Abstract
In this article, we present a requirements engineering curriculum in the context of an undergraduate course on software engineering for students of computer science. The novelty of our approach is a broadened scope. We complement the discussion of established notions and concepts with the concept of formal methods, i.e., specification notations with precisely defined, formal syntax and semantics. To this end, we have chosen one very simple formal notation, the well-known decision tables, which allows us to give a comprehensive definition of syntax and semantics, and precise notions of completeness, consistency, vacuity, etc. in one lecture. The didactical idea is that if students are exposed to one comprehensive example, it should be significantly easier to adapt to one of the numerous formal specification notations in use (or about to be in use) in their future workplace. To complete the picture of the spectrum of formal notations, the curriculum includes Live Sequence Charts as a more expressive formal notation (which comes at the price of a more complex definition), again with comprehensive definition of syntax and semantics. The effectiveness of our curriculum is evaluated on empirical data from three seasons of teaching this curriculum.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
