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Unit outline_

INFO5990: Professional Practice in IT

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This Unit of Study introduces the students to some of the concepts, standards and techniques associated with the current professional practice in information technology in the business environment. Students will encounter a range of concepts, techniques and professional issues including interpersonal and organisational communication, human resources and conflict resolution, globalisation, professional ethics, social impacts of IT, data security, data quality assurance, system audit, investigative research and project management practice. Practical and real world case studies will be used as part of the learning to enhance the in-class teachings to the needs of industry.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students enrolled in INFO5990 are assumed to have previously completed a Bachelor's degree in some area of IT, or have completed a Graduate Diploma in some area of IT, or have many years experience as a practising IT professional.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Masa Takatsuka, masa.takatsuka@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam hurdle task Final Exam
3 hours including reading time, via Turnitin. 10 short form answers.
50% Formal exam period 3 hours (including reading time)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Assignment: Group Oral Presentation
Team presentation
10% Multiple weeks 10 min / 10 slides
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Tutorial quiz hurdle task Online Quiz 1
Quiz testing the 1st half of the course
10% Week 06 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO10 LO11
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Assignment : Group Project
Team venture plan
20% Week 10 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz hurdle task Online Quiz 2
Quiz testing the whole course
10% Week 12 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Details of each assessment appears in Canvas for the course:

Group Venture Plan :

Develop an I.T project to identify and develop a new product

Group Presentation:

Present in teams the group venture plan to potential investors

Quiz 1&2 :

testing aspetcs of the course in week 6 (quiz 1) and week 12 (quiz 2)

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Excellent course work

Distinction

75 - 84

Very good course work

Credit

65 - 74

Good course work
 

Pass

50 - 64

Fair course work

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Professional Practice Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 02 1. Managing Human Resources in IT; 2. Change Management Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 03 IT systems audit Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 04 Written and oral communications in IT Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 05 Research Methods Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 06 Professional practice in project management Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 07 Managing complex IT projects Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 08 Managing software testing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 09 Managing, protecting and systems integration Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 10 Ethics, ethical behaviour and I.T professional responsibility Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 11 Tools and techniques for decision making Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 12 Course review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11

Attendance and class requirements

in lecture and tutorials

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

As per course outline

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate the developed awareness and skills relating to written and oral communication vital for professional IT practitioners
  • LO2. demonstrate awareness of wider issues and problems concerning professional practice in IT
  • LO3. demonstrate awareness of the impact of information technology in our globalised world
  • LO4. demonstrate awareness of and have gained skills in aspects of professional practice including conflict resolution, contract negotiation, team formation, leadership and team dynamics
  • LO5. appreciate issues relating to ethics and professional responsibility in the IT profession and be able to resolve hypothetical ethical dilemmas
  • LO6. understand aspects of intellectual property and its protection
  • LO7. discuss current trends in human resource management in the IT industry
  • LO8. appreciate issues concerning software testing, data security, data quality, quality assurance, system audit and the value of information for decision support systems
  • LO9. gain an understanding of the use of IT in different industries
  • LO10. develop an understanding and skills relating to professional practice in IT project management
  • LO11. select and apply investigative research methods, models and tools to IT professional practice and develop an informed opinion on the area of analysis, and demonstrate the ability to identify and monitor changing information on the area of interest and seek expertise as required, and recognise the limitations potentially affecting the potential accuracy of the results

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
National Standard of Competency for Architects -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 T Preparation & endorsement of an agreement between client and Architect. This agreement will clearly communicate terms, services to be provided, and fees appropriate for the scale and type of project.
1.3 T Assessment of project budget and timeframe against project requirements and objectives.
1.4 T Identification of factors that may impact on client project requirements and objectives.
1.5 T Knowledge of different procurement processes available and evaluation of the impact these have on the project.
1.6 T Selection and presentation to clients and relevant stakeholders of procurement method for the project.
1.7 T Preparation of project brief for approval by client and relevant stakeholders.
2.1 T Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project.
2.2 T Application of principles controlling planning, development and design for the project site.
2.3 T Evaluation of factors influencing and impacting on project cost.
2.5 T Attainment of approval from client of project budget and timeframe.
2.6 T Preparation and analysis of project development options in response to project brief.
3.1 T Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose.
4.2 T Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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