Integrating professionalism into undergraduate degree courses in computing (panel)

Abstract

Graduates of degree programmes in computing are generally assumed to be seeking careers as professionals in information systems. Consequently, in the UK, nearly all courses seek accreditation through the professional institute for information systems engineering, the British Computer Society. Such accreditation signifies that graduates have satisfied the educational requirements for the recognised professional engineering status of Chartered Engineer. One requirement for such accreditation is that a range of professional issues are covered in the degree programme that are relevant to the branch of engineering addressed. This paper discusses the need for professionalism to be an integral part of any computing degree, with examples of implementation within the Department of Information Systems at Brunel University and at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle.