Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Safety and Dependability
Code COMP524
Coordinator Professor S Schewe
Computer Science
Sven.Schewe@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 7 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

1. To provide a critical and in-depth understanding of all aspects of software safety and dependability; including issues realting to security, reliability and trustworthiness.
2. To provide a broad understanding of the state-of-the-art software engineering techniques currently used to address safety and dependability issues.
3. To provide an overview of the contemporary research issues relating to software safety and dependability.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) At the end of the module, a student will understand some of the problems associated with the use of computer software in critical applications where safety, security and trust are issues.

(LO2) At the end of the module, a student will understand some of the contemporary mechanisms for ensuring dependability and reliability.

(LO3) At the end of the module, a student will understand a variety of approaches to the design and development of safe and dependable systems.

(LO4) At the end of the module, a student will understand formal verification techniques in relation to the assessment of safety and dependability.

(LO5) At the end of the module, a student will  be aware of some of the contemporary research problems in the areas of safety, security, dependability and trust.

(S1) Working in groups and teams - Group action planning

(S2) Skills in using technology - Using common applications (work processing, databases, spreadsheets etc.)

(S3) Numeracy/computational skills - Reason with numbers/mathematical concepts

(S4) Numeracy/computational skills - Problem solving

(S5) Communication skills - Presenting

(S6) Problem solving - Co-designing a program and a correctness proof

(S7) Problem solving - Model (MDP) design analysis

(S8) Business and customer awareness - Brief discussion of the cost of software bugs and the cost of applying formal techniques

(S9) Information Technology (IT) skills - Formulating (probabilistic) models as Markov chains and decision processes, and using of-the-shelf tools for their analysis


Syllabus

 

Introduction to safety critical systems (1 week)
Partial and total correctness (3.5 weeks)
Dependability, reliability, and discrete stochastics (1.5 weeks)
Markov chains and decision processes (4 weeks)


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description:
Attendance Recorded: No

Due to Covid-19, in 2021/22, one or more of the following delivery methods will be implemented based on the current local conditions.
(a) Hybrid delivery
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Mix of on-campus/on-line synchronous/asynchronous sessions
Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: Mix of on-campus/on-line synchronous/asynchronous sessions

(b) Fully online delivery and assessment
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: On-line synchronous/asynchronous lectures
Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: On-line synchronous/asynchronous sessions

(c) Standard on-campus delivery
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Mix of on-campus/on-line synchronous/asynchronous sessions
Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: On-campus synchronous sessions


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 20

  20

      40
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 110
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
(524) Written Exam There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 2  150 minutes.    70       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
(524.2) Assessment 2 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 2  36 hours for all CAs    15       
(524.1) Assessment 1 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 2  36 hours for all CAs    15       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.