Academic Handbook Course Descriptors and Programme Specifications
LSCI62119A Software Engineer End-Point Assessment Course Descriptor
| Course Code | LSCI62119A | Discipline | Computing and Information Systems |
| UK Credit | 30 | US Credit | N/A |
| FHEQ Level | 6 | Date Approved | October 2023 |
| Core Attributes | |||
| Pre-Requisites | |||
| Co-Requisites | |||
Course Overview
Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals are found in organisations where digital technologies can be used to solve problems that exist across a range of functions. Whether looking for ways to reduce waste, increase productivity, ensure resilient and responsive customer service, or create a secure transactional environment, organisations turn to digital and technological solutions to achieve these aims. Wherever these activities take place Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals are influencing outcomes and making things happen.
The primary role of a software engineer is to undertake all requirements during the solution development life-cycle from gathering requirements to analysis, design, code, build, test, implementation and support. They may also be required to supervise the work of junior software developers and others who may be working on elements of the solution and work with product managers and UX designers in implementing solutions.As well as creating new code, they can support existing code by troubleshooting, reverse engineering and conducting root-cause analysis. They typically work as part of a large collaborative team and will have responsibility for significant elements of software solutions.
This course enables learners to demonstrate the occupational competencies of the role via a work-based project and a portfolio. The implementation of the course assessments will be in line with the https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/digital-and-technology-solutions-professional-v1-2
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
| K1c | Plan and deliver a substantial individual project by applying a e digital technology solution and demonstrate a competitive advantage by adapting and exploiting it |
| K1c | Assess sustainable development approaches within digital technologies as they relate to their role including diversity and inclusion. |
| K2c | Evaluate the principles of strategic decision making concerning the acquisition or development of digital and technology solutions |
| K2c | Produce a project plan which estimates risks and opportunities and determines mitigation strategies. |
| K2c | Evaluate appropriate techniques and approaches that are used in creating a business case |
| K2c | Apply techniques to estimate cost and time resource constraints |
| K2c | Critically analyse the business problem behind the project proposal to identify the role of digital and technology solutions |
| K2c | Carry out the identified solution proposal utilising a range of digital tools and standard approaches |
| K3c | Critically analyse the factors affecting product quality and the approaches controlling them throughout the project development process |
| K3c | Select and apply software tools appropriate to the software engineering project solution |
| K3c | Critically evaluate scenarios covering all stages of a development life-cycle, identifying techniques and methods are applied in each case. |
| K3c | Demonstrate how to interpret and implement a design, compliant with functional, non-functional and security requirements |
| K3c | Critically evaluate the nature and scope of common vulnerabilities in digital and technology solutions |
| K4c | Critically reflect on core technical concepts for digital and technology solutions and their applicability to organisation’s standards and pre-existing tools; data gathering, data management, computer networking and data analysis concepts. |
| K4c | Demonstrate how teams work effectively to produce a digital and technology solution applying relevant organisational theories using up to date awareness of trends and innovations. |
| K4c | Critically evaluate the concepts and principles of leadership and management as they relate to their role and how they apply them |
| K4c | Demonstrate relevant evidence to produce a proposal for a digital and technology based project in line with legal, ethical and regulatory requirements whilst ensuring the protection of personal data, safety and security |
Subject Specific Skills
| S1c | Apply relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to digital and technology solutions considering both technical and non-technical audiences and in line with organisational guidelines. |
| S1c | Identify and define a non-routine, unspecified software engineering problem |
| S1c | Recommend a software engineering solution that is appropriate for the project brief |
| S1c | Select and apply analysis methods, approaches and techniques in software engineering projects to deliver an outcome that meets requirements |
| S1c | Implement software engineering projects using appropriate software engineering methods, approaches and techniques |
| S1c | Evaluate the selection of approach, methodology, analysis and outcomes to identify both lessons learned and recommendations for improvements to future projects software engineering projects |
| S1c | Respond to changing priorities and problems arising within software engineering projects by making revised recommendations, and adapting plans as necessary, to fit the scenario being investigated. |
| S1c | Determine, refine, adapt and use appropriate software engineering methods, approaches and techniques to evaluate software engineering project outcomes |
| S1c | Extend and update software development knowledge with evidence from professional and academic sources by undertaking appropriate research to inform best practice and lead improvements in the organisation |
| S3c | Demonstrate the use of core technical concepts for digital and technology solutions, including: Initiate, design, code, test and debug a software component for a digital and technology solution; security and resilience techniques; and apply the principles of data analysis. |
Transferable and Employability Skills
| T1c | Present an overview of the project to appropriate stakeholders using appropriate language and style |
| T1c | Display an advanced level of technical proficiency in written English and competence in applying scholarly terminology, so as to be able to apply skills in critical evaluation, analysis and judgement effectively in a diverse range of contexts. |
| T3c | Make meaningful conclusions on the basis of a long period of independent study. |
| T4c | Manage the project delivery to achieve digital and technology solutions |
| T4c | Justify the methods of research and evaluation which determined the selection of digital and technology solutions identified for the project |
Teaching and Learning
The contact hours on this course are formed predominantly of supervisory meetings, typically 4 x 1 hour.
Students are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.
The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:
- Off-the-job learning and teaching (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours
- On-the-job learning (24 days x 7 hours) = 168 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 12 weeks)
- Independent study (4 hours per week) = 48 hours
Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.
Indicative total learning hours for this course: 300
Assessment
Both formative and summative assessment are used as part of this course, with purely formative opportunities typically embedded within interactive teaching sessions, office hours, and/or the VLE.
Summative Assessments
| AE: | Assessment Activity | Weighting (%) | Duration | Length |
| 1 | Project report with presentation, questions and answers | 50% | 6000 word (report) & 60 minutes (presentation and Q&A) | |
| 2 | Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio | 50% | 60 minutes |
Feedback
Students will receive formative and summative feedback in a variety of ways, written (e.g. marked up on assignments, through email or the VLE) or oral (e.g. as part of interactive teaching sessions or in office hours).
Indicative Reading
Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is for a general guide and part of the approval/modification process only.
- Walliman, N., (2013), Your Undergraduate Dissertation: The Essential Guide for Success, London: Sage.
- Rugg, G., & Petre, M. (2006). A gentle guide to research methods. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
- Berndtsson, M., Hansson, J., Olsson, B., & Lundell, B. (2007). Thesis projects: a guide for students in computer science and information systems. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Stephan Felix, M., & Smith, I. (2019). A practical guide to dissertation and thesis writing. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- Zhang, L., Tian, J.H., Jiang, J., Liu, Y.J., Pu, M.Y. and Yue, T., 2018. Empirical research in software engineering—a literature survey. Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 33, pp.876-899.
Indicative Topics
Note: Comprehensive and current topics for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative topics provided below is used as a general guide and part of the approval/modification process only.
- How to solve a technological problem based on an organisation’s problem
- Managing technology projects to a successful outcome
- Using real-world data and scenarios
Version History
| Title:LSCI62119A Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Software Engineer End-Point Assessment Course Descriptor
Approved by: Academic Board Location: academic-handbook/digital-and-technology-solutions |
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| Version number | Date approved | Date published | Owner | Proposed next review date | Modification (As per AQF4) & category number |
| 1.0 | October 2023 | October 2023 | Dr Alexandros Koliousis | October 2028 | |