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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Informatics : Informatics

Postgraduate Course: Software Architecture, Process, and Management (Level 11) (INFR11038)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Informatics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Year 4 Undergraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaInformatics Other subject areaNone
Course website http://course.inf.ed.ac.uk/sapm Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course considers the many ways in which development and maintenance of large software systems differs from that of small systems. It discusses the high level architectural decisions that may control the complexity of such systems, and the architectural degradation that leads to legacy systems. It considers the processes by which large systems can be developed and the role of managers in planning and guiding development, predicting and mitigating risks, and improving quality.

The lectures and exam are identical to the level 10 versions, but MSc students undertake more advanced coursework to meet the additional learning outcome.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students also take Software Engineering with Objects and Components (INFR09016)
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Software Architecture, Process, and Management (Level 10) (INFR10024)
Other requirements This course is open to all Informatics students including those on joint degrees. For external students where this course is not listed in your DPT, please seek special permission from the course organiser.

The coursework is essay-based. However experience with programming is desirable.
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  No Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 13/01/2014
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 20, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 76 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 75 %, Coursework 25 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)2:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1 - Describe and explain the challenges inherent in large-scale system development and outline techniques with which managers can help meet these challenges.
2 - Propose and justify architectural decisions for large-scale, long-lived systems.
3 - Explain why software reuse is difficult, and some approaches for increasing software reuse.
4 - Summarize and apply approaches for maintaining and replacing legacy code.
5 - Compare and contrast development processes (e.g. Extreme Programming and the Unified Process) and explain their application to a project.
6 - Analyse the significant sources of risk for particular projects and suggest ways to reduce the risks.
7 - Describe, and in some cases be able to use, tools relevant to large-scale, long-term development, such as requirements management, configuration, build, test, and project management tools.
8 - Critically reflect on given software engineering related articles, from the peer-reviewed literature and elsewhere.
9 - Locate, summarize, and critically evaluate peer-reviewed literature about a subarea of software engineering.
Assessment Information
Written Examination 75
Assessed Assignments 25
Oral Presentations 0
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Large scale software
- The difference that scale makes: from single-person projects to ultra-large systems
- Tool use: revision control, configuration management, bug/issue tracking, testing, documentation, and other tools
- Architectural principles and patterns
- Components, product lines and other forms of reuse
- Maintaining and replacing legacy systems

Software Development Processes
- High ceremony processes
- Agile development
- Quality assurance
- Process improvement
- Critical systems, sociotechnical systems, and dependability
- Open source development

Planning and Managing Software Projects
- Requirements management
- Planning projects using size and cost estimation
- Risk management
- Project tracking and change management
- Project and people management: successful teamwork

Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections: Professionalism, Software
Engineering, Systems Analysis and Design
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list * Required: Lecture notes and readings distributed in class or online
* Recommended: Sommerville, Software Engineering, Addison Wesley (any edition)
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Lectures 15
Tutorials 0
Timetabled Laboratories 0
Non-timetabled assessed assignments 15
Private Study/Other 70
Total 100
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Mary Cryan
Tel: (0131 6)50 5153
Email: mcryan@inf.ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Kate Farrow
Tel: (0131 6)50 2706
Email: Kate.Farrow@ed.ac.uk
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