MSc SE curriculum development : phases and tasks

1
Dissemination Workshop EU Tempus project
JEP-18035-2003 Joint MSc. in Software
Engineering Klaus Bothe (Grantholder) Zoran
Budimac (Co-ordinator) Humboldt University
Berlin, Germany University of Novi Sad,
Serbia Novi Sad, May 30 - 31, 2007
2
Welcome to all participants

• Novi Sad Miroslav Placak (vice rector),
  Dusanka Periic (vice dean),
• Zoran Budimac, Mirjana Ivanovic, Gordana
  Rakic, Silvia Feher
• Plovdiv Stanimir Stoyanov
• Rijeca Nataa Hoic-Boic
• Sarajevo Novica Nosovic
• Skopje Snezana Petrovska, Anastas Miev, Boro
  Jakimovski, Katerina Zdravkova
• Timisoara Ioan Jurca
• Zagreb Damir Kalpic

Belgrade Bosko Nikolic Berlin Klaus
Bothe, Sam Joachim Bilbao Rebeca Cortazar
Budapest Zoltan Horvat Glasgow Andrew
McGettrick (Guest speaker) Leicester Hussein
Zedan Ni Gradimir Milovanovic, Dragan Antic,
Ivan Milentijevic, Leonid Stojmenov, Milena
Stankovic
3
The consortium Beneficiary partners, EU
partners, Individual experts
University of Strathclyde Glasgow
De Montfort University Leicester
Humboldt University Berlin
University Budapest
University Zagreb
University Deusto, Bilbao
University Timisoara
University Rijeka
Rijeka
University Novi Sad
University Belgrade
University Sarajevo
University Nis
University Plovdiv
University Skopje
Plovdiv
4
Goals of the workshop

• Present the results of the EU Tempus project
  Joint MSc. in Software Engineering (Sept. 2004
  Aug. 2007)
• to a broader audience of that region also
  outside the consortium - and beyond to other
  European partners.
• Offer to other partners to join the consortium
• Discuss perspectives of sustainability of the
  project

5
Dissemination already has started with

• TV Vojvodina - 1-hour report today
• - Another report on Friday
• Article in newspapers 'Dnevnik'
• National Serbian Tempus committee We see from
  the agenda and number of relevant
  participants that conditions are in place for
  good dissemination of your JEP results at the
  University of Novi Sad and other participating
  universities

6
Agenda of that workshop

• Presentation of the results of the Tempus project
  
• Andrew McGettrick Guest lecturer-----------
  Workshop dinner -----------
• Round table sustainability, extending the
  consortium

7

• JOINT MSC. IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERINGA
  MULTI-NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

8
The consortium Beneficiary partners, EU
partners, Individual experts
De Montfort University Leicester, UK
Humboldt University Berlin, Germany
University Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
University Timisoara, Romania
University Novi Sad, Serbia
Rijeka
Banja Luka
University Belgrade, Serbia
University Plovdiv, Bulgaria
University Nis, Serbia
University Skopje, FYR Macedonia
Plovdiv
9
Goals of the project

• Develop a joint Software Engineering (SE) Master
  programme that should
• be compliant with the Bologna declaration,
• lead to the award of Master of Science (M.Sc.)
  
• in SE common to all participating
  institutions,
• be designed to fulfill labor market needs,
• allow for teachers and students mobility and
• be implemented in four universities in
• South Eastern Europe - but open to other
• universities in Europe.

10
Issues

• What is Joint?
• Development process and its results
• Quality assurance
• Delivery
• Sustainability

11
What is a Joint Degree?

• Study programme which include periods of study
  abroad in at least two universities in two
  different countries.

• Programmes leading to the award of a double,
  multiple or joint degree are characteristically
  offered by a consortium of at least two partner
  universities from different countries and require
  student mobility as a mendatory part of the
  curriculum. Furthermore, it could be assumed
  that partners offering the study programme would,
  in advance, agree on educational goals, learning
  outcomes, i.e. competence profiles of graduates

Source F. Maiworm, Joint degrees A Hallmark of
the European Higher Education Area? Official
Bologna follow-up seminar, Berlin, 21 22 Sept.
2006
12
Three models of joint degrees

• Identical structure and content of the complete
  curriculum in each participating university,
• ? student mobility has no added value
• Comparable courses in the study programme and
  different offers of specialisation by each
  partner university (similar core, different
  specialisation)
• Complementary courses as mandatory part of the
  study program offered by different partner
  universities

Source F. Maiworm, Joint degrees A Hallmark of
the European Higher Education Area? Official
Bologna follow-up seminar, Berlin, 21 22 Sept.
2006
13
Principles of 'Joint in our project

• Joint goals and structure of the curriculum
• Joint agreement and acceptance of module list
• Distributed development of teaching materials
  across universities
• Exchange of teachers/instructors amongst the
  institutions
• Students mobility across the partners
• Common principles of quality assurance
• Coordination of all development activities

14
Issues

• Joint?
• Development process and its results
• Quality assurance
• Delivery
• Sustainability

15
Development the curriculum cooperatively by a
sequence of meetings

• Workshops and coordination meetings Novi
  Sad (October 2004), Bilbao (April 2005),
  Leicester (July 2005), Novi Sad (October 2005),
  Skopje (April 2006), Nis (October
  2006) ? Rather important for face-to-face
  discussion and project progress
• October 2005 (Novi Sad) 1st Version of the
  curriculum specification Definition of the
  curriculum goals, structure of the curriculum,
  module lists, and quality assurance
• April 2006 (Skopje) Final version of curriculum
  specification,distribution of teaching material
  development across universities
• October 2006 (Nis) Preparation of the first
  delivery

16
MSc SE curriculum development project model
phases, tasks, products
General aims
Laws, rules
Universities
Size
Flexibility
Requirements of the curriculum (Analysis
Definition)
Quality assurance and control Quality Assurance
and control documents
Mission excellence in European- wide
Learning outcomes, goals
Bologna- compliant
Staff (enough knowledge-able, experienced)

• Length of study
• 3 semesters
• 90 credits

Open for new SE developments
Entry requirements of students
Useful for local industry needs
Compliant with national laws
Laboratory (well-equipped)
1 year 2 semesters
Local variants possible
Program validation
Library (well-equipped)
Structure of the curriculum (Design)
Module templates (one for each module)
Module development
Module name Aims Learning outcomes Syllabus
content Entry requirements Learning
approaches Suggested reading Credits Exam
Module assessment
Students selection
Quality assurance of study packs
Module development (Implementation)
Teaching materials for modules and projects
produce new ones reuse, adapt, extend existing
materials
Build teams and let them work
Slides
Lecture notes
Exercises (theoretical, practical)
Exams
Literature for lecturers
Case studies
Reading material for students
Literature list for students
Advisory board (Panel)
Lab exercises case studies, assignemnts, project
materials
Requirements for lecturers (job description)
Quality team
Introduction of the curriculum at 1-4
universities Novi Sad, Nis,Belgrade,
Skopje (Installation and Use)
Documentation of the curriculum
Run the curriculum
Legal issues
Equipment
Teachers
Students
Teaching team
National accreditation
Program handbook
Module template handbook
Built-up Laboratory
Select Teachers
Select Students
Deliver modules in classes

• Assessment
• Internal moderator
• External examiner

Mutual recognition Serbia, Mecedonia
Students handbook
Staff handbook
Built-up Library
Teacher Reraining )
Possible Student mobility
ECTS documents
) Dry-run, chain-training
Possible Teacher mobility
Sustainability (Maintenance)
Module feedback forms for students
Continual / annual assessment and revision
17
MSc SE curriculum development project model
phases, tasks, products
General aims
Laws, rules
Universities
Size
Flexibility
Requirements of the curriculum (Analysis
Definition)
Quality assurance and control Quality Assurance
and control documents
Mission excellence in European- wide
Learning outcomes, goals
Bologna- compliant
Staff (enough knowledge-able, experienced)

• Length of study
• 3 semesters
• 90 credits

Open for new SE developments
Entry requirements of students
Useful for local industry needs
Compliant with national laws
Laboratory (well-equipped)
1 year 2 semesters
Local variants possible
Program validation
Library (well-equipped)
Structure of the curriculum (Design)
Module templates (one for each module)
Module development
Module name Aims Learning outcomes Syllabus
content Entry requirements Learning
approaches Suggested reading Credits Exam
Module assessment
Students selection
Quality assurance of study packs
Project Model overview of activities, phases,
and products

• Useful for
• analyzing current state
• planning next activities
• distribution of work

Module development (Implementation)
Teaching materials for modules and projects
produce new ones reuse, adapt, extend existing
materials
Build teams and let them work
Slides
Lecture notes
Exercises (theoretical, practical)
Exams
Literature for lecturers
Case studies
Reading material for students
Literature list for students
Advisory board (Panel)
Lab exercises case studies, assignemnts, project
materials
Requirements for lecturers (job description)
Quality team
Introduction of the curriculum at 1-4
universities Novi Sad, Nis,Belgrade,
Skopje (Installation and Use)
Documentation of the curriculum
Run the curriculum
Legal issues
Equipment
Teachers
Students
Teaching team
National accreditation
Program handbook
Module template handbook
Built-up Laboratory
Select Teachers
Select Students
Deliver modules in classes

• Assessment
• Internal moderator
• External examiner

Mutual recognition Serbia, Mecedonia
Students handbook
Staff handbook
Built-up Library
Teacher Reraining )
Possible Student mobility
ECTS documents
) Dry-run, chain-training
Possible Teacher mobility
Sustainability (Maintenance)
Module feedback forms for students
Continual / annual assessment and revision
18
MSc SE curriculum development project model
phases, tasks, products
General aims
Laws, rules
Universities
Size
Flexibility
Requirements of the curriculum (Analysis
Definition)
Quality assurance and control Quality Assurance
and control documents
Mission excellence in European- wide
Learning outcomes, goals
Bologna- compliant
Staff (enough knowledge-able, experienced)

• Length of study
• 3 semesters
• 90 credits

Open for new SE developments
Entry requirements of students
Useful for local industry needs
Compliant with national laws
Laboratory (well-equipped)
1 year 2 semesters
Local variants possible
Program validation
Library (well-equipped)
Structure of the curriculum (Design)
Module templates (one for each module)
Module development
Module name Aims Learning outcomes Syllabus
content Entry requirements Learning
approaches Suggested reading Credits Exam
Module assessment
Students selection
Quality assurance of study packs
Module development (Implementation)
Teaching materials for modules and projects
produce new ones reuse, adapt, extend existing
materials
Build teams and let them work
Slides
Lecture notes
Exercises (theoretical, practical)
Exams
Literature for lecturers
Case studies
Reading material for students
Literature list for students
Advisory board (Panel)
Lab exercises case studies, assignemnts, project
materials
Requirements for lecturers (job description)
Quality team
Introduction of the curriculum at 1-4
universities Novi Sad, Nis,Belgrade,
Skopje (Installation and Use)
Documentation of the curriculum
Run the curriculum
Legal issues
Equipment
Teachers
Students
Teaching team
National accreditation
Program handbook
Module template handbook
Built-up Laboratory
Select Teachers
Select Students
Deliver modules in classes

• Assessment
• Internal moderator
• External examiner

Mutual recognition Serbia, Mecedonia
Students handbook
Staff handbook
Built-up Library
Teacher Reraining )
Possible Student mobility
ECTS documents
) Dry-run, chain-training
Possible Teacher mobility
Sustainability (Maintenance)
Module feedback forms for students
Continual / annual assessment and revision
19
Mission

• The MSc curriculum in software engineering is
  committed to excellence in European-wide software
  education and training of engineers to deliver
  high quality and trustworthy software systems
  that meet the local industrial needs.

20
Structure of the Joint Masters Curriculum
Semesters, Module lists, ECTS
1 ECTS 20 hours of total student's workload
30 ECTS 15 weeks
30 ECTS 15 weeks
30 ECTS 15 weeks
21
Module templateRequirements specification of a
module

• Module template
• Aims
• Learning outcomes
• Syllabus
• Prerequisites
• Recommended assessment

22
Module template an example

• RESEARCH METHODS (SE-C-01)
• AIMS
• The module will introduce and develop the
  concepts, organisational structure and
  deliverables of a research project using
  qualitative and quantitative methods. To extend
  to a postgraduate level, the student's
  appreciation and understanding of how to
  organise, to plan and 'execute' a technical
  research project.
• LEARNING OUTCOMES
• Upon successful completion of this module, the
  student will be able to
• prepare, plan and monitor a research project
  using tools and skills needed for critical
  evaluation and analyses of project results
• formulate, plan and communicate a research
  project
• select and appreciate the appropriate search
  methods for collection of information
• demonstrate knowledge and experience on
  procedures and methods for structuring, gathering
  and handling of information and data in a
  technological environment.
• SYLLABUS CONTENT
• Project approaches project management, quality
  management.
• Communication skills presentation skills,
  literature search patents, technical report
  writing.
• Methods for research problem analyses and
  problem solving techniques methods for
  structuring a problem qualitative methods for
  system/process analyses and performance
  assessment quantitative methods for data
  gathering and data analyses experiment design
  and collection of data, performance analyses,
  variance analyses, statistical quality control,
  statistical process control plagiarism and
  referencing health and safety aspects of
  research
• PREREQUISITES None

23
From module templatesto teaching materials

• Principles
• Each module assigned to a module
  developer
• Distributed development by beneficiary
  partners, EU partners, individual
  experts
• Teacher re-training
• Quality assurance Quality team

• Module template
• Aims
• Learning outcomes
• Syllabus
• Prerequisites
• Recommended assessment

• Teaching materials
• Presentation material (slides)
• Supporting literature for lecturers
• Lecture notes, explaining the way in which slide
  contents can be delivered to students
• Material for theoretical and practical exercises
  (assignments, solutions, tools )
• Supporting literature for students

24
Issues

• Joint?
• Development process and its results
• Quality assurance
• Delivery
• Sustainability

25
Importance of quality assurance in our project

• Developers may be different from instructors
  (therefore, technical editors)
• To keep the standards and criteria after the
  project finishes (therefore external examiners)

26
Technical Editors, Developers Instructors The
Quality Team
External Examiners

• Evaluate
• Advise

• Deliver
• Evaluate
• Collate
• Communicate
• Keep Journal
• Examin

Tech. Editors
Instructors

• Liaise
• Analyse
• Ensure

Students
Developers

• Learn
• Interact
• Feedback

• Develop
• Liaise

27
Module assessments by TE

• Structure of module assessments by TE 1. Module
  title2. Date of editing3. To what extent
  does the material cover learning outcomes of
  modules (as described in template)4.
  Are tutorials/problem classes/case studies
  adequate5. Is the timeline for face-to-face
  delivery and self study adequate6. Comment on
  the suitability of books and course material
  associated with module7. Has dry run been
  completed8. Comment on overall technical
  quality of material is it of an MSc standard?
• AdvantagesA. Uniformity on reporting
  progressB. Gives us a way to draw guidelines
  for editors to follow.

28
Assessment by software industry

• April 2006 Review of the Joint MSc. curriculum
  specification by ESI (European Software
  Institute, Spain)? revision of the curriculum
  specification? ESI "The Joint MSc Curriculum
  in Software Engineering comprises an ambitious
  and determined effort. We foresee that its
  implementation will allow many students to learn
  about current software engineering theory and
  practice and become competent members of the
  profession."
• Local industry advisory board
• Levi9 (Netherlands / Novi Sad, Nis - Serbia)
• EnergoSoft (Serbian national company)

29
Issues

• Joint?
• Development process and its results
• Quality assurance
• Delivery
• Sustainability

30
Beginning of the studies

• Winter semester 2006/07 elective modules
• Summer semester 2006/07 core modules
• Delivered by- 9 lecturers from 7 universities
  Leicester, Novi Sad, Skopje, Nis, Bilbao,
  Berlin, Budapest - 7 assistents from 3
  universities Novi Sad, Skopje, Nis
• Next step sustainability in that region

31
Lecturers during the first two semesters
Hussein Zedan, De Montfort University
Leicester - Formal methods engineering, -
Software Engineeering in critical systems, -
Research methods,
Hans-Dieter Burkhard, Humboldt University
Berlin Research methods (special guest)
Zoltan Horvat, Budapest Research methods
(special guest)
Mirjana Ivanovic,Novi SadRequirements
engineering
Ioan Jurca, Timisoara Architecture, design and
patterns
Milos Rackovic, Novi SadComponent-based
development
Rebeca Cortazar, Bilbao System integration
Rijeka
Banja Luka
Milena Stankovic, Nis System integration
Katerina Zdravkova, SkopjePrivacy, ethics and
social responsibility
Plovdiv
32
Delivered modules in the first two semesters
1 ECTS 20 hours of total student's workload
30 ECTS 15 weeks
30 ECTS 15 weeks
30 ECTS 15 weeks
33
Three models of joint degreesWhere are we?

• Identical structure and content of the complete
  curriculum in each participating university,
• ? student mobility has no added value
• Comparable courses in the study programme and
  different offers of specialisation by each
  partner university (similar core, different
  specialisation)
• Complementary courses as mandatory part of the
  study program offered by different partner
  universities

Source F. Maiworm, Joint degrees A Hallmark of
the European Higher Education Area? Official
Bologna follow-up seminar, Berlin, 21 22 Sept.
2006
34
Let s stop here ..

• and continue with
• Andrew McGettrick (Guest speaker)
• Zoran Budimac Experience and generalization
  from the delivery in its first two semesters
• Students view of the first two semesters,
  including mobility
• --------- workshop dinner ------
• Round table Sustainability

35
Andrew McGettrick

• BCS Vice-President of BSC (British Society of
  Computer Science)
• University of Strathclyde in Glasgow
• member of the Education Board of the US ACM
• deeply involved in the preparation of the CC2001
  reports on Computer Science, Software Engineering
  and Computer Engineering
• accreditation activities of the BCS