Course Title: Professional Computing Practice

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Professional Computing Practice

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COSC1146	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	140H Comp Sci & Info Technology	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006
COSC1147	City Campus	Undergraduate	140H Comp Sci & Info Technology	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012
COSC1147	City Campus	Undergraduate	140H Comp Sci & Info Technology	Face-to-Face or Internet	Sem 2 2009
COSC2130	RMIT Intl University Vietnam	Undergraduate	140H Comp Sci & Info Technology	Face-to-Face	Viet1 2009, Viet1 2010, Viet1 2011, Viet1 2012, Viet1 2013, Viet2 2007, Viet2 2008, Viet2 2009, Viet2 2010, Viet2 2011, Viet2 2012, Viet3 2009, Viet3 2010, Viet3 2011, Viet3 2012
COSC2241	Taylors College KL	Undergraduate	140H Comp Sci & Info Technology	Face-to-Face	Offsh 3 10

Course Coordinator: Dr. Margaret Hamilton

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2939

Course Coordinator Email:margaret.hamilton@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Software Engineering Fundamentals

Course Description

This course is an introduction to computing ethics, law and marketing. It is intended for CS&IT students who have not studied business principles, or who have little work experience in the industry. The course provides a survival kit for CS&IT graduates entering the work force. The course considers computer ethical issues, such as information privacy,computer crime, computer terrorism. The course considers the international legal framework available to protect software system development. This includes non-disclosure agreements, employment contracts, intellectual property law (copyright, patent, licensing, royalties), trademarks and warranty disclaimers. The course also considers the marketing of a software system development, involving SWOT analysis and action plan (including budget).

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following capabilities:

Enabling Knowledge: Basic concepts of business organization and business practices; ethical, legal and marketing issues relevant to the IT industry.
Critical Analysis: Ability to evaluate computing practice case studies and to prepare SWOT analyses. Communication: Ability to discuss and analyse computing practice scenarios, in both written form and oral presentations.
Team Work: Ability to work in a small group of peers to analyse computing practice scenarios, and to assess the work of peers.
Responsibility: Ability to apply relevant standards, ethical and social considerations, and an understanding of legal issues to the analysis of computing practice scenarios. Further developing the imperative for the role of self- directed learning and more specifically the role of life-long learning for the longevity and progression of ones career in IT.

To appreciate the need for computing ethics in the Information Technology industry and to understand the complexities involved in computer ethical issues.
To appreciate legal issues in the Information Technology industry and to understand methods available to resolve them.
To understand market forces and to apply marketing principles and analyses in the Information Technology industry. At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to :

1. compare the major ethical theories;
2. analyse computer ethical issues in terms of the major ethical theories;
3. understand the professional ethics of computing societies;
4. know the basic application of (c) during the software life cycle;
5. use the available legal tools to safeguard a developer’s interests when developing / publishing / marketing software.
6. understand and exploit marketing / political / economic considerations influencing the Information Technology industry. know the legalities involved in starting a computer (software) company.
7. create a detailed marketing plan which includes

• s.w.o.t. analysis, (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats)
• objectives,
• action plans,
• budget,
• timetable,
• other contingencies

Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:

• key concepts will be explained in lectures, classes or online, where syllabus material will be presented and the subject matter will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
• tutorials and/or labs and/or group discussions (including online forums) focused on projects and problem solving will provide practice in the application of theory and procedures, allow exploration of concepts with teaching staff and other students, and give feedback on your progress and understanding;
• assignments, as described in Overview of Assessment (below), requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter; and
• private study, working through the course as presented in classes and learning materials, and gaining practice at solving conceptual and technical problems.

Overview of Learning Resources

You will make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School. You will be able to access course information and learning materials through the Learning Hub (also known as online@RMIT) and may be provided with copies of additional materials in class or via email. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided.

Use the RMIT Bookshop’s textbook list search page to find any recommended textbook(s).

Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course comprises of individiual and group assignments, presentattions and peer reviews, and a formal examination.

For standard assessment details, including hurdle requirements, relating to Computer Science and IT courses see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/compsci/cgi