Professional Practice
Course Code: GEDU-267
Credit Hours: 2 (2+0)
Prerequisites: Nil
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain the role of ethics and professional conduct in the computing profession. (Cognitive, BT Level 2)
- Analyze ethical dilemmas and propose solutions based on established codes of ethics. (Cognitive, BT Level 4)
- Evaluate the implications of intellectual property laws, computer misuse laws, and privacy regulations on software engineering practices. (Cognitive, BT Level 5)
- Apply knowledge of organizational structures, employee relations, and human resource management to professional software engineering environments. (Cognitive, BT Level 3)
Course Contents
1. Introduction to Professional Practice
- Definition and scope of the computing profession
- Characteristics of a professional software engineer
2. Computing Ethics
- Philosophy of ethics and ethical theories
- Importance of ethics in software engineering
3. Organizational Structure and Practices
- Anatomy of a software house
- Finance and accounting basics for software professionals
- Human resource management and IT
- Health and safety in the workplace
4. Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
- Intellectual property rights (IPR) in software engineering
- Software liability and accountability
- Computer misuse and criminal law
- Regulation and control of personal information
5. Professional Codes of Conduct
- Overview of the British Computer Society (BCS) Code of Conduct
- IEEE Code of Ethics
- ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
- ACM/IEEE Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
6. Ethical and Social Issues
- Accountability and auditing in software projects
- Social applications of ethics in computing
- Managing ethical dilemmas in real-world scenarios
Teaching Methodology
- Lectures: Interactive sessions to discuss theoretical concepts and real-world applications
- Case Studies: Analysis of real-world ethical dilemmas and professional challenges
- Written Assignments: Critical analysis of professional codes and ethical scenarios
- Presentations: Group presentations on selected topics from the course
- Semester Project: Practical application of professional ethics and organizational practices in a simulated environment
Assessment Criteria
| Component | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| Quizzes | 10% |
| Assignments | 15% |
| Midterm Exam | 25% |
| Semester Project | 20% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
Textbooks and Reference Materials
- Professional Issues in Software Engineering by Frank Bott, Allison Coleman, Jack Eaton, and Diane Rowland, CRC Press; 3rd Edition (2000). ISBN-10: 0748409513
- Computer Ethics by Deborah G. Johnson, Pearson; 4th Edition (2009). ISBN-10: 0131112414
- A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for Computing and the Internet by Sara Baase, Prentice Hall; 3rd Edition (2008). ISBN-10: 0136008488
- Applied Professional Ethics by Gregory R. Beabout, University Press of America (1993). ISBN-10: 0819193747
Weekly Schedule
| Week | Topics | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Professional Practice | Lecture, discussion on professional identity |
| Week 2 | Philosophy of Ethics | Case study on ethical theories |
| Week 3 | Computing Ethics | Assignment on ethical dilemmas |
| Week 4 | Anatomy of a Software House | Presentation on organizational structures |
| Week 5 | Human Resource Management in IT | Group activity on HR scenarios |
| Week 6 | Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) | Quiz on IPR and software liability |
| Week 7 | Health and Safety at Work | Case study on workplace safety |
| Week 8 | Midterm Exam | |
| Week 9 | Computer Misuse and Criminal Law | Discussion and analysis of case laws |
| Week 10 | Regulation and Control of Personal Information | Assignment on data privacy |
| Week 11 | Professional Codes of Conduct | Presentation on BCS, IEEE, ACM codes |
| Week 12 | Accountability and Auditing | Practical exercise on auditing |
| Week 13 | Social Application of Ethics | Debate on ethical challenges in computing |
| Week 14 | Ethical Dilemmas in Real-world Scenarios | Role-play activity |
| Week 15 | Semester Project Presentation | Project evaluation |
| Week 16 | Final Exam |