1. CS 709 Advanced Topics in Computer Science [Software Engineering]
Fall 2017
Course Syllabus
August 29, 2017

2. Outline The Instructor The Students The Course
The Texts & Initial WWW Pointers
Grading Scheme & Grading Scale
Policies
Summary of Course Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes
A Look Ahead

3. The Instructor. Sergiu Dascalu Room SEM-236 Telephone 784-4613
Web-site
Office hours:
W 2:00 - 3:00 pm or by appointment or chance

4. .The Instructor Sergiu Dascalu
PhD, Dalhousie U., Halifax, NS, Canada, 2001
Teaching and research at UNR since July 2002
Teaching and research at Dalhousie University, (software engineering focus)
Teaching and research at the University Politehnica Bucharest, Romania, (RTS focus)
Consultant for software development companies in Romania and Canada

5. The Students Registered as of today: Prerequisite:
19 graduate students
Prerequisite:
CS 425 Software Engineering (or equivalent) or Instructor’s approval

6. The Course. Classroom: SEM-201, TR 2:30 - 3:45 pm
Outline: This course will explore research topics on software engineering, encompassing principles, methods, and tools. Areas of research include software processes, requirements analysis and specification, design, prototyping, testing, software modeling, software tools, and case studies.

7. .The Course Outline [continued]:
The course will allow the students to broaden their knowledge of advanced software engineering concepts, principles, techniques and tools, study relevant research publications in the field, prepare and present a high quality software engineering project and, based on this project, write a paper that could be submitted to a scientific conference.

8. The Texts. Required texts:
Research papers and book chapters indicated later by the instructor
Possibly, a reference book that will be selected by September 8

9. .The Texts Recommended textbooks: Lecture notes:
Ian Sommerville, Software Engineering, 10th edition, Pearson Higher Education, 2015.
Lecture notes:
Presentations by the instructor
Notes you take in the classroom
Additional material (documentation, tutorials, etc.) that will be indicated later by the instructor

10. Initial WWW Pointers
The course website:
IEEE’s Digital Library, via
ACM Digital Library, via
The Software Engineering Institute, at Carnegie Mellon University,
IEEE Computer Society’s Technical Council on Software Engineering,
The Object Management Group,
IBM / Rational Software,

11. Grading Scheme. TOTAL 100% Grading Scheme (tentative): Assignments 10%
Presentations %
Midterm test %
Project & paper 50%
Class participation %
TOTAL %

12. .Grading Scheme Passing conditions (all must be met): 50% overall &
50% in test &
50% in project and paper &
50% in assignments, presentations, and class participation
For grade A: at least 90% overall, at least 90% in class participation and at least 60% in test
Note that there are no make-up tests or homework in this course
Note that poor class participation can significantly decrease your overall grade

13. Grading Scale Numerical-letter grade correspondence A 90 -100B B B C C C D D D
F < 50

14. Policies….. Late submission policy:
Maximum 2 late days per assignment/project deliverable
Each late day penalized with 10%
No subdivision of late days (e.g. in hours)
No late days for presentations and test
Example: a 90/100 worth assignment gets 81/100 if one day late (90*0.9 = 81) or 72/100 if two days late (90*0.8 = 72)

15. .Policies….
Legal notices on the world-wide web: Read and comply with accompanying legal notices of downloadable material
Specify references used
Do not plagiarize (see next slide)

16. ..Policies… Statement on academic dishonesty:
Cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses constitute academic dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and penalties can include canceling a student's enrollment without a grade, giving an F for the course or for the assignment. For more details, see the University of Nevada, Reno General Catalog.

17. …Policies.. Disability statement:
If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodations, please contact as soon as possible the instructors or the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Student Services - 107).

18. ….Policies. Academic success services:
Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center ( or Tutoring Center ( or and University Writing Center ( or These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student.

19. …..Policies Statement on audio and video recording:
Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy.  This class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor.   In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions.  Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded.

20. Summary of Course Objectives
Extension of software engineering (SE) knowledge
Study and presentation of relevant research work
Development of a good quality software project
Overall improvement of research skills
Writing a paper that can be submitted to a scientific conference

21. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course:
Students will have an ability to apply engineering research and theory to advance the art, science, and practice of the discipline.
Students will have an ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze, interpret, apply, and disseminate the data.
Students will have an understanding of research methodology.

22. A Look Ahead. My intentions & expectations:
Provide guidance in the complex SE spectrum
Help you be better prepared for research and development in SE
Guide you in writing an SE research paper
Hope that you will both work hard and enjoy your work in this course

23. .A Look Ahead
Next two classes: Student Presentations [5-6 minutes each], please prepare slides, along the lines:
A bit about your background
Why you chose a graduate program at UNR? Why CSE?
Current school/job status
What is your experience so far with SE?
Why do you take the course? What are your expectations?
What SE topics are you interested in?