Skip to main content

Software Systems Engineers

WPI SYS 579​

This graduate systems software engineering course is specially designed for non-programmers who manage software engineering projects. It is taught at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

Software has become the primary engineering mechanism for implementation. And while Systems Engineers may not write code (20% of work) , every other aspect of software engineering (80% of work) is vital to their success. And this is even more true as generative AI helps write low level code today.

Course Objective​

This hands-on course teaches the critical elements of software engineering through a class project. Requirements (using user stories), Design (using UML), Testing (using inspection) and Evaluation (using ODC). The scope is ambitious. You will learn, through working with a team applying the theory you learn in class on the work product that you are responsible to deliver. This is as close as it gets to an industry project with a coach who can teach theory and help you execute your tasks.

Students Will​

  • Build an application as a team class project.

  • Identify the pros and cons of software process models.

  • Capture requirements in natural language, User Stories, and UML.

  • Translate detailed requirements into Use Cases.

  • Implement Class diagrams and Sequence diagrams.

  • Inspect the work product, open defects and track closure.

  • Learn and apply ODC: Orthogonal Defect Classification.

  • Analyze data from cross-team artifacts.

  • Understand Software Integration and the current practice of CICD.

  • Contrast classical project management with current best practice

Student Opinions​

  1. Student Opinion 1:
  2. Student Opinion 2:
  3. Student Opinion 3:
  4. Student Opinion 4:
  5. Student Opinion 5:
  6. Student Opinion 6:

Systems Engineering Department: https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/systems-engineering"