System Testing Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course explores how software and digital systems are tested using established test environments. Learners will examine how to plan, design, execute and document structured system functionality tests and performance tests against specified requirements. Manual and automated test methods will be evaluated, including the challenges and limitations of testing strategies typically used within an organisation.

Course Aims

• Expose learners to software/digital system testing practices routinely used in organisations.
• Train learners in how to plan, design and execute testing strategies.
• Give learners the tools to write clear and concise test documentation.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year. 

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• Online learning
• Online discussion groups
• Online assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

• Off-the-job learning and teaching (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours
• On-the-job learning (24days x 7 hours) = 168 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 12 weeks)
• Private study (4 hours per week for 12 weeks) = 48 hours

Total = 300 hours

Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide learners with developmental feedback. 

Summative

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Academic Mentor (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.

Feedback is provided on summative assessment and is made available to the student either via email, the VLE or another appropriate method.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to learners; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

• Patton, R. (2005). Software Testing. 2nd ed. Indianapolis, IN: Sams Pub.
• Kaner, Cem., James. Bach, and Bret. Pettichord. Lessons Learned in Software Testing a Context-Driven Approach. 1st edition. New York: Wiley, 2002.
• Sommerville, I. (2001). Software Engineering. Harlow, England ; New York : Addison-Wesley

Laporte, C. Y., & April, A. (2018). Software quality assurance, Wiley-IEEE Computer Society

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on system testing as directed by their course leader.

Electronic Resources

Learners are recommended the following self-learning resources on unit testing:

Free code camp QA pathway

https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/quality-assurance/

Data Camp unit testing for Data Science 

https://campus.datacamp.com/courses/unit-testing-for-data-science-in-python/unit-testing-basics?ex=1

Indicative Topics

Learners will study the following topics: 

• Automated and manual test environments
• Planning, design and execution of test strategies
• Testing documentation