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Special Topic in Software Engineering
SPECIAL TOPIC: SOFTWARE DEPENDABILITYDependability in software engineering refers to the expected quality level of software intended for use in applications where failure can have serious or even catastrophic consequences. As we depend more on software, the number of these applications gradually increases. Finance, banking, avionics, automotive, robotics, health care, energy, telecommunications, and some public services are classical examples of application domains requiring dependable software.SENG442 is an advanced course for computer science and software engineering students on software dependability. The course will start with an introduction to systems dependability, and dependability analysis. The course will then focus on software faults (i.e. defects introduced during the software development) and techniques aiming at avoiding and eliminating these faults.
1. Understand dependability requirements and analysis techniques, and their impact on software development (e.g. quality assurance standards for dependable software) [WA11]2. Apply software engineering techniques for dependability: software fault avoidance (e.g. model-checking) and elimination (e.g. testing, software model-checking) [WA3]3. Classify model-checking techniques and analyse their benefits and limitations WA3, WA4]4. Demonstrate research skills, through literature search, in the space of software verification with a focus on model-checking [WA2, WA10, WA12]5. Synthesise and communicate effectively the objectives and findings of their research mini-project [WA10]
Subject to the approval of the Director of Studies
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Etienne Borde
Time Commitment: 150 hours 24hr Lecture hours (2x1hr/week – 12 weeks) 10hr Laboratory – lab sessions on faults avoidance and elimination techniques (5x2hr/week – 5 weeks) 30hr Self-directed learning (lecture prep) 70hr Project work 16hr Examination (including prep time)
Prerequisite:SENG201 Software Engineering IRecommended paper:COSC261 Formal Languages and Compilers
The Computer Science department's grading policy states that in order to pass a course you must meet two requirements:1. You must achieve an average mark of at least 50% over all assessment items.2. You must achieve an average mark of at least 45% over tests and exam.If you satisfy both these criteria, your grade will be determined by the following University-wide scale for converting marks to grades: an average mark of 50% is sufficient for a C- grade, an average mark of 55% earns a C grade, 60% earns a C+ grade and so forth. However if you do not satisfy both the passing criteria you will be given either a D or E grade depending on marks. Marks are sometimes scaled to achieve consistency between courses from year to year.Students may apply for special consideration if their performance in an assessment is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond their control.Applications for special consideration should be submitted via the Special Considerations website within five days of the assessment.Where an extension may be granted for an assessment, this will be decided by direct application to the Department and an application to the Examinations Office may not be required. Special consideration is not available for items worth less than 10% of the course.Students prevented by extenuating circumstances from completing the course after the final date for withdrawing, may apply for special consideration for late discontinuation of the course. Applications must be submitted to the Examinations Office within five days of the end of the main examination period for the semester.
Please click HERE for the CSSE Department's policy for the academic remedy of applications for a special consideration for final exams.
Domestic fee $1,247.00
International fee $5,663.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Computer Science and Software Engineering .