FIT5136 - Software engineering - 2019

This unit provides an introduction to the discipline of software engineering at the postgraduate level. The emphasis is upon a broad coverage of various aspects of software engineering. We assume the students will at this stage have adequate programming skills and are able to put theories to practice. The notion of a software system as a model or approximation of a desired system is introduced, and used as a way of describing such things as the software life cycle and its various models, programming by contract, design and testing issues, maintenance, reuse, complexity, divide and conquer strategies, metrics and measurement, project management and software legacy.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. describe the breadth and nature of the software engineering process and distinguish various phases of the process;
2. create and develop the required artifacts during each phase of the software engineering process;
3. differentiate and evaluate the software engineering techniques used to produce the artifacts;
4. assess the issues in constructing large software systems from its components, and the nature and design of these components;
5. employ group working skills in solving software development problems;
6. analyse and evaluate IT-related scenarios with reference to the software engineering code of ethics and professional practice.

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Examination (2 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • Two hours of lectures
   • One 2-hour tutorial
2. Additional requirements (all students):
   • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information