Bellarmine University announced it is launching a new online bachelor of science degree in software and data engineering which emphasizes ethics in technology.
The accelerated online-only program — which can be completed in one year — is designed for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field and looking to change careers, said a press release from the university.
Students will learn to write software applications with various programming languages; elicit, analyze and specify software requirements; develop internal or external software products using traditional or Agile approaches and use modern software engineering tools, said the release.
The course work will also include a new philosophy course, “Technology, Ethics and Society,” that “supports Bellarmine’s mission to improve the human condition,” said the release.
Dr. David Scott, an assistant professor of philosophy designed the class. “Part of the course will be bringing the new technological abilities we have in line with our existing moral understandings, which are predicated maybe on older technological possibilities, more limited ones,” Scott said.
The course work will include topics such as intellectual property issues, the potential for nefarious uses of technology and diversity concerns.
