CS2QT19-Software Engineering: Quality and Testing

Module Provider: Computer Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: CS1SE20 Software Engineering: Fundamentals and Professional Development and CS1PC20 Programming in C/C++
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Pat Parslow
Email: p.parslow@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Exploring software testing in the context of overall quality and competing commercial pressures, the module develops the knowledge and skills required for planning and executing comprehensive testing, including static and dynamic approaches, and methods of automation.

Aims:

This will provide a foundation for aspiring software developers, software architects and managers as well as being suitable for those who will move into professional testing, requirements engineering or quality management. The module includes material compatible with the BCS, ISEB foundation certificate in testing and quality management.

This module also encourages students to develop a set of professional skills, such as report writing, initiative and self-motivation, software design and development, commercial awareness and self-reflection.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Explain why testing is necessary;


• Create a quality plan for the lifecycle of development;


• Define test cases for black and white box problems;


• Manage and execute static tests; with particular attention to requirements and design documents;


• Present a systems view of preparing and executing, managing and reporting tests;


• Explain the challenge of testing in agile environments;


• Relate the test activity to the Capability Maturity Model (CMM).

Additional outcomes:

• Confidence to perform soft-system as well as hard-system analyses;


• Requirements elicitation, analysis, specification and process planning;


• Awareness of requirements analysis and management tools;


• Familiarity with international publications concerning current practice.


• Acquaintance with the testing terminology used in the ISEB definitions;


• Insight on testing in industrial practice.

Outline content:

• Introduction to requirements, testing and quality systems;


• The fundamental test process;


• Testing throughout the lifecycle, acceptance and regression testing;


• Testing techniques;


• Test management;


• Designing practical testing systems;


• Testing in Agile projects;


• Introduction to the Capability Maturity Model.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The material is provided in the lectures and reinforced by open ended assessments for learning.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Practicals classes and workshops	10
Guided independent study:	65		15
Total hours by term	85	0	15
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Written assignment including essay	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One 2-hour examination paper in May/June.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Two pieces of written coursework:

1. Quality Plan (10%)


2. Requirements and Testing report (20%)

Formative assessment methods:

The two pieces of written coursework consist of formative assessment for learning.  Feedback is given at a group level in lectures, through written advice on coursework and in discussion.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

One 2-hour examination paper in August/September.  Note that the resit module mark will be the higher of (a) the mark from this resit exam and (b) an average of this resit exam mark and previous coursework marks, weighted as per the first attempt (70% exam, 30% coursework).

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 3 August 2023