Course Catalogue

The overall aim of the course is to provide a balanced, integrated and practical based education in the tools, techniques and methods employed by the practitioner in the area of Software Engineering in organisations where software development is a major activity. The specific aims of the course are as follows: -To enable the student to acquire the skills needed in the investigation of user requirements and the development of a suitable design using the appropriate specifications and design methodologies. -To enable the student to acquire the skills required to produce software, which meets an external specification to the appropriate timescale and standards. -To enable the student to acquire the skills needed to determine the quality of software through the appropriate testing, verification and evaluation procedures. -To enable the student to acquire an understanding of the techniques and methods used in the estimation, planning and control of software projects. -To provide a suitable learning environment for the practical application of the concepts of software engineering in a realistic software development situation. - To encourage students to fully engage with the development of employability skills by completing a self-awareness statement. -To provide students with a fuller, systematic understanding of current and developing Software Engineering. -To enable students to explore the issues surrounding Software Engineering in Industrial contexts. -To facilitate students in the development of expertise and interest in topic areas of direct and complementary relevance to the workplace. -For students undertaking a placement year the aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give the students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study, as well as attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment.

Core knowledge and understanding is acquired via lectures, tutorials, practical work, workshops and guided independent study. Independent study is used where appropriate resource material is available and increases as the programme progresses. Assessment methods are specified in each module specification. All learning outcomes in a module are assessed and the type of assessment specified for each outcome. Each module is assessed by examination and/or course work. The nature of the course work varies for each module. Cognitive skills are developed throughout the programme via tutorial, group discussion, teamwork, coursework, projects and presentations. Assessment of skills is by coursework and examinations. The final year project will further demonstrate the student's ability in this area. The assessment method for each module is specified in the module’s specification. Practical skills are developed throughout the programme. The basic skills are provided at the lower levels. These are supplemented at higher levels by more advanced tools and techniques. The various computer programming modules at levels 4 and 5 provide relevant practice in industry standard languages. Problem solving skill is a key aspect of all programming related modules at each level. Some of these skills are practiced in the placement year. Specialist software is available in labs or from specified PCs in the libraries. The individual final year project provides an opportunity for students to apply all the techniques that they have been exposed to in a large-scale development. Practical skills are assessed via laboratory sessions, workshops, submission of reports, demonstration of systems, industrial placement and individual projects. Personal Development opportunities are embedded within the programme. The placement year is assessed, by portfolio, on a pass / fail basis. Key skills are developed throughout the programme in a variety of forms. Specifically through a combination of research related coursework, guided independent study and projects, examinations, group work and presentations. Key skills are assessed as part of coursework, projects, written examinations and presentations.

Level 4: 4203COMP Professional Practice - this module provides students with an opportunity to consider their future role as a computing professional and develop a plan to enable them to progress in their chosen career. Level 5: 5200COMP Group Project – this module provides further insight into developing the role of the student becoming a computing professional. Students will be encouraged to become student members of appropriate professional bodies for the computing industry (e.g. ACM, IEEE or BCS) as part of their development. 5106COMSCI Sandwich Year Software Engineering - The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment.