Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module COMP3441: SOFTWARE LEGACY AND INNOVATION

Department: Computer Science

COMP3441: SOFTWARE LEGACY AND INNOVATION

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2015/16 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • Software Development for Business placement year

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To introduce students to: the challenges of legacy systems and techniques used to manage them
  • innovation in software and its introduction to real-world systems

Content

  • Assessing a legacy system
  • Assessing a new technology
  • Technology road-mapping

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • To have an understanding of legacy systems architectures and tools for analysing and managing them
  • To have an understanding of how new technology is introduced and how innovation impacts on business
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate: an ability to analyse a real legacy system
  • an ability to select a new technology and plan its implementation into a real software system
Key Skills:
  • On completion of the module, students will be able to: keep up to date with technologies, processes and practices
  • present ideas in a written document
  • critically evaluate their own work and the work of others

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 application of the theory to practical examples. These will include 'Guru Lectures' on the management of legacy systems and new technologies in a business environment.
  • Group tutorials help students to apply theory to real scenarios that they are developing, as well as those of their peers
  • The assessed report requires students to apply the ideas they have learned to a real scenario that they have come across, probably from their placement year
  • The peer assessment component of the reports require students to evaluate the work of others.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 1 pre week 1 hour 10
Group tutorials 29 1 per week 2 hours 40
Preparation and Reading 150
Total 200

Summative Assessment

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

Formative Assessment:

Feedback given on draft proposals through the group tutorials.


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