Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMPT 276 D100

Introduction to Software Engineering (3)

Class Number: 5437

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One W course, CMPT 225, (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)) and (MATH 151 or MATH 150), all with a minimum grade of C-. MATH 154 or MATH 157 with at least a B+ may be substituted for MATH 151 or MATH 150.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An overview of various techniques used for software development and software project management. Major tasks and phases in modern software development, including requirements, analysis, documentation, design, implementation, testing,and maintenance. Project management issues are also introduced. Students complete a team project using an iterative development process. Students with credit for CMPT 275 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

The theory and practice of software development are introduced. Students will learn the standard methodologies underlying software development, including requirements, analysis, documentation, design, implementation, testing, maintenance, debugging, refactoring, and version control. The term-long group project will have deliverables throughout the term, focusing on inception/elaboration, implementation, testing, refactoring, and presentation of the project. The focus of the course is on preparing students to be effective members of a software development team. The programming language for the lectures, assignments, and the project will be Java.

Topics

  • Version control
  • Software development life cycles
  • Requirements: system analysis and modelling, requirements engineering
  • High-level Design: UML, architectural, etc
  • Design principles and design patterns
  • UI design
  • Concurrency & Multithreading
  • Build Automation + Documentation
  • Unit & integration testing
  • Debugging
  • Refactoring
  • Team work

Grading

NOTES:

The final grade for this course will be calculated as a weighted sum of scores for the group project, exams, assignments, quizzes, and git and class activities.
For passing the course, you need to pass all course components.
Details to be announced first week of class.

Students must attain an overall passing grade on all components of the course in order to obtain a clear pass (C- or better).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Ebook: Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach
Author: Cei / Pressman
Publisher: Mcgraw
Edition: 9


ISBN: 9781260569650

RECOMMENDED READING:

Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software, Gamma, E., Helm, R., Johnson, R., Vlissides, J. Addison-Wesley 9780201633610

Thinking in Java, Bruce Eckel, 4th Edition, Pearson, 9780131872486

Effective Software Testing: A developer's guide, Mauricio Aniche 

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code, Martin Fowler, Kent Beck, Addison-Wesley, 9780201485677

Why Programs Fail: A Guide to Systematic Debugging, Andreas Zeller, 2nd Edition, Morgan-Kaufmann, 9780123745156

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.
 
  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a C- or higher.
  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.