COMP6311 Software Analysis and Design

COMP6311 is only available under certain award programs.

Offered By	School of Computer Science
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Computer Science
Offered in	First Semester, 2010, First Semester, 2011, and Second Semester, 2011
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	This course has a primary focus on modeling and its central role in eliciting, analysing, understanding and communicating software requirements and design. In the first part of the course, students will learn to use several different modeling approaches to describe complex subject matters. While most of the approaches will seem straight forward and even conceptually simple, students will discover that a good deal of effort and diligence is required to produce useful, accurate, meaningful, understandable and easily maintainable models. Through a series of practical workshops, students will develop an appreciation for the characteristics and capabilities of each approach, and will learn to make decisions as to the best approach to use in a given situation. Students will then learn how to integrate several modeling approaches to form software requirements specifications that are unambiguous, consistent and understandable. During the second part of the course, students will be introduced to various approaches for translating specifications (models) into operational software systems. This will include consideration of architectural and design issues, model translation, code generation, and an overview of active research in the area of model-driven engineering.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: Explain the role and importance of modelling in software analysis and design Demonstrate the practical application of several modeling languages Make and defend decisions regarding the use of appropriate modelling languages for a given purpose Integrate a set of models to form effective requirements and design specifications Describe concepts involved in model translation Demonstrate the translation of a simple specification to form an executable program Explain and analyse emerging model-driven development techniques
Indicative Assessment	Workshops (30%), Mid-Semester Exam (30%); Final Exam (40%)
Workload	Thirty one-hour lectures and seven two-hour workshop sessions
Course Classification(s)	TransitionalTransitional courses are designed for students from a broad range of backgrounds and learning achievements, which provide for the acquisition of generic skills; or an informed understanding of contemporary issues; or fundamental knowledge for transition to Advanced or Specialist courses.
Areas of Interest	Information Technology
Incompatibility	COMP8120
Prescribed Texts	There are no prescribed textbooks for COMP6311, but the following book covers many of the concepts addressed in the course. Mellor, Stephen J. & Balcer, Marc J. Executable UML - A foundation for Model-Driven Architecture, (2002). Additional references will posted as appropriate on the course web page.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2010 website applies to the 2010 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2009 website.