General provisions

The course is included in the following degree programme:

• Bachelor’s programme in Information Systems, specialisation software engineering, 180 credits.

Is also given as a freestanding course

Entry requirements

30 credits in information systems or equivalent

Learning outcomes

Regarding knowledge and understanding the student is expected to be able to on completion of the course:

• Describe preconditions for quality assurance in software engineering both with regard to information systems and software engineering aspects

• Account for established models and methods for evaluation of IT-systems and software engineering processes

• Relate different quality aspects in information systems development to one another.

Regarding competence and skills the student is expected to be able to on completion of the course:

• Configure and carry out automatic testing of software

• Plan and implement tests in programme code

• Evaluate information quality, software quality and business value of information systems

Regarding judgement and approach the student is expected to be able to on completion of the course:

• Evaluate issues in software engineering processes and their implications for people and organisations

• Evaluate an appropriate amount of testing in systems development

Content

The aim of the course is to give a broad understanding of the field quality assurance in software engineering. The course takes its starting point in well-established research around information systems quality and highlights three subareas: 1) Information quality, 2) software quality and 3) business value. Subarea 1 includes general definitions of quality of information systems as well as strategies for maintaining quality for systems that are in daily use. Subarea 2 covers quality assurance from a technical perspective. Subarea 3 covers quality assurance through evaluation of how information systems (and quality issues) contribute to or counteract goals of technology implementation and use.

Component 1: Information quality 1.5 credits

The component covers the quality concept in information system as well as different perspectives on quality in conceptual models. Further, the component covers processes to maintain and improve quality in information systems.

Component 2: Software quality 3 credits

In this component, quality assurance from a software engineering perspective is covered. Different aspects of software quality are covered, as well as tools and strategies (e g version control, continuous integration and automatic testing) for quality assurance in connection with software development.

Component 3: Business value 3 credits

IT aims in the end to create value for business. This component covers evaluation of how information systems contribute to or (due to deficiencies) counteract business goals.

Instruction

Teaching is given as lectures and exercises.

Assessment

The course is examined through written assignments, project work and examination. Compulsory lectures occur.

For the grade Pass in the whole course, it is required that all components are passed. For the grade Pass with distinction the grade passed with distinction is furthermore required on the examination.

Other directives

The course is given on Campus Gotland and as a distance course.