CSSE7032 - Sem 1 2009 - St Lucia - Internal

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1. General Course Information

1.1 Course Details

Course Code: CSSE7032 Course Title: Models of Software Systems
Coordinating Unit: School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
Semester: Semester 1, 2009    Mode: Internal
Level: Postgraduate Coursework
Location: St Lucia
Number of Units: 2    Contact Hours Per Week: 3L2T
Pre-Requisites: MATH7861
Incompatible: CSSE4603
Course Description: Scientific foundations for software engineering depend on the use of precise, abstract models and logics to characterize and reason about properties of software systems. Over time, a number of basic models and logics have proven to be particularly important and pervasive in the study of software systems. This course is concerned with that body of knowledge. It considers many of the standard models for representing and reasoning about sequential and concurrent systems, such as state machines, algebras and traces.
Assumed Background: Students should have successfully completed an undergraduate course in discrete mathematics, including the following topics: first-order logic, sets, functions, relations, and proof techniques, such as induction.

1.2 Course Introduction

This course covers many of the standard models for representing sequential and concurrent systems, such as state machines, process algebras, and traces. It considers the strengths and weaknesses of the modelling formalisms for different contexts. It shows how different logics can be used to specify properties of software systems, such as functional correctness, abstraction relations, invariants, and non-determinism; inductive and denotational descriptions are recurrent themes throughout the course.

1.3 Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Paul Strooper
Phone: 3365 1628     Email: pstroop@itee.uq.edu.au
Campus: St Lucia Building: General Purpose South (Map)   Room: 324
Consultation: The best way to contact me is via email.  You are welcome to drop by my office as well, and if I have time I will see you right away or otherwise I will set up a suitable time to meet.

Lecturer: Dr Peter Robinson
Phone: 3365 3461     Email: pjr@itee.uq.edu.au
Campus: St Lucia Building: General Purpose South (Map)   Room: 316
Consultation: The best way to contact me is via email.  You are welcome to drop by my office as well, and if I have time I will see you right away or otherwise I will set up a suitable time to meet.


1.4 Timetable

Timetables are available on mySI-net.

Additional Timetable Information
The course consists of a series of lectures conducted by faculty and staff from the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, slide sets that correspond to those lectures, and readings.  You are required to complete the readings and view the lectures in your own time.  In addition, there will be a weekly, two-hour tutorial (details are available on mySI-Net), which you are required to attend.

2. Aims, Objectives & Graduate Attributes

2.1 Course Aims

This course introduces students to a number of formalisms for the modelling of software systems and reasoning about those models.  The formalisms are discussed and explored, so that students can choose the appropriate formalism for a particular system and context, model the system, and demonstrate that the model satisfies certain properties.

2.2 Learning Objectives

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

1  Understand the strengths and weaknesses of certain models and logics, including state machines, algebraic and trace models, and temporal logics.
2  Apply this understanding to select and develop abstract formal models for certain classes of systems.
3  Reason formally about the elementary properties of modelled systems.

2.3. Graduate Attributes

Successfully completing this course will contribute to the recognition of your attainment of the following UQ (Postgrad Coursework) graduate attributes:

GRADUATE ATTRIBUTELEARNING OBJECTIVES
A. IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE FIELD OF STUDY
A2. A broad understanding of the field of study, including how other disciplines relate to the field of study.  
A3. A comprehensive and in-depth knowledge in the field of study.1, 2, 3
A5. An international perspective on the field of study. 
A7. An appreciation of the link between theory and practice.1, 2, 3
B. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
B1. The ability to collect, analyse and organise information and ideas and to convey those ideas clearly and fluently, in both written and spoken forms.2, 3
B2. The ability to interact effectively with others in order to work towards a common outcome. 
B3. The ability to select and use the appropriate level, style and means of communication.2, 3
B4. The ability to engage effectively and appropriately with information and communication technologies.1, 2, 3
B5. The ability to practise as part of an interdisciplinary team. 
C. INDEPENDENCE AND CREATIVITY
C2. The ability to work and learn independently and effectively. 
C3. The ability to generate ideas and adapt innovatively to changing environments. 
C5. The ability to formulate and investigate problems, create solutions, innovate and improve current practices.2, 3
C6. The abilities and skills that provide a foundation for future leadership roles. 
D. CRITICAL JUDGEMENT
D2. The ability to apply critical reasoning to issues through independent thought and informed judgement.1, 2, 3
D4. The ability to process material and to critically analyse and integrate information from a wide range of sources.2, 3
D5. The ability to evaluate opinions, make decisions and to reflect critically on the justifications for decisions using an evidence-based approach. 
E. ETHICAL AND SOCIAL UNDERSTANDING
E1. An understanding of social and civic responsibility. 
E3. An appreciation of the philosophical and social contexts of a discipline. 
E4. A knowledge and respect of ethics and ethical standards in relation to a major area of study. 
E5. A knowledge of other cultures and times and an appreciation of cultural diversity. 
E7. The ability to work effectively and sensitively across all areas of society. 
E8. An understanding of and respect for the roles and expertise of associated disciplines. 

3. Learning Resources

3.1 Required Resources

J. Magee and J. Kramer. Concurrency - State Models and Java Programs, second edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2006. URL
 
The course Blackboard site (http://blackboard.elearning.uq.edu.au) will be used to make announcements and to provide electronic copies of all course handouts.  Note that only students officially enrolled in CSSE4603/7032 will have access to the course Blackboard site. URL
 

3.2 Recommended Resources

J. Woodcock and J. Davies. Using Z: Specification, Refinement, and Proof, Prentice-Hall International, 1996.  This book is available on-line at http://www.usingz.com. URL
 

J.M. Spivey.  The Z Notation: A Reference Manual, second edition, Prentice-Hall, 1992. This book is available on-line at http://spivey.oriel.ox.ac.uk/~mike/zrm.

URL
 
M. Huth and M. Ryan. Logic in Computer Science, Modelling and Reasoning about Systems, second edition, Cambridge University Press, 2004. URL
 
Additional readings will be made available through the UQ Blackboard site for the course. URL
 

3.3 University Learning Resources

Access to required and recommended resources, plus past central exam papers, is available at the UQ Library website (http://library.uq.edu.au/search/r?SEARCH=CSSE7032).

The University offers a range of resources and services to support student learning. Details are available on the myServices website (https://student.my.uq.edu.au/).

3.4 School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Learning Resources

Students enrolled at St Lucia who wish to retain a hard copy of this profile can use the free print quota provided each semester to students enrolled in courses in the School of Information Technology & Electrical Engineering. For information on how to use this print quota, see the School Policy on Student Photocopying and Printing (St Lucia) (http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/about_ITEE/policies/copy-print.html).

ITEE course websites can be found at http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~COURSECODE. Many ITEE courses also have Usenet newsgroups, named uq.itee.COURSECODE. Instructions for accessing newsgroups are available at http://studenthelp.itee.uq.edu.au/faq/1stYearFAQ.html#accessnews.

3.5 Other Learning Resources & Information

Lectures

A DVD with the lectures for the course will be distributed at the first tutorial session.

Facilities

ITEE computing laboratories where you can work on weekly homework assignments and projects are normally open (accessible using swipe card) 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.  Note that only students officially enrolled in CSSE4603/7032 will have accounts and disk space created for them.  External access is provided - see the link "Remote Access" on http://studenthelp.itee.uq.edu.au/.

Consultation

There will be no scheduled consultation times for the course, other than for the projects and the final exam.  If you wish to discuss an issue related to the course, the best way is to send email to one of the instructors.  Consultation times for the projects and the final exam will be posted on the course Blackboard site.

Handouts

Electronic copies of all handouts will be made available on the course Blackboard site.

Distribution of notices

Announcements will be made in the tutorial sessions, on the course Blackboard site and via email as necessary.  You are expected to read the notices on the Blackboard site regularly.

4. Teaching & Learning Activities

4.1 Learning Activities

Date
Activity
Learning Objectives
2 Mar 09 - 5 Jun 09
Tutorials (Tutorial Series): There will be a weekly two-hour tutorial session, starting in the first week of semester.
1, 2, 3
2 Mar 09 - 5 Jun 09
Lectures (Lecture Series): Recordings of lectures conducted by faculty and staff from the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University will be distributed on DVD.
1, 2, 3

4.2 Other Teaching and Learning Activities Information

The schedule of lectures will be posted on the course Blackboard site. You are required to complete a series of readings related to each lecture, as indicated in the schedule on the Blackboard site. These weekly readings are used to elaborate the material presented in the lectures and also to expose you to course topics not covered directly in the lectures.  The lectures lead the way through a series of weekly homework assignments and projects.

The tutorial sessions will be used to clarify and elaborate points raised in the lectures and readings, and to assist with and provide feedback on the weekly homework assignments and projects.

5. Assessment

5.1 Assessment Summary

This is a summary of the assessment in the course. For detailed information on each assessment, see 5.5 Assessment Detail below.

Assessment Task
Due Date
Weighting
Learning Objectives
Problem Set/s
Weekly homework assignments
6 Mar 09 16:00 - 5 Jun 09 16:00
30%
1, 2, 3
Project Report
Project 1
8 Apr 09 16:00
10%
1, 2, 3
Project Report
Project 2
6 May 09 16:00
10%
1, 2, 3
Project Report
Project 3
27 May 09 16:00
10%
1, 2, 3
Exam - during Exam Period (Central)
Final examination
Examination Period
40%
1, 2, 3

5.2 Course Grading


Grade 1, Fail: Fails to demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course:

Final >= 0% and Exam >= 0%



Grade 2, Fail: Demonstrates clear deficiencies in understanding and applying fundamental concepts; communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete or confusing and give little attention to the conventions of the discipline:

Final >= 20% and Exam >= 20%



Grade 3, Fail: Demonstrates superficial or partial or faulty understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study and limited ability to apply these concepts; presents undeveloped or inappropriate or unsupported arguments; communicates information or ideas with lack of clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline:

Final >= 45% and Exam >= 45%



Grade 4, Pass: Demonstrates adequate understanding and application of the fundamental concepts of the field of study; develops routine arguments or decisions and provides acceptable justification; communicates information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline:

Final >= 50% and Exam >= 50%



Grade 5, Credit: Demonstrates substantial understanding of fundamental concepts of the field of study and ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; develops or adapts convincing arguments and provides coherent justification; communicates information and ideas clearly and fluently in terms of the conventions of the discipline:

Final >= 65% and Exam >= 65%



Grade 6, Distinction: As for 5, with frequent evidence of originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and in creating solutions; uses a level, style and means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience:

Final >= 75% and Exam >= 75%



Grade 7, High Distinction: As for 6, with consistent evidence of substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critically evaluates problems, their solutions and implications:

Final >= 85% and Exam >= 85%



Other Requirements & Comments : As indicated above, each of the grades for the course have cut-offs for the final mark (Final) in the course as well as the exam mark (Exam).

5.3 Late Submission

No extensions will be granted except in exceptional personal circumstances (documented medical reason or family emergency). Personal hardware or computer failures are not grounds for extension.

5.4 Other Assessment Information

Return of marked material

Weekly homework assignments and project reports will be returned in tutorial sessions.

Group mark distribution

The projects are completed in teams and team members are expected to participate equally in projects.  A peer assessment will be carried out at the end of semester, in which team members get a chance to assess the performance of all team members on each project.  If this peer assessment consistently indicates that the contribution of team members was uneven, some of the marks for the projects may be redistributed at the discretion of the course coordinator.  If this happens, all team members will be informed of this.

5.5 Assessment Detail


Weekly homework assignments
Type: Problem Set/s
Learning Objectives Assessed: 1, 2, 3
Due Date:
         6 Mar 09 16:00 - 5 Jun 09 16:00
Weight: 30%
Task Description:

There will be weekly homework assignments.  Each homework assignment is worth 3%. To determine the 30% for the homework assignments, we will count your 10 best marks.

The problem sets for the homework assignments will be available from the course Blackboard site.  The assignments are due at 4pm on the Friday of each week, except in weeks in which the Friday is a public holiday, in which case they are due on the preceding Thursday.

The weekly homework assignments give you practice using models, logics, and tools on small problems, and to provide you with feedback on your ability and progress in the course.


Criteria & Marking:

Marks for the questions will be indicated on the handouts and will be assigned for correctness of the presented solution.  Your homework assignments must be prepared electronically in an appropriate format; hand-written homework assignments will not be accepted.


Submission: You must hand in your homework assignments in the submission box on Level 1 of GP South.

Project 1
Type: Project Report
Learning Objectives Assessed: 1, 2, 3
Due Date:
         8 Apr 09 16:00
Weight: 10%
Task Description:

In this project, you will model and validate a moderately sized system using FSP, without using parallel composition.

The project gives you a chance to apply the ideas of the course on a semi-realistic case study. It will be completed by a team and team members are expected to participate equally in the project.


Criteria & Marking:

Detailed assessment criteria will be provided on the project handout.


Submission: You must hand in your project report in the submission box on Level 1 of GP South.

Project 2
Type: Project Report
Learning Objectives Assessed: 1, 2, 3
Due Date:
         6 May 09 16:00
Weight: 10%
Task Description:

In this project, you will model and validate a moderately sized system using the Z notation.

The project gives you a chance to apply the ideas of the course on a semi-realistic case study. It will be completed by a team and team members are expected to participate equally in the project.


Criteria & Marking:

Detailed assessment criteria will be provided on the project handout.


Submission: You must hand in your project report in the submission box on Level 1 of GP South.

Project 3
Type: Project Report
Learning Objectives Assessed: 1, 2, 3
Due Date:
         27 May 09 16:00
Weight: 10%
Task Description:

In this project, you will model and validate a moderately sized system using FSP (including the use of parallel composition).

The project gives you a chance to apply the ideas of the course on a semi-realistic case study. It will be completed by a team and team members are expected to participate equally in the project.


Criteria & Marking:

Detailed assessment criteria will be provided on the project handout.


Submission: You must hand in your project report in the submission box on Level 1 of GP South.

Final examination
Type: Exam - during Exam Period (Central)
Learning Objectives Assessed: 1, 2, 3
Due Date:
         Examination Period
Weight: 40%
Perusal: 10 minutes
Duration: 120 minutes
Format: Problem solving
Task Description:

A two-hour final examination will be held during the final examination period.  This exam will be open-book, which means that you may bring any written or printed material into the examination room.  Calculators and other computing or communication devices are NOT permitted.

The examination is used to assess both the practical ability of the students on small problems and their understanding of the course material.


Criteria & Marking:

Marks for the questions will be indicated on the examination paper and will be assigned for correctness of the presented solution.



6. Policies & Guidelines

 
This section contains the details of and links to the most relevant policies and course guidelines. For further details on University Policies please visit myAdvisor and the University Handbook of Policies and Procedures.

6.1 Assessment Related Policies and Guidelines

University Policies & Guidelines

An overview of the University’s assessment-related policies can be found on myAdvisor (http://www.uq.edu.au/myadvisor/index.html?page=2910).

Academic Integrity
It is the University's task to encourage ethical scholarship and to inform students and staff about the institutional standards of academic behaviour expected of them in learning, teaching and research. Students have a responsibility to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity in their work. Students must not cheat in examinations or other forms of assessment and must ensure they do not plagiarise.

Plagiarism
The University has adopted the following definition of plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting as one's own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media.

Students are encouraged to read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25128) which makes a comprehensive statement about the University's approach to plagiarism, including the approved use of plagiarism detection software, the consequences of plagiarism and the principles associated with preventing plagiarism.

Feedback on Assessment
Feedback is essential to effective learning and students can expect to receive appropriate and timely feedback on all assessment. For a detailed explanation of the feedback you are entitled to, you should consult the policy on Student Access to Feedback on Assessment. (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25109)

As a student you have a responsibility to incorporate feedback into your learning; make use of the assessment criteria that you are given; be aware of the rules, policies and other documents related to assessment; and provide teachers with feedback on their assessment practices.

There are certain steps you can take if you feel your result does not reflect your performance. Please refer to the myAdvisor web site. (http://www.uq.edu.au/myadvisor/index.html?page=2953)

School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Assessment Guidelines

Misconduct

Further to the statement on academic integrity and plagiarism above, students are required to read and understand the ITEE policy on Student Misconduct (http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/about_ITEE/policies/student-misconduct.html).

Late Arrival or Non-attendance at Examinations

The policy and procedure for late arrival or non-attendance at centrally controlled and school-based examinations is set out in the University's Assessment policy (HUPP 3.30.1), section 4.8 at http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25109.

In the case that a student requests a special exam for a School-controlled exam, the request will be considered and, if allowed, the timing shall be determined by the course coordinator, in consultation with the School's Chief Examiner where necessary, and in accordance with HUPP 3.30.1. Unless otherwise indicated in the Course Profile, applications must be made in writing to the Head of School no later than 5 days after the exam. Late applications will not be accepted.
 
Examination Feedback
 
In addition to the advice above, students wishing to view examination answer scripts and/or question papers should consult with the School office (Room 217, General Purpose South Building [78], St Lucia) regarding arrangements. The ITEE policy on exam script viewing is available at http://study.itee.uq.edu.au/current_students/exam_script_viewing.html.

Supplementary Assessment

If you fail this course you may be eligible for supplementary assessment - see the general award rules and/or your program rules for details. You should note that even though you may be eligible for supplementary assessment under these rules, in some circumstances there may be no practical assessment that can be offered to allow you to meet the minimum passing requirements. These circumstances may include failure based on:
  • group or team based assessment;
  • attendance or class participation requirements;
  • laboratory-based assessment, where laboratories can't practically be made available after classes have finished;
  • project or thesis-based assessment, where a significant period of time would be required to undertake supplementary assessment;
  • progressive assessment, where subsequent assessment items build on earlier assessment items; or
  • multiple assessment items, where it is impractical to offer multiple supplementary assessment items.
If the course coordinator determines that there is no practical supplementary assessment that can be offered to allow you to improve your grade, then you will not be offered supplementary assessment and your grade will remain unchanged.


Calculators in Examinations

Some examinations in the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering restrict the type of calculator that can be used. If this course profile does not specify any calculator restrictions, you should check with the course coordinator as to whether any restrictions apply. In some examinations, you may only be permitted to use an EPSA/EAIT approved and lablled non-programmable calculator. It is your responsibility to ensure you have a suitable approved and labelled calculator if required.

6.2 Other Policies and Guidelines

University Policies and Guidelines

Placement Courses
Students on a placement course – also known as a work placement, internship, industry study, industry experience, clinical practice, clinical placement, practical work, practicum, fieldwork, teaching practice – should refer to the University policy, Placement Courses (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25120) for detailed information.
 
Working with Children
Students whose studies include a professional/work placement, internship, clinical practice, teaching practice or other similar activity which involves them in regular contact with children should refer to the University policy, Working with Children Check - "blue card" (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25004) to find out how to apply for a ‘blue card’.
 
Students with a Disability
Any student with a disability who may require alternative academic arrangements, including assessment, in the course/program is encouraged to seek advice at the commencement of the semester from a Disability Adviser at Student Support Services. Refer to the University policy, Students with a Disability (Disability Action Plan) (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25122) and to the policy on Special Arrangements for Examinations for Students with a Disability (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25111

Where an adjustment is made to an accredited program, it is the responsibility of the relevant Faculty to liaise with professional and registration bodies regarding the acceptability of the change/s.  

Occupational Health and Safety
Undergraduate Students (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25055) and Postgraduate Students (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25057) should be familiar with the University policies on occupational health and safety in the laboratory.

Other School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Guidelines

Ethical Clearance
If your course involves assignment or project work involving human subjects or human-related materials, you must investigate the need for ethical clearance and obtain it when required. Information on ethical clearance can be found at http://www.uq.edu.au/research/orps/index.html?page=5064&pid=5256.

Learning Summary

 

Below is a table showing the relationship between the learning objectives for this course and the broader graduate attributes developed, the learning activities used to develop each objective and the assessment task used to assess each objective.

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

1  Understand the strengths and weaknesses of certain models and logics, including state machines, algebraic and trace models, and temporal logics.
2  Apply this understanding to select and develop abstract formal models for certain classes of systems.
3  Reason formally about the elementary properties of modelled systems.


Assessment & Learning Activities

  Learning Objectives
  1 2 3
Learning Activities
Tutorials (Tutorial Series)
selected
selected
selected
Lectures (Lecture Series)
selected
selected
selected
Assessment Tasks
Weekly homework assignments
selected
selected
selected
Project 1
selected
selected
selected
Project 2
selected
selected
selected
Project 3
selected
selected
selected
Final examination
selected
selected
selected

Graduate Attributes

Successfully completing this course will contribute to the recognition of your attainment of the following UQ (Postgrad Coursework) graduate attributes:

  Learning Objectives
  1 2 3
Graduate Attributes
A IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE FIELD OF STUDY
A2. A broad understanding of the field of study, including how other disciplines relate to the field of study.      
A3. A comprehensive and in-depth knowledge in the field of study.
selected
selected
selected
A5. An international perspective on the field of study.      
A7. An appreciation of the link between theory and practice.
selected
selected
selected
B EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
B1. The ability to collect, analyse and organise information and ideas and to convey those ideas clearly and fluently, in both written and spoken forms.  
selected
selected
B2. The ability to interact effectively with others in order to work towards a common outcome.      
B3. The ability to select and use the appropriate level, style and means of communication.  
selected
selected
B4. The ability to engage effectively and appropriately with information and communication technologies.
selected
selected
selected
B5. The ability to practise as part of an interdisciplinary team.      
C INDEPENDENCE AND CREATIVITY
C2. The ability to work and learn independently and effectively.      
C3. The ability to generate ideas and adapt innovatively to changing environments.      
C5. The ability to formulate and investigate problems, create solutions, innovate and improve current practices.  
selected
selected
C6. The abilities and skills that provide a foundation for future leadership roles.      
D CRITICAL JUDGEMENT
D2. The ability to apply critical reasoning to issues through independent thought and informed judgement.
selected
selected
selected
D4. The ability to process material and to critically analyse and integrate information from a wide range of sources.  
selected
selected
D5. The ability to evaluate opinions, make decisions and to reflect critically on the justifications for decisions using an evidence-based approach.      
E ETHICAL AND SOCIAL UNDERSTANDING
E1. An understanding of social and civic responsibility.      
E3. An appreciation of the philosophical and social contexts of a discipline.      
E4. A knowledge and respect of ethics and ethical standards in relation to a major area of study.      
E5. A knowledge of other cultures and times and an appreciation of cultural diversity.      
E7. The ability to work effectively and sensitively across all areas of society.      
E8. An understanding of and respect for the roles and expertise of associated disciplines.