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Course syllabus - Automated Test Generation

Scope

2.5 credits

Course code

DVA481

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

2019-01-24

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: 2019-10-17
    • Latest update: 2025-05-27

    Other Materials

    Kursen har ingen specifik litteratur

    Akademin för innovation, design och teknik,

Objectives

Automated test generation has become a popular way of testing software systems. The purpose of this course is to provide knowledge about how to test software systems through automatic techniques. The course covers basic theories and practical use cases of automated testing.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student should be able to:

  1. describe and explain what automated test generation is.
  2. implement test generation for a programming language.
  3. understand and apply coverage criteria in a test generation tool to develop test cases and use a test generation tool on a software system.

Course content

The course covers the following topics:

  • Introduction to automated test generation
  • Methods for test generation
  • Basis for coverage criteria
  • Basis for random test generation
  • Coverage criteria for software
  • Automated model-based test design

The course will be divided into three modules:

  • Module 1: Fundamentals of Automated Test Generation
  • Module 2: Using Test Design Techniques in Automated Test Generation
  • Module 3: Using Evaluation Criteria in Automated Test Generation

Specific requirements

120 credits, of which 80 credits in Computer Science and/or Computer Engineering. 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

Assignment (INL1), 0.5 credit, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G) (examines learning outcome 1)
Assignment (INL2), 0.5 credit, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G) (examines learning outcome 2)
Assignment (INL3), 0.5 credit, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G) (examines learning outcome 2)
Assignment (INL4), 1 credit, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G) (examines learning outcome 3)

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