Key facts
UNE unit code: COSC220
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - On Campus
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- UNE Sydney Campus
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
Modern software development is highly collaborative. Teams of developers work together to take software from conception into production and continue to develop the software based on feedback from its use. This introduces a number of engineering challenges, as teams must ensure that the program works and is well designed, even while it is being modified by many people at once.
Many of the software engineering practices and tool chains that are core to a developer’s work are designed to support the collaborative nature of programming.
In this unit you will work in teams to develop different features of a class-wide development project, to learn how software engineers design, build, deploy, and modify large programs together.
Introducing you to key concepts, including distributed version control, continuous integration, deployment, and delivery practices, as well as agile development and software design, the unit will help you to hone invaluable applied skills.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 2 | On Campus, UNE Sydney Campus |
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
COSC220 requires a knowledge of, and programming experience with, a high level programming language. Experience with the use of the Linux/UNIX operating system is highly recommended.
To study this unit on campus at the UNE Sydney Campus you must be admitted to your course as an on campus student at the UNE Sydney Campus.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- work with other programmers and other teams of programmers on large software projects;
- apply collaborative software development practices and tool chains;
- design and develop features for a software system, from conception through to testing, deployment, and continuous improvement;
- design, model, and investigate user interaction and user experience with software;
- apply techniques for verifying the quality of software during development and explain the ethical considerations around software failure risks and their impact; and
- investigate, analyse, understand, and modify the design of program code, including code written by others.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 15% | All offerings | Online quiz and Exercises. |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Software development task. |
| Assessment 3 | Yes | 45% | All offerings | Collaborative software development project. |
| Assessment 4 | Yes | 5% | All offerings | Studio critique. |
| Final Examination | Yes | 25% | All offerings | Unsupervised take home examination. No. of words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Referenced material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
UML Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Standard Object Modeling
ISBN: 9780321193681
Fowler, M., Addison-Wesley 3rd ed. 2003
Text refers to: All offerings
Extreme Programming Explained: Embrace Change
ISBN: 9780321278654
Beck, K., Addison-Wesley Professional 2nd ed. 2004
Text refers to: All offerings
Continuous Delivery: Reliable Software Releases through Build, Test, and Deployment Automation
ISBN: 9780321601919
Humble, J. and Farley, D., Addison-Wesley 2010
Text refers to: Trimester 2 (On Campus), Trimester 2 (Online)
Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code
ISBN: 9780134757599
Fowler, M., Pearson Higher Ed 2nd ed. 2018
Text refers to: All offerings
Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
ISBN: 9780201633610
Gamma, E., Helm, R., Johnson, R. and Vlissides, J., Addison-Wesley Professional 1994
Text refers to: All offerings
A five-star experience
Five Stars,
19 Years in a Row
UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 19 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience
Good Universities Guide 2007-2025
Five Stars for
Social Equity
UNE rates among the top 20% of universities nationally and is #1 in NSW for Social Equity
Good Universities Guide 2025
Five Stars for
Graduate Employment
UNE rates among the top 20% of universities for Graduate Full-time Employment
Good Universities Guide 2025 (Undergraduate)
Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
*The Good Universities Guide
Stay connected
Register your interest and we'll keep you updated
Why study with us?
I'm grateful to UNE for the opportunities studying has given me, but above all, for making me realise I could actually do it, and giving me a sense of accomplishment.
What happens next?
Got any questions about a course you would like to study? Don’t hesitate to contact us, our Future Student team is standing by to help.
2025 applications are now open. The application process only takes 20 minutes to complete. Don’t delay, apply now!
Your start date is based on the study period you choose to apply for.
