BCS Core Diploma module

Having already embarked on the BCS Diploma in IT, we are now left with the Core Module Professional Issues in Information Systems Practice. Yesterday was the start of the new semester and we were handed with the appropriate introduction to the version 2 syllabus of the module.

The aims and objectives of the module are:

Aim: To understand the context – ethical, social, legal, financial and organisational – in which professional Information Systems Engineers work

Objectives:
•Show an understanding of the role of professional codes of conduct and apply them to specific situations
•Understand the nature and legal standing of a range of organisations
•Understand the range of functions that exist in an organisation, the need for organisational structure and the characteristics of various types of structure
•Understand and read, at a basic level, a balance sheet, a profit and loss account, and a cash flow statement
•Understand and calculate, in simple cases, the basic information needed for day-to-day financial management
•Understand the main pieces of legislation that apply to the profession and recognise situations to which they are relevant
•Understand the mechanisms used to protect computer software and the reasons for such protection

The required books for reading are:

Professional Issues in Software Engineering – Frank Bott et al

I had ordered this book from eBay UK and the delivery was made within one week.

During the lecture, the discussion was on the IT Profession.  Quote from Chapter 1, The Engineering Profession:

Chambers, 20th Century Dictionary defines profession as :

..an employment not mechanical and requiring some degree of learning, a calling, a habitual employment; the collective body of persons engaged in any profession;

By collective body, in UK it is:

• the collective body controls entry to the profession;
• the collective body is self governing and self regulatory; in the sense that it establishes and enforces a code of conduct on its members;
• the collective body is established either by a Royal Charter or by a statute (Act of Parliament) which defines the extent and requires it to undertake certain duties and responsibilities.

Discussion was about the structure of the engineering profession. The presentation at the University of Mauritius by The Council of Registered Professional Engineers in Mauritius was of much help to the topic being discussed in the classroom.