Long Title:Software Project
Language of Instruction:English
Module Code:H8SPR
Credits: 20
NFQ Level:LEVEL 8
Field of Study: Software and applications development and analysis
Module Delivered in 2 programme(s)
Module Coordinator: ANTHONY PAUL STYNES
Module editor: EAMON NOLAN
Teaching and Learning Strategy: Students follow the typical development life cycle to produce a software application of substance. In Semester 1 students attend classes, consultations and seminars on immanent issues including development method, programming language and development tools. Throughout Semester 1 and 2 students work under the direction of the project supervisor. They attend regular supervision meetings and report on the project progress. At the end of Semester 1, students present a prototype to examiners, outlining their progress to date and receive feedback. In the end of Semester 2, students present the final project to examiners and produce the required documentation.
Learning Environment: Learning will take place in workplace environment (company) with access to IT resources. Learners will have access to NCI library resources, both physical & electronic and to an academic supervisor where required.
Module Description: The module aims to: Give students the opportunity to specify, design and implement a medium-to-large scale practical project. To give students the opportunity to integrate design methodologies and other material studied on the programme.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
LO1 To specify, design and implement a medium-to-large scale practical project to strict deadlines.
LO2 Use the web and paper-based resources to fully document a practical project.
LO3 Develop and enhance interpersonal communication skills.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Background
• Introduction to Project • Coding guidelines • Supervision requirements • Overview of examinations (timelines dates etc.)
Seminars
• Project specialisations • Research methods • Development • Testing • Presentation skills • Technical writing
Project Specialisations
• Overview of projects and new technologies
Research Methods
• Conducting literature reviews • Referencing • Technical/Scientific writing • Evaluation • Data pre-processing • Statistical analysis
Development
• Unified Process • Use Case Modelling • Analysis • Design • Implementation
Testing
• Test Strategies • Blackbox/Whitebox testing • Testing tools • Evaluation
Presentation Skills
• Quality of the presentation • Communication skills • Ability to retort to questions and critique
Technical Writing
• Writing skills • Writing project reports
Project Activities
• Project Proposal • Requirements Specification • Reflective Journal • Prototype • Mid point presentation • Software System • Beta version of the project • Technical Report • User Manual • Final Presentation
Project Proposal
• Background to the project • Brief description of the approach to be followed in implementing the project • Special resources required, if any • Major implementation steps and timelines • Names of academic staff members consulted • Approval process
Requirement Specification
• Use Case Model • Anatomy of a Use Case • Requirement Specification
Reflective Journal
• Description of weekly activities per month • Academic Supervisor/Student sign off
Prototype
• Guidelines • Horizontal • Vertical
Mid point presentation
• Proof of concept • A brief power-point overview • Progress on the project schedule • A demonstration of a simple project prototype (verifying the feasibility of the project) • Grading (Presentation, Progress, Prototype)
Beta version of the project
• The Beta version of the project is a backup version of the final software. • Students shall submit signed, dated, backup copies of their software to the school administrator.
Technical Report
• Executive Summary • Introduction • Background • Technologies • Structure • Background • System • Conclusions • Further development or research • Bibliography • Appendix
User Manual
• A CD Rom with code and the databases needed to implement the project. • Project design documents • Instruction for installing and executing the computer code • A user guide, with screen dumps
Final Presentation
• Introduction • Goal • Central Theories • System • Design • Implementation • Evaluation • Discussions • Demonstrations
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project Sample projects would be Gaming and Multimedia Design (Single player board game development, 2D interactive game) or Mobile Application Development (Mobile application, Interactive website -three tier architecture) 1,2,3 100.00 n/a
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
Reassessment Description
Learners who fail this module will be required to repeat the project where all learning outcomes will be examined.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 2 Every Week 2.00
Independent Learning No Description 19 Every Week 19.00
Total Hours 21.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 21.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 48 Every Week 48.00
Independent Learning No Description 452 Every Week 452.00
Total Hours 500.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 500.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 48.00
 

Module Resources

This module does not have any book resources
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
 

Module Delivered in

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
BSHC BSc (Honours) in Computing 7 Core Subject
BSHBIS BSc (Hons) in Business Information Systems 7 Core Subject