International University for Science & Technology (IUST)

College of Information Technology

Course Syllabus
Spring 2022/2023
Course Supervisor Date of Approval
Dept. of: IT Dr. M. Mahfuri 10/2022

1. Course Number: 401383 Course Name: Professional Issues in Computing

2. CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Introduction to the topic; Problems of ethical decision-making; Professional Societies and their codes of conduct and
practice; Professionals and Professional Behavior; Formal laws do not make for ethics; Graduate careers in the 21st
century; Building the foundations to future career success; Group working and distributed enterprises; The law and
contracts Safety critical systems and legal liability; A business view of contracts; IPR and copyright; IPR and patents;
Computer misuse and the law; Case studies.

Semesters of Offering Credits Level Class Meeting

Spring, Summer 3 UG 3 cl

3. PREREQUISITES BY TOPIC
402201
Software Engineering Concepts
Project management, object-oriented paradigm, software database, parallel and distributed programming, UML
formalism. Software engineering principles; Lifecycle models; sizing, estimation, planning and control; Object-Oriented
requirements specification; Object-Oriented design; Algebraic formal specification and design; Object-Oriented
implementation; Object-Oriented integration and testing strategies; Quality assurance; configuration management;
Software maintenance; Reuse and reengineering.

4. Text(s) and Other Course Materials Author(s) Publisher

Penny Duquenoy, S. Jones
Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Computing - 2008 and Barry G. Blundell
Thomson – FASTTRACK
ISBN: 978-1-84480-749-9
References (supplemental reading)
Internet
5. COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Demonstrate the ability to include ethical considerations in your decision-making
2. Outline the manner in which historical philosophers have addressed ethical issues
3. Explain the ethical issues and options that confront IT workers and IT users
4. Identify the actions that should be taken upon discovery of a security intrusion
5. Summarize the capabilities of surveillance technologies as they impact privacy
6. Analyze key federal laws and their effects on technological freedom of expression
7. Examine the scope of intellectual property issues and the available protection measures
8. Define potential ethical issues software manufactures face when making decisions
9. Elaborate on the manner in which AI and machine learning may introduce bias
10. Discuss ethical issues associated with the use of social networks and social media
11. Survey recent whistle-blowing cases focusing on associated ethical issues
 International University for Science & Technology (IUST)
College of Information Technology

6. TOPICS AND (# OF LECTURES) Reading Assignment from Textbook

week Topics Covered Reading
Chapters
1 Computer Ethics: Definition, Understanding Computers as a Special Case, Identifying an Ethical Issue; Ethics Chapter 1,
and the Law; Ethical theories; Chapter 2
2 Professional codes of conduct; ethical dilemma; framework for Ethical decision making. 1 - 34
Computer hacking: Introduction; Definitions of hacking; Destructive programs;
3 Hacker ethics; Legal constraints; Professional constraints; To hack or not to hack, Ethical dilemma
Aspects of Computer Crime: Introduction; What is computer crime? Chapter 3
4 Computer security measures; the computer misuse act, 1990; Professional duties and obligations; An ethical 35-55
dilemma;
5 Intellectual property rights: Introduction; The nature of intellectual property; Intellectual property legislation , Chapter 4
MID TERM EXAM 55-78
6 Regulating Internet Content: Introduction, In defence of freedom of expression, Censorship, Laws upholding free Chapter 5
speech, 79-97
7 Free speech and the internet, Ethical and Professional Issues, Ethical dilemma.
8 Personal privacy and computer technologies: Introduction, Valuing privacy, Internet Technologies and Privacy, Chapter 6
Privacy and Legislation, 99-111
MID TERM EXAM
9 The data protection Act, 1998, Ethical and Professional Issues, An ethical dilemma; Chapter 6
111-125
10 Computer technologies: accessibility issues, Introduction, principles of equal access, Obstacles to access for Chapter 7
individuals, Legislation, Enabling and Disabled, Professional responsibility, An ethical dilemma; 127-138
11 Empowering Computers in the Workplace: , Introduction, Computer and employment, computers and equality Chapter 8
12 Computerized monitoring in the workplace, telecommuting, An ethical dilemma; 139-155
13 The use of Artificial Intelligence and expert systems: Introduction, Origins of AI, The Debate on Computer Chapter 9
Intelligence, Applying Intelligence, 156-172
14 Implications on agent-based decision making, Social, Legal and Prof. Issues, An ethical dilemma;
15 The Failure of IT Projects: Introduction, the problems of Producing Successful IT Projects, How the Prof. is Chapter 10
Addressing the Problem of IT Failure, the Relationship between Prof. code of conduct and IT Projects, 172-192
16 An Overview of National Legislation

17 FINAL EXAM

CLASS MEETING PATTERN

7.
2 cl. (2 75-min classes per week S, Tue. at 10:30AM).

8. TYPICAL GRADING
 Quizzes, Projects & Homework, class participation 15%
 Midterm Exams 35%
 Final Exam 50%
International University for Science & Technology (IUST)
College of Information Technology