This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Postgraduate Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)
Module COMP40115: SOFTWARE DEPENDABILITY
Department: Computer Science
COMP40115: SOFTWARE DEPENDABILITY
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 4 | 15 | Available in 2012/2013 | Durham |
Tied To
Pre-requisites
- None.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- Security and Fault Tolerance (COMP51215).
Aims
- The purpose of this module is to study the fundamental characteristics of software dependability in the context of system development, deployment and certification
Content
- Software dependability overview
- Introduction to dependability
- When technology fails
- When humans fail
- Risk, hazard analysis and safety cases
- Argumentation
- Security and fault tolerance
- Threats from the internet
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Introduce the student to dependability issues in software development, and enhance the student's understanding of system failure and the implications for safety-critical and non-safety-critical systems
- Present the student with a variety of modern techniques and methods for risk, hazard and argument analysis
- Encourage the student to reflect on dependability issues for software development and distributed systems.
Subject-specific Skills
- Assessing the role of dependability in system development and evaluation
- Identifying and applying techniques and tools for risk, hazard and argument analysis
- Critically evaluating dependability arguments and the contributing evidence
- Exploring security considerations and influences on system dependability
Key Skills
- An awareness of dependability issues in the development and deployment of information technology
- Improved communication skills through group exercises and group presentations
- Improving own learning and performance by lecture directed readings, exercises and group activities
- Problem solving skills through formative exercises allowing the students to reflect on the lecture material and practical work, particularly the construction of dependability/safety arguments
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lecturing provides specialist subject information and the application of the theory to practical examples. Problem classes through practicals provide assessment (both formative and summative) to guide students in the correct development of their knowledge and skills. Tutorials provide active engagement and feedback to the learning process.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorials | 4 | Second 2 weeks | 2 hour | 8 | Yes |
| Lectures | 6 | First 2 weeks | 2 hour | 12 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 130 | ||||
| Total | 150 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% | Coursework | 2500 words | 100% |
Formative Assessment
A formative assignment will be given in the second week of the module (500-1000 words).
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.