CS133 Professional Skills
Throughout the 2020-21 academic year, we will be adapting the way we teach and assess modules in line with government guidance on social distancing and other protective measures in response to Coronavirus. Teaching will vary between online and on-campus delivery through the year, and you should read the additional information linked on the right hand side of this page for details of how we anticipate this will work. The contact hours shown in the module information below are superseded by the additional information. You can find out more about the University’s overall response to Coronavirus at: https://warwick.ac.uk/coronavirus.
CS133-15 Professional Skills
Introductory description
The aim of this module is to introduce the key skills required of the computing professional, comprising oral and written communication, operating systems proficiency and awareness of professional aspects of computing practice.
Module aims
The three components of the module address, respectively:
- developing skills in summarising, quoting, paraphrasing, critical analysis, grammar, referencing and oral presentation, and teaching writing as a process approach to composing academic papers;
- giving students a basic understanding of operating systems concepts together with a working knowledge of computing systems and associated tools and applications that will subsequently be used;
- introducing students to the concept of professional ethics and behaviour, the place of computers in society and the legal aspects of computing.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The module will cover the following topics relating to communication skills:
- writing as a process
- composing effective paragraphs
- paraphrasing and quoting
- avoiding plagiarism
- writing a summary
- writing a critical analysis
- decoding topics and titles
- grammar
- soliciting feedback on writing
- writing an abstract or proposal
- writing an academic paper
- giving an oral presentation
together with the following topics relating to practical operating systems skills: - Files and file organisation: directories and file structures, access control and security, file formats.
- Operating systems: the kernel, shells, window managers, processes.
- Networks: communication tools and protocols, security.
- Command-line interfaces: processes, tools and utilities.
- Comparative operating systems: proprietary and open-source alternatives.
- Standard applications: spreadsheets, databases, presentation tools and word processors.
and the following topics relating to professional aspects of computing: - Professional bodies: Historic factors leading to their creation; evolution of UK professions and the roles of typical major bodies; typical structure, organisation and functions of a professional body; constitutional powers and legal status of bodies; statutory and regulatory functions; professional standards and disciplinary powers.
- Commercial aspects of industry: Structure of organisations.
- Management: Project planning and management; health and safety legislation.
- Legal aspects of software: Overview of UK law; Data Protection Act; Copyright Designs and Patents Act; Computer Misuse Act; Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
-
Social aspects of computing
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Judge and improve their own writing with increased confidence, utilise appropriate methods for referring and citing sources, and be familiar with the idea of writing as a process.
- Understand basic computing and operating systems concepts, apply them to a networked computer system, and use standard applications and system tools.
- Practice presentation skills and use information systems available via the network at Warwick.
- Understand the relevance for professional computing practice of basic computer law, professional bodies, and the social impact of computer technology.
Indicative reading list
Please see Talis Aspire link for most up to date list.
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Subject specific skills
Competency with Lixux
Transferable skills
Communication - written and verbal
Presentation
Academic writing
Teamwork
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 sessions of 1 hour (20%) |
| Seminars | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Practical classes | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Private study | 101 hours (67%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Background reading
use of computer systems
Revision
Reflection on material learned and recording CPD
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Mark Points | 10% | |
| In-class test | 30% | |
|
Duration of 40 minutes |
||
| Lab diary | 10% | |
| Essay | 35% | |
| Presentation Term 2 | 15% | |
|
Presentation time is 15 mins + 5 mins Q &A time. |
||
Feedback on assessment
Lab Mark points - during labs
Class test - general feedback via Tabula after test marked
Lab diary - on Tabula
Essay - on Tabula
Presentation - during labs
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of UCSA-G400 BSc Computing Systems
- Year 1 of UCSA-G402 MEng Computing Systems
- Year 1 of UCSA-G500 Undergraduate Computer Science
- Year 1 of UCSA-G503 Undergraduate Computer Science MEng
- Year 1 of UCSA-I1N1 Undergraduate Computer Science with Business Studies
- Year 1 of UCSA-G406 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering
- Year 1 of UCSA-G408 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering
- Year 1 of UCSA-GN51 Undergraduate Computer and Business Studies
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 1 of UCSA-G4G1 Undergraduate Discrete Mathematics
- Year 1 of UCSA-G4G3 Undergraduate Discrete Mathematics