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Introduction to Software Engineering
(Aerospace 440)

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Course Next Offered: Spring 2009 ?

Dr. Lyle N. Long
Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics, The Pennsylvania State University
Certified Software Development Professional (IEEE Computer Society)
AIAA Fellow
http://www.personal.psu.edu/lnl

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to software engineering. Software engineering includes all aspects of professional software production, and is especially important for safety-critical and mission-critical software. It is also crucial for very large complicated software projects. It includes documentation, management, processes, requirements, design models, computer programs, validation, verification, cost estimation, management, and other aspects of the development process. Aerospace systems, including aircraft, spacecraft, onboard avionics, ground-based systems, flight simulators, and air transportation systems, rely heavily on software. Software is a major cost of all aerospace systems. For example, the Boeing 777 has more than 1000 onboard processors and more than 4 million lines of software, which is primarily written in Ada. The F/A-22 fighter has more than 2 million lines of software onboard, and much of this is Ada also. The AirBus 380 has 500 kilometers (311 miles) of wire. Aerospace systems also demand a level of reliability far beyond most other systems, which means the software must be designed using rigorous mission-critical and safety-critical procedures, which makes the software quite unique compared to most other software. The FAA and DOD are both involved in certifying aircraft software, for example through the DO-178B and DOD-2168 standards.

The students will learn the fundamental components of software engineering, and how complex software systems are developed so as to minimize errors and maximize the usefulness of the software. They will also learn the terminology, accepted practices, and procedures used in software engineering.

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Explain the importance of safety-, mission-, business-, and security-critical systems;
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of good software engineering practices for critical systems;
  3. Describe and explain the terminology, accepted practices, and procedures used in software engineering;
  4. Explain the differences among software engineering, computer science and systems engineering;
  5. Decide which computer languages are well suited to modern critical systems (and explain why);
  6. Explain a variety of life-cycle models;
  7. Read and demonstrate an understanding of the software engineering literature; and
  8. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the existing standards (e.g. FAA and IEEE) applicable to software systems

Brief Description: Software engineering for safety- and mission-critical systems, including requirements, management, processes, designs, programming, validation/verification, and other aspects of software development. 3 Credits. Prerequisite CmpSc 201C (and/or AERSP 424)

Detailed course notes:

Required Textbook:

    "Software Engineering," 8th Edition, Ian Sommerville

Additional Recommended Books and Papers

Course Outline:

  1. Introduction
  2. Mission- and Safety-Critical Systems
  3. Requirements Engineering
  4. Software Design (Object oriented, real-time, ...)
  5. Computer Languages (Ada, C++, and Java)
  6. Software Development, ReUse, and Evolution
  7. Verification, Validation, and Testing
  8. Project Management
  9. Software Cost Estimation
  10. Software Standards
  11. Emerging Technologies
  12. Guest speakers:

Grading (tentative):

    The students will be evaluated using a combination of homework assignments, quizes, exams, and a final exam. The weight given to each will be roughly 5% class attendance/participation, 15% homework, 60% midterms, and 20% final. The instructor will use a standard technology-based classroom. There may also be team-based assignments, and possibly team presentations. The course will be offered every year.

    Teaching Assistant: Oranuj Janrathitikarn (Email: ozj100)

    Students auditing the course for credit will be required to take the final exam, and get a C or better. Also, I don't allow people to simply sit in on the course.

  • You will need to read and study all webpage notes also check the homework webpage regularly.

  • I might use Angel, so please go there and upload a picture of yourself: cms.psu.edu.

  • Notes:
      This course can be used as a technical elective in Aerospace Engineering. In addition, Aerospace Engineering students will need to take one of the following courses to graduate: AERSP 440, EE 305, or EE 210. (you cannot use 440 to satisy both this requirement and the IST Minor)

      We also plan to make this course part of the proposed Undergraduate Minor in IST for Aerospace Engineering . Note: If you use AERSP 440 for the IST Minor, then you will need to take EE 305 or EE 210 to satisfy the Aero Major requirements.

      This course can be used towards the Graduate Minor in Computational Science also.

  • Prerequisites:
      You must have taken a course in computer programming (e.g. CS 201), but it would be very valuable to have a more advanced course as well (e.g. AERSP 424 ).

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