During this summer school, you will acquire hands-on experience with thorough testing and verification of software systems, to guarantee with a certain degree of confidence that a given software system meets its specification.
This course combines practical application with foundational theoretical content. Lectures will introduce key concepts, while homework readings will deepen your understanding. Students will also participate in several engaging lab sessions, trying out several test techniques and strategies on an existing software system.
Target group
The summer school is designed for students who have followed 3-4 years of computer science, software engineering at university level, or a similar educational programme (for instance, master's students from a European computer science programme).
Prerequisites
You have profound experience with programming in an object-oriented language (e.g. C++, Java). Advanced programming constructs (exceptions, threads) contain no secrets for you.
You have hands-on experience with the testing of software (e.g. you wrote unit tests using XUnit).
You are capable of reading and interpreting a design written down in the most commonly used design notations (UML, statecharts, ...)
You can demonstrate deep knowledge concerning the formal foundations of computer science (logics, algorithms, complexity theory, finite automata).
You can specify the pre- and post-conditions and the invariants for a given software module (cfr. design by contract).
You are well aware of the various phases in a software project (requirements, analysis, design, implementation, testing, maintenance).
You have knowledge about techniques for managing quality during a project (cost estimation, code reviews, metrics)
The easiest way to satisfy these prerequisites is to have a passing grade for a bachelor level course in Software Engineering.
Campus
This summer school takes place at Stadscampus (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) of the University of Antwerp. This campus is located in the city centre.
Micro-credential and study credits (ECTS)
Successful completion of the summer school can be awarded with 6 credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits will be awarded by the University of Antwerp based on attending the preparatory track, 100% (active) participation during the course, passing the exam, and submission of the individual projects after the course.
To include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need an agreement with the responsible person at their university. Students of the University of Antwerp eligible to include the ECTS credits as part of their study programme must register via Mobility Online and SisA.
All certificates of completion are issued as a micro-credential. Participants who attend the scheduled course contact hours, but don't complete the tasks will receive a certificate of attendance.
Learning outcomes
After following this course, participants will be able to:
apply white-box and black-box test techniques to build a test-suite;
assess and improve the coverage of a test suite;
distinguish between various test automation strategies;
select black-box model-learning techniques;
select the most appropriate test techniques for a given test strategy.