MSE6261: Software Maintenance

1. Course description 

This module has the primary objective of equipping the learners with the principles, concepts and practices of software maintenance. The course is aimed at imparting the learners the necessary knowledge to support already deployed software and software systems. The course administration is aimed to create confidence in the learners by strengthening their capabilities to support sustained usage of the deployed software.

2.   Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding

At the end of the programme students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of 

1. The concepts, principles and theories of software maintenance. 

2.  The professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of a software maintenance engineer. 

3.  The environmental and social impact of software maintenance activity. 

4. Business and management techniques relevant to software maintenance. 

B. Cognitive/ Intellectual Skills/ Application of Knowledge

At the end of the programme students should be able to:

1.  Use scientific and engineering principles in the development of solutions to problems in software maintenance. 

2.  Analyse failures in computer systems due to inappropriate/poor maintenance devise ways to prevent them. 

3.  Apply technical knowledge to produce a technical risk assessment. 

4.  Apply professional knowledge to produce a commercial risk assessment. 

C. Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques/Practical Skills

At the end of the programme students should be able to:

1. Specify, plan, manage, conduct and report on computer maintenance projects. 

2. Observe and record skilfully and accurately data as well as experimental evidence both in the laboratory and in the field during software maintenance. 

3.  Use computational tools and packages appropriate to software testing, debugging and research. 

D. General transferable skills

At the end of the programme students should be able to:

1.  Carry out independently a sustained investigation and research. 

2. Work effectively in a software maintenance team both as a member or leader. 

3. Efficiently manage both time and resources. 

4. Prepare maintenance schedules and reports documents. 

5. Use competently information technology (ICT). 

3.  Indicative Content

• Software Maintenance Fundamentals
• definitions and terminology
• nature of maintenance
• need for maintenance
• majority of maintenance costs
• evolution of software
• the categories of maintenance
• Key Issues in Software Maintenance
• technical issues
• the management issues
• defining user roles and permissions
• maintenance cost estimation
• software maintenance measurement
• Maintenance Process (process and activities)
• Techniques for Maintenance
• program comprehension
• re-engineering
• reverse engineering
• cloud hosting, browser interfaces, web services

 4. Learning and Teaching Strategy 

A course handbook will be provided in advance and this will contain in depth information relating to the course content and give an opportunity to the students to prepare the course. The lecture materials will be posted on the web page that will also contain comprehensive web links for further relevant information. The module will be delivered through lectures, tutorial sessions and group discussions. In addition to the taught element, students will be expected to undertake a range of self-directed learning activities, which will comprise case studies. All supporting documents for the course will be made available on web, as printed copies and also as soft copies.

5. Assessment Strategy  

The assessment is100% based on assignments etc. conducted individually or as team.

As this is a theoretical and Practical module:

The Final assessment shall include 60% of continuous and 40% of End of Module assessment.

The assessments shall be made 50% each for practical and theoretical aspects.

For Example:

one quiz (5%), one/two practical assignment (10%), one mini project for presentation (20%), one tutorial session (5%), short practical test (10%) and a short written test (10%) followed by final assessment (40%) of End of Module Examination divided equally into practical viva-voce and theoretical examination.

Assessment on the programme is undertaken in accordance with the current Academic Regulations of the Institute.

6. Assessment Criteria 

For the assignment, criteria will be drawn up appropriate to the topic, based on the expected learning outcome.