Aims

To introduce the processes and practices in software engineering, the additional tools that an individual software engineer needs to do their job properly, and some of the social, legal and professional skills that need to be considered by a professional software engineer.

Outline Of Syllabus

An introduction to software engineering and software projects
Tools and techniques for implementing software
- Programming environments
- Testing and debugging tools
- Software system configuration management and source code version control
- Reusable software components, including handling errors and exceptions
History and future
- History of computers, networking, operating systems and programming languages
Social issues
- Social implications of computing
- Information, privacy and security
- Understanding the social context of design
Professional Issues
- The engineering professional - professional societies, engineering accreditation
- Legal issues (Intellectual property rights – copyright, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, computer crime)
- Ethical issues
- Safety critical systems
- The information maze
Professional Skills
- Entrepreneurship
- Effective teams and presentations

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures, including guest lectures from external speakers, will be used to introduce the learning material and for demonstrating the key concepts by example. Students are expected to follow-up lectures within a few days by re-reading and annotating lecture notes to aid deep learning.

Tutorials will be used to emphasise the learning material and its application to the solution of problems and exercises set as coursework, during which students will analyse problems as individuals and in teams.

This is a very practical subject, and it is important that the learning materials are supported by hands-on opportunities provided by practical classes. Students are expected to spend time on coursework outside timetabled practical classes.

Students aiming for 1st class marks are expected to widen their knowledge beyond the content of lecture notes through background reading.

Students should set aside sufficient time to revise for the end of semester exam.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written exercises and Professional Skills Assessments assess students' knowledge and understanding of the material presented, and their ability to further research and summarise particular topics. Tutorial attendance is regarded as important in Stage 1 and therefore tutorial attendance comprises 10% of the module assessment (Prof skill assessment in Semester 1).

Practical/Lab reports cover projects associated with the practical understanding of and skills with the software engineering tools.