CS 6463 (CS 5133) Software Testing and Quality Assurance

Summer 2007 Syllabus

Course Description: Introduction of testing techniques of software systems: unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing, and regression testing; test plan and test case design; quality assurance; verification and validation. Note that the course number will be CS 5133 in the near future.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the theoretical aspects of software testing
• Demonstrate the knowledge of the existing testing methods
• Demonstrate the knowledge of static and dynamic analysis methods
• Demonstrate the knowledge of applying testing and analysis methods in software development and maintenance

Topics include:

• Introduction to software testing and analysis
• Specification-based testing techniques
• Code-based testing techniques
• Unit testing
• Integration testing
• OO-oriented testing
• Model-based testing
• Static analysis
• Dynamic analysis
• Regression testing
• Methods of test data generation and validation
• Program slicing and its application
• Reliability analysis
• Formal methods; verification methods; oracles
• System and acceptance testing

 Prerequisite: Software engineering or software development experience

 Textbooks:

• "Software Testing: A Craftsman's Approach, Second Edition," by Paul C Jorgensen, CRC Press, June 26, 2002. (required)  

• "The Art of Software Testing," 2nd ed., Glenford J. Myers, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2004. (optional)

• "Lessons Learned in Software Testing: a Context-Driven Approach," Cem Kaner, James Bach, and Bret Pettichord, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2002. (optional) 

Other references will be posted as needed.

Important Dates:

Homework assignments: (Available on WebCT)

Project Due Dates: (Available on WebCT)

Midterm exam: (Available on WebCT)

Final Exam: (Available on WebCT)

Grading and Policies:

The course will include a midterm and final, each comprising 25% of your grade. No make-up exams will be given except for university-sanctioned absences.

The course will include homework assignments (20%).

In this course you will be working on individual projects which contribute to 30% of your grade.

Late work will receive penalty based on the formula, penalty = (number of days late)³. The students are expected to attend all class.

Points to grade ratio:

                A: 90 – 100

                B: 70 – 89

                C: 60 – 69

                D: 40 – 59

                E: 0 – 39

Academic Integrity: A student discovered cheating or committing plagiarism will be awarded a failing grade for the course, and may be subject to dismissal or further discipline. Academic integrity is expected of all students who attend UTSA.

Course Schedule:  

2006 Summer Syllabus

 Note: Students should refer to the updated syllabus on WebCT or Dr. Lo's web page for any discrepancies.