Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit focuses theoretical concepts, applications and research issues of mobile software agents. Students will learn techniques to design and develop mobile agent applications. A number of different toolkits/development environments will be discussed and used for the practical component of the unit. The unit analyses mobile software agents technology with respect to their use in different application domains - focusing on pervasive applications, electronic commerce/web services and distributed data/network management. Advanced research issues/topics such as communication, coordination, security and trust for mobile agent systems will also be presented.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will:

• be conversant with the principles and theoretical concepts of mobile software agents;
• appreciate models and approaches to building mobile agent systems;
• demonstrate knowledge of different mobile agent toolkits and development environments;
• utilise techniques for achieving mobile agent communication and coordination;
• understand security issues in mobile agent systems;
• select and apply appropriate tools for a particular application;
• foster critical and independent analysis of how mobile agents can be applied to distributed computing applications.

Assessment

Reading Component: 15%; Research paper and presentation: 50%; Project/practical assignment: 35%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Iqbal Gondal

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Prerequisites

Recommended Knowledge: It is assumed that all students have a working knowledge of fundamental Java programming.

Prohibitions

CPE5010

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit5031/