT
- Strength and weakness of the IoT paradigm
Intended Skill Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
• Integrate skills and knowledge gained in the course as a whole for solving real-world problems
• Explain an integrated, multidisciplinary approach for IoT based solutions, and apply it to solving real-world problems.
• Analyse, design and implement a distributed IoT application system, its components and address its connectivity issues.
• Explain the principles of sensing/actuation, data transmission and processing, visualisation and analytics, as well as, cybersecurity issues in IoT
• Execute independent investigation of new IoT applications, methods, technologies, programming models and tools, as well as, application development concepts
• Recognize and appreciate the collaborative nature of IoT development and the teamwork involved
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Lectures (in person) delivery of course material. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Lecture material follow up via Microsoft Teams in asynchronous setting. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Practicals (in person). 2x4 hour practical sessions in the lab. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Practicals (in person). 2x2 hours practical sessions in the lab. |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | Coursework. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | Background reading. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Online synchronous delivery of course material & discussions online lectures. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures explain the underpinning principles for the module and technologies of Internet of Things. Lectures are complemented by supervised practical sessions to guide the application of these principles using suitable computational tools. Further practical work takes place during private study hours
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 60 | Inspera Exam. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | Testing of programming skills, will include code demonstration, and report. 3-4 weeks to complete. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | Mock Test prior to exam to consolidate student knowledge ahead of the summative exam. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The reports test the students' ability to apply the range of knowledge presented in the module. This builds on practical work and develops and tests the students' ability to design and implement IoT systems.
The exam will be an open-book exam at the end of Semester 1 . In a controlled environment (examination room), students will be asked to provide answers to exam questions testing conceptual knowledge.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8112's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- CSC8112's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue
This is where you will be able to find all key information about modules on your programme of study. It will help you make an informed decision on the options available to you within your programme.
You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.
Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.