COMP433: Software Engineering

Second Semester 2025/2026
Hisham Ihshaish
Department of Computer Science, Birzeit University
Where to start, what is on this page

This is the COMP433 course page for Sections 5 and 6 (Hisham Ihshaish). It is organised in three layers:

  • Course material. Four blocks (Introduction, Software Engineering Processes, Requirements Engineering, UML and System Modelling), each with the lecture slides, the chapter Companion (and Walkthrough where applicable), and any reference decks. The Companion is the in-depth study reference for each block; the Walkthrough is an interactive step-by-step counterpart for Chapter 3.
  • Recorded sessions. Embedded for in-page viewing at the top of each chapter Companion (Chapter 3 and Chapter 4). Watch alongside the chapter material.
  • Project resources. Section-specific (5 or 6) and password-protected. Open your section's tab below; once unlocked, you will find the project overview, the phase-by-phase specification with deliverables and deadlines, team allocations, and the Word templates for Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Upcoming deadlines and any spec updates surface in the protected section pages once you unlock them.

Final presentation slot booking EXPIRED NOW Booking has closed. This was one shared calendar across three courses (AI, Software Engineering and HCI): Wednesday and Thursday on campus (Masri 320), Friday and Saturday online on MS Teams. Closed
Final presentation: what to present, and the rules (tap to expand)

Each group presents its full project work. Build your deck in this order (one slide each unless noted):

  1. Group, its members and their roles
  2. Business description / introduction (briefly)
  3. Overall use case diagram
  4. One example use case description / specification
  5. Overall activity diagram
  6. Overall analysis class model / diagram
  7. Overall (detailed) class model / diagram
  8. One sequence diagram, for the same use case as item 4
  1. Design goals
  2. Overall architecture (architecture diagram)

Amber: optional for the presentation, but mandatory for the Final Report.

  1. Component diagram
  2. Deployment diagram

Timing. Each slot is 20 minutes: aim for a 10-minute presentation (12 minutes maximum), then questions and discussion. Time is tight and strictly enforced, so you will be stopped on time. Practise to stay within your time; lost time is deducted from your slot.

Be ready. Have your slides ready in advance (for example, in PowerPoint). A group that is not ready in time is treated as not having presented.

Everyone presents. All members must take part, with balanced, roughly equal speaking time.

Attendance and marks. The presentation is a major, essential part of the project assessment. Any group, or any member, who is absent receives a ZERO for this part (and will most likely fail the project assessment). Normal attendance applies and all students are expected to attend.

Feedback. You will be asked questions and given feedback on your work, which you must reflect in your final project report.

Course Material

Block 1: Introduction to Software Engineering

Lecture Slides

Block 2: Software Engineering Processes

Part 1: Generic Process Models Generic Process Models Companion
Part 2: Iteration and Agile Models Iteration and Agile Process Models Companion
Auxiliary: Interactive Simulators

Block 3: Requirements Engineering

Lecture slides: Requirements engineering, Parts 1 and 2
Chapter 3 Walkthrough Chapter 3 Companion 11-step walkthrough + flat reference
Reference decks (Prof. Adel)

Block 4: UML and System Modelling

Chapter 4 Companion 8 diagrams in depth + sequence player + state simulator
Class & Sequence Tutorial worksheet + worked solutions (Course Registration)
Lecture decks Use case & activity
Reference decks (Prof. Adel)

Block 5: System Design

Chapter 5 Companion design goals, cohesion/coupling, architectural styles, 4+1 views, worked example + exam practice
Reference decks (Prof. Adel)

Project Resources

Select your section to access project allocations, timeline, and deliverables.