About this course: The design step in developing software has some unique characteristics. First of all, it’s the only step where drawing pictures of things is the norm. Why is that? What do pictures do that other representations cannot do? Pictures have varying levels of detail; pictures have context. Pictures…paint a picture. Why are these things important? In this course, too, we begin looking at other disciplines (building architecture is a favorite one) for lessons on design.
Who is this class for: This is a graduate class and it will be best appreciated by students who have a solid foundation in basic software engineering, who can code well (although no real coding is required) and who have had at least internships if not full-time jobs in software development. This is not to say that you need to know how to design software before you learn about designing secure software. It is to say that the more experience you already have in software development, the more the examples and ideas put forth in this course will resonate with you.
Created by: University of Colorado System
Taught by: Albert Glock, Instructor
Computer Science
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 4 in the Secure Software Design Specialization |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 4 weeks 2-3 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Who needs abstractions?
Contrasted to design as a step in the software development process, a look at design as an abstract representation of the project.
2 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Video: The Birds Eye View
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 1
- Practice Quiz: Who needs abstractions?
WEEK 2
Focus on the Users
Design considerations to make when users are involved.
2 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Video: User Experience
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 2
- Practice Quiz: Focus on the Users
WEEK 3
What if there are no users?
Design considerations to make when users are not involved
2 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Video: Database Design
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 3
- Practice Quiz: What if there are no users?
WEEK 4
Advanced database design
When to create a database in third-normal form, and when not to.
2 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Video: Database Design III and Overall Database Security
- Reading: Additional Reading
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 4
- Practice Quiz: Advanced database design
WEEK 5
The Good and Bad of Design Patterns
When and how design patterns are useful and when they are not.
2 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Video: The Mindless Cobbling together of existing capabilities
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 5
- Practice Quiz: The Good and Bad of Design Patterns
WEEK 6
Language choices
Choose languages and operating systems wisely because you will have to live with them.
2 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Video: Operating System Selection
- Reading: Additional Resource
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 6
- Practice Quiz: Language Choices
WEEK 7
Final Exam
A comprehensive course assessment comprising of 5 quizzes. Each assessment contains a randomized set of questions from different modules of the course.
Graded: Assessment 1
Graded: Assessment 2
Graded: Assessment 3
Graded: Assessment 4
Graded: Assessment 5
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
University of Colorado System
The University of Colorado is a recognized leader in higher education on the national and global stage. We collaborate to meet the diverse needs of our students and communities. We promote innovation, encourage discovery and support the extension of knowledge in ways unique to the state of Colorado and beyond.
Pricing
| Purchase Course | |
|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
very good
Excellent course, I would recommend this to those getting started in software development, or those who already know software i.e studied CS but never interested in theory but need a higher abstraction of how things can be interlinked together
Great material and kowledge
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Fantastic accessible course for those interested in software design