Ethics, Careers, and Building a CS Portfolio
Using computer science responsibly
Ethics in practice
Computer science systems affect privacy, access, fairness, safety, and work. Ethical practice means considering unintended consequences, minimizing harm, respecting user consent, and building systems that are robust and accountable.
Professional habits
Career pathways
Computer science leads to roles such as software engineer, systems engineer, data scientist, security analyst, ML engineer, database engineer, network engineer, and researcher. Different paths emphasize different mixes of theory, implementation, and communication.
Which habit best supports collaborative software development?
Version control supports teamwork, history, and safe experimentation.
Correct answer: Using version control
Why is code review valuable?
Review is both a quality and learning tool.
Correct answer: It helps catch bugs, improve design, and spread knowledge across the team.
Portfolio strategy
A strong portfolio project shows problem definition, design choices, testing, and reflection—not just a finished interface.
How to turn a course concept into a portfolio project
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Step 1: Pick a real problem with a clear user or use case.
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Step 2: Define inputs, outputs, and constraints.
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Step 3: Design the data model and core algorithms.
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Step 4: Implement, test, and document the solution.
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Step 5: Reflect on trade-offs, limitations, and next improvements.
Which portfolio project feature best demonstrates CS understanding?
Explaining trade-offs shows understanding beyond surface implementation.
Correct answer: Clear explanation of design trade-offs
Name one ethical concern in CS systems.
Ethics is about the consequences of technical decisions.
Correct answer: Privacy, bias, safety, accessibility, or security.