SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

The course contributes to the following knowledge and skills at the end of the study programme:
- knowledge of the life cycle phases of software systems both for building new ones and for the maintenance of existing systems;
- knowledge of software architectures and formalisms for their description and design;
- ability to choose the most suitable processes for projects concerning both traditional application areas and emerging areas;
- knowledge of the main legal and software quality management aspects

In particular, the course aims to discuss the main methodologies for planning and managing a software project. At the end of the course the student is able to apply the main methodologies for the analysis, design and verification of software; to set up a WBS (Work Breakdown Structure), and to use Gantt and Pert charts for project planning; to draw up a business plan for a software project; to use UML to support analysis and design activities; to develop a software project and to draft the related documentation: project plan, analysis document and requirements specification, design document, testing document.
The course aims to present the fundamental concepts of project management for information systems and ICT applications, relying on the theory proposed by the PMI (Project Management Institute). Students will be given the opportunity of experimenting the notions acquired by using project management tools, with particular focus on agile methodologies.

The student will get the knowledge and skills to apply suitable methodologies for the design and implementation of a software system, in all the software life-cycle phases.

Knowledge and understanding:
- knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and tools of software engineering;
- understanding agile methodologies for team-working on ICT projects

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- ability of developing and managing software projects using state-of-the-art technologies.
- practical sessions to help experimenting and acquiring an active knowledge of the subject.

Communication skills
- Being able to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Developing management skills along with "soft-skills".

Programming. Algorithms. Architectures and Operating Systems.

It is strongly recommended to attend the lectures, as Software Engineering has both theoretical and practical components.
The learning outcomes are obtained thanks to practical group-based exercises and discussions of case studies.

1. Software Development Processes, Agile Methodologies
2. Requirements Engineering
3. Design Methodologies - System Modelling
4. Verification and Validation Techniques
5. Software Configuration, Maintenance and Evolution
6. Project Management: Cost, Schedule, Quality, and Team Management
7. Legal and ethical issues

Lecture Notes provided by the lecturer, summarizing some concepts from these books:
1. Ian Sommerville. Software Engineering, Pearson, 10th edition, 2017
2. Roger S Pressman, Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach, 8th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2014
3. Hans Van Vliet, Software Engineering: Principles and Practice - 3rd Edition, Wiley, 2008.
4. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) - 8th Edition 2026 - Project Management Institute, http://www.pmi.org
5. A Guide to the Scrum Body of Knowledge (SBOK Guide) - 5th Edition 2025 - VMEdu Inc., http://www.scrumstudy.com (free download)
6. Patrick Li. Jira 8 Essentials - 5th Edition - Packt, 2019, ISBN 978-1-78980-281-8

The exam consists of a written test, a group project and the related oral presentation at the end of the course.
The written test lasts 90 minutes and it is based on exercises aimed at verifying:
1) the theoretical knowledge of Software Engineering
2) the ability of solving short exercises on various topics of Software Engineering
During the written test it is not allowed to use books, notes or any other electronic devices.

The group project is mandatory and it consists in the development of a software application in group of 3 to 5 students, and it will be agreed with the professor.

The exam mark is composed in this way:
a) the written exam 100%
b) the mandatory group project can provide from 0 to 6 extra marks in addition to the written test.
It is mandatory to pass the written test with at least 18 marks to obtain the bonus project points and pass the exam.
The project points remain valid for one year, and they will be reset at the start of the new edition of the course in the following year.

written and oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

The marks of the written exam will be assigned along with the following criteria, independently from the frequency of the course:
A. marks in the range of 18-22 will be assigned in case of sufficient knowledge and understanding of the course programme.
B. marks in the range of 23-26 will be assigned in case of discrete knowledge and understanding of the course programme.
C. marks in the range of 27-30 will be assigned in case of good or optimal knowledge and understanding of the course programme.
D. The laude will be given in case of excellent knowledge and understanding of the course programme.

Lectures will focus on theoretical elements by means of slides (frontal lessons), with related practical applications.
Participants will be divided in groups of 3 to 5 students and they will develop an ICT project with agile methodologies, discussing results with the professor and the other tools (active learning).
If necessary, self-assessment quizzes will be available for some topics in ordet to check the students learning and engagement.

The course will be delivered in classroom.
The teaching material and the lectures are in English.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development