Outline

Overview

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.

Details

Academic unit	Computer Science
Unit code	INFO5990
Unit name	Professional Practice in IT
Session, year ?	Semester 1, 2021
Attendance mode	Normal evening
Location	Remote
Credit points	6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	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 and contact details

Coordinator	David Lowe, david.lowe@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	David Brian Lowe , david.lowe@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Revathi Shinde , revathi.shinde@sydney.edu.au
	Josh Burridge, joshua.burridge@sydney.edu.au
	Andrea Stern, andrea.stern@sydney.edu.au
	Diviyalagsiny Kathirgamanaarthan, diviyalagsiny.kathir@sydney.edu.au
	Diviyachouthereyi Kathirgamanaarthan, diviyachouthereyi.kathirgamanaarthan@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final exam Final exam	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Weekly quiz Weekly quizzes (weeks 2-13).	20%	Multiple weeks	12 quizzes x 5 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project (part A) Team project (project definition)	10%	Week 06	500-1000 word
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project (part B) Team project (technology analysis)	20%	Week 11	2000-4000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project (part C) Team project (Individual presentation)	10%	Week 12	5 min / 5 slides
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Details of each assessment appears in Canvas for the course:

Weekly quizzes - 20%. Brief quizzes at the start of each lecture (~6:05-6:10pm) from weeks 2 to 13 (i.e. 12 quizzes). Students are encouraged to complete all 12, but only the best 8 will count (i.e. 2.5 marks/week). The quiz will ask questions on both pre-supplied terms as well as weekly readings.
Project - 40%. The project will focus on adopting a new technology into an existing company. Students groups will have to look at existing business processes and how these would be transformed by that technology.
- Part A – Project definition – 10%
- Part B – Project submission (group) - 20%
- Part C - Individual video presentations - 10%
Final exam - 40%

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.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, 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 dishonesty or plagiarism seriously.

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit overview & the IT Industry	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	IT Lifecycle / Team formation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	People and Teams / Project confirmation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Finding/trusting information / Project data sources	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Project data / Business processes	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Project scoping and estimation / BPR	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Quality assurance / Project scoping	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Testing management / QA	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Security management / Testing	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Communication / Security	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Ethics and Regulations / Communications	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Decision making / Ethics	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Review / Presentations	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at lecture and tutorials is expected.

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

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 an ability to construct and present effective written and oral communication appropriate to IT practitioners
LO2. analyse and criticise wider issues and problems concerning professional practice in IT
LO3. evaluate the impact of information technology on individuals and organisations within 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. understand issues relating to ethics and professional responsibility in the IT profession and be able to analyse and resolve ethical dilemmas
LO6. understand aspects of intellectual property and its protection
LO7. analyse current trends in human resource management in the IT industry
LO8. understand issues related to, and select approaches for managing, software testing, data security, data quality, and quality assurance in the IT industry
LO9. define the use of IT in different industries
LO10. describe and apply skills relating to professional practice in IT project management
LO11. select and apply investigative research methods, models and tools to IT professional practice; identify and critique changing information on the area of interest; and interpret the potential validity of 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
Learning outcomes

National Standard of Competency for Architects -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		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		Assessment of project budget and timeframe against project requirements and objectives.
1.4		Identification of factors that may impact on client project requirements and objectives.
1.5		Knowledge of different procurement processes available and evaluation of the impact these have on the project.
1.6		Selection and presentation to clients and relevant stakeholders of procurement method for the project.
1.7		Preparation of project brief for approval by client and relevant stakeholders.
2.1		Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project.
2.2		Application of principles controlling planning, development and design for the project site.
2.3		Evaluation of factors influencing and impacting on project cost.
2.5		Attainment of approval from client of project budget and timeframe.
2.6		Preparation and analysis of project development options in response to project brief.
3.1		Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose.
4.2		Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts.

Closing the loop

The unit structure and assessment has been revised to provide a greater focus on contemporary practice in the IT industry.

Key dates
Key dates through the academic year, including teaching periods, census, payment deadlines and exams.
Student administration
Enrolment, course planning, fees, graduation, support services, student IT
Expectations of student conduct
Code of Conduct for Students, Conditions of Enrollment, University Privacy Statement, Academic Integrity
Academic appeals
Academic appeals process, special consideration, rules and guidelines, advice and support
Learning and teaching policy
Policy register, policy search
Financial support
Scholarships, interest free loans, bursaries, money management
Study resources
Learning Centre, faculty and school programs, Library, online resources
Health and support
Student Centre, counselling & psychological services, University Health Service, general health and wellbeing

Disclaimer

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

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

INFO5990: Professional Practice in IT

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect