The descriptions are for modules currently being taught. They should be viewed as an example of the modules we provide. All modules are subject to change for later academic years.

Computers & Software (CAS) 2009/0

Workload - Private Study - Assessment - Description - Learning Outcomes - Content - Teaching Materials - Recommended Books

Module Code 0640205
Lecturers Andrew Rae, David Pumfrey, Ibrahim Habli, Mark Nicholson, Tim Kelly
Taken By SCSE, SSE
Number of Credits 10
Part B
Teaching Sum/3
Closed Assessments [100%] TBA
[100%] TBA

Module Prerequisites

Prerequisite knowledge

Students attending this module are expected either to have completed the FSE and HRA modules, or to be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge of system safety concepts and methods, with particular emphasis on hazard identification and assessment techniques.

Prerequisite modules

Workload

  • Lectures: 35 x 1hr
  • Private Study: 30hrs
  • Assessment: 35hrs

The teaching for this module combines traditional lectures with a number of exercises and case studies which will be tackled in small groups with a lecturer leading each group.

Private Study

Students are expected to read around the subject. Background information relating to examples which will be studied on the module may be posted on the course web page; students will be expected to have read this material. Many of the exercises and case studies contain more material than can be completed in the group sessions, and students are expected to continue working on these in private study time.

Assessment

Closed Assessments

  • , hours
  • , hours

Description

This course is primarily intended to give system safety engineers an introduction to the issues that must be considered when computers are used in safety-critical or safety-related applications. The course starts with a rapid overview of how computer systems work, from basic hardware components up to application software. The emphasis throughout this introduction is on highlighting areas that are of potential concern to safety engineers. This introduction is followed by a more in-depth examination of the software development process, considering especially aspects of requirements specification, design and analysis that are critical to deployment of computers in safety-critical applications. The course also considers the structuring and collection of evidence for the software safety case.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will have:

  • An awareness of the most significant issues affecting the use of computers in safety critical applications;
  • An understanding of the software development process;
  • An understanding of the requirements for a software safety case, and the types of evidence that may be presented.

Content

  • Overview of computer hardware and software safety issues
  • Software development process
  • Software safety requirements
  • Software hazard and safety analysis
  • The role of architecture
  • The safety implications of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software and legacy systems
  • Programming language and operating system choice for safety critical systems
  • Software safety evidence

Teaching Materials

Copies of all lecture slides, case studies and exercises, will be provided.

Recommended Books

Rating Author Title Publisher Year
*** Leveson, N.G. Safeware: System Safety and Computers Addison Wesley 1995
*** Storey, N. Safety Critical Computer Systems Addison Wesley 1996
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Last updated: 26th May 2011