Transcript Professionalism in Computing

Professionalism in Computing
An Overview
Khurshid Ahmad, Prof.
PhD, CEng., MBCS
Department of Computing,
University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey.
Professionalism in Computing
Computing is concerned with the
understanding, design and exploitation
of COMPUTATION and COMPUTER
TECHNOLOGY
Computing combines the ethos of the
scholar with that of the
professional.
Professionalism in Computing
Profession ~noun
( One of a limited number of occupations involving special
learning and carrying a certain social prestige, especially
the learned professions – law, medicine, COMPUTING)
Professional ~adjective
Of or relating to a profession;
Professionalism ~noun
Professionalism in Computing
The whole area of COMPUTING can be
divided into five areas:
 Hardware
 Software
 Communication and Interaction
 Practice
 Theory
Professionalism in Computing
The whole area of COMPUTING can be divided into five areas:

Practice
 Problem Identification
 Design, development, testing and evaluation
 Management and Organisation
Professionalism and Ethics
 Commercial and Industrial Exploitation
Professionalism in Computing
You are required to develop a range of skills and
abilities, especially those relating to intellectual tasks;
During your studies you should acquire
skills and abilities to recognise the
professional, moral and ethical issues
involved in the exploitation of computer
technology……… &
Professionalism in Computing
You are required to develop a range of skills and
abilities, especially those relating to intellectual tasks;
During your studies you should acquire
skills and abilities to be guided by the
adoption of appropriate professional,
ethical and legal practices.
Professionalism in Computing
Communicating Professionally
You must have the
appropriate skills so that you
can communicate with
others: The doing word
(verb) is to communicate and
the act of so doing (noun) is
communication.
Professionalism in Computing
Communicating Professionally
COMMUNICATE: (Source: OED Online)

To impart (information, knowledge, or the
like); to impart or convey the knowledge of,
inform a person of, tell.
COMMUNICATION: (Source: OED Online)


The action of communicating or imparting.
The imparting, conveying, or exchange of
ideas, knowledge, information, etc.
(whether by speech, writing, or signs).
Hence (often pl.), the science or process of
conveying information, esp. by means of
electronic or mechanical techniques.
Professionalism in Computing
Communicating Professionally
You must have the appropriate skills so that
you can communicate with others:
You must be able to communicate orally –
during a meeting with you as a contributor;
you as the communicator; you as a
rapporteur (a person who prepares an
account of the proceedings of a committee,
etc., for a higher body.)
You must be able to communicate in writing –
informally (e-mails, notes) and formally
(reports, manuals).
Professionalism in Computing:
Ethics, Law, Systems, Professional Bodies
Ethics: That branch of moral
philosophy that studies the principles of
right and wrong in HUMAN CONDUCT.
Professional Body: A collective unit of
professionals whose aim is


to maintain standards of behaviour within
the collective;
to further the cause of the professionals
Professionalism in Computing:
Ethics
Ethical considerations cover
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individuals, organisations and societies which may
be affected by computing systems;
use of computation and computer technology and
skills with a concern for the public good;
duties and rights of the computing professional
and the duties and rights of individuals
(organisations & societies) with whom the
professional deals.
Professionalism in Computing:
Law
Legal considerations include:
 an awareness of relevant civil and criminal
law, for instance DATA PROTECTION;
COPYRIGHT MISUSE; CONTRACT LAW;
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; COMPANY LAW


an awareness of laws governing
telecommunication networks
An awareness of ‘CYBER LAW’ – for
example laws governing e-business; digital
signature…………
Professionalism in Computing:
Systems
System-wide considerations include:
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
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financial aspects of systems development
and computer (network) operations;
criticality issues: safety critical nature of
some systems; mission critical of others;
fail-safe operations; risk analysis
failure issues: liability, compensation;
damage and damage limitation; recovery
security
Professionalism in Computing:
Professional Bodies – the BCS
The British Computer Society is the
only chartered professional institution
for information systems professionals;
a
charter refers to right to form a collective given by
the state.
Formed in 1957, Royal Charter in 1984;
33,000 members worldwide; affiliated
with the UK Engineering Council
Address- http://www.bcs.org.uk
Professionalism in Computing:
Professional Bodies – the BCS
The BCS :
 Sets standards for education and training
 Helps to advance and disseminate knowledge of
computation and computer technology;
 Monitors professional conduct
 Provides services to its members;
 Recognises achievement
 Represents the profession on issues of importance
Provides opportunities for networking
Professionalism in Computing:
Professional Bodies – the BCS
For you the BCS runs the PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT SCHEME;
For you the BCS has a network of
branches and specialist groups;
BCS publishes newsletters, magazines,
learned journals, conference
proceedings
BCS provides professional qualifications