Technology Exploration Project – M591

This page is for the unit taught during academic year 2007/8. Please visit here for the 2008/9 academic year.


"If you steal property, you must report its fair market value in your income in the year you steal it unless in the same year, you return it to its rightful owner."
    – from U.S. Federal Income Tax form


Unit objectives
This unit provides students with an opportunity to critically explore topics which are normally outside the primary focus of their course. This year, the focus is authentication and identity.

1. Critically analyse authentication methods to identify the key principles and future directions.
2. Critically analyse and evaluate the social impact and commercial potential of identity and privacy issues involved with authentication.
3. Write effectively to communicate observations, technical solutions, social issues and commercial ideas.

Unit assessments
Critical analysis and communication skills are assessed through coursework and a final examination. A list of resources for study and coursework and guidelines for writing coursework are available online.

1. The coursework consists of a series of research articles that contribute 60% to the unit mark. Articles are submitted using the Mosaic website.
2. 2 hours open notes examination that contributes 40% to the unit mark. Summary of results are available online.
   • 2007/8 final exam (PDF file)
   • 2007/8 final exam solutions (PDF file)

Syllabus topics and tutorial notes

1. Biological, social and historical context of authentication.
2. Concepts of identity and privacy.
3. Commonly used authentication methods.    (example)
4. Commercial authentication systems.
5. Government authentication systems.
6. Advanced authentication methods.

Method of teaching

• The unit is based on a series of coursework assignments that depend on self directed research and experimentation.
• Students are required to participate and contribute at weekly tutorial meetings by using information from their reading list, personal observations and independent research of primary and secondary sources.
• Tutorial discussions follow and support the coursework by providing opportunities for students to ask questions about their current assignments and receive feedback about marked assignments.
• A list of resources for study and coursework and guidelines for writing coursework are available online and updated during the semester.

The unit lecturer is Chi Nguyen.