SE 2811: Software Component Design, Winter 2019-20

Instructor: Rob Hasker (414-277-7326)

Office hours: See my home page: https://faculty-web.msoe.edu/hasker/

Textbooks:
  • Java Design Pattern Essentials, 2nd Ed., Tony Bevis, Ability FIRST, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-9565758-5-2 (e-book version) or 978-0-9565758-4-5 (paperback version)
  • optional, but inexpensive: Software Design Principles, Ludwin Barbin, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-9920839-0-8

Course Description:

This course deals with the design and implementation of software subsystems. The concept of design patterns is introduced and common patterns are applied to the development of software components. Laboratory projects provide an opportunity for teams of students to implement components and to integrate them into complete systems. As a final assignment, students conduct research on software design patterns and present and demonstrate the results of their investigations to the class.
Prereqs: SE 2030, CS 2852

Format: 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours, 4 credits

Course Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to

Grading

  Percentage  
Labs  30%
Quizzes/homework:  15%
Presentation  10%
Midterm:  20%
Final Exam:  25%
Total: 100%

The MSOE grading scale will be used, though higher grades may be awarded to individual students if it increases fairness. In addition, successfully demonstrating mastery of course outcomes is a prerequisite for a passing grade. This includes being successful on the final exam and, in some cases, completing assignments even if worth zero points.

Communication

Course materials will be posted at my class web site https://faculty-web.msoe.edu/hasker/se2811/. I also use Slack and email extensively; I expect you to check for electronic communications at least once a day.

Labs, Assignments, and Quizzes

Lab solutions which do not run or which do not produce some correct output will be worth 0 points. However, you can get partial credit for partially working solutions. Estimate how long the lab will take, and if it takes much longer then it is definitely time to see your instructor!

Unless otherwise announced, late lab solutions will be penalized 5% if submitted up to three days late and 15% if submitted between four and seven days late. Solutions submitted more than one week late will be worth zero points unless there is advance arrangement for extenuating circumstances. Other assignments (such as homework) are worth zero points if late. Unless you have written permission, all assignments must be submitted before Monday of finals week.

Because you will be working in groups for certain labs and presentations and some of that group work will be during lecture hours, it is important that students be in the same sections for lecture and lab.

Assignments are individual unless we explicitly state otherwise. It is OK to look at another student's code with them to help them fix an error, but it is not OK to have a copy of another student's code at any time or in any form. Note that making a repository public enables cheating and violates campus policy. Electronic tools will be used to identify plagiarism, and students guilty of either copying or "loaning" out their code will be penalized.

Code will be graded for both correctness and meeting standards. The most frequent mistake is in using (hard) tab characters in source files - this is a practice that is strongly discouraged in industry, and it makes your code harder to grade. Configure your IDE to insert spaces instead of tabs. The standard also covers repositories. Note that git repositories created by your instructor will be deleted after the end of the term; copy any code you wish to keep to your own private repository.

Students are expected to use standard tools such as IntelliJ, git, and a specific version of Java. If you use an alternative, it will be your responsibility to master that alternative and to ensure you meet deadlines.

Missed quizzes cannot be made up, but at least one of the lowest quiz or homework scores will be dropped.

Attendance

Do not skip class! If you do happen to miss, be sure to check for new materials and get the notes you missed from a friend before the next class period. You are responsible for anything missed! If you need to be excused from class for MSOE activities or religious observances, be sure to me know in advance. If you're sick, it's obviously not a good idea to come to class. This includes days on which there are exams; just be sure to contact me as soon as you can get to a phone or computer.

Using phones and laptops during class to browse social media, write papers, etc. is a form of missing class!

Strongly consider taking hand-written notes for this class. The slides omit many details on purpose. Do not try to type your notes; research shows hand-written notes are the most effective way to capture key material. Note the campus printers will easily scan documents so you can organize your notes electronically.

Do not record video or audio of lectures without my permission.

Failing to submit more than two labs is considered strong evidence of not attending class and may result in being administratively dropped from the course.

When an exam is missed, I will determine whether to give you a make-up exam or increase the weight of the other exams. All students must take the final exam to receive a passing grade in the course unless the student has been excused in advance.

For students with documented disabilities, chronic medication conditions and mental health concerns: MSOE provides services to make reasonable accommodations available. If you are a student who requires or anticipates the need for accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services Office at 414-277-7281, by email at moureau@msoe.edu, or in person at K250 to discuss appropriate accommodations and eligibility requirements.

Course Topics