CSC8428 : Software Design Lifecycle (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ahmed Kharrufa
- Lecturer: Dr Christopher Bull
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to equip apprentices with the knowledge and experience to function as successful software engineering practitioners. It will be assessed through coursework assignments that require them to learn and apply their skills in Human-Computer-Interaction and Software Engineering processes.
In this module, the apprentices will learn about managing software engineering projects and their timelines following agile, lean or other industry recognized approaches. They will apply HCI methodologies to design products driven by user experience.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover:
• Human Computer Interaction:
o Understanding user requirements.
o User-centred and user-experience Design principles.
o Evaluation techniques.
• Software Engineering:
o Software and the Software Engineering Industry.
o Software Development Activities & Process Models: Synthesis, analysis, design, implementation and testing.
o Understanding business application requirements.
o Software Engineering Tools & Techniques: a model-based approach.
o Managing the Development Process: Costing, planning, and process improvement.
• Computer System Design & Architecture:
o An overview of current computer systems architecture.
o Operating systems overview.
o Memory management and file systems.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 8 | 4:00 | 32:00 | Revision for assessments, including related readings, formative written reports/essays. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Combination of short recordings of lecture material, slides and/or text published on VLE weekly |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Work in a supervised environment to develop skills and professional practice |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Apprentices will undertake specific research or reading on their own as directed by academic staff |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | A combination of activity sheets materials and short recordings published on VLE each week |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 11 | 5:00 | 55:00 | Preparation for the EPA, apprentices to record learning reflections into APTEM. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Opportunities for live discussions and Q & A about the topics covered during the week. |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Directed group work by apprentices undertaken without staff being present. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
This module is driven by coursework assignments that are aligned with the delivered content. The weekly structured learning activities will provide structure, continuous feedback, and opportunities to develop their software engineering and interaction design skills.
In each week, apprentices will be provided with online lecture material (short videos, slides and/or text) that will be used to introduce the learning material and for demonstrating the key concepts by example.
Apprentices will also be provided with weekly structured activities, including some individual activities, supported weekly scheduled practical sessions to carry out group activities and receive feedback. The goal is to support the apprentices in developing skills through hands-on experience on interaction design and software engineering skills.
Weekly scheduled seminar/workshop style sessions on campus will provide opportunities to discuss the materials covered in the week and for live questions and answers about these topics.
On the job sessions may include:
• Observing a software lifecycle in their place of work and reflecting on the difference between theory and practice
• Identifying opportunities to implement learnings to work project(s) and recording or reflecting on how
• Contributing to a phase of a project lifecycle at work
*Apprentices and their employers who wish to apply a project from their workplace must consult with the Module Leader to ensure the scope is manageable in the semester, and the project criteria are met.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 30 | Group submission in response to a human-computer interaction design brief (1250 words) |
| Report | 1 | M | 70 | Individual report on a software engineering coursework assignment (2500-3000 words) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Optional. Non-graded. Exercises designed to help apprentice’s apply taught principles. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
There are two summative assessments in this module that include group and individual reports, one focused on a software engineering coursework assignment and the other on a human-computer interaction design coursework assignment. These are intended to assess individual’s and group's practical and conceptual understanding of the content.
To support the summative assessments, there are non-assessed weekly feedback sessions. These provide apprentices opportunities to learn and discuss practical skills, step by step, with the benefit of feedback from demonstrators.
This apprenticeship recognizes that not all learning can be mastered in one day, therefore there is time allocated for practicing skills, meaning apprentices can transfer their knowledge and skill into the workplace. These opportunities need to be identified during tri-monthly tripartite meetings with the apprentice, their manager and their teaching fellow.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8428's Timetable