Advanced Software Engineering Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course examines advanced software engineering practices using contemporary standards and tools. Learners will explore software testing, verification, documentation, methods for software development, model-based development and software architecture. Industry standards, security considerations, ethical and professional codes of conduct and constraints that guide software development will be considered in relation to the goals of developing reliable, secure, maintainable and adaptable software. Learners will apply methodologies used to manage the software development lifecycle.

Course Aims

• Train learners in software engineering practices routinely used in organisations.
• Train learners in security, ethical and professional conduct constraints to software engineering.
• Give learners the tools to manage the software lifecycle.

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 (24 days x 7 hours) = 168 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 12 weeks)
• Private study (4 hours per week) = 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

• Sommerville, I. (2001). Software Engineering. Harlow, England ; New York : Addison-Wesley
• Schmidt, R. (2013). Software Engineering. Morgan Kaufmann
• Donaldson, S. and Siegel, S.G. (2001). Successful Software Development. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey : Prentice Hall

Journals

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

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on software engineering.

Indicative Topics

Learners will study the following topics: 

• Software engineering methodologies
• Security, scalability and efficiency
• Software lifecycle and management