Overview
Computer Science 610: Selected Topics in Software Engineering covers the state of the art of and the main research challenges in selected topics in software engineering. You will study various approaches and methodologies used in the software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis and specification, software design, software implementation, software maintenance, and the software engineering process. The course topics are illustrated by examples and papers from current peer-reviewed-research literature in software engineering. COMP 610 will prepare you to independently conduct research in software engineering and to apply that knowledge in your future research and practice.
This course focuses on both traditional and emerging principles and knowledge in software engineering, and it provides the research knowledge and skills pertinent to the field. COMP 610 is designed for those who are about to start research in software engineering and for practitioners and managers who work or are about to work in any aspect of software development.
If you are a new software-engineering researcher, the research knowledge and skills you will gain will help you identify research topics, solve research problems, and address various research challenges.
If you are a practitioner or if you have a managerial responsibility for software development, the knowledge and skills you will gain about the state of the art of software engineering and about conducting research in the field will be applicable to your everyday work. You will have the foundation you need to bring a novel and innovative approach to the table, which is key to success in the knowledge era we live in.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- explain, critically review, and discuss research papers in areas of software engineering.
- independently analyze research papers in areas of software engineering and write literature review papers.
- discuss and argue about current topics in software engineering.
- demonstrate your ability to conduct a software engineering project as well as argue, justify, and discuss the decisions made during this project.
- independently conduct research in software engineering and apply that knowledge in your future research and practice.
- effectively communicate course work in writing and oral presentation.
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 610, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least B– (70 percent) and an average grade of at least 60 percent on the assignments.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Presentation of a software engineering research topic | 15% |
| Assignment 2: Peer-reviewed literature review paper | 25% |
| Assignment 3: Journal papers readings | 15% |
| Assignment 4: Project | 30% |
| Participation | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Washizaki, H., (Ed.). (2024). Guide to the software engineering body of knowledge (Version 4.0). IEEE Computer Society. https://www.computer.org/education/bodies-of-knowledge/software-engineering