NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY College of Engineering and Computing Sciences Department of Computer Science CSCI 720
Professional Practice
3–0–0
Catalog Course Description The Professional Practice course is a mandatory intensive course designed to help students gain the written and oral skills needed to communicate effectively in a constantly changing business environment and develop “soft” skills, such as listening skills, teamwork, collaborative decision making, and ethical behaviour, that employers are demanding. In this course students will learn to prepare, design, and evaluate various written documents used in the workplace. In addition, students will prepare and present oral presentation based on a research proposal.
Course-Level Learning Outcomes After successful completion of this course, the students will have the ability to:
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describe the importance of communication processes and skills, critical thinking, and ethics in today’s increasingly digital workplace. Apply best practices for successful teamwork and meeting skills in the contexts of IT professional practice. Identify and apply best practices for effective listening and nonverbal communication in achieving successful professional and interpersonal interactions. Determine an appropriate process for analyzing and solving communication problems and apply it. Compose and write clear, well-researched proposals, formal reports, journal articles, policy briefs, including the use of online information sources and appropriate documentation formats, appropriate to the IT professional context. Demonstrate a superior level of proficiency in grammar, punctuation, capitalization, style, and word use. prepare and deliver effective oral and multi-media presentations appropriate for audiences (peers, scientists, policy makers, clients and media) and various professional IT contexts. Effectively plan for and execute professional and career development plans including plans for continuous professional development, employment search strategies, effective résumé and submissions preparation, interviewing and career planning.
Required Resources Textbooks Mike Markel & Stuart Selber, Technical Communications, 13th edition. McMillian Learning, 2021 ISBN:9781319265618
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Grading Guidelines The final grade for the course will be calculated using the following grading scale: Item Contribution to Total Grade Midterm 20% Final Exam 20% Written Assignments 50% Oral Presentation 10% Total 100% Final grades are either “P” (Pass) or “F” (Fail). ● “P” = sufficient progress to exit to the next level. Students must receive 65% or higher. ● “F = not enough progress made over the semester to pass the course. Students have not received the minimum score of 65%.
Attendance Policy Students are expected to attend each class session on a regular and punctual basis to obtain the educational benefits that each meeting affords. Students shall be informed by their instructors whether latenesses or absences will be allowed during the semester. Instructors shall inform students of the consequences following excessive absences and/or latenesses. In the event of a student's absence from a test, the instructor will generally determine whether the student will be allowed to make up the work. The privilege of taking a makeup examination is generally not extended beyond one semester from the original date of examination. Make-up examinations are under the jurisdiction of the appropriate academic dean.
Classroom Behavior Behavior that disrupts, impairs, interferes with, or obstructs the orderly conduct, processes, and functions within an academic classroom or laboratory violates the student code of conduct and may result in disciplinary action. This includes interfering with the academic mission of NYIT or individual classroom or interfering with a faculty member’s or instructor’s role to carry out the normal academic or educational functions of his classroom or laboratory, including teaching and research.
Students with Physical or Educational Challenges •
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It is the policy of New York Institute of Technology to provide reasonable accommodations for students who are otherwise qualified but have disabilities, including learning disabilities, health impairments, and other disabling conditions. Possible accommodations include, but are not limited to, test schedule modifications, class relocation, and possible assistance in acquisition of necessary equipment. The college has an interest in helping students with disabilities to be competitive in this academic environment. Therefore, reasonable accommodations will be made upon proof both of disability and need for the accommodations. It must be understood that accommodations are meant to facilitate educational opportunities. Admission to NYIT and accommodations do not guarantee success. Therefore, in addition to accommodations, the college encourages utilization of auxiliary services available to all students to maximize opportunities for success. Students whose disabilities may require some type of accommodation must complete a request for accommodations form and an intake interview with their campus services coordinator prior to the academic semester. Accommodations maybe requested at any time during the semester; however, accommodations cannot be applied to past failures, only to future academic endeavors. Appropriate modifications of accommodations will be worked out on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily incorporate all requested changes. Students for whom auxiliary services—such as readers, interpreters, note takers, etc.—have been approved should arrange these with their campus services coordinator. In addition to discussing appropriate educational modifications, the campus services coordinator will serve as a liaison with other college faculty and administration on behalf of students with disabilities.
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Academic Integrity •
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Each student enrolled in a course at NYIT agrees that, by taking such course, he or she consents to the submission of all required papers for textual similarity review to any commercial service engaged by NYIT to detect plagiarism. Each student also agrees that all papers submitted to any such service may be included as source documents in the service’s database, solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Plagiarism is the appropriation of all or part of someone else’s works (such as but not limited to writing, coding, programs, images, etc.) and offering it as one’s own. Cheating is using false pretenses, tricks, devices, artifices or deception to obtain credit on an examination or in a college course. If a faculty member determines that a student has committed academic dishonesty by plagiarism, cheating or in any other manner, the faculty has the academic right to 1) fail the student for the paper, assignment, project and/or exam, and/or 2) fail the student for the course and/or 3) bring the student up on disciplinary charges, pursuant to Article VI, Academic Conduct Proceedings, of the Student Code of Conduct. The complete Academic Integrity Policy may be found on various NYIT Webpages, including: https://www.nyit.edu/policies/academic_integrity_policy_us_campuses.
Using the NYIT Library • •
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All students can access the NYIT virtual library from both on and off campus at www.nyit.edu/library. The same login you use to access NYIT e-mail and NYITConnect will also give you access to the library’s resources from off campus. On the left side of the library’s home page, you will find the “Library Catalog” and the “Find Journals” sections. In the middle of the home page you will find “Research Guides;” select “Video Tutorials” to find information on using the library’s resources and doing research. Should you have any questions, please look under “Library Services” to submit a web-based “Ask-A-Librarian” form.
Weekly Topical Class Schedule Week/Date 1
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Topic Chapter 1. Introduction to Technical Communication Chapter 2. Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations Communicating at work Chapter 5. Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose Analyzing communication styles Workplace listening Chapter 7. Organizing Your Information The writing process: adapt, compose, evaluate Chapter 10. Writing Correct and Effective Sentences Chapter 14. Corresponding in Print and Online Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents Chapter 4. Writing Collaboratively Chapter 15. Applying for a Job
Assignment Diagnostic Writing (non credit)
Writing Assignment 1 Collaborative Workplace Writing Task Writing Assignment 2 Cover Letter
Midterm Chapter 17. Writing Informational Reports Chapter 18. Writing Recommendation Reports Chapter 19. Writing Lab Reports
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Writing Assignment 3 Report Writing
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Chapter 20. Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions Chapter 16. Writing Proposals Chapter 6. Researching Your Subject and appropriate documentation Chapter 11. Designing Print and Online Documents; Chapter 12. Creating Graphics Chapter 13. Evaluating and Testing Technical Documents Chapter 21. Making Oral Presentations Research
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Research Proposal Workshopping
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Final Review Research Proposal Presentations Final Exam
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Writing Assignment 4 Research Proposal
Research Proposal Presentation