OSD700 NSA: Open Source Development Project

OSD700 - Open Source Development Project

Winter 2025 Syllabus, Section NSA, Class Nbr 4820

Course Description

This course builds on the skills and knowledge developed in OSD600 by having the student take a partially developed open source project to completion. The student must have an open source project in progress, along with a faculty mentor and coordinator approval, in order to enroll. The student will learn what is necessary to take a working program and polish, refactor, and improve it on the way to making 1.0 product release.

Prerequisite(s)

OSD600

Instructor Information

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Online Synchronous Mode

This class will be taught via an online synchronous instruction mode. Students are required to attend scheduled classes online and expected to engage in real-time interactive lectures.

Times and Location

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Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

  1. Work on a real world software project
  2. Complete an existing alpha stage project and release a piece of production quality software
  3. Solve implementation problems by working with existing open source technical documentation and existing code
  4. Work in a self-directed manner to plan and complete a major open source programming project
  5. Create and post project planning and implementation information using on-line communication tools, for example: blogs, wikis
  6. Develop and release software on a regular schedule
  7. Use feedback gathered from school and community members to improve software
  8. Create appropriate technical and introductory documentation for a software product
  9. Devise and implement a QA and testing strategy in order to insure the quality of the software being produced
  10. Apply the concepts, techniques and principles acquired in previous programming and open source courses to the programming of a open source project
  11. Work within a community open source context, which means leveraging globally distributed tools and communication practices in order to include feedback in the development process
  12. Participate in regular group meetings to review progress on the project
  13. Create and give project demos, showing how the software works and where it is going in future releases

Essential Employability Skills

  • communicate clearly, concisely, and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience
  • execute mathematical operations accurately
  • apply a systematic approach to solve problems
  • use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems
  • locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems
  • analyse, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources
  • show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others
  • interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals
  • manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects
  • take responsibility for one’s own actions, decisions, and consequences

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Any courses not listed on the bookstore webpage do not require any resources for purchase. All resources will be provided by your instructor.

Modes of Evaluation

Assessment Type Percentage
11 Releases (6% each) 66%
Project Management 34%
Total 100%

Note

To obtain a credit in this subject, a student must:

  • Complete all assignments in a satisfactory manner
  • Achieve an average of 50% or better for all assignments
  • Achieve a weighted average of 50% or better on the overall course

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

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Missed Tests/Late Assessments

Due dates for all evaluations and assessments are posted. Evaluations can include projects, podcasts, videos, assignments, quizzes and/or tests and exams. Students are expected to meet the specified dates and deadlines. It is a best practice for all students to keep a copy of all submitted assignments.
 
Students who have extenuating circumstances that result in their being unable to meet the stated deadline are encouraged to contact their professor(s). A professor may (or may not) grant an extension to a posted due date. Such extension requests must be discussed prior to the due date, or very closely following. Late submission or completion of any assessments may be subject to a penalty grade deduction. Once feedback is posted and/or discussion of the assessment has taken place, students may not submit that version of the assessment for grading.

Feedback on Assessments

Feedback to students regarding graded assessments can be provided in any of the following ways: posted on LEARN@Seneca, added to Grade Centre comments, taken up synchronously, and/or discussed with students.
 
Students are welcome to discuss feedback on completed and submitted assessments with their professor during a synchronous class, during posted "virtual" office hours, or by a mutually agreed upon appointment.
 
 

Student Progression and Promotion Policy

Letter Grade Percentage Grade
A+ 90% to 100%
A 80% to 89%
B+ 75% to 79%
B 70% to 74%
C+ 65% to 69%
C 60% to 64%
D+ 55% to 59%
D 50% to 54%
F 0% to 49% (Not a Pass)
OR
EXC Excellent
SAT Satisfactory
UNSAT Unsatisfactory

Listed below are a number of important links to Seneca Polytechnic policies.

Technical Requirements

The following checklists outline the technical requirements for all students starting and continuing at Seneca:

Hardware checklist  

  • a computer that runs on Windows 10 or the latest Mac OSX and has up to date virus protection software
    • Windows 10 ARM64 devices are not recommended as they will not allow you to install AppsAnywhere, GlobalProtect, VPN, MyApps or use Virtual Commons and other virtual machine apps
  • high-speed broadband access (Cable or DSL) is highly recommended. Some programs or courses require more advanced systems. Please refer to the program information page for information on specialized requirements
  • headphones or speaker and a microphone for in-class conversations and meetings with your professors
  • a webcam (may be required for specific courses)
  • individual courses may have additional hardware requirements

Software checklist

  • a web browser, such as Safari, Firefox, MS Edge, Google Chrome. Please note: You may need to upgrade your web browser to access online learning tools
  • various applications are available to all full-time Seneca students, including Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Suite, and Trend Micro
  • Adobe Creative Suite includes a number of applications such as Premiere, Photoshop and more
  • online teaching tools, including Blackboard, MS Teams, Zoom, BigBlueButton, and Webex
  • individual courses may have additional software requirements for playing audio or video or other applications. You can also review the list of applications made available for home use on a Windows-based machine
    Note: Some applications may require you to install Student VPN to access licensed software
  • antimalware software must be installed on all personal devices that will be used with your Seneca account. Visit the Malware and Virus Protection page for free and paid antimalware software recommendations, or visit the Trend Micro Internet Security page for a free one-year license of this commercial antimalware software

Mobile devices checklist

  • Mobile devices may allow for some participation in your course(s), however they present limitations and we cannot guarantee your device will meet all your coursework needs.
  • All students are required to install and use Microsoft Authenticator to access various services at Seneca. It’s an important measure that provides an added layer of security on top of the login credentials for devices. In addition to using your username and password to log into these secure services, a second factor of authentication is required so that if your password becomes compromised, the intruder will not be able to log in. Use of multi-factor authentication is currently required for Blackboard, Office 365 and VPN.
  • A compatible Android or iOS mobile device that can be used to install Microsoft Authenticator is required.
  • A cellphone data plan is not a mandatory requirement to use the Microsoft Authenticator app. The app can be used through a Wi-Fi connection or with no data connection.
  • If you have a basic cellphone, you can choose to receive an SMS or a phone call as verification for second factor authentication.
  • The Microsoft Authenticator app does not store any personal data.
  • Authenticating through a mobile device is the only available option.

Helpful sites to bookmark:

  • MySeneca.ca – access your Seneca email account
  • Learn@Seneca – Seneca’s learning management system and intranet portal

Seneca Polytechnic Library Resources

Be sure to begin all research, assignment support and career preparation at Seneca Polytechnic Libraries website.  Students can find information about our services and collections including, print and e-books, databases that will lead to thousands of articles in magazines, newspapers, journals, encyclopedias, carefully selected websites, how-to tutorials, streamed videos and much more.
 
Citation Style Guidelines: APA/MLA.  Please check with your professor on the preferred formatting.

Seneca Policies

Below are the Seneca policies and links to more information.

Academic Integrity

Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy   Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity at Seneca website to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment

All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate Seneca's Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

Seneca will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Accessible Learning Services Office (senecacnas@senecapolytechnic.ca) to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation supports for the classroom and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) environments.

Accommodated students are required to meet the expected learning outcomes of courses.  Accommodations do not surpass the need for safety, or supersede academic policies and requirements.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes

Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.