COMP SCI 4123 - Software Process Improvement
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2023
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code COMP SCI 4123 Course Software Process Improvement Coordinating Unit Computer Science Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 5 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites COMP SCI 2201 Incompatible COMP SCI 4023 Assessment Written exam and/or assignments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Amali Weerasinghe
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Articulate a critical view of the Personal Software Process 2 Articulate a critical view of their own software development process 3 Write essays following the structure of a scientific paper 4 Apply the PSP to their work
The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
2-3 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
4 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Textbook:
A Self-Improvement Process for Software Engineers, Watts S. Humphrey, Addison-Wesley, 2005, ISBN 0321305493.Recommended Resources
A vital source of background reading material can be found in:
- the ACM Digital Library and
- the IEEE Digital Library.
Online Learning
The programming assignments will be completed in a web based programming environment, SPI Tools. SPI tools requires you to use an up to date web browser with Javacript enabled. A link to SPI tools will be available on the course website. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The background material is presented using lectures and is reinforced by the lecture reviews, programming assignments, essays and personal process review. The lecture reviews are intended to encourage timely engagement with the background material.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
You are expected to spend 10 hours per week on the course. This includes:
- attending all scheduled classes,
- preparation for and review of lectures,
- background reading for essays,
- writing essays and the personal process review,
- completing programming work in teams.
Learning Activities Summary
The lecture topics and assignment descriptions are all available on the course website.
A schedule is available on the course website but specific due dates are only available in each assignment description. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative Due (week)* Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes CBOK Alignment** Analysis of existing contribution processes 20 Individual Formative 6 1. 3. Contribution proposal 10 Team Formative 5 2. Open Source contribution 20 Team Summative 13 2. Team communication 20 Individual Formative 13 4. Reflection essay 20 Individual Summative 13 1. 2. 3. Lecture/Prac review quizzes 10 Individual Summative 13 1.
This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
**CBOK is the Core Body of Knowledge for ICT Professionals defined by the Australian Computer Society. The alignment in the table above corresponds with the following CBOK Areas:
1. Problem Solving1.1 Abstraction1.2 Design
2. Professional Knowledge2.1 Ethics2.2 Professional expectations2.3 Teamwork concepts & issues2.4 Interpersonal communications2.5 Societal issues2.6 Understanding of ICT profession
3. Technology resources3.1 Hardware & Software3.2 Data & information3.3 Networking
4. Technology Building4.1 Programming4.2 Human factors4.3 Systems development4.4 Systems acquisition
5. ICT Management5.1 IT governance & organisational5.2 IT project management5.3 Service management5.4 Security management*For the CBOK See: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-skills/The-ACS-Core-Body-of-Knowledge-for-ICT-Professionals-CBOK.pdf
Assessment Related Requirements
Hurdle Requirements: If your overall mark for the course is greater than 45 F but, your mark for essay 3 is less than 40% or your personal process review is not based on at least 6 programs, your overall mark for the course will be reduced to 45 F.
Additional Assessment: All three essays and the personal process review are mandatory: a submission must be made within one week of the relevant due date or any opportunity for an additional assessment may be denied.Assessment Detail
Detailed descriptions of all assessments will be available on the course website.Submission
If you hand in your work late, your mark may be capped, based on how many days late it is, as follows:
- Up to 1 day late — mark is reduced to 75%, marks below 75% are not affected.
- Up to 2 days late — mark is reduced to 50%, marks below 50% are not affected.
- Up to 3 days late — mark is reduced to 25%, marks below 25% are not affected.
- More than 3 days late — mark is reduced to 0.
Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions will only be given in exceptional circumstances,
- evidence must be supplied,
- you must apply before the due date, and
- extensions can only be granted by the course coordinator.
Lecture/Prac Review Quizzes
The lecture review quizzes are on-line quizzes and late submission is not possible.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M11 (Honours Mark Scheme) Grade Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade Reported on Official Transcript Fail A mark between 1-49 F Third Class A mark between 50-59 3 Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A First Class A mark between 80-100 1 Result Pending An interim result RP Continuing Continuing CN Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:M11 (Honours Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description NAH 1-49 Not Awarded 3 50-59 Class 3 2B 60-69 Class 2B 2A 70-79 Class 2A 1 80-100 Class 1 CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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