Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMPT 373 D100

Software Development Methods (3)

Class Number: 5510

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 4, 2025
    Thu, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 276 or 275, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Survey of modern software development methodology. Several software development process models will be examined, as will the general principles behind such models. Provides experience with different programming paradigms and their advantages and disadvantages during software development.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course exposes students to modern software development practices. Several software best practices will be introduced. Students will gain experience with different programming methodologies and their advantages and disadvantages during software development. The course includes lectures, discussions, exercises, and project homework to supplement significant development work. Students will work in groups of up to eight individuals on term projects assigned by the instructor. Projects will be implemented using C++ or Rust, developed for and using a Linux oriented platform. Students are marked individually depending on their adherence to good programming and development practices and contributions to the project. This course involves substantial independent and collaborative work. To succeed, students must actively participate within in-class components and meet with their teams to collaborate on the term project.

Topics

  • Development best practices
  • Agile software development in practice
  • Managing complexity and designing maintainable software
  • Software-engineering tools and environments

Grading

NOTES:

Course work will consist of reading responses, code reviews, quizzes, a significant semester project, significant programming exercises, and exams. The marking scheme will be given in the first week of the course.

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

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reference Books

  • Working Effectively with Legacy Code, Michael Feathers, Prentice Hall, 2005, 9780131177055
  • More Effective Agile, Steve McConnell, Construx Press, 2019, 9781733518215
  • Effective Java, Joshua Bloch, Addison-Wesley Professional, 2017, 9780134685991
  • A Philosophy of Software Design, John Ousterhout , Yaknyam Press, 2021, ‎ 9781732102217 (sourced from Amazon, not available at SFU Bookstore)
  • Code Complete, 2nd Edition, Steve McConnell, Microsoft Press, 2004, 9780735619678

REQUIRED READING:

The Pragmatic Programmer: your journey to mastery, 20th Anniversary Edition
Andrew Hunt, David Thomas
Addison-Wesley Professional
2019
ISBN: 9780135956977

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.