Software Engineering - COMP8860

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Module delivery information

Location Term Level1 Credits (ECTS)2 Current Convenor3 2024 to 2025
Canterbury
Spring Term 7 15 (7.5) Rogerio de Lemos checkmark-circle

Overview

• Software processes.
• Modelling techniques, and the use of these techniques throughout the project lifecycle.
• Introduction to modelling principles (decomposition, abstraction, generalization,
projection/views) and types of models (information, behavioural, structural, domain and
functional).
• Risk and risk management in software.
• Approaches to software testing and inspection.
• Approaches to software configuration management.
• Security and privacy in software engineering
• Software engineering tools: configuration control, project management, integrated
development environments and modelling tools.

Details

Contact hours

Private Study: 107
Contact Hours: 43
Total: 150

Availability

Spring

Method of assessment

Main assessment methods:

Case Studies, 1000 words (15%)
Group Project, undertaken and assessed on group basis, 40 hours (35%)
Examination, 2 hours (50%)

Indicative reading

The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
Cohn, M. (2002). User Stories Applied. Addison-Wesley.
Fowler, M (2003). UML Distilled: A Brief Guide to Standard Object Modeling Language. Addison-Wesley.
Sommerville, I. (2015). Software Engineering 10th ed. Addison-Wesley.
Craig, RD. and Jaskie, SP. (2002). Systematic Software Testing. Artech House.
Pezze, M, Young, M. (2007). Software Testing and Analysis: Process, Principles and Techniques. John Wiley & Sons.
McConnell, S. (2004). Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction. Microsoft Press.
Hall, EM. (1998). Managing Risk: Methods for Software Systems Development. Addison-Wesley.
Martin, R. (2008). Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship. Prentice Hall.
Brooks, F.P. (1995). The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering. Addison-Wesley Professional.
Ensmenger, N. L. (2010). The Computer Boys Take Over: Computers, Programmers, and the Politics of Technical Expertise. The MIT Press.
Slayton, R. (2013). Arguments that Count: Physics, Computing, and Missile Defense, 1949-2012. The MIT Press

See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)

Learning outcomes

On successfully completing the module students will be able to demonstrate:
1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles and practice of the development of software systems (broadly defined) including requirements specification, design, validation, implementation and evolution.
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques for modelling software systems and their domains.
3. Demonstrate the ability to design and implement test plans, and apply a wide variety of testing techniques effectively and efficiently, and being able to evaluate their efficacy in identifying a wide range of faults.
4. Demonstrate the conceptual understanding of planning, documentation, estimation, quality, time, cost and risk evaluation in the business context.
5. Demonstrate self-direction in the design of software systems, including design simplicity, appropriateness and styles of system thinking and focused problem solving.
6. Demonstrate critical awareness of the deployment of certain types of software system and show an understanding of the professional duties of software, their societal responsibilities as well as critical understanding of fundamental limitations of different kinds of software systems.
7. Demonstrate the ability to use state-of-the-art tools and techniques when developing software systems.

Notes

  1. Credit level 7. Undergraduate or postgraduate masters level module.
  2. ECTS credits are recognised throughout the EU and allow you to transfer credit easily from one university to another.
  3. The named convenor is the convenor for the current academic session.
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