Introductory description

The aim of the module is to provide students with a theoretical understanding and practical experience of current best practice in software engineering.
This module is only available to students in the second year of their degree and is not available as an unusual option to students in other years of study.

Module aims

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.

Topic areas addressed are software development processes, feasibility and requirements analysis, modelling and design, implementation and design patterns, testing and analysis, maintenance and evolution. Each area will be covered from a theoretical and practical perspective, with a particular emphasis on concepts such as:

• Object oriented modelling and design: objects, classes, inheritance, polymorphism, aggregation, abstract classes.
• Formal notations for expressing issues relating to the analysis, design and implementation of
  systems, including classes, objects, sequences, packages, collaborations, activities, system
  states and components.
• Classical software engineering principles, including software processes, waterfall model,
  software life cycles, cost-estimation, safety critical systems, software testing and maintenance.
• Human computer interaction: human information processing models and memory, learning and skill acquisition; interaction styles; the graphical user interface; task analysis and user centred design; evaluation techniques.
• Techniques relating to the elicitation of requirements, including issues in process engineering, user-centred design and customer management.
• Architectural design and implementation technology selection, including the application of design patterns and frameworks for system design.
• Levels of system and performance testing, including unit, integration, system and user / acceptance testing.
• Software process issues relating system documentation, evolution and maintenance.

Learning outcomes

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

• - Understand the importance of the stages in the software life cycle, including a range of software development development methodologies.
• - Design object oriented software using with the aid of a formal system modelling notation.
• - Understand the principles of graphical user interface design.
• - Understand the principles of user-centred design.
• - Critically evaluate their experience of practical software development with regard to project management, software processes and technical accomplishment.
• - Understand, though experience, the practical challenges associated with the development of a significant software system, including a graphical user interface.
• - Understand, through experience, the practical challenges associated with working as a member of a software development team.

Indicative reading list

Please see Talis Aspire link for most up to date list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Understand the importance of the stages in the software life cycle, including a range of software development methodologies.
Design object oriented software using with the aid of a formal system modelling notation
Understand the principles of graphical user interface design
Understand the principles of user-centred design
Critically evaluate their experience of practical software development with regard to project management, software processes and technical accomplishment
Understand, though experience, the practical challenges associated with the development of a significant software system, including a graphical user interface
Understand, though experience, the practical challenges associated with working as a member of a software development team.

Transferable skills

Communication skills (written and verbal)
Presentation skills
Team work
Team based coding
Problem analysis
Critical evaluation skills