Computing Technologies in Society

Program Overview

This transdisciplinary program introduces the evolution and application of advanced digital technologies. It emphasizes their societal, environmental, and individual impacts. Graduates gain competence in understanding digital system operations and ethical issues, as well as develop crucial skills for computing professionals. The program is assessed entirely through coursework, including essays, presentations, and research reports.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This course provides a wide-ranging transdisciplinary introduction to the evolution and application of increasingly complex and powerful digital technologies. Particular attention is given to the impact of technologies on society, the individual and the environment. A broad range of past, present and future technologies and techniques are considered within a framework which is designed to support you in acquiring crucial skills which underpin the duties and responsibilities of today’s computing professionals.

Objectives:

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate competence in understanding key technical and environmental issues concerning the operation, implementation and application of digital systems
• Critically appraise past, present and future applications of digital systems with particular emphasis on their impact upon both society and the individual
• Formulate professional ethical positions in relation to the development, manufacture, application, proliferation and disposal of digital systems
• Participate effectively in group work and proactively contribute to the overall organisation of the group
• Recognise the varied roles and responsibilities which are associated with professional activity in the computing/IT domain and the importance of continued professional development

Assessment:

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports which will be handed in and assessed at the end of the 10 week trimester. There will be 1/2 virtual classrooms over the 10 week trimester and if you are unable to attend you will be able to download the session to view in your own time.

Other:

• A strong research-infused curriculum is adopted and is reinforced by an expectation that you will regularly contribute to the virtual classroom’s Discussion Forum.
This will provide opportunities to consider diverse cutting-edge issues and current events - thereby supporting you in the acquisition of a broad range of transferable skills which are of pivotal importance in professional practice.
• As part of the assessment for this course, you will have the opportunity to carry out a research-informed case study in which they will be able to focus on ethical issues relating to specific past, current or emerging hardware and/or software systems/trends.
Alternatively you may elect to undertake a practically based exercise. In either case, you will work within a small group – with each member being marked individually for their contributions.
• For this short online course, we recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.
• Once you’ve completed this course you may be able to offset the 20 credits towards our online Computing and Information Technologies BSc (Hons) Top-Up or the online Computing and Information Technologies University Advanced Diploma.