Teaching "Professional Computing"

Abstract

Four years ago, as a result of one of a sequence of changes to the course for Bachelor of Computing at the University of Tasmania at Launceston, the academic staff of the School of Computing agreed to offer a first year core unit called "Professional Computing" which would give students advance notice of what will be expected of them in professional employment in the computing industry, an appreciation of the history and possible development of the computing industry, and an understanding of ethical and legal problems and issues that they would need to be aware of as professional workers in the community. This paper reviews the content of the "Professional Computing" unit, and discusses the experience arising from three years of teaching it.