Informatics 291s
Literature Survey in Software Engineering
Lecture 1
Duplication of course material for any commercial purpose without the explicit written
permission of the professor is prohibited.
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 1
Logistics
• http://www.ics.uci.edu/~andre/informatics291sf2015.html
• Professor: André van der Hoek (andre@uci.edu)
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 2
Logistics
• Office hours
– every Tuesday, 9-10
– by appointment
• Open door policy
– DBH 5038
• E-mail
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 3
Catalogue description
• Reading and analysis of relevant literature in software
engineering under the direction of a faculty member
• Two quarters of 291s are required for the graduate program
in Software Engineering
– all Ph.D. students
– M.S. students choosing Capstone Plan II (comprehensive examination)
– if you pass the Phase II exam after one enrollment, you may petition
out of the second quarter, approved on a case-by-case basis
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 4
Interpretation of catalogue description
• Help students prepare for the Software Engineering written
comprehensive exam (Phase II)
• Provide course credit for the time you spend studying and
working together to learn the readings on the software
reading list
• Offers structure and motivation for working through the
reading list
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 5
Written Comprehensive Examination
• This examination is based on a predetermined reading list
maintained by the program faculty
• Preparation for this exam is done during two quarters of
Informatics 291S
• This exam is administered at most twice a year
• The exam is graded Ph.D. pass, M.S. pass, or fail
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 6
Ph.D. in Software Engineering
• Students must pass a written examination testing their
knowledge of the relevant topics and literature in Software
Engineering and their ability to formulate clear arguments in
writing and under time constraints
• In case of M.S. pass or fail, the exam may be re-taken once
more, within 12 months, in an attempt to qualify for a Ph.D.
pass
• A second M.S. pass or fail results in disqualification from the
doctoral program
– with or without a terminal M.S. degree, respectively
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 7
M.S. in Software Engineering Capstone Plan II
• Students must take the written comprehensive examination,
and obtain an M.S. pass or higher
– as completed by the end of the second year
• In case of fail, the exam may be re-taken once more
• A second fail results in disqualification from the M.S. program
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 8
Scope
• The class will cover approximately half of the papers on the
reading list
– the other half of the papers will be discussed in Spring 2016
– if you are taking the Phase II this Fall, you are responsible for reading
and knowing the other half of the papers
• You, of course, may bring into the discussion additional
papers that you deem relevant
– on the reading list
– off the reading list
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 9
Reading list
• Handout
• All papers are available today
– USB stick
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 10
Grading
• Read all of the papers from the topic that is assignment to
that week (or topics)
• Participation in class discussion
– 50%
• Weekly summaries
– 40%
• Practice answers
– 10%
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 11
Class participation
• No formal presentations, but group discussion among all class
attendees
– instructor serves as moderator
• Typical questions to discuss include
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–
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–
SDCL
how are the papers related?
what is the historical significance of the papers?
what is the relevance today of the papers?
what problems have been solved?
what are different strengths and weaknesses?
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 12
Weekly summaries
• You must provide a summary of all of the papers assigned
each week
– half page to one page for each paper
• Each summary should include
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–
–
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paper title, authors, and year
summary of contribution (a few sentences)
strengths and weaknesses
your general opinion
• value of the paper to the literature
• relationship to a current topic or need
– embellish with anything that would help you study for the exam
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 13
Practice questions
• Many questions exist from previous exams
• We will discuss these in class and in some cases practice them
as take-home homework or in-class simulated exercises
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 14
Any questions?
SDCL
Software Design and
Collaboration Laboratory
Department of Informatics, UC Irvine
sdcl.ics.uci.edu 15