Professionalism in Computer Science

Aim

The aim of this course is to prepare students for academic studies at advanced level, as well as to teach an academic approach at large. The course will provide knowledge about computer science research, academic writing, sustainable development and ethics. It constitutes thus an opportunity to learn about conventions, regulations and expectations of advanced level studies and research at a university. In addition, it provides the student with tools to facilitate a transition from consumer of science to producer of science.

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Academic writing

• the ability to understand and produce an outline of a technical and scientific report
• the ability to summarize scientific publications
• the ability to understand and apply the requirements for source references and reference management in written reports
• the ability to employ basic principles of review of written reports

Sustainable Development

• present and discuss economic, social and ecological fundamentals in sustainable development
• identify and describe examples of sustainability aspects related to the field of computer science
• explain and discuss the relevance of computer technology for sustainable development
• compare and evaluate computer science's possibilities and constraints in society as well as peoples’ responsibility for how they are used in a sustainability perspective
• reflect on and critically review sustainability and sustainable methods in computer science
• analyze the consequences of computer technology applications on sustainable development and suggest system designs that take these consequences into account

Ethics

• account for some common ethical theories, principles and concepts as well as apply them to specific cases and situations
• present and discuss ethical challenges related to computer technology development and use
• demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and on people's responsibility for how it is used
• demonstrate the ability to make judgments in computer science with regard to relevant ethical aspects

Content

Academic writing

• the writing process
• review of scientific work
• constructive criticism
• the university's laws, organization and ethical rules
• rules about quoting and referring
• the meaning of an academic approach
• equal terms
• introduction to LiU
• library resources

Ethics

• Normative theories of ethics
• Argumentation theory and informal logic

Sustainable Development

• basic knowledge of strategies and solutions for sustainable development of social, technical and ecological systems.
• understanding of how humans affect ecosystems and how they in turn affects humans
• tools for assessing sustainable development with a focus on computer science.