Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module COMP3221: ADVANCED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (20 CREDITS)

Department: Computer Science

COMP3221: ADVANCED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (20 CREDITS)

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Software Engineering (COMP2092).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Advanced Software Engineering (40 Credits). COMP3152.

Aims

  • To encourage students to think critically about the applicability of existing and emerging technologies and research in a commercial environment focussing on a number of specific advanced topics in software engineering.
  • Within the 20 credit module students will study two topic themes.

Content

  • Students will study a selection from the following topics:
  • Human Computer Interaction.
  • Software Process Improvement.
  • Software Maintenance.
  • Software Evolution.
  • Software Reuse.
  • Software Visualisation
  • Critical Systems.
  • Non-functional Requirements.
  • New Approaches to Software Engineering.
  • Risk Analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have an in-depth knowledge of the four topics taught and synthesise how they may be applied in an industrial environment.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Critically analyse how four topic areas benefit software engineering and how it aids the production of software applications.
  • Independently evaluate the research issues of each of the two topics including current practices, recent developments and further areas of possible exploration.
  • Demonstrate, for each of the four topics, that they have conducted research and self-study to further their knowledge beyond the taught material.
Key Skills:

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    • Lecturing demonstrates what is required to be learned and the opinionation of the theory to practical examples.
    • Homework problems identify areas where further independent research should be conducted.
    • Each topic is examined by an open book benchtest and through end of year examination process.
    • The benchtest allows the testing of the students ability to quickly extrapolate, analyse and present materials.
    • The examinations allow the examination of broad coverage of the subject materials.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 40 2 per week 1 Hour 40
    Other (Bench-test) 2 1 per theme 1 Hour 2 ■
    Preparation and Reading 158
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Practical work 100% No
    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Examination 1.5 hours 100% No

    Formative Assessment:

    Example exercises given through the course. Additional revison lectures may be arranged in the modules lecture slots in the 3rd term.

    ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University