Course syllabus - Software Engineering 3: Software Architecture and Processes

Objectives

The purpose of the course is to extend and deepen the students' knowledge and skills within software engineering. This will prepare the students for taking on more responsible roles in software development projects and for conducting Master thesis projects related to software engineering.

Learning outcomes

After completion, the student shall:
- understand the basic principles of software architecture and the relationships between the architecture and the quality attributes of systems
- be familiar with common software architecture patterns and how these can be applied in the design of software for different types of systems
- understand the principles of documenting software architecture with different stakeholders in mind
- be familiar with common methods for evaluating software architecture with respect to various quality attributes
- understand different types of software development methods and have detailed knowledge of some common methods
- understand the interrelationships between methods, processes, and standards in software engineering, and have knowledge of common processes and standards

Course content

Software architecture:

- software quality attributes
- patterns and styles for software architecture
- software architecture documentation
- software architecture analysis

Software development processes:

- iterative software development
- agile software development
- formal methods
- software process models, standards, and certification

Tuition

Lectures and guest lectures.
Seminars with presentation and discussion of studied material.
Practical group exercise.
Independent work on assignments.

Specific requirements

At least 180 ECTS credits of higher education, where at least 90 ECTS credits are in the area of computer science and at least 7.5 of these within software engineering. In addition Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course B/Swedish course 3.

Examination

Group exercise (GRU1),1 ECTS credit, marks Pass (G)
Written assignments (INL1), 3 ECTS credits, marks 3, 4 or 5
Laboratory work (LAB1), 2.5 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G) 
Seminars (SEM1), 1 ECTS credit, marks 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with Advanced Software Engineering 7,5 credits.