Undergraduate - UnitFIT2003 - IT professional practice

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Information Technology
Offered	Clayton First semester 2014 (Day) Gippsland First semester 2014 (Off-campus) Malaysia First semester 2014 (Day) Caulfield Second semester 2014 (Day) South Africa Second semester 2014 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides a practical and theoretical introduction to what it means to be an IT professional today. Students will encounter a range of issues relevant to professional practice in the workplace, as well as an understanding of the wider responsibilities that professionals are called upon to uphold in society. Topics addressed include: organisational and professional communication; teamwork; the nature of the IT professions; the role of professional associations; problem solving and information use; cross-cultural awareness; personal and professional ethics and codes of practice.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will understand and demonstrate what it means to be an IT professional. They will:

be familiar with the variety of roles available to IT professionals;
understand the role and function of professional associations;
demonstrate an understanding of the ACS code of ethics and the rights and responsibilities of IT professionals;
identify and discuss the organisational and social impacts arising from the use of IT, and the ethical dimensions associated with IT-related decisions;
be able to explain and demonstrate the elements of effective communication and interpersonal communication skills;
be sensitive to and demonstrate understanding of cultural differences to improve intercultural communication;
be able to select and use strategies for effective and efficient productive (speaking and writing) and receptive (reading and listening) communications;
describe the purpose, protocols, roles and procedures for meetings and interviews;
understand the need to and demonstrate the ability to work co-operatively and manage conflict;
demonstrate the ability to make effective use of technology in oral and written communication; and
develop information gathering, critical evaluation (information and sources) and problem solving skills.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 25%; In-semester assessment: 75%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Ann Nicholson (semester 1)
Dr Kirsten Ellis (semester 2)

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

One 2-hour lecture
One 2-hour tutorial
One 1-hour meeting

(b.) Study schedule for off-campus students:

Off-campus students generally do not attend lecture and tutorial sessions, however should plan to spend equivalent time working through the relevant resources and participating in discussion groups each week.

(c.) Additional requirements (all students):

a minimum of 7 hours of personal study in some weeks for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

Prerequisites

Completion of 24 points of Information Technology units

Prohibitions

FIT2035

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit2003/