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Unit outline_

COMP9202: Software Construction and Design 2

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

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

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

COMP9201 (or equivalent UoS from a different institution)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Josh Burridge, joshua.burridge@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Josh Burridge, joshua.burridge@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release) Type E final exam hurdle task Final exam
Extended release project-based exam leveraging prior work
50% Formal exam period 48 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment hurdle task Project Milestone 1
Initial submission for exam baseline software
0% Mid-semester break Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Task 1: Testing
Small software testing task - autograded
5% Week 03 Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Testing assignment
Autograded code assignment testing unknown software
15% Week 04 Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Task 2: GUI
Small GUI implementation task
5% Week 06 Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment Task 3: Caching
Small database caching task
5% Week 08 Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment hurdle task Project Milestone 2
Main feedback submission for exam baseline software
15% Week 10 Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Task 4: Analysis
Short code and design analysis task
5% Week 12 Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Project Milestone 2 Resubmission
Repeat submission for exam baseline software if required.
0% Week 13 Variable - code
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type E final exam = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Tasks 1-4: Short software implementation or analysis tasks to give feedback on mastery of successive unit topics.
  • Project Milestone 1: Initial implementation of the Project – milestone has been met if the Project executes successfully with the required features. This milestone may be met on a future (Milestone 2) submission if the first attempt is not successful.
  • Project Milestone 2: ‘Camera-ready’ implementation of the Project – milestone has been met if the Project continues to execute successfully as per Milestone 1, as well as meeting minimum design quality standards. Grade will be based on meeting design quality standards above this minimum.
  • Project Milestone 2 Resubmission: Optional resubmission in the event original Milestone 2 submission was unsuccessful. The original Milestone 2 grade will stand, but the resubmitted work may be used for the Final Examination.
  • Final Examination: The Project is required to be modified in a previously undisclosed way during the formal exam period. A report is required analysing the software before and after this modification. Grading is based on software features, software quality, analysis, and communication.

This unit runs a project-based assessment in place of a written exam. This assessment takes place through multiple weeks and multiple submissions as indicated under Project Milestones. Success in the modification work during the formal exam period is only possible if these Project Milestones have been met, and work completed for these Milestones will influence the resulting exam mark. As such they form a combined hurdle as part of the School of Computer Science's normal 40% exam requirement.

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 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:

Task 1 and the Testing Assignment are both auto-graded with results and solutions being released upon the due date. As such no late submissions may be accepted for these assessments. Late submissions are possible for the Project Milestone 1 and Project Milestone 2 submissions, however timely feedback may not be possible, particularly for the Project Milestone 2 Resubmission. No Project work may be submitted after the due date for Project Milestone 2 Resubmission - the current state of the Project at this time will be used for the formal exam period modification.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Administrivia, Unit-in-brief Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Theory of unit testing: when, what, how, why. Mocking. Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Java & Library environment overview. Review of unit testing. Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 03 Beyond unit testing: integration testing, performance testing. Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Unit test independence using the Mockito mocking library. Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 04 Review of Software Design Principles Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
More sophisticated testing combining JUnit, Mockito, & Hamcrest. Performance testing. Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 05 Introduction to GUI code patterns Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Beginning again: reinforcing the fundamentals of Software Design Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Networked software design patterns Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
GUI patterns in Java using JavaFX/Swing Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Database software design patterns Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Combining GUI software with HTTP calls in Java Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Concurrency patterns Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Database access and caching patterns in Java Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Software Architectural Patterns Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Worker patterns in JavaFX and Swing/AWT Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Introduction to Enterprise Software Patterns Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Implementing more complex architectures in GUI software using Java Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Analysing Software Design Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Implementing enterprise patterns in Java Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Re-Review of Software Design Principles Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Software Design Case Study Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Unit Review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Exam Project Review Tutorial (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.

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
  • LO5. discuss and apply software validation/verification techniques.

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, more opportunity for feedback on the project work during the semester has been added. More focus on the technical implementation requirements (databases, GUI, concurrency) has also been added.

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.