UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

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UNDERGRADUATE

PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Programme Title:

Software Engineering

Awarding Body:

Staffordshire University

Teaching Institution:

Staffordshire University

Final Awards:

BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

Intermediate Awards:

CertHE, DipHE, BSc Software Engineering

Mode of Study:

Full-time, Part-time

UCAS Codes:

G600

QAA Subject Benchmarks:

Computing, QAA 170 03/07

JACS Code:

G600

Professional/Statutory Body:

BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT

Date of Production:

June 2013

Date of Revision:

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Educational aims of the programme

 To produce Software Engineering graduates who are fitted to undertake employment in industry, commerce or public service as computing professionals, or, for those with suitable degree classification, to undertake programmes of further study or research in appropriate institutions.

 To produce Software Engineering graduates who are experts in the entire software development lifecycle, and who have the theoretical and practical skills to develop robust, large-scale systems that are engineered software solutions to real world problems.

 To produce Software Engineering graduates who have proficiency in several programming languages and system design methods and techniques, and who can apply their skills in all areas of the computing industry.

 To produce Software Engineering graduates who are immediately suitable for job titles such as Application Programmer, Software Engineer, and Systems Developer, and who can expect, with experience, to progress to posts such as Analyst, Project Manager, and Enterprise Architect.

 To provide a course of study in Software Engineering that is up-to-date, appropriate, and facilitated by well-qualified staff.

 To provide an enriching experience for the student that supports and facilitates personal, academic and professional development throughout the programme, laying a foundation for life-long continuing development.

 To provide a sound general education in Computing that also enhances the student’s general education, including transferable skills

 To enable each student to achieve the highest award within his or her overall ability.

 To give a practical emphasis with theoretical underpinning to each student’s studies.

 On sandwich awards only, to enable each student, by means of a one-year period of supervised work in an industrial, commercial or public service setting, to gain relevant experience in the computing profession, and as far as possible gainfully to exploit that experience during Level 6 studies.

 To embed within the programme the inculcation and assessment of attributes and ethos of the Staffordshire Graduate, and to produce Software Engineering graduates who exemplify these qualities.

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What is distinctive about this programme?

This programme embodies the motto, Practical Scholarship, in which we strike a balance between underpinning theory and experience of practical application.

There are five major themes that are developed through all Levels of the programme:  Software development life cycle: from requirements elicitation to systems

integration, including management

 Software architectures: including frameworks and design patterns

 Modelling: a strong emphasis on OO modelling; a lesser focus on top-down modelling, relational database modelling

 Application type: stand-alone; client-server; web; mobile; enterprise  Programming: a strong emphasis on Java, and also C++, C#, Objective C This programme has a highly-recommended sandwich option that comprises a year of industrial placement, which may be overseas, and can include self-employment. .

At the end of the final year, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your Final Year Project at the Graduate Exhibition, examples of which can be seen at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/events/gradex/

The Staffordshire Graduate

The Staffordshire Graduate is a set of qualities that the University passionately believes necessary for success in the 21st century. A Staffordshire Graduate is a reflective and critical learner with a global perspective, ready to contribute in the world of work.

The Software Engineering award is based on the requirements for accreditation by the BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT – and this ensures that graduates have the knowledge and skills appropriate for employment in the computing industry.

Throughout your degree, you will be required to communicate in a variety of formats including software design documents, written reports and individual and group presentations. Team-work is developed at Level 4 and Level 5 in modules that require you to specify, design and develop software artefacts in groups using industry-standard techniques and processes.

Professional, organisational, ethical, legal, and globalisation issues are addressed in modules at all Levels, which also cover career development, from initial job applications to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and entrepreneurship. Globalisation is further addressed from a Software Engineering perspective in modules which examine localisation (adapting a software product for a particular local market) and globalisation (developing products for international markets). You are encouraged to enrol on the sandwich degree which involves a year’s paid placement in the Computing industry, developing the full range of graduate attributes from understanding of enterprise and industrial relationships, to interacting confidently with colleagues, and communicating their experience in a formal report. The culmination of study is the Project, where you work independently to investigate, critically analyse, and create practical solutions to a software engineering problem of your own choosing. Communication and presentation skills form an important part of the project, and you can engage with local employers by presenting your work at GradEx, the graduate exhibition.

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Programme outcomes

At the end of your studies you should be able to: Knowledge & Understanding

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of computing concepts and principles. Show that you have acquired coherent and detailed knowledge about the principles and practices of Software Engineering, some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of research and development in Software Engineering.

Learning

Develop lines of argument and evaluate possible approaches, tools, techniques, platforms and solutions based on knowledge of Software Engineering principles and practices, and demonstrate understanding of the uncertainty, ambiguity and

limitations of this knowledge. Enquiry

Initiate and carry out Software Engineering projects.

Ethically gather information pertaining to computing problems, possible solutions, and the success of these solutions, from existing or potential users and/or organisations using established Software Engineering practices.

Find, critically evaluate, manage, apply, and understand information from a range of sources, acknowledging the cultural, ethical, economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of such information.

Analysis

Critically discuss current research in Software Engineering, and evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete) to draw

conclusions.

Problem Solving

Apply knowledge & understanding, learning, enquiry and analysis to devise and address appropriate questions and strategies that lead to the identification, development and evaluation of solutions to computing-based problems.

Plan and carry out a large and complex computing project, applying established Software Engineering principles and practices.

Communication

Communicate ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in a variety of forms, including, but not limited to: written academic reports; verbal presentations; documentation in support of the development of software; project management documentation.

Application

Apply Software Engineering principles and practices and established management techniques, including those at the forefront of Software Engineering knowledge, to the process of developing complex software.

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Programme structure, modules and credits

BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

L E V E L 4 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 CESCOM 10067-4 Application modelling (30 credits) CESCOM 10083-4 Introduction to Software Development (30 credits) CESCOM 10073-4 Fundaments of Computing and Mathematics (30 credits) CESCOM 10093-4 Skills for Computing Professionals (30 credits)

To progress to Level 5, at least 90 credits must be passed at Level 4.

L E V E L 5 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 CESCOM 10109-5 Engineering Software Applications (30 credits) CESCOM 10141-5

Web & Mobile Application Development (30 credits) CESCOM 10129-5 Object-Oriented Application Engineering (30 credits) CESCOM 10104-5 Concurrent Network Applications (15 credits) CESCOM 10137-5 Task-based Software Engineering (15 credits) To progress to placement, at least 195 credits must be passed, including a minimum of 75 credits at Level 5.

To progress to Level 6, at least 210 credits must be passed, including a minimum of 90 credits at Level 5. L E V E L 6 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 CESCOM 10153-6 Engineering and Integrating Robust, Large-Scale Systems (30 credits) CESCOM 10154-6 Engineering Enterprise Applications (30 credits) CESCOM 10176-6 Software Engineering for Mobile Devices (15 credits) CESCOM 10157-6 Final Year Project (45 credits)

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How will I be taught and assessed?

Teaching and Learning

This programme of study has been devised to fit the university’s framework of 30-credit modules. Most modules in this programme are 30-30-credit modules that run across both teaching blocks in the academic year. There are three 15-credit modules, two in Level 5, and the third in Level 6. The Final Year Project is a 45-credit module.

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies and these will differ from module to module depending on the module subject. Generally, there will be a mixture of lectures, practical (lab-based) sessions, and tutorials (theory-based sessions). You can also expect to be involved in:

• presentations

• seminars given by speakers from outside of the Faculty • student-led seminars

• group work • project work • case studies

Importantly, you must expect to engage in self-directed learning outside of timetabled classes.

To be awarded the BSc honours degree you must study and pass all modules in the programme of study.

The Final Year Project is a major component of Level 6, comprising 45 of the 120 credits. You are expected to use established Software Engineering principles and practices to create a complex software artefact, supported by documented academic research. Most of the academic support for the project is through regular meetings with the project supervisor and feedback from the second assessor at a mid-point interview. These project meetings will be supplemented with project induction lectures at the outset of the Final Year Project and detailed schedules, handbook and guidance notes available on the project web site.

The placement year allows you to apply and extend your developing Software Engineering skills in industry.

To find out which software is available in the laboratories please check: http://www.fcet.staffs.ac.uk/current_students/labs.htm Virtual Learning Environment

All modules have a presence on the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. The minimum content for each presence consists of the module handbook and links to the module specification and other background material.

Many modules also use Blackboard as a repository for lecture slides, tutorial sheets, supplementary materials, assignment specifications, and sample examinations. The Blackboard assessment facility is used for both formative (practice) assessment and summative (actual) assessment, and as a means of recording assessment results and giving feedback to you.

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Assessment

The university framework stipulates that there is to be one assessment for a 15-credit module, and no more than two assessments for a 30-credit module (i.e. one assessment per 15 credits).

As far as possible, the assessments on this programme of study will be scheduled to avoid an unreasonable assessment workload. This has been facilitated by the university’s 30-credit framework.

The assessment strategy will vary from module to module, but you will be assessed in some way on every module.

Some of the assessment strategies that you will encounter are:  Tests

o Class tests (up to 1 hour)

o Portfolio-based tests (up to 1 hour) o Examinations (up to 3 hours)  Coursework (individual or group-based)

o Practical assignment work o Portfolio of work

o Report o Presentations o Seminar papers

The Final Year Project is assessed on the basis of:

 an interview, draft report and graduate exhibition entry mid-way through the project

 a structured, referenced 12,000 - 20,000 word project report  a presentation summarising the project work

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Additional information

Entry Requirements (including IELTS score) The entry requirements for the award are normally:

 All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However, a typical entry requirement is 260 UCAS tariff points (three A-levels or BTEC National Diploma).

 You should have passed GCSE Mathematics and English at grade C or above.

 For applicants from overseas, the required IELTS score is currently 6.0, but this may be raised in light of new UKBA guidance.

More information can be found at:

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/courses_and_study/undergraduate_courses/entry_requirements/

Disability Statement

Staffordshire University operates a policy of inclusive teaching and learning to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at:

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Award-specific information

Your award is regulated by the Undergraduate Modular Framework, which can be accessed at:

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/regulations/academic/index.php Industrial placement

We strongly encourage every student to enrol on the sandwich version of the award, which includes a year of supervised work placement.

The assessment of the industrial placement does not contribute to the degree classification directly, but, generally, the skills and confidence gained during the placement are of great value in enhancing your academic performance in the final year, as well as giving valuable professional experience.

The industrial placement normally requires the completion of 48 weeks in relevant supervised work experience taken between Level 5 and Level 6. However, exceptionally for placements in School environments (where the nature of the employment precludes the completion of 48 weeks), the completion of 36 weeks is acceptable.

Normally, if you are enrolled on a sandwich award, you must pass the sandwich year to progress to Level 6. However, in exceptional circumstances the completion of the industrial placement may be deferred until after the completion of Level 6. Where this occurs you will still be required to pass an industrial placement before you can be awarded a sandwich degree.

If you fail the industrial placement period, you will only be allowed one further attempt. The referral attempt must normally occur within 18 months. Failure at the referral attempt will mean that you cannot further progress on a sandwich award. You would have to transfer onto an appropriate non-sandwich full-time award in order to continue.

The placement period cannot be compensated.

To be eligible for the award of an Honours degree with a sandwich, you must pass the industrial placement period.

For further details about placement, the placement handbook, and to access the placements site, please go to:

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/academic_depts/fces/placements/

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Transfer between a sandwich award and a non-sandwich award

A sandwich award has a placement year. A non-sandwich award does not have a placement.

You may opt to transfer from a non-sandwich award to an appropriate sandwich award at any time.

You may transfer from a sandwich version of your award to a non-sandwich version at any time up until the end of week 2 of the first teaching block of Level 5. However, after week 2 of the first teaching block of Level 5, the transfer is only permitted if one or more of the following criteria are met:

1) You are unable, for valid reasons (e.g. extenuating circumstances) to undertake or complete an industrial placement;

2) Having attempted the industrial placement, you have failed it; 3) You have BOTH

a) been unable to secure a placement 12 months after the start of Level 5, AND

b) have a portfolio of evidence that shows that you have made a bona fide attempt to obtain a placement. The decision as to whether the portfolio of evidence shows that you have made a bona fide attempt is at the discretion of the Academic Placements tutor.

Further information about the award can be found in the relevant Student Handbook and on the University Website. This includes information about optional modules, learning outcomes at levels below

honours, student support, and academic regulations.

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The Staffordshire Graduate

The Staffordshire Graduate represents a set of qualities that the University passionately believes is necessary for success in the 21st century. The Staffordshire Graduate is a reflective and critical learner with a global perspective, prepared to contribute in the world of work.

The table below indicates where these characteristics are addressed in the Software Engineering award.

Award title Software Engineering

Characteristic Award Module(s) including level and number of

credits

Method of Assessment

Work-ready and employable This award focuses on an established discipline with well-defined theories, principles and practices, all of which are directly relevant within the computing industry. Thus, every module on this award supports your

employability by adding to your body of knowledge, skill and expertise in this discipline.

The modules below specifically prepare you for employment and a future career by focusing on the development of transferable knowledge and skills.

Skills for Computing Professionals (Level 4, 30 credits)

You are introduced to enterprises and entrepreneurship, and undertake a team-based practical assignment before submitting a report reflecting on the team-working experience.

Engineering Software Applications (Level 5, 30 credits)

You gain experience of taking a defined role in a software development team. As well as assessing the software artefact produced by the team’s assignment, you prepare and submit a report on the ethical and legal considerations, surrounding developing software for national and global markets, and critically reflect on personal contribution to the team.

Industrial Placement (Level P, 0 credits)

The placement gives you direct, relevant experience of Software Engineering in industry. Assessment is by observation by company supervisor and university tutor, and by a written reflective report.

Final Year Project (Level 6, 45 credits)

You prepare technical documentation for every stage of the software development process, including an academic literature review, and make a presentation to subject experts.

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Characteristic Award Module(s) including level and number

of credits

Method of Assessment Understanding of enterprise and

entrepreneurship

A Software Engineer operates in the context of SMEs, as an employee, a contractor, or manager. Therefore, this award gives you a clear introduction to the business environment as it relates to the Software Engineer. You also gains experience of the types of system that the Software Engineer can develop in different size enterprises.

You are introduced to enterprises and entrepreneurship, and undertake a team-based practical assignment before submitting a report reflecting on the team-working experience.

You gain experience of taking a defined role in a software development team. As well as assessing the software artefact produced by the team’s assignment, you prepare and submit a report on the ethical and legal considerations, surrounding developing software for national and global markets, and critically reflect on personal contribution to the team.

Engineering and Integrating Robust Large-Scale Systems

(Level 6, 30 credits)

You learn about key business concepts such as: management and organisational structures; concepts of commercial system development; business plans, managing change; relevant company, product and employment legislation; professional integrity; product pricing & marketing; planning & management. By undertaking a practical assignment, you demonstrate a critical understanding of these concepts.

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of credits

Method of Assessment Understanding of global issues and their

place in the global economy

Increasingly, Software Engineers operate across international boundaries to plan, develop and deliver software solutions, and this award prepares you to deal confidently with the challenges this can present. Fundamentals of Computing and Mathematics

You are introduced to virtualisation and cloud computing, and you are assessed by undertaking a research-based group presentation.

You learn about specifying and developing software for global markets, including internationalisation and localisation, and tools to facilitate collaborative development. You prepare and submit a report that includes coverage of these concepts.

Engineering and Integrating Robust Large-Scale Systems

You learn about key business concepts such as: management of change; relevant legislation; marketing. By undertaking a practical assignment, you demonstrate a critical understanding of these concepts.

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of credits

Communication skills Communication is a core skill for any successful Software Engineer; it lies at the heart of every stage of the software development process. Every module on this award gives you opportunity to develop communication skills. The following are some examples.

To work effectively in a team, you must communicate well. The assignments assess your communication skills by presentation, report, and technical documentation. Engineering Software Applications

You gain more experience with teamwork, taking a specified role in a software development project. The assignments assess your communication skills by reflective report and technical documentation. Engineering and Integrating Robust Large-Scale

Systems

You make a presentation to a knowledgeable audience to communicate ideas, problems and solutions on technical subjects.

You prepare technical documentation for every stage of the software development process, including an academic literature review, and make a presentation to subject experts.

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of credits

Presentation skills Presentation skills are an important part of the Software Engineering tool kit, and can be used at every stage of the software development process. This award gives you opportunity to develop confidence in this important aspect of processional life.

Fundamentals of Computing and Mathematics (Level 4, 30 credits)

You prepare a research-based group presentation on aspects of virtualisation and cloud computing. Skills for Computing Professionals

You prepare a five-minute self-promotion presentation demonstrating suitability for an employment opportunity. Engineering and Integrating Robust Large-Scale

Systems

You make a presentation to a knowledgeable audience to communicate ideas, problems and solutions on a technical subject.

You prepare a presentation that describes the processes and outcomes of the project.

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of credits

Method of Assessment The ability to interact confidently with

colleagues

This attribute is of great value to Software Engineers who have to interact with clients and other engineers. The modules on this award provide many opportunities for you to develop this trait by exploring options and expressing ideas.

This is assessed by critical self-analysis as part of the reflective report.

Assessment is by critical self-analysis as part of the reflective report.

This is assessed by observation by company supervisor and university tutor, and by a written reflective report. Final Year Project

Part of the assessment requires the project supervisor to consider how you have interacted with the supervisor throughout the year.

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of credits

Independence of thought This is a core skill for a Software Engineer who must be capable of independent though at every stage of the software development process. This award encourages the acquisition of this trait by providing opportunities for critical evaluation and creative problem-solving.

You work on a collaborative assignment, defending ideas, and developing part of a solution to the team’s practical assignment. This is also assessed by reflective report.

You work on a more complex collaborative assignment, defending ideas, and developing part of a solution to the team’s practical assignment. This is also assessed by reflective report.

By the end of an industrial placement, you should have become a confident, independent learner and

practitioner. This will be assessed by observation by company supervisor and university tutor.

You are expected to work on the project with as much independence as possible. You have responsibility for the definition, planning, and execution of the project, and the supervisor’s guiding role is as light as possible. Assessment of this trait is via the supervisory meetings, the academic report, the final presentation, and

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of credits

Skills of teamworking Teamwork is an integral part of the professional life of a Software Engineer. This award provides opportunities to learn in practice about the benefits and challenges of working in teams. Because of the large contribution of the final year to the degree classification, students prefer not to engage in teamwork at Level 6 because of the perceived risk to their grades. Therefore, this award does not provide assessed teamwork at Level 6.

This is assessed by a collaborative project to plan and develop a software artefact, and a reflective report. Engineering Software Applications

This is assessed by a collaborative project to plan and develop a more complex software artefact, and a reflective report.

Throughout the placement, you work in a team, and you are assessed by observation by company supervisor and university tutor, and your written report.

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of credits

Method of Assessment Ability to carry out enquiry-based

learning and critical analysis

The Software Engineering discipline advances steadily, and a Software Engineer must keep abreast of these developments if career progression is to be fostered. You are expected to engage in background reading and independent learning on every module. In addition, this award provides you with explicit opportunities to conduct enquiry-based learning and analysis.

You prepare a literature review of an academic topic, which is assessed by report.

You prepare a research-based group presentation on aspects of virtualisation and cloud computing. Engineering Software Applications

You prepare a report discussing the ethical and legal considerations surrounding developing software for national and global markets, critically analysing their application to the development of a software product. Final Year Project

You conduct an extensive critical review of the academic literature related to the topic of the project. This is written as an academic report that includes an analysis of how the findings of the review apply to the project.

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of credits

Method of Assessment Skills of problem solving and creation of

opportunities

Problem-solving is the very essence of a Software Engineer. Every module on this award gives you experience in problem-solving.

You undertake an assignment to plan and implement a database application that solves a specified problem. Fundamentals of Computing and Mathematics

You solve mathematical problems, which enhances your ability to think logically. This is assessed by in-class tests.

You undertake a team-based assignment to plan and implement an application that solves a specified problem.

You plan and write a critical review of the academic literature related to the topic of the project. This is assessed by report and presentation.

You design and implement a software artefact that solves a challenging problem. This is assessed by report, presentation, and demonstration.

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of credits

Method of Assessment Technologically, digitally and information

literate

By definition, a Software Engineer has advanced skills in the use of digital technology to solve complex

problems. Every module on this award requires you to develop the ability touse technology and digital

systems at an advanced level, thereby covering the requirements for technical and digital literacy. The following modules address development of information literacy within the award.

You prepare a literature review of an academic topic, which is assessed by report.

You prepare a research-based group presentation on aspects of virtualisation and cloud computing. Engineering Software Applications

You prepare a report discussing the ethical and legal considerations surrounding developing software for national and global markets, critically analysing their application to the development of a software product. Final Year Project

You conduct an extensive critical review of the academic literature related to the topic of the project. This is written as an academic report that includes an analysis of how the findings of the review apply to the project.

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of credits

Method of Assessment Able to apply Staffordshire Graduate

attributes to a range of life experiences to facilitate life-long learning

The Software Engineering discipline and its application in local and global commerce is an ever-changing landscape, and a Software Engineer must continue to develop knowledge and skills throughout his or her career. Thus, in essence, a Software Engineer is an independent life-long learner, and this award equips you with the necessary academic and professional skills.

You conduct a skills audit and prepare a personal development plan, which is assessed as part of an assignment.

You critically analyse various sources of information. The assessment of what has been learned is via a written report.

You conduct an extensive critical review of the academic literature related to the topic of the project.

In addition, you augment all that has previously been learned by consulting sources of technical information to aid in the development of a complex solution to a real-world problem.

This is assessed via academic report, presentation, and demonstration of the software artefact.