IT Profession and Ethics

Unit code: NIT2201 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Online Real Time
VU Brisbane
VU Sydney
Prerequisites
N/A
Overview
Enquire

Overview

In this unit, you will explore ethical principles, legal frameworks, and professional responsibilities within the IT industry. You will examine key topics such as privacy, data security, intellectual property, and the societal impact of computing technologies. You are expected to critically analyse how emerging technologies—like Generative AI, big data, and cybersecurity innovations—influence ethical decision-making in software development, data science, and IT governance. By the end of the unit, you will have developed strong ethical reasoning, risk assessment, and decision-making skills to navigate complex professional challenges in modern IT environments.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse key ethical principles, legal frameworks, and professional codes of conduct relevant to the IT industry;
  2. Evaluate laws, regulations, intellectual property rights, and ethical dilemmas in data science, cybersecurity, and software development;
  3. Apply ethical decision-making models to real-world IT scenarios with responsible AI and data governance principles;
  4. Collaborate in the assessment of ethical challenges associated with emerging artificial intelligence, automation, and digital surveillance technologies;
  5. Critically reflect on academic texts and integrity in the interpretation and communication of ideas.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 20%
Online test
Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 30%
Ethical dilemmas analysis report
Assessment type: Case Study
|
Grade: 50%
Scenarios based problem solving with Q&A verification

Case Study: Students apply concepts to unpredictable data science scenarios. Responses are evaluated based on reasoning, method selection, and outcome justification, with an in-class component or oral defence verifying understanding.

Other locations

For students studying at Henan University
Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 20%
Online test
Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 30%
Ethical dilemmas analysis report
Assessment type: Examination
|
Grade: 50%
Invigilated final written examination (3 hours)
Examination: Invigilated, time-bound exam includes unseen data sets or problem types. Students must demonstrate deep understanding by explaining reasoning, performing analysis, and applying concepts to new contexts.

Required reading

Reading material will be provided by the unit coordinator and will be appropriate to the topic under investigation.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Data Science
NBDS | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

Search for units, majors & minors