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ES2D7-15 Systems and Software Engineering Principles

Department
School of Engineering
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Thomas Popham
Credit value
15
Module duration
15 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

ES2D7-15 Systems and Software Engineering Principles

Module web page

Module aims

Introduce students to the concept of systems engineering and systems thinking. Guide students to expand their thinking about design to incorporate structured methods from Systems and Software Engineering including model based approaches. Ensure that students are able to consider functional and non-functional behaviour when creating requirements as well as predicting failure modes. Impress upon students the importance of correct and traceable requirements on product success as well as on safety and the environment. Exploit the synergies between Systems and Software Engineering processes to introduce formal software engineering to students.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to concepts & systems thinking
System vee
Verification and Validation
Eliciting and recording user needs
Eliciting and writing requirements
Functional quality and failure
P diagrams, fishbone, is-isnot
QFD
Kano
State diagrams
Stateflow
Software and object oriented thinking
Objects and methods
Software testing techniques

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Explain overall concepts, process and need for a systems approach to engineering in various industries and applications
  • Describe, using systems models and diagrams, systems from different perspectives and communicate behaviour
  • Select and use tools to elicit needs and write requirements which cover functional and non-functional uses and behaviours including failure mode avoidance.
  • Describe the difference between verification and validation, then specify and carry out suitable verification and validation methods
  • Apply object-orientated techniques for solving programming problems
Indicative reading list

Blanchard, Benjamin S., and W. J. Fabrycky. Systems Engineering and Analysis. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2014.. ISBN-13 978-1292025971
A. P. Sage, J. E. Armstrong. Introduction to Systems Engineering. Wiley Series in Systems Engineering. Wiley 2000 ISBN-13: 978-0471027669
A. Kossiakoff. “Systems Engineering Principles and Practice” Wiley Series in Systems Enigneering. Wiley 2002 ISBN-13: 978-0470405482
Wasson, C., "System Analysis, Design, and Development: Concepts, Principles, and Practices." Wiley Series in Systems Engineering and Management. Wiley 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0471393337

PYSTER, A., OLWELL, D. H. The Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK) – continuously updated WIKI

Subject specific skills

Ability to conceive, make and realise a component, product, system or process.
Ability to be pragmatic, taking a systematic approach and the logical and practical steps necessary for, often complex, concepts to become reality.
Ability to seek to achieve sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being creative and innovative.

Transferable skills

Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions.
Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities.
Communicate (written and oral; to technical and non-technical audiences) and work with others.

Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including time management, which may be as a team member or leader

Awareness of the nature of engineering business and enterprise in the creation of economic and social value

Overcome difficulties by employing skills, knowledge and understanding in a flexible manner

Ability to formulate and operate within appropriate codes of conduct, when faced with an ethical issue

Appreciation of the global dimensions of engineering, customers, commerce and communication

Be professional in their outlook, be capable of team working, be effective communicators, and be able to exercise responsibility and sound management approaches.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 13 sessions of 1 hour (9%)
Seminars 3 sessions of 2 hours (4%)
Practical classes 4 sessions of 2 hours (5%)
Private study 123 hours (82%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

Private study - Programming Exercises (preparation for in-class test): 61
Private study - systems exam: 62

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time
Individual Assignment 60%

Software development project (no report)

Group Project 40%

Assessed by Group presentation (15mins + questions) + peer assessment

Feedback on assessment

Individual assignment: formative feedback during labs, feedback during presentation, written feedback, cohort feedback
Group project: formative feedback during workshop session, written feedback

Post-requisite modules

If you pass this module, you can take:

  • ES3H3-15 Intelligent System Design
  • ES3J1-15 Advanced Systems and Software Engineering

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of UESA-H335 BEng Automotive Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H161 BEng Biomedical Systems Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H315 BEng Mechanical Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-HH35 BEng Systems Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H336 MEng Automotive Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H163 MEng Biomedical Systems Engineering
  • UESA-H316 MEng Mechanical Engineering
    • Year 2 of H315 Mechanical Engineering BEng
    • Year 2 of H316 Mechanical Engineering MEng
  • UESA-HH31 MEng Systems Engineering
    • Year 2 of HH31 Systems Engineering
    • Year 2 of HH35 Systems Engineering

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 2 of UESA-H605 Undergraduate Electrical and Electronic Engineering

This module is Option list A for:

  • Year 2 of UESA-H216 BEng Civil Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H63W BEng Electronic Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H113 BEng Engineering
  • UESA-H112 BSc Engineering
    • Year 2 of H112 Engineering
    • Year 2 of H112 Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-HN11 BSc Engineering and Business Studies
  • Year 2 of UESA-H217 MEng Civil Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H63X MEng Electronic Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H114 MEng Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H605 Undergraduate Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Year 2 of UESA-H606 Undergraduate Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng