Course Syllabus

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SOFTENG 750 / COMPSCI 732

Software Development Methodology, Tools and Techniques

Semester 1, 2019

Instructor

 Dr. D. Paul Ralph

Class Time

Thursday and Friday: 3-5pm

Location

Thursday: Building 106 (Biology), Room 100

Friday: Building 303 (Science), Room 102

Office Hours

1:30-2:30pm Thursday, Building 303S, Room 494

 

Warnings

This is a flipped-classroom course. "Lectures" mostly consist of group activities for students to practice the techniques and reflect on the concept being studied. These exercises are compiled in a workbook that will be graded. It is not possible to complete them at home. This course has been refined for many years. It is this way because students learn more this way. By enrolling in this class, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms. 

  • Attending lectures is mandatory. There will be one or more quizzes or in-class activities in every class.
  • Students must bring their course workbook to every class. Most in-class activities are completed in the workbook. The quiz sheets are in the workbook.
  • Since the lectures are mostly in-class activities, lectures will not be recorded. Students do not need lecture recordings to study for the exam because there is no exam. 
  • Course notes will not be provided. Students are expected to take their own notes. This is because numerous studies have shown that students learn better when they take their own notes.
  • There are very few slides. 
  • All assigned readings must be completed prior to class. Again, there is a quiz every class on the readings.
  • Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class; if you are late, you may miss it.
  • Marks are not negotiable. 

If you don't want to read an article for every class and take your own notes and do lots of group activities, you should take a different elective. But be warned: software developers read a lot, take their own notes and all work in teams, so if you don't like this course, you probably won't like working as a developer.  

 

Purpose

The purpose of this class is to develop basic competence in software project management.

Topics

Topics include theory of software engineering, dual track development and project management. See Modules for specifics. Topics and their order are subject to change as the course evolves.

Workbook

Ralph, P. (2019) The Software Project Management Workbook, Auckland University Press.

Labs / Tutorials

This course has no labs or tutorials.

Assessment

Term Project – 60%

In-class quizzes – 20%

In-class assignments – 20%

The term project is an analytical report on the state of design documents. Students will analyze a collection of design documents and write a report conveying the results and implications of their analysis. Further details will be provided in class. Some parts of the project will be completed as in-class assignments. The project is due June 2. 

Most classes will involve a quiz on the required readings. Students can miss up to 2 quizzes without penalty.  

In-class assignments will be completed in the course workbook. Workbooks will be collected periodically for grading. Students can miss up to 2 assignments without penalty. Workbooks can be passed in following the peer review workshop on May 31st.  

Course Summary:

Date Details Due