Text

Course syllabus - Software Verification and Validation

Scope

7.5 credits

Course code

CDT414

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

Second cycle

Progressive Specialisation

A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Computer Science

Organisation

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Ratified

2013-02-13

Revised

2025-11-03

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2016-10-21
    • Latest update: 2025-05-27

    Books

    Pezzè, Mauro.; Young, Michal.

    Software testing and analysis: process, principles, and techniques

    ISBN: 978-0-471-45593-6

    LIBRIS-ID: 12918672

    URL: Link

    [Hoboken, N.J.], Wiley, xxii, 488 p.

    Mandatory

    Ammann, Paul; Offutt, Jeff

    Introduction to software testing

    ISBN: 978-0-521-88038-1 (hbk.)

    LIBRIS-ID: 10875362

    Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 322 p.

    Mandatory

Objectives

Software verification and validation (especially software testing) consumes a large percentage of the development costs and is an important activity in the industry. The aim of the course is to give an in-depth knowledge in the fundamentals of verification and validation of software systems with special focus on Software Testing. The student will be made aware of both the state of art in research and state of practice in industry.

Learning outcomes

Upon fulfilling the course, the student should be able to:

  • understand the possibilities and limitations of software testing In delivery of fault-free software
  • apply various software testing techniques in development projects
  • analyze the software testing results as well as use them for test management purposes

Course content

The focus of this course will be on software testing. A variety of test techniques will be covered along with applicability aspects as well as the
bindings on software reliability modeling.
The course includes:

  • Introduction to Software Verification and Validation
  • Software Testing overview and classifications
  • Functional(black box) testing
  • Structural (white box) testing
  • Integration testing
  • Mutation testing
  • Model-based testing and Test case generation
  • Software reliability modeling together with bindings on testing
  • Overview of testing process, testing tools and test automation
    The contents will reflect the latest research topics as well as industrial practices. Guest lectures by industrial experts will be the highlight of
    this course.

Specific requirements

At least 120 ECTS credits within at least 60 ECTS credits computer science where at least 7,5 ECTS credits in software engineering are included. In addition Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3 and English course 6 or English level 2 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3.

Examination

Written assignment (INL3), 2 credits, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Laboratory work (LAB2), 1,5 credits, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Examination (TEN2), written assignment, 4 credits, Fail (U) or Pass (G)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Two-grade scale