CSE 4283/6283

Software Testing and Quality Assurance

Spring 2007

Syllabus

Instructor:      Dr. Jeff Carver
Email:            carver@cse.msstate.edu
Phone:           (662) 325-0004
Office:           Butler 329
Office hours:  TBD
 

Location/Time

Description

Catalog Description

Topics include methods of testing, verification and validation, quality assurance processes and techniques, methods and types of testing, and ISO 9000/SEI CMM process evaluation.

Course Goals

• Provide an introduction to the software engineering testing process
• Describe the quality assurance process and its role in software development.
• The student will be instructed in a variety of testing techniques, methods, and tools.

• The student will be able to describe the state of the practice verification and validation techniques.

• The student will demonstrate proficiency in managing a software project to customer requirements.

• The impact of ISO 9000 and the capability maturity model on software quality and testing will be addressed.

Prerequisite

Texts and Readings

Required readings:

• TBD

Exams and Quizzes

The Midterm Exam will cover lectures, discussion in class and homework up to that point in the semester.  The entire normal class time will be allowed for each exam.

Midterm Exam         Monday, February 19
Final exam               Friday, April 27, 12:00--3:00pm, as scheduled by the University
               No one may take the final exam early.

The Final Exam will be
--- Comprehensive
 

Attendance

Please notify Dr. Carver of the circumstances for each absence/tardiness by email.  Whenever possible, notify him in advance of expected absence/tardiness.

All auditors must be authorized by the Dean and the Registrar per University regulations.  Auditors are expected to attend classes and to participate in discussions. Auditors may not turn in assignments or take exams.
 

Homework

Collaboration on homework is not allowed.

Due date   Assignment
TBD

All homework will be submitted via email to Dr. Carver. Relevant files will be attachments.  Graded homework will be returned via email or in class.

Each homework assignment is due prior to midnight on the due date, according to the date of the email.

All homework reports will conform to the Dept. of CSE style for theses and will consist of title page and body of the report.  See the Dept. of CSE Web site for detailed style requirements and example references.  In contrast to a thesis, the front matter is omitted, and the report does not have chapters (sections are the top level). 

You may use any word-processing tool you prefer.  Attach all files needed to read your report to your email.  For example, if you use MS-Word, attach a *.doc file. If you use LaTeX, attach a *.ps file that includes text and diagrams, or an equivalent *.pdf file.
 

Term Paper (CSE 6283 only)

Due date  Milestone
TBD          Topic and outline (not graded)
                  Abstract and references (not graded)
                  1st Review Version (not graded)
                  Final Version (graded)
                  Presentation in class (graded S/U)

Milestones will facilitate timely feedback to each student. 

• All milestones are due at midnight of the due date. 
• All milestone documents, including the Final version will be submitted as attachments to emails to Dr. Carver.  
• The 1st Review Version will be reviewed for technical content, with feedback provided to improve the Final Version. 
• The Final Version will be graded for correct academic form, and readability, including English.

Each term paper author will make a presentation to the class at the end of the semester on the content of the paper.  A Satisfactory grade is prerequisite to getting credit for the Final term paper.
 

Grading

For CS 4283:
30% Midterm Exam
30% Final Exam
30% Homework
10% Quizzes and participation

For CS 6283:
25% Midterm Exam
25% Final Exam
20% Homework
20% Term Paper
10% Quizzes and participation

The standard scale for grades will be used, namely the following

A   90--100%
B   80--89%
C   70--79%
D   60--69%
F    0--59%

Late assignments will be penalized; assignments more than one week late will not be accepted, except for excused absences. If necessary, submit an incomplete assignment on-time, promptly discuss the situation with Dr. Carver, and submit a complete assignment later by the agreed date.  This strategy will result in a better grade than submitting the entire assignment late without consultation.
 

Tools

All students must have access to the class web pages.

Professional Conduct

Copying ideas, sentences, tables, or figures without citation is plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty.  This is a very serious offense, because you make it appear to be your own work, but in fact, it is not.  You must include citations and references when you copy.

Receiving unacknowledged help is considered academic dishonesty.  When you receive help, other than from faculty, or course materials, you must include citations and references in your work. For example, if you find a useful web page that was not specified in the assignment, then you must include a citation and reference for it. Similarly, if a discussion with someone is helpful, you should thank them by name in the Acknowledgments section, even if collaboration is not allowed on the assignment. (Their discussion may not be considered "collaboration".)  Citations and references are optional for informal discussions.

Giving unacknowledged help is also treated as academic dishonesty.
 

Add/Drop Policy

Other University Rules

Outline