Computer Science, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales

CS38010 (1995-96 session)
Professional Issues in Software Engineering

Brief Description

This module covers a range of non-technical issues - legal, financial, managerial and organisational - with which a professional software engineer should be familiar. Although the topics are applicable more widely than simply to software engineering, they are taught in that context. The module is not therefore suitable for students from other disciplines. The module is an obligatory part of the BEng and MEng degree schemes in Software Engineering and of the BSc schemes in Computer Science and Computer Science with a European Language.

Long thin module

Aims, Objectives, Syllabus, Booklist

Further Details

Number of lectures: 24
Number of seminars/tutorials: 4
Number of practicals: 0
Coordinator: Dr. Fred Long
Other staff involved: Not yet known
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: CS33210 or by arrangement with the department
Incompatibilities: None
Assessment: Assessed coursework - 100%
Timing: This module extends over both Semester 1 and Semester 2

Aims

The aims of this module are to familiarise students with relevant non-technical aspects of the environment in which they are likely to be working after they graduate. In particular, it aims to give them an appreciation of relevant topics in:

company organisation;
finance and accounting;
intellectual property rights;
health, safety and liability;
human resource management.

Objectives

On successful completion of this module, students should understand:

the structure of the engineering profession and the role of professional institutions;
the concept of a limited company and its financial structure;
management styles and structure;
the basis of financial and management accounting;
intellectual property rights as they affect the computer industry;
relevant aspects of industrial relations;
safety, health and environmental requirements.

Syllabus

Organisations and their Structures - 3 Lectures: Limited companies, private and public; partnerships; sole traders. Special features of limited companies; responsibilities of directors. Functional organisation and product line organisation. Centralised and decentralised organisations. Management styles. Management by objectives.
Company Finance - 5 Lectures: The need for capital; investment and working capital; sources of funds; equity capital and loan capital. Cash flow and its importance. Costing: fixed costs and variable costs; overheads; opportunity costs; depreciation. Problems of cost allocation. Budgeting. Financial accounts: balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, sources and application of funds. Assessment of capital investment. Discounted cash flow analysis.
Intellectual Property Rights - 4 Lectures: Use of patents, copyright and confidential information by software engineers in employment and across companies.
Health and Safety Requirements - 5 Lectures
Industrial Relations - 2 Lectures
The Engineering Profession - 1 Lecture: The structure of the engineering profession, both in the UK and abroad. Professional codes of conduct and codes of practice.