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INFT6800: Professional Practice in IT
Trimester 2 - 2024
OVERVIEW
Course Description
Information technology (IT) professionals need to be aware of both societal and technical issues in their work and require a solid understanding of the Professional Code of Conduct relevant to their field of practice. Recent developments in the technical areas of IT, such as social media, mobile applications, data analytics and data mining, have introduced new problems for professionals in social areas. IT professionals need to be aware of the ethical problems and the legal challenges that may arise from the use of information technology, as well as their level of accountability for these issues. Such issues include cybercrime, privacy, security and safety, intellectual property and social responsibility. IT professionals need to be able to validate the quality of current developments and research in their field. For this, they require a basic understanding of research methods and techniques in order to appraise the quality and appropriateness of implementation of current developments in a social context. IT professionals might be required to validate past research for implementation, or to appraise a proposed project. This involves appraisal of whether ethical and legal obligations are met and whether an appropriate research approach has been proposed and/or applied. This course introduces students to ethical and legal issues and provides a basic understanding of research appraisal and validation that IT professionals will need in their professional practice.
Academic Progress Requirements
Nil
Requisites
Students must not enrol in INFT6800 if they have successfully completed INFT6802.
Contact Hours
Callaghan Lecture
Face to Face On Campus 24 hour(s) per term starting Week 1
Workshop
Face to Face On Campus 22 hour(s) per term starting Week 2
Online Lecture
Online 24 hour(s) per term starting Week 1
Workshop
Online 22 hour(s) per term starting Week 2
Sydney Elizabeth Street Lecture
Face to Face On Campus
24 hour(s) per term starting Week 1
Workshop
Face to Face On Campus 22 hour(s) per term starting Week 2
Unit Weighting
10
Workload
Students are required to spend on average 120-140 hours of effort (contact and non-contact) including assessments per 10 unit course.
CONTACTS
Course Coordinator
Callaghan and Online
Dr Geoffrey Skinner
(02) 4985 4512
Consultation: By email appointment and Zoom consultation.
Sydney Elizabeth Street
Dr Shaleeza Sohail
0240553334
Consultation: By email appointment.
Teaching Staff
Other teaching staff will be advised on the course Canvas site.
School Office
School of Information and Physical Sciences
SR233, Social Sciences Building
Callaghan
+61 2 4921 5513
9am-5pm (Mon-Fri)
School of Information and Physical Sciences
SR233 Social Sciences Building
Callaghan
+61 2 4921 5513
SYLLABUS
Course Content
1. Security and cybercrime
2. Intellectual property and copyright
3. Privacy and privacy laws
4. Ethical theories: responsibility, accountability and liability
5. Legal obligations and liabilities of IT Professionals
6. IT Professional Code of Conduct
7. Fundamental research method theory and approaches for professionals: qualitative and quantitative research methods tools and techniques
8. Research project appraisal and validation.
9. History of the IT Profession
10. Innovation and Entrepreneurship as an IT Professional
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Discuss how information technology affects users and society, particularly in relation to cybercrime, privacy and intellectual property
2. Discuss and apply ethical theories and concepts
3. Design principles of conduct to guide ethical decision making
4. Explain Australian and international privacy laws in relation to IT
5. Discuss the theory of, and different approaches to, international professional research
6. Present research project appraisals to professionals to facilitate decision making
7. Discuss the role of a contemporary IT professional
Course Materials
Lecture Materials:
- Weekly Lecture slides will be made available each week on Canvas,
Recommended Reading:
- A number of links to recommended readings will be provided throughout the duration of the course.
Required Text:
- Course Textbook: Habash, R. (2019). “Professional Practice in Engineering and Computing: Preparing for Future Careers”. CRC Press. ISBN 9781032653907.
SCHEDULE
ASSESSMENTS
This course has 2 assessments. Each assessment is described in more detail in the sections below.
|
|
Assessment Name |
Due Date |
Involvement |
Weighting |
Learning Outcomes |
|
1 |
Quiz |
Week 7 |
Individual |
20% |
1, 3, 5, 6 |
|
2 |
Written Assignment/Essay |
Week 12 |
Group |
30% |
1, 2, 4, 5, 6 |
|
3 |
Written Assignment/Essay |
Week 6 |
Individual |
25% |
2, 3, 5, 6 |
|
4 |
Written Assignment/Essay |
Week 13 |
Individual |
25% |
1, 2, 4, 7 |
Late Submissions
The mark for an assessment item submitted after the designated time on the due date, without an approved extension of time, will be reduced by 10% of the possible maximum mark for that assessment item for each day or part day that the assessment item is late. Note: this applies equally to week and weekend days.
Assessment 1 - Quiz
Assessment Type
Quiz
Description
The purpose and benefit of a quiz is to provide students with mid-semester feedback on their learning. The test highlight areas of concern and may stimulate discussion with tutors and lecturers.
Weighting 20%
Due Date Week 7
Submission Method In Class
Assessment Criteria See Canvas
Return Method Not Returned
Feedback Provided In Class - Online.
Assessment 2 - Group Project and Oral Presentation
Assessment Type
Written Assignment
Description
Students in groups will conduct research on certain topics in the area of IT professional practices and present their findings in a detailed written research report. The purpose of this activity is to enable peer-to-peer learning, develop the ability to collect data, synthesise an opinion and communicate findings to their peers in a report format in a well-presented manner.
Weighting 30%
Compulsory
Pass requirement 40% - Must obtain 40% in this assessment item to pass the course.
Requirements
Due Date Week 12
Submission Method Canvas
Assessment Criteria See Canvas
Return Method Not Returned
Feedback Provided Online
Opportunity to
Students WILL be given the opportunity to reattempt this assessment.
Reattempt
Assessment 3 - Individual Writing Assignment 2
Assessment Type Written Assignment
Description Students will prepare an important document that is required in the professional practice environment: Innovation Patent (IP) document.
Weighting 25%
Due Date Week 6
Submission Method Online
Assessment Criteria See Canvas
Return Method Not Returned
Feedback Provided Online.
Assessment 4 - Individual Writing Assignment 1
Assessment Type
Written Assignment
Description
For this assessment, students will research and examine the use of Social Media in Professional Settings.
Weighting 25%
Due Date Week 13
Submission Method Online
Assessment Criteria See Canvas
Return Method Not Returned
Feedback Provided Online .
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Grading Scheme
This course is graded as follows:
|
Range of Marks |
Grade |
Description |
|
85-100 |
High Distinction (HD) |
Outstanding standard indicating comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of an outstanding level of academic achievement; mastery of skills*; and achievement of all assessment objectives. |
|
75-84 |
Distinction (D) |
Excellent standard indicating a very high level of knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of a very high level of academic ability; sound development of skills*; and achievement of all assessment objectives. |
|
65-74 |
Credit (C) |
Good standard indicating a high level of knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of a high level of academic achievement; reasonable development of skills*; and achievement of all learning outcomes. |
|
50-64 |
Pass (P) |
Satisfactory standard indicating an adequate knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of an adequate level of academic achievement; satisfactory development of skills*; and achievement of all learning outcomes. |
|
0-49 |
Fail (FF) |
Failure to satisfactorily achieve learning outcomes. If all compulsory course components are not completed the mark will be zero. A fail grade may also be awarded following disciplinary action. |
*Skills are those identified for the purposes of assessment task(s).
Communication Methods
Communication methods used in this course include:
Course Evaluation
Each year feedback is sought from students and other stakeholders about the courses offered in the University for the purposes of identifying areas of excellence and potential improvement.
Oral Interviews (Vivas)
As part of the evaluation process of any assessment item in this course an oral examination (viva) may be conducted. The purpose of the oral examination is to verify the authorship of the material submitted in response to the assessment task. The oral examination will be conducted in accordance with the principles set out in the Oral Examination (viva) Procedure. In cases where the oral examination reveals the assessment item may not be the student's own work the case will be dealt with under the Student Conduct Rule.
Academic Misconduct
All students are required to meet the academic integrity standards of the University. These standards reinforce the importance of integrity and honesty in an academic environment. Academic Integrity policies apply to all students of the University in all modes of study and in all locations. For the Student Academic Integrity Policy, refer to https://policies.newcastle.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=35.
Adverse Circumstances
The University acknowledges the right of students to seek consideration for the impact of allowable adverse circumstances that may affect their performance in assessment item(s).
Applications for special consideration due to adverse circumstances will be made using the online Adverse Circumstances system where:
1. the assessment item is a major assessment item; or
2. the assessment item is a minor assessment item and the Course Co-ordinator has specified in the Course Outline that students may apply the online Adverse Circumstances system;
3. you are requesting a change of placement; or
4. the course has a compulsory attendance requirement.
Before applying you must refer to the Adverse Circumstance Affecting Assessment Items Procedure available at: https://policies.newcastle.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=236
Important Policy
Information
The Help button in the Canvas Navigation menu contains helpful information for using the Learning Management System. Students should familiarise themselves with the policies and procedures at https://www.newcastle.edu.au/current-students/respect-at-uni/policies-and-procedures that support a safe and respectful environment at the University.
Graduate Profile Statements – Information Technology (PG)
The following table illustrates how this course contributes towards building the skills students will need to work in their profession.
Level of capability
• Level 1 indicates an introduction to a topic at a university level
• Levels 2 and 3 indicate progressive reinforcement of that topic
• Level 4 indicates skills commensurate with a graduate – entry to professional practice
• Level 5 indicates highly specialist or professional ability
|
Graduate attribute |
University of Newcastle Master of Information Technology Graduate Profile Statements |
Taught |
Practised |
Assessed |
Level of capability |
|
1 |
The ability to identify and analyse complex problems within information technology and design solutions to these problems at a high skilled level. |
√ |
√ |
√ |
4 |
|
2 |
A depth of technical expertise in at least one facet of information technology sufficient for a career in information technology together with the capacity to continue developing relevant knowledge, skills, and expertise throughout their careers. |
√ |
√ |
√ |
4 |
| 3 |
The ability to manage projects in aspects of information technology relevant to their field of study, including the ability to develop, manage and participate at all levels in team environments. |
√ |
√ |
√ |
4 |
| 4 |
An understanding of professionalism and ethics in the context of the global information technology industry. |
√ |
√ |
√ |
4 |
| 5 |
The ability to communicate effectively though a range of verbal, written and/or presentation skills at an advances level. |
√ |
√ |
√ |
4 |
| 6 |
The ability to apply their knowledge and skills to plan and execute a substantial capstone experience or a research-based project and/or piece of scholarship. |
√ |
|
|
N/A |