BN201 - Professional Issues of Information Technology

Credit Points: 15 credit points

Workload: 48 hours

Prerequisite: N/A

Co-requisite: N/A

Aims & Objectives

This is a third trimester core unit out of a total of 24 units in the Bachelor of Networking (BNet). This unit addresses the BNet course learning outcomes and complements other courses in a related field by developing students’ specialised knowledge in professional practice including ethical and social issues. For further course information refer to: http://www.mit.edu.au/study-with-us/programs/bachelor-networking. This unit is part of the AQF Level 7 (BNet) course.

This unit provides students with insights into the ethical and social issues associated with developing and maintaining information systems. Students will work in a studio-based learning environment to discuss and understand the application of ethical standards, legal issues, professional practices and principles in business environments. Additionally, students are required to participate actively in weekly classes. 

This Unit includes the following topics:

  • Professionalism and Business 
  • Managing Yourself, Leaders and Managers 
  • Professional Communication: Research, Writing and Presentation 
  • Professional Ethics 
  • Legal, Social and Cultural Issues
  • IT Governance: Principles, Change and Risk Management
  • Teamwork Concepts and Societal Issues

Learning Outcomes

4.1 Course Learning Outcomes
The Course learning outcomes applicable to this unit are listed on the Melbourne Institute of Technology’s website: www.mit.edu.au 

4.2 Unit Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Explain management concepts applied in ICT organisations and society; 
b. Comprehend appropriate business communication, research standards in writing report and presentations of research;
c. Interpret ethical, professional standards and codes of practice to ICT systems; 
d. Understand the importance of team work, collaboration and life-long learning in the workplace;
e. Demonstrate good governance principles, processes, organisational culture, change and risk management.

Weekly Topics

This unit will cover the content below:

Week Topics
1 Professionalism and Business
2 Managing Yourself, Leaders and Managers
3 Professional Communication
4 Mid-term Review
5 Professional Research
6 Writing Professionally: Process and Style
7 Oral Reports and Presentations
8 Professional Ethics
9 Legal, Social and Cultural Issues
10 IT Governance Principles
11 Collaboration in ICT Organisations and ICT Standards
12 Review/Revision

Assessment

Assessment Task Due Date A B Learning Outcomes Assessed
Formative Assignment 1 Week 3 (8/04/2022) 5%   b
In-Class Test Week 7 (03/05/2022)   10% a,b
Assignment 2 Week 11 (01/06/2022) 25%   a, c-d
Laboratory participation & submissions Week 2 – 11  10%   a-e
Final Examination (2 hours)     50% a-e
TOTALS   40% 65%  

Task Type: Type A: unsupervised, Type B: supervised.

Class Participation and Contribution
This unit has class participation and student contribution as an assessment. The assessment task and marking rubric will follow the Guidelines on Assessing Class Participation (https://www.mit.edu.au/about-us/governance/institute-rules-policies-and-plans/policies-procedures-and-guidelines/Guidelines_on_Assessing_Class_Participation). Further details will be provided in the assessment specification on the type of assessment tasks and the marking rubrics.

Presentations (if applicable)
For presentations conducted in class, students are required to wear business attire.

Textbook and Reference Materials

Prescribed Books: None

Other references:

  • H. E. Bergeron, A pocket guide to business for engineers and surveyors. New Jersey,: John Wiley and Sons, 2009.
  • R. Archee, M. Gurney, and T. Mohan, Communicating As Professionals, 3rd ed., Australia: Cengage Learning, 2013.
  • C. Hamilton, Communicating for Results: A guide for business and the professional. 10th ed., Cengage Learning, 2013.
  • G. Reynolds, Ethics in Information Technology. 5th ed., Cengage Learning, 2014.
  • B. Vanacker and D. Heider, Ethics for Digital Age. Peter Lang Publishing, 2015.
  • R. Shafer_Landau, The Fundamental of Ethics. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2014. 
  • R. Spinello, Cyberethics – Morality and Law in Cyberspace. 6th ed.,  Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2016.
  • K. Zweig, W. Neuser, V. Pipek, M. Rohde and I. Scholtes, Socioinformatics – The social Impact of Interactions between Humans and IT. 1st ed., Springer,  2016.

Adopted Reference Style: IEEE 

Graduate Attributes

MIT is committed to ensure the course is current, practical and relevant so that graduates are “work ready” and equipped for life-long learning. In order to accomplish this, the MIT Graduate Attributes identify the required knowledge, skills and attributes that prepare students for the industry.
The level to which Graduate Attributes covered in this unit are as follows:

Ability to communicate Independent and Lifelong Learning Ethics Analytical and Problem Solving Cultural and Global Awareness Team work Specialist knowledge of a field of study

Legend

Levels of attainment Extent covered
The attribute is covered by theory and practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students always play an active role, e.g. workshops, lab submissions, assignments, demonstrations, tests, examinations.
The attribute is covered by theory or practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students mostly play an active role, e.g. discussions, reading, intepreting documents, tests, examinations.
The attribute is discussed in theory or practice; it is addressed by assessed activities in which the students may play an active role, e.g. lectures and discussions, reading, interpretation, workshops, presentations.
The attribute is presented as a side issue in theory or practice; it is not specifically assessed, but it is addressed by activities such as lectures or tutorials.
The attribute is not considered, there is no theory or practice or activities associated with this attribute.