Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module COMP40115: SOFTWARE DEPENDABILITY

Department: Computer Science

COMP40115: SOFTWARE DEPENDABILITY

Type	Tied	Level	4	Credits	15	Availability	Available in 2012/13

Tied to	G5K209

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

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
Tutorials	4	Second 2 weeks	2 hour	8	■
Lectures	6	First 2 weeks	2 hour	12	■
Preparation and Reading				130
Total				150

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Coursework	2500 words	100%

Formative Assessment:

A formative assignment will be given in the second week of the module (500-1000 words).

■ 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