University Progams in Software Engineering: a Survey Li An A Major Report in The Department of Computer Science Presented in Partiai Fulfüment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Computer Science at Concordia University Montreai, Quebec, Canada September 200 1 @Li An, 200 1 National Library Withbque nationale du Canada uisiions and Acquisitions et "1-Bib iogaphic Senrices seMces bibliagraphiques 395 Wdüngm Street 385. me Wslhngcon WONKlAûN4 OitawaûN KlAûN4 CMPda Canede The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exciusive licence aliowing the exciusive permettant à la National LI- of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distri'bute or seiî reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfichelfilm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur fonnat électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'antwr comme la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni Ia thèse ni des extraits substanîieis may be printed or othemise de celle-ci ne doivent êeimprimés reproduced without the author's ou au-ment reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. ABSTRACT University Programs in Software En,oineering: a Survey Software engineering as a field of study and practice is a relatively new discipline. Some would argue that it is not even an engineering discipline; however, a more prevalent view is hat it is simply evolving and not yet mature. Although there exist curriculum guides produced for various computing curricula and some early work done to support software engineering curriculum development, there is no existing document that provides broad and comprehensive information and direction for the development of programs in software en,@neering. Seeing the gap between practice and acadernic study, some courses in Software Engineering program from universities will be concentrated on and some surnmaries will be conciuded for easy understanding. The main purpose of this survey is to provide detaiied assistance to faculty in the design and development of program in software en,@neering and other related cumcula. The most important issue is after seeing this survey; it wiU be quite clear how to compare the software enCoineering program in different universities with respect to the prorm. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1 would iike to thank sincerely my major professor, Dr. Grogono, for his amidance, support, encouragement and friendship throughout my post- graduate studies. I would also iike to thank my other ,orduate committee member, Dr. Fancon for his assistance in preparation of major report. Most gracious thanks are given to my parents, rny parents in law, my brother Qi An, rny sisters in law, Yanjun Cang, Wei Weng and Jian Weng, my brothers in law, Liyan Wang and Rongqin; Hui, and aii my friends, [or their support and encouragement during the pst severd years. Last but the most, 1 thank my dearest husband Jie Weng, without whom 1 may not have been able to reach this goal. 1 love you, darling! 3 . BACKGROUND ....... ...--...........----.. 6 3.1 OmNE OFSO~ME ENGINEERING ...................................... ............l........l................--.. 6 3.1.1 Sobre Engineering vs . Traditional Engineering .......................................................... 6 3.1.2 ~ofnc.areEngineering vs . Compter Science ...............*..... .., ...................................... 7 3.1.3 The Pracrice of Sofivure Engineering ............................~..............+..............................8 3.2 GENERALFWTURE OF AN UNDERGRWUAE PRO(~RA~M................................................... 9 3.3 RELATED WORK....................... ....... ............................................................................ 10 3.R I PeferJ .DennU~g's Vierv ............................................................................................... 10 3.3.2 David L Parna's View ..........................w................................................................... 12 3.3.3 7imorhy C. Lethbridge f Survey ..................................................................................... 14 4. SOFTWARE PROGRAM ..,. .......... .... ..,..... C..C.C..C.CCC.CCCU......- .II......I.-. ..17 4.1 UNNERS~~~ES~NCLUDED .................................................................................................. 17 4.2 UNNERS~~IESEXCLUDED .............................................................................................-18 3.3 DETA~LSFOR bCHUNIVERSCrY OFFERING SO~ARE~GMERNG PRCIGRAM ................ '0 43.1 Carnegie hlrllon Unii*ersiv....... .... ................................................................-.............. 70 JJ.2 Universiy of British tM~mbUr.................... .. ................................................................ 21 4.3.3 Concudia Universiry .............................-...........................-......................................... 22 4.3.4 University of Waterh........................................................................................ 13 3.3.5 Seutrle Univeniq............................. .. ....... ................................................................. -24 4.3.6 University ofTe.ws ut Ausrin ........,........................................................................... 25 3.3.7 Universiy of Newcastle .................. ........................................................................... 26 4.3.8 Universi@of Colorucio ..........................-..................................................................... 27 43.9 George Mason Univer* -.. ....,.-........_.................. .. .......-............................... .28 4.3. IO University of ikstern Ontario................. .. .......................................................... 19 4.3.1 I University of Howon-Cleur Luke ............-................................................ .. ........... 30 4.3.12 CorrGETE................................................................................................................. 31 43.13 University of Calgaty................................................................................................... 32 4.3.14 Carleton uni ver si^ (CeilÏjïcaie ofSufiare)........................................................... -33 4.3-15 CarIeton Universi'; (&chelor of Engincerit@ ...........................-....-..............-........33 4.3.16 Queen's ClnivErsit). ....................................................................................................... 36 4.117 McCill Unive- .........................................--........................................................... 37 4-3-18 University of Vieruria- ......-.-. .. ..............-.-..-.......-....-...................................-..38 5.1 SUMMARY TABLES........................-.......................................-..........-........-.-...-....-......... 40 5.1.1 ~VcimberofUt~iversities for Each Course ....................................... .. .......................... UI 5.12 Number of Sofnvure Engineering Courses@ Each Univenie ..........................-........42 57 Dm........-........ ............................................................................................... 43 5.2 1 Course Induded in Mosr Pmgmmr .................... .. ...................................................... 43 5.22 Courses Included in Fmcst Pmgromr .......................................................................... 44 5-23 Core CoursesforSo@arr Engineering ..................... ... ...................-.. W 5.3 Issm .....................-..................................-........... .................................. .. ............. 46 5.3.1 Sofnvare Engineering Lr Parr of Compurer Science ...................................................... 47 5-3.2 Pmjecrs and Teamwork are Common .................................................................. #8 5.3.3 Design Course Is Pupular But Nor Enaugh ................................................................ 49 5.3.4 Mathematics LF Imponant ....................................................... .......-........................... 50 5.3.5 Types ofSojiware Engineering Ptvgram ................... .. ............................................. 50 5.3.6 Managemenr is the Kt?,Pohr ...................... ... ....................................................... 51 5.3.7 Quality Assurance Course Necessaiy ............................................................................ 52 6. CONCLUSION ........-.-....... ......................... 54 Software engineering as a field of study and practice is a relatively new discipline. Some would argue that it is not even an engineering discipline; however, a more prevalent view is that it is simply evolving and not yet mature. In November 1997, the Working Group on Software Engineering Education and Training (WGSEET)met in Pittsburgh and discussed the need for a set of guidelines to support the design and implementation of software engineering courses and curricula. Although there exist cumculum guides produced for various computing curricula and sorne early work done to support software engineering cumcuIurn development, there is no existing document that provides broad and cornprehensive information and direction for the development of pro_gnms in software engineering [il. In ment years. software plays an increasingly important and central mle in