Module: Professional & Research Practice

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Professional & Research Practice
Module Code	CA640E (ITS) / CSC1174 (Banner)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Computing
Module Co-ordinator	Renaat Verbruggen
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat examination

Description

The module will introduce topics and issues in professional and research practice for computing professionals in an industrial and academic context. Research Methods: This will include the philosophy of research, qualitative and quantitative research, accessing and evaluating research materials, assessing outcomes and dissemination. This aspect of the module will provide the skills and understanding to plan and manage the practical aspects of the Practicum for the course. Professional: There will be an introduction to the legal aspects of information technology in Ireland and relevant topics in ethics for computing professionals.

Learning Outcomes

1. Find research materials relevant to their degree.
2. Analyse and summarise research papers.
3. Develop and make an academic presentation.
4. Analyse Ethical cases in the field of Computing.
5. Apply professional codes of ethics to computing environments.
6. Source and understand the relevant legislation pertaining to computing.
7. Explain best practice in the collection of digital evidence.
8. Synthesise relevant information about legislation affecting IT

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Both face to face and online
Assignment Completion	45	Involves research and writing/presenting
Total Workload: 81

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Report(s)	Critical Precis of Research Paper or initial Literature review for thesis	15%	Week 8
Report(s)	Analysis of Cyber Ethical Case	15%	Week 10
Essay	Analyse IT legislation and relevant cases	10%	Week 11
Presentation	A short oral presentation of precis or literature review	10%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Robert Barrass: 0, Better writing for scientists, engineers and students, 2, Routledge,
Tavani, Herman T.: 0, Ethics and technology : controversies, questions, and strategies for ethical computing, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
Quinn: 0, Ethics for the Information Age, Pearson Higher Education,
Dennis Kelleher: 0, Privacy and data protection law in Ireland, Bloomsbury,
Dennis Kelleher, Karen Murray: 0, Information Technology law in Ireland, Butterworths Dublin,
Eric Walters and Gale Climenson Walters: 0, Scientists Must Speak, Bringing presentations to life,, Routledge,

Other Resources

38438, 0, Website: DCU Loop and Online course,