Software Engineering Major

Core (Professional) courses in Information Management, Networks and Communication &  Software Engineering. (NB: These core courses are also part  (Part I) of the major  in Information Management)

DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR/CONCENTRATION COURSES IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

COURSE DESCRIPTION  OF MAJOR (CONCENTRATION) COURSES

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING 

MATH 214 Multivariable Calculus & Differential Equations                                                                                        3 credits

This course offers an introduction to the theory, solution techniques, and applications of ordinary differential equations. Models illustrating applications in the physical and social sciences are investigated. The mathematical theory of linear differential equations is explored in depth. Prerequisite: MATH 111

   INSY 215 Programming Practices and Coding Standards                                                                                          3 credits

This course provides a detailed explanation of common Programming errors and describes how these errors can lead to software systems that are vulnerable to exploitation. The course concentrates on security issues intrinsic to the Programming languages and associated libraries. It does not emphasize security issues involving interactions with external systems such as databases and web servers, as these are rich topics on their own. Topics to be covered include the secure and insecure use of integers, arrays, strings, dynamic memory, formatted input/output functions, and file I/O. Prerequisite: INSY 211

 COSC 224 Computer Architecture and Organization                                                                                                  3 credits

The course focuses on computer hardware from a computer scientist or software engineering viewpoint. The course will give the student in-depth understanding of the inner-workings of modern digital computer systems and tradeoffs present at the hardware-software interface. Students will acquire an understanding of the design process in the context of a complex hardware system and practical experience with simulation tools. Topics include: Instruction set design, register transfer, computer arithmetic, controller and data path design, memory systems, input-output systems, networks, interrupts and exceptions, pipelining, performance and cost analysis, computer architecture history and a survey of advanced architectures. Prerequisite: INSY 214

COSC 312 Graph theory               

 3 credits

Introduction to graph theory, with an emphasis on applications and modeling. Topics include: paths and cycles, shortest route problem, connectivity and trees, minimum spanning trees, network flow, planar graphs, matching, assignment problems, graph coloring and applications to scheduling, Hamilton cycles, and the Traveling Salesman Problem. Prerequisite: MATH 111

COSC 412 Networking Protocols and Standards                                                                                                       

  3 credits

This course covers Network Protocols and Standards used by various entities in an end-to end connection over the Internet. Specifically, we will consider Bridging (≈ LAN) protocols, routing (≈ WAN) protocols, and finally the protocols proposed and used for emerging network architectures. LAN protocols and standards will include MAC addressing schemes, bridging, LAN multicast, and VLANs. Routing protocols will include unicast (RIP, OSPF, BGP, etc.) and multicast (DVMRP, MOSPF, PIM-SM, PIM-DM, etc.) protocols between Internet gateways. Emerging protocols and architectures such as MPLS, GMPLS and GELS also will be covered. Prerequisite: INSY 324

COSC 315 UML 2 Comprehensive Introduction                                                                                                            3 credits                                                           

Mastering Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with Unified Modeling Language (OOAD/UML) 2.0 presents the concepts and techniques necessary to effectively use OO technology and UML through the project life-cycle from understanding the business ‘as is’ process, to the ‘to be’ process to capture and communicate analysis and design decisions. System requirements are captured in use cases to drive the development from an analysis model to a robust design model. The student will learn and apply UML 2.0 notation to fundamental OOAD concepts, including objects, classes, components, subsystems, stereotypes, relationships, and supporting diagrams. The areas covered are principles and benefits of modeling, concepts of object orientation, business process modeling as a precursor to system development, requirements overview,  use case analysis and design, use-case analysis, analysis elements, design elements, design mechanisms, run-time architecture, distribution, class design, and OO to RDBMS Database. Prerequisite: INSY 212

COSC 325 Software Testing & Configuration                                                                                                                     2 credits

The course provides an overview over the techniques and their foundations of modern software testing. Its focus is on specification-based testing that is rarely covered in the testing literature or in computer science curricula. Formal specification techniques are related to standard software testing techniques. Prerequisite: COSC 317

COSC 415 Open Source Programming                                                                                                                    

 3 credits

Programming in Perl enables websites to deliver fast, dynamic data to their users. Perl has evolved into a powerful Programming language capable of solving any enterprise level problem. With approximately sixty per cent of the web server market hosted by Apache Web Servers, common administration tasks and custom web applications have Perl as the underlying language. PHP a Perl like wrapper is an open-source language supporting rapid database and e-commerce solutions. The MySQL database is a lightweight (in terms of server resources), yet powerful enough tool to meet small and medium size database requirements. The four tools, Perl, PHP, MySQL and Apache come packaged with most distributions of the Linux operating system and form what is commonly called LAMP. Students in this course will learn how the four work together to solve most web application requirements. Prerequisite: INSY 413

COSC 423 Software Quality Assurance  & Process Improvement                                                                          2 credits 

This course provides the necessary skills to define, design, implement and monitor a software quality system using proven techniques that can be tailored for an organization. Student also gain the skills to audit work products throughout the product life cycle.  Student will learn how to Implement and effectively lead Software Quality Assurance (SQA) activities , Improve customer satisfaction through quality and process initiatives , Analyze information through static and dynamic techniques including walk-through and inspections , Conduct audits by following a defined process, Control critical components using Configuration Management (CM) and Champion a continuous process improvement programme in an organization. Prerequisite: COSC 412