School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences Dept of Computer Science

Software Design

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  To provide an understanding of the challenges associated with the software life-cycle, focusing on the processes and techniques which promote the design of high quality software.
  
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  To instil an understanding of the concepts and benefits of rigorous design.
  
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  To equip participants with a broad understanding of software design methods and processes.
  
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  To equip participants with an in-depth knowledge of UML notation
  
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  To instil an understanding of design patterns and their value
  
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  To provide a broad understanding of verification and validation issues associated with software engineering.
  
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  To equip CS participants with an in-depth understanding of analysis techniques, i.e. static analysis and dynamic analysis.
  
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  To instil IS participants with a broad understanding of the information systems lifecycle, and an in-depth understanding of feasibility studies.
  
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  To provide participants with an understanding of software design challenges in the real-world via guest speakers from industry.
  

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  Motivations for design and the need for design processes and methodologies.
  
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  Software process models, e.g. waterfall model, Boehm's spiral model, evolutionary development, agile development.
  

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  Design methods and processes, i.e. architectural design, function-oriented design, object-oriented design, component-based design.
  
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  Object-oriented design using UML notation & CRC cards: use case diagrams, noun verb analysis, class diagrams, sequence diagrams, communication diagrams, state machine diagrams, activity diagrams.
  
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  An introduction to patterns and anti-patterns
  
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  Software testing and analysis: a strategy for dynamic testing; test case design; assertion based testing; functional testing; structural testing; hybrid testing; auto unit testing; reviews & inspections; metrics; flow analysis; formal methods (CS stream)
  
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  Open source vs closed source and means of assessing which is appropriate to a project – Boehm’s ADA and other methods
  
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  Documentation practice and standards in software engineering and information systems
  
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  Information systems lifecycle focussing on feasibility studies. Evaluating potential projects by considering operational, technical, schedule and economic feasibility. Cost/benefit analysis. (IS stream).
  

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  To demonstrate a critical understanding of modern software engineering practice and be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current software engineering methods and technique
  
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  To be able to choose appropriate metrics to measure software quality and quantity in a modern software engineering environment
  
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  To understand and demonstrate object oriented design techniques, including the use of UML notation
  
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  To understand the role of a feasibility study, and to appreciate social and technological aspects of information systems (IS stream)
  

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  Take responsibility for own work and exhibit critical reflection on development process. (PDP)
  
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  To be able to use appropriate methods and standards for practice and documentation in software engineering and information systems.
  
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  Demonstrate evidence based approaches to problem solving.
  
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  Use a range of numerical and graphical skills in evaluating and communicating ideas, as well as measuring progress toward achieving goals.
  

Examination: (weighting – 100%)

Examination: (weighting – 100%)

Database Management Systems

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  Database Design: data requirements, entity relationship diagrams, relational data model, integrity constraints, key constraints, types, integrity maintenance
  
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  Relational Queries: SQL, Boolean combinations of queries, aggregation, duplicate elimination, nested queries, negation, views, insertions, deletions, updates, command level interfaces, JDBC
  

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  Query execution and optimisation: data storage principles, file organisation, indexing, indexes in commercial DBMS’s, relational algebra, query execution plans, cost estimation of plans, interpretation of plans, physical database design
  
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  Concurrency: transactions, schedules, serialisability, concurrency control protocols, locking, two-phase-locking, time stamp based concurrency control.
  
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  Emerging Database Trends: XML and data warehousing
  

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  Broad knowledge and understanding of the concepts and formalisms of database design
  
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  Detailed knowledge of the building blocks and meaning of relational database queries
  
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  Critical understanding of the principles of query evaluation and concurrency control underlying database applications
  
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  Practice in the collection of data requirements and the design of conceptual database schemas
  
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  Evaluation of emerging database trends and ability to understand their benefits
  

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  Practice in working on a development project in a small group under the guidance of a tutor (PDP)
  
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  Practice in defining the subject and scope of a development project (PDP)
  
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  Presenting the project orally, and reporting on it in writing (PDP)
  
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  Use of ICT techniques for presenting the project (PDP)
  
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  Constructing a website that reports on the progress of the project
  
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  Practice in designing tests for quantitative analysis
  

Examination: (weighting – 100%)

Examination: (weighting – 100%)

Programming Languages

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  To give an appreciation of the context of programming languages
  
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  To introduce low level programming techniques
  
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  To introduce system level programming techniques
  
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  To introduce simple compiling techniques
  

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  Low level programming e.g. assembly language: registers, memory models, arithmetic, comparison, branching, subroutines, recursion
  
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  System level programming e.g C: addressing modes, pointers, arrays and structs, control structures, functions and parameter passing, basic libraries
  
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  Simple compiling techniques: lexical analysis, recursive descent parsing, AST construction, simple code generation, use of compiler generator tools,
  
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  Overview of programming language history/paradigms
  

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  Appreciation of levels of and correspondences between hardware/software hierarchy
  
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  Simple assembly language programming
  
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  Simple C programming
  
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  Crafting simple language processors
  
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  Use of compiler generators
  

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  Experience of low- and intermediate-level programming
  
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  Understanding of role and deployment of low-level and system languages in system development
  
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  Appreciation and use of appropriate formalisms for defining languages and communicating language definitions
  
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  Ability to apply language processing techniques/tools for wider problem solving
  

Examination: (weighting – 100%)

Examination: (weighting – 100%)