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Unit of study_

COMP9202: Software Construction and Design 2

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is a sequel of Software Construction and Design I (COMP9201). It introduces advanced concepts which build on the topics of COMP9201. COMP9202 covers topics including software validation and verification, the theory of testing, and advanced design patterns. The unit has a strong focus on the theoretical underpinning of software design. I the labs the theory is applied with contemporary tools with concrete examples.

Unit details and rules

Unit code COMP9202
Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
SOFT3202
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

COMP9201 (or equivalent UoS from a different institution)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rahul Gopinath, rahul.gopinath@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rahul Gopinath, rahul.gopinath@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Ankit Kapoor, ankit.kapoor@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
Supervised exam that tests all concepts
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment Quiz 1
Short in-tutorial task
10% Week 04
Due date: 17 Apr 2024 at 23:59
Variable-code
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 1
Assignment on tutorial and lecture contents
30% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2024 at 23:59
Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment Quiz 2
Short in-tutorial task
10% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
Variable-code
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Short release assignment Problem 1
Short coding problem
10% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
Code variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late Policy: The university has a default late policy, and everything that is not auto-graded or otherwise specified follows this: 5% of the available marks per calendar day late, nothing accepted after more than 10 calendar days late. In particular, Tasks do not allow late submissions to avoid delay in feedback.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Meta Information, Unit-in-brief, Prerequisites Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Setup of tools, review of Lecture 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 02 Software Design Principles and the Essence of Testing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Students implement simple design patterns, write test cases, and execute them. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 03 OO and Design Patterns Review and Design of Test Cases Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Implementing more design patterns, designing test cases using several techniques Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Evaluating Test Suites Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Students evaluate test suites using different criteria Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 05 Fault Based Test Evaluation Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Students apply Fault based test evaluation Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 06 Advanced Design Patterns and Testing in Higher Layers Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Students implement some of the advanced patterns and implement testing in higher layers Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Advanced Patterns and Specification Based Testing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Students implement an interpreter and conduct Specification Based Testing. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Fuzzing and Oracles Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Students implement a fuzzer Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 09 Patterns for Parsing and Grammar Directed Fuzzing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Students implement a parser and do Grammar Directed Fuzzing Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Specification Mining Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Implementing a specification miner Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 11 Industry Talk Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment presentations + Practical implications of fuzzing and parsers Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Unit review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Unit review Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Research Talk Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas or is available online.

  • The Fuzzing Book: Tools and Techniques for Generating Software Tests by Andreas Zeller, Rahul Gopinath, Marcel Böhme, Gordon Fraser, and Christian Holler https://www.fuzzingbook.org
  • Software Engineering Body of Knowledge: https://www.computer.org/education/bodies-of-knowledge/software-engineering
  • (optional -- not reserved)
    • Software Testing - A Craftsmans Approach (4th Edition) Paul C Jorgensen)
    • Why Programs Fail: Andreas Zeller
    • The Art of Software Testing (3rd Edition) Glenford J Myers
    • Effective Software Testing (2022) Mauricio Aniche

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Explain processes and elements in object-oriented design
  • LO2. Apply advanced object-oriented design approaches to software design
  • LO3. Apply advanced object-oriented design principles to implementation using an OO programming language
  • LO4. Discuss and apply testing techniques to software systems
  • LO5. Dscuss and apply software validation/verification techniques to Software systems.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback, the unit has been completely restructured with focus on techniques rather than tools. Furthermore, more advanced testing techniques are discussed.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.