41113 Software Development Studio

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Computer Science
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 31257 Information System Development Methodologies OR 41025 Introduction to Software Development OR 41192 IS Value Creation Studio
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This studio subject focuses on aspects of practical software development. The overall aim of this studio is to provide a rich and attractive practice-based learning environment for software development students to deeply learn and become professionally competent. To realise these aims the studio focuses on the methods of reflective design practice, teamwork, mentoring, and deep learning techniques, including immersion in difficult problems within a complex environment. The subject allows students to move towards senior roles in teams, expects students to become accomplished in reflection, and demonstrate application of software development skills, with an accent on design.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Develop communication and collaboration skills in a team. (E.1)
2.	Build capability in reflective practice. (F.1)
3.	Build capability in software design skills. (C.1)
4.	Build technical capability in software development techniques and tools. (D.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:

1.1. Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject will be conducted via a weekly 3 hour studio session, wherein students will work in teams to develop a software system, under the direction of mentors, using commercial software tools.

The Software Development Studio (SDS) provides a learning environment similar to a workplace.

Students will work in development roles appropriate to their stage of learning and experience. Students from all the SDS subjects will work in multi-year teams, progressing in responsibility as they demonstrate professional competencies, or graduate attributes.

Students are expected to use the SDS outside of their class time to work in their teams.
Students are also expected to write reflections about their SDS experience each week, and to participate in peer evaluations of teamwork via SparkPLUS.

Content (topics)

The subject covers four key areas of software development:

Agile software process
configuration management, including source and version control
reflective software design practice
team communication and collaboration

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Reflective ability assessment

Intent:	The purpose of this task is to evaluate how well students are learning to reflect.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and F.1
Type:	Reflection
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	30%

Assessment task 2: Process assessment

Intent:	The purpose of this task is to learn to make and record process decisions.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1
Type:	Laboratory/practical
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	20%

Assessment task 3: Product assessment

Intent:	The purpose of this task is to learn how to build requirements and assess against those requirements.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1
Type:	Laboratory/practical
Groupwork:	Group, individually assessed
Weight:	50%

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.