CIS 2320: Software Quality Assurance & Testing
Fall 2024
Professor Tookey
Tu Th 3:30-4:45
3 credits

Welcome!
This class (quality and testing) is merged between Randolph and Williston campus. The goal is to prepare you to prepare quality, working projects, of course.  

This course introduces the concepts, techniques, and tools used for evaluating and ensuring the quality of computer software. Topics include dimensions and implications of quality, code reviews, test construction, test coverage metrics, partition testing, website testing, and current test support tools, including issue tracking systems.

Instructor Information:
Contacting Me:
You can reach me at krt08260@vermontstate.edu, keith.tookey@vermontstate.edu, or keith.tookey@gmail.com ; when you send me a message please put our course name in the subject line. I check email fairly often.
Student Hours and Location(s):
The best times to chat with me are often right after class, but you can always schedule a ZOOM appointment by email.
Schedule a Meeting with Me:
I welcome you to schedule a meeting with me to answer any questions, or discuss something privately, such as your grades. Stay at the end of class or email me to make an appointment.

Course Description
This course covers methods for designing quality software. Debugging is a VERY important topic in this class.  The best way you learn to design quality software is… by designing quality software!  Learn by doing! Individual work should be done without outside help.  Class and small group examples MAY be used as models as needed.

Modality Expectations
Class is ALWAYS available by ZOOM. Most of you probably prefer ZOOM, but I encourage meeting in groups in a physical space, especially for group activities.
For this class, it is important that you have a reliable computer and internet access. If your computer breaks, VTSU’s Information Technology (IT) office may have the ability to provide loaner technology on a temporary basis; to get started, enter a help request at https://servicedesk.vsc.edu/.

Instructional Strategies
Class presentations are recorded, and should be watched.  During class time, small group work is emphasized as a learning tool.  
Instructional Materials
Required Resources
It is not required to purchase a textbook.  
“A Friendly Introduction to Software Testing” by Bill Laboon is available online.
https://dokumen.pub/a-friendly-introduction-to-software-testing-9781523477371.html

Many materials will be available at:
https://www.tookeymonster.com/QA

Canvas
Many materials will be available on CANVAS.  
Grading Policies and Scale
Grading Practices and Policies
Grades are based on Exams (40%), Project (20%), individual work (30%) and participation (10%).
Approximate grade standing is available on Canvas.  Questions about grades can ALWAYS be directed to Tookey.
Exams: Exams include written (short essay) questions designed to assess conceptual knowledge given prior to the exam, as well as more focused practical questions. There will be a midterm and a final, each worth 20% of your grade.
There is an individual substantial Final Project assigned for this class, the grade for the project will count as an exam grade, making the project also 20%.

Group Work – There will often be times in class when you will be working in small groups to solve problems. Groups work together and hand in one solution.  Each member of the group must INDIVIDUALLY send to the professor your estimation of how much work was done by each member of the group.  Percentages MUST add up to 100%.

Due Dates:
The target grade for completion of homework is ONE WEEK from when it is assigned, except for the final project.  No credit will be given for assignments handed in later than TWO WEEKS, unless otherwise announced.  Assignments do not complete themselves—if you are having difficulty, ask for help!

Class Expectations
Assignments:
Normally, there will be assignments made regularly, at least weekly, often a small group assignment, followed by an individual assignment.  Complete assignments within a week, or ask for help.

Punctuality:
One of the easiest ways to fail this course is to put off doing required work. Procrastination is usually fatal in this class.  If you are having trouble completing work, the BEST thing to do is to go to office hours early and often.   The WORST thing to do is to wait, hoping the homework will magically complete itself.  It won’t.  Labs and homework should be completed within two weeks of being assigned, except for the project.

Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is required. Attendance by ZOOM counts, but you are expected to be in the ZOOM room for the whole period, have your camera on, and have a working microphone.  Classes are normally recorded.  You are responsible for material covered and announcements made whether you are there or not. Attendance and class participation are included in your grade. It is solely the option of the instructor what to do about classes missed for any reason. If you MUST miss, an E-mail to my office must be made as soon as you know you will miss. If you miss class for ANY reason, you are still responsible for learning missed material. You may come by office hours to review work missed. If you tell me at class time of a future absence, please also send me an email. Religious observances and College sponsored events may be a valid reason to miss class, but must be arranged PERSONALLY BY YOU in advance, and you still need to learn missed material. There will be some small group work in this class. Missing a day on which there is small group work or a lab means that you need to do the work by yourself instead of with help, or get a ZERO for the assignment.
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is a core value which insures respect for all. VTSU expects that students will conduct themselves in an honest and ethical manner and respect the intellectual work of others.  Please ask about my expectations regarding permissible or encouraged forms of student collaboration if they are unclear.   At minimum, all sources of help must be reported.  The minimum penalty for academic dishonesty is a 0 for the work in question.  Academic Honesty violations will be reported.
Collaboration in a classroom small group project is perfectly fine; forming study groups is an excellent idea; collaboration on individual assignments is academic dishonesty unless approved and reported in advance.

Failure to Complete Work:
Anyone who fails to do required work, misses an exam, has inappropriate classroom conduct, or has serious attendance problems, will be warned and if the problem is not corrected will be failed.  Failure to hand in or present an assignment is sufficient grounds to be dropped.  (Keep a backup copy of anything important.  NEVER hand in the only copy.)  

Punctuality:
Showing up late for class is disruptive, and you risk missing important announcements and foundational material. I normally start on time and use the full class period.

Commitment to a Positive Learning Environment:
If you are picked on, bullied, harassed, discriminated against, assaulted, or suffer any other problem which interferes with your participation in the learning environment, please contact the appropriate office.  Faculty are legally required to report problems, such as physical assault, if they become aware of them.  Your instructor is willing to help, or find you help, if you need it. Every student deserves equal opportunity to participate in the class.

Classroom and Student Conduct:
Please do your part to make the classroom a constructive learning environment for everyone by restraining from engaging in distracting behaviors. Unprofessional behavior by students during the course is grounds for dismissal. Any distraction from class counts as an absence.  Please be on time.  Be professional.     If your behavior becomes a distraction in the classroom, you will be warned, and if the problem is not corrected, you will be removed from the class.
We will work together to develop a learning community that is inclusive, supportive, and respectful, in line with the Vermont State College System’s Diversity Statement. Within our community, we will examine expressions of various ideas, opinions, and beliefs. You are encouraged to communicate your thoughts, and also, please allow others in the group to communicate their thoughts. We will all listen carefully, think critically, and ask relevant questions to engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue and learning, upholding the dignity of each individual in our class. Our focus is on achieving the student learning objectives. Please let me know if there are circumstances affecting your ability to learn in this class. Additionally, behavior that disrupts the ability to teach and learn will not be tolerated.

Constructive Dialog:
Any speech or behavior that shows disrespect or intolerance towards others in class is unacceptable. As college students, you will be expected to participate in class discussions in ways that demonstrate maturity, civility, and open-mindedness with respect to our diversity (including, but not limited to, differences in educational and economic backgrounds, age, race, sexuality, ability, politics, religion, etc.). This doesn’t mean that you can’t disagree with me or your classmates, in fact I encourage that! But all disagreements must come with the spirit of tolerance and mutual respect that an equitable classroom requires.

Discrimination and Harassment:
Vermont State University is committed to maintaining an educational and working environment free from discrimination, harassment and related unprofessional conduct. Discrimination on the basis of a person’s race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, positive HIV-related blood test results, or any other status protected by state or federal law (collectively “protected categories”) is prohibited. Sexual harassment, racial harassment, and harassment based upon a person’s status in a protected category are forms of discrimination and will not be tolerated. In addition, inappropriate sexual relationships between VSC employees and students, including those that may not otherwise rise to the level of sexual harassment, are prohibited.   

Academic Support, Disability Services and ADA Accommodations 
(Center for Academic Success)
All students are strongly encouraged to utilize available resources, for help in the writing and revision process. In addition to offering invaluable tutoring services in English, Student Support Services provides all students access to innovative assistive technology practices and systems. The Center for Academic Success operates facilities in Randolph Center (Conant Hall), and in the 400 Building of the Williston Campus. Appointments are available on a regular basis, free of charge. Please visit them for more information, either in person or via their presence on the Vermont Tech website.   

 It is Vermont State University’s goal that learning experiences be as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability, please let me know immediately so that we can discuss options and I can inform you about the accommodation process. Or you contact Disability Services at DisabilityServices@VermontState.edu to begin this conversation or to establish accommodations.

Attendance and Participation
This is a small, interactive class. I expect that you will attend and participate in all scheduled classes, which will have a direct and positive impact on your success.  I also understand that life happens – illness, emergencies – contact me as soon as possible if you have difficulties.  Missing an exam needs to be discussed BEFORE the exam begins. Any time you miss a class, it is your responsibility to inform me (in advance, if possible). Since presentations and class meetings are normally recorded, missing class can usually be made up, but it is important to interact with other students, so please attend most class meetings.

Academic Integrity 
At Vermont State University, we expect high standards of academic integrity from all community members as we engage in our academic work. Academic integrity encompasses honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and the courage to act on these fundamental values. Examples of failure to uphold academic integrity include using unauthorized aids or artificial intelligence systems, copying another person’s work on exams, quizzes, or assignments, or engaging in other forms of plagiarism. To plagiarize is to take someone else’s words or ideas and pass them off as one’s own. The sharing of VTSU password and login credentials to misrepresent oneself in online learning is another violation of academic integrity. Violations need not be intentional in nature. All members of the VTSU community are expected to understand their responsibility to act with integrity and to seek assistance and/or clarity when uncertain. If you have any questions about what does or does not constitute academic integrity, please ask me. At a MINIMUM, all sources used must be cited.
to provide loaner technology on a temporary basis; contact the Helpdesk to inquire.