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COMP30520

Academic Year 2026/2027

Cloud Computing (UG) (COMP30520)

Subject:
Computer Science
College:
Science
School:
Computer Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Dimitris Chatzopoulos
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Nowadays Cloud Computing is everywhere. Cloud Computing (CC) is not a revolution of Information technology (IT), but It is one of the key evolution steps of IT. It provides computing as a utility, which has recently emerged as a commercial reality. The main characteristics of CC are 1) the illusion of infinite computing and storage resources, 2) the ability to pay-as-you-use, and 3) the elimination of an up-front commitment by Cloud users. In other words, CC is a style of computing in which can be scaled dynamically and virtualised resources are provided as a service over the Network. The key idea behind this course is to provide fundamental CC topics taking into account both technology and business considerations. The course is divided into a series of lectures, each of which is accompanied by one or more hands-on exercises. Among the topics that will be covered in this course are:
• Fundamental CC terminology and concepts
• CC definition an its specific characteristics
• Benefits, Challenges and Risks of CC platforms and Services
• Roles of CC administrator and owners
• SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS delivery models and their combinations
• Various Public, Private, and hybrid CC environments
• Business Cost models and Service Level Agreements for CC
• Case Studies: Google Cloud, Microsoft Cloud, and Amazon Cloud

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain Cloud Computing and identify its capabilities.
• Analyse computer systems in terms of their scalability, elasticity, resiliency, on-demand services, and measured usage.
• Compare cloud services, cloud platforms, cloud infrastructures, virtualisation technologies, and delivery models.
• Revise how the cloud integrates technologies like parallel or distributed computing, microservices, and software pipelines.
• Interpret the impact of economies of scale on cloud computing and identify the main security problems that affect this technology.
• Design and compare cloud computing applications based on monolithic designs and microservices.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Proficient

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Competent

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Not addressed

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Competent

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Advanced Beginner

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Proficient

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Not addressed

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 3

Reduce inequality within and among countries 3

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 3
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

65
Lectures

36
Practical

22
Total

123

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be delivered based on the following components:
- 2 lectures per week for 12 weeks
- 1 practical/tutorial session of 2 hours for 12 weeks. During these sessions, we will experiment with some cloud computing software tools and services and we will study some concepts in detail.

Please note that in cases where students are permitted to use generative AI tools in assignments, this will be indicated in the assignment specification.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

• Operating Systems
• Computer Networks
• Big Data Programming


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Students can select to submit either of the two projects. The first one has a deadline in week 7 and the second one in week 12. Week 7, Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 Yes
Exam (In-person): Closed book exam that assesses everything discussed during the semester. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
90
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

feedback will given to students after each practical/tutorial submission.

Name Role
Theodoros Aslanidis Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 3, 6 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 7, 10, 11, 12 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 9 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 8 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 12:00 - 13:50
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