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Unit information: Overview of Software Engineering in 2021/22

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Overview of Software Engineering
Unit code COMSM0110
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Lock
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

COMSM0084 Introduction to Computer Science

COMSM1201 Programming in C

COMSM1302 Overview of Computer Architecture

Co-requisites

COMSM0085 Overview of Software Tools

COMSM0086 Object-Oriented Programming with Java

School/department School of Computer Science
Faculty Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

The aim of this unit is to reinforce students’ software development skills and build upon this foundation by introducing the principles of Software Engineering. The unit will introduce alternative software processes (such as Waterfall and Agile). Students will be introduced to a range of well-established software engineering activities, encompassing: systems analysis, specification, design, implementation, verification, validation and evaluation of complex socio-technical systems.

The unit also aims to highlight the importance of project management activities in the context of group and team development. These include activities such as planning, task identification, work allocation, scheduling and progress monitoring.

This unit will prepare students for undertaking a major development projects as individuals, as well as introducing effective mechanisms for collaboration in teams. As such, this unit provides an essential role in preparing students for their summer projects.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. successfully analyse a specific problem domain;
  2. produce a suitable specification and design representing an appropriate software solution;
  3. effectively apply approaches to the verification and validation of software systems;
  4. successfully apply management techniques in the planning and monitoring of software projects.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises

Assessment Information

100% Coursework

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMSM0110).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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