COM4013 - Introduction to Software Development

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

This is a practice-based module that introduces the fundamentals required to develop software artefacts fit for real-world organisational or commercial purposes. The module will explore three stages of software development: problem specification, programming and architectural design. In the first stage, students are shown how to analyse computing problems, introducing requirements analysis and domain analysis. The second stage covers the design and coding of the software solution, using clear readable code, and processes of behaviour and unit testing. In the final stage, students begin to explore foundational principles of development practices (standards, software components and protocols) and software architecture (architectural analysis, architectural styles, and agile software development), which will start to prepare them for tackling larger scale software projects.

The content covers:
• trends in coding frameworks and elements;
• problem decomposition and programming;
• mathematical algorithms and computing problems;
• writing modular code and adopting relevant stylistic conventions;
• testing in project planning and implementation.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Workshops
Hours: 60
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 240

Further details relating to assessment
Portfolio: Students evidence progression on the module in the form of an e-portfolio of computer programs, such as games and utilities, composed of polished, documented and extended versions of exercises started during the sessions. These exercises will be formative and formative feedback will be an ongoing process within class sessions.

Project: Students are presented with a problem for which they must find an algorithmic solution and implement that solution in code. The problem will be presented in the context of a real-world application. The application may be one they have developed in COM4003 Introduction to Tech Stack or any other suitable applications. The problem should require the application of basic mathematics. Students will need to apply an appropriate strategy for testing the behaviour and/or performance of the algorithm, both in isolation from the rest of the application codebase and after its integration. Students need to provide documentation of their artefact design and workability including:

- a brief statement on how the software artefact design provides an effective solution to the given computing problem including mathematical notation where applicable
- evidence of a testing strategy
- a critical evaluation of the development process.

Full details are available in the Module Handbook.

For students studying at Leeds Trinity campus, there are variations to the Taught Programme Academic Regulations, as required by the accrediting body, and these variations are contained within Additional Regulations.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio; 1,500 word equivalent; mid semester 2 30%
002 Project artefact; 2,500 word equivalent; end of semester 2 70%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Jim Diokou
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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