CS5033 Software Architecture and Design

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

TBC Module coordinator(s): Director of Postgraduate Teaching - Computer Science (dopgt-cs@st-andrews.ac.uk)

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces students to the concepts of software architecture and design as aids to developing good quality software. It covers: Architecture description (architecture elements, architecture styles, architecture documentation); Architecture design (processes for architecture design and evaluation); Software design (principles, patterns, anti-patterns, design documentation and evaluation); Architecture and design-driven implementation; and Ethical considerations in software architecture and design.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS CS3099,BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS CS5031

Assessment pattern

3-hour Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%

Re-assessment

3-hour Examination = 40%, Existing Coursework = 60%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hr x 11 weeks lectures, 1 hr x 6 weeks tutorial/discussion class.

Scheduled learning hours

28

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

122

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Be able to explain the relevance of software architecture and design to different software development methodologies
  • Be able to list the key elements of software architecture and design
  • Be able to identify the architecture styles and design patterns of existing software systems
  • Be able to specify the software architecture and design given non-trivial system descriptions
  • Be able to implement systems conformant with software architecture and design specifications