Course Syllabus

SDEV 355 - Agile Programming Methodologies

Fall 2020 (Item #5651)

Course Information

Instructor Information

Course Description

Students use Scrum, an agile framework for completing complex projects, to develop software and deliver business value to clients.

This is a team project-based class. You will participate in a quarter long team project and strengthen your software development and Agile skills, culminating in a real-world project that will become part of your professional portfolio. The project will be made up of two-week sprints, each culminating in a product demo (sprint review).

The course will meet via Zoom two days a week. Participating in these meetings is critical, since much of the course is team-based. If you are unable to attend a class session, be sure to notify your team beforehand, and touch base with them afterward.

Course Outcomes

Agile technical practices include testing, integration, refactoring, and pair programming. Scrum practices involve stand ups, product backlogs, user stories, sprints, and retrospectives. At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Identify the roles in a Scrum team.
  2. Conduct Scrum events, including stands ups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
  3. Create and refine Scrum artifacts, including a Working Agreement, Product Backlog, and Sprint Backlogs.
  4. Apply agile team practices such as daily scrum meetings, sprint planning, continuous integration, and kanban.
  5. Initiate and foster a client relationship with ongoing communication throughout the project life cycle.
  6. Understand the difference between various Agile approaches to software development.
  7. Prepare and present a professional portfolio and elevator pitch.
  8. Articulate the difference between Agile and the traditional waterfall approach to software development.

Program and Campus Learning Outcomes

Course Resources

Required Textbooks

Recommended Reading

Canvas

All assignments, supplementary materials, the course schedule, due dates, and updates to this syllabus will be posted to the course web site in Canvas at https://egator.greenriver.edu/

Check the course web site and your @mail.greenriver.edu email account daily for important announcements.

If you have any questions about the course, reading, or the homework, please post them to Canvas Discussions. This will enable you to get an answer to your questions more quickly, and also help classmates who might have the same question. If you see a question in the Discussions that you think you can answer, please do so! 

If you have questions of a personal nature, such as regarding a specific grade or scheduling an appointment, then either email me or visit me during office hours.

Tutors

There are tutors available both at Auburn Center and the main campus (Holman Library) for all IT Software Development classes. View the Tutoring Schedule

Tutoring Protocols

Student Portal

my.greenriver.edu contains information and links for important student resources.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning provides a wide range of technical video tutorials, and is free to Green River students.

Course Policies

Late Work

All assignments are posted well in advance, so be sure to get an early start! Late assignments will be accepted up to one week after the due date, and will receive 50% credit.

Team Contribution

All team members are expected to contribute their fair share to the class project. In most cases, everyone will receive the same project points. However, in the rare case that a team member does not adequately contribute to the team effort, their grade will be adjusted accordingly. An individual grade for a sprint may be different from the team grade, based on peer evaluations, GitHub commits, and instructor discretion.

To avoid any lost points, all students should strive to be productive and contributing team members.


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Tutors

There are tutors available for all Software Development classes. View the Tutoring Schedule.

Tutoring Protocols

Academic Integrity and Collaboration

Plagiarism is knowingly submitting someone else's ideas, words, or code as your own. It is intentional deception, and it undermines your learning. If I suspect plagiarism, I will meet with you to verify that the work is yours.

You may use AI tools for learning or research, but you are responsible for checking their accuracy. All submitted work must be your own. Submitting AI-generated work will be treated as academic dishonesty.

These restrictions ensure that you build real understanding of technical concepts and problem-solving skills. Software Development and Data Analytics require active engagement, critical thinking, and hands-on practice. Prohibiting AI-generated text helps you develop debugging skills, algorithmic thinking, creativity, and the ability to apply concepts independently.

Relying on your own effort and collaborating with peers prepares you for real-world work where coding proficiency matters. While AI tools have their place, this course focuses on building a strong foundation you can use in future academic and professional settings.

Seek help from the instructor, tutors, peers, and course materials whenever needed. Embrace the learning process and persist through challenges.

If any submitted work is not your own, the assignment will receive a zero. Repeat offenses will result in failing the course.

Grading

Grading in this course consists of your demonstrated competency and professionalism. If you have any questions or concerns about a course grade, talk to the instructor within two weeks of receiving the grade. A passing grade consists of a 1.0 or higher.

Grades will be converted according to the following scale:

Decimal %
4.0 95
3.9 94
3.8 93
3.7 92
3.6 91
3.5 90
3.4 89
3.3 88
3.2 87
3.1 86
Decimal %
3.0 85
2.9 84
2.8 83
2.7 82
2.6 81
2.5 80
2.4 79
2.3 78
2.2 77
2.1 76
Decimal %
2.0 75
1.9 74
1.8 73
1.7 72
1.6 71
1.5 70
1.4 69
1.3 68
1.2 67
1.1 66
1.0 65
0.0 <65

Counseling Services

Counseling Services provides short-term mental health counseling and self-care/wellness education to Green River students. Workshops and consultation services are offered for staff, faculty, and student organizations. Services are free and confidential.

Counseling Services are provided by licensed psychologists, social workers, and professional mental health therapists. We are here to help by providing support to explore emotional concerns, developing new awareness and skills, and mobilizing your existing strengths, qualities and abilities. While some people who seek counseling have chronic emotional difficulties, most are dealing with normal life events and are simply in need of an objective listener - someone who doesn't judge and who can help you see new alternatives.

Please visit https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/campus-resources/counseling-services/ for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

Financial Assistance

Are you balancing a combination of school, work, or life? Are you working as hard as you can, but still having a hard time keeping up with bills and the rising cost of living? Green River provides access to resources to help you get by, get ahead, and stay ahead, so that you can achieve your college and career goals.

The Benefits Hub offers one-stop financial assistance and enrollment in benefits, including:

Visit the Benefits Hub for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Additional Information

For information about Accessibility, Accommodations, and Mandatory Reporters, please visit https://www.greenriver.edu/syllabus-info

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by contacting Disability Support Services at 253-833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY 253-288-3359; or by email at dss@greenriver.edu.

Green River College is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Learn more at www.greenriver.edu/accessibility.

Software Dev Student Portal at http://greenrivertech.net