Addressing software engineering issues in student software projects across different curricula Dušanka Bošković Computing and Informatics Bachelor Programme Faculty of Electrical Engineering Sarajevo, 2007/08

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Background Experiences with student projects within the Master study courses at the Department Automatics and Electronics : Computer Architecture and Organization Biomedical Signals and Systems Students software projects with objective to: Gain knowledge by implementing a model of the system – simple CPU Solve simplified real world problem. Communicate their knowledge on the subject by effectively implementing software model

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Assignment 1 Computer Architecture and Organization Developing Relatively Simple CPU Simulator (John D. Carpinelli) 27 students, Department Automatics and Electronics (AE),1st semester master studies 9 teams of 2-4 students Duration: 6-8 weeks

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Assignment 2 Biomedical Signals and Systems ECG system 27 students AE department + 9 students CS + 2 students PE 8 teams of 2-5 students Duration: 6-8 weeks Each team provided with the general scalable ECG system architecture, but focused on the specific application or part of the system: ECG monitor, ECG signal generator, HRV monitor ECG training station ECG Signals from the PhysioNet – the MIT BIH ECG signals database

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Project Milestones Project Plan Regular Progress Reports and Interim -Prototype Project Implementation Project Report and Project Implementation Presentation

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Project Plan Requirements!! Functional specification with main architecture and design decisions Tasks to complete Schedule

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Progress Reports and Prototype Project Implementation Progress Reports Mail, unformatted form, and consultations Prototype A substantial implementation effort Well-tested and stable for demonstration Have an attractive user interface

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Project Report and Project Implementation Presentation The Project Report captures the outcome Illustrated with screen shots Presentation Assignment 1 (Processor Simulator) – part of the oral exam Assignment 2 (ECG System)– consultations prior to exam

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Project Grading Assignment 1 (Processor Simulator) – 2 points Project Plan + 2 points Presentation (out of 10 points for homework) Assignment 2 (ECG System)– consultations prior to exam 2 points Project Plan + 6 points Presentation (out of 10 points for homework)

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Challenges Topics covered are new for the students Students (Dept. Automatics and Electronics) not experienced in SE or other similar course Emphasizing soft skills – team work, communication, presentation, independent research Assignment 2 independent student work, consultations only Additionally: Emphasizing ‘elementary’ SE skills

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Opportunities Topics relevant to ‘real programming’ Students experience with programming courses in the freshmen year (C++,.Net) High percentage of students choosing elective courses at the CS Department Assignment 1 – lab sessions (contact hours) foreseen for the regular progress reports and consultations

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Experiences Shift of focus to the problem solution not implementation process, but implementation process proved to be the key for success Requirements negotiation and solution trade offs Assembler directives vs. editable memory ECG screen – continues display vs. static with scrolling Benefits of efforts invested in functional specification

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Experiences Students involvement and initiative ECG signal generation using Threads, Visual controls, ECG recording device – only circuit schematics Participation in team work affected knowledge obtained – proved with the written and oral exam results

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Conclusion Addressing SE issues in student software project assignments (not in SE courses) is feasible and should be imperative? Additional effort + time for teaching staff Students experience the importance of the development process Requirements gathering (negotiating!!) Solution trade offs (real engineering) Planning, and etc.

9th Workshop “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering” Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 August – 5 September 2009 Conclusion Motivating and addressing soft skills, Having students with mixed educational background beneficial Students like challenges and achieving results