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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Software Engineering
Revision: 2
Reg.no: BTH-4.1.14-0710-2026
Course syllabus
Requirements Engineering
Requirements Engineering
6 credits (6 högskolepoäng)
Course code: PA1487
Main field of study: Software Engineering, Technology
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: First-cycle
Specialization: G1F - First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2026-09-02
Approved: 2026-09-02
1. Decision
This course is established by Dean 2023-04-27. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Software Engineering 2026-09-02 and applies from 2026-09-02.
2. Prior knowledge
2.1 Entry requirements
Admission to the course requires completed courses comprising 5 credits of programming and 5 credits in software development or introduction to software engineering.
3. Objective and content
3.1 Objective
The course focuses on basic and advanced knowledge and skills in Requirements Engineering for the development of software-intensive systems and products. The course provides the students with both a theoretical and practical application of methods and techniques for requirements engineering. A particular focus will be set on the structured specification of requirements according to an established artefact model which reflects both the state of the art and the state of practice in the field and which is applicable for different philosophies (agile and plan-driven alike). In the course, we will put a particular focus on considering requirements engineering as a holistic discipline deeply integrated into the software development life cycle.
3.2 Content
This course introduces students to the problem of determining and specifying what a software system under consideration should do, why and by whom the system is needed. There are selected non-technical aspects of the course, such as the identification of stakeholders and requirements negotiation. However, the course will largely concentrate on three thematic areas:
- Fundamentals and terminology in Requirements Engineering and Management
- Contents to be considered in a requirements specification and techniques and models to specify those contents
- Outlook on future perspectives and research topics
Most of the course will concentrate on technical approaches to the engineering of requirements, such as techniques for identifying stakeholders, their goals, constraints, and their requirements, notations and models for documenting and specifying requirements, models for structuring the artefacts (outcomes) of requirements engineering, and techniques for validating those artefacts in context of quality assurance.
4. Learning outcomes
The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:
4.1. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Describe and discuss basic principles of requirements engineering, and their relevance for ensuring quality products
- Correctly use requirements engineering terminology
- List and in depth describe different methods and approaches for requirements engineering
4.2. Competence and skills
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Analyze requirements specifications to identify and address common challenges and quality issues (e.g., ambiguity, incompleteness, inconsistency) in requirements
- Select and apply appropriate techniques to elicit and document requirements in a given context
4.3. Judgement and approach
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Interpret the contemporary practices and techniques in Requirements Engineering and associate them with practices as applied in industry
5. Learning activities
The course combines different forms of teaching and learning activities. It will have traditional lectures to introduce the subjects Requirements Engineering, group work and discussions. The students will further apply theory in practice through laboratory exercises, quizzes, and assignments. The course ends with a written examination.
6. Assessment and grading
Modes of examinations of the course
| Code | Module | Credit | Grade |
| 2705 | On-Campus examination | 3 credits | AF |
| 2716 | Written Assignment 1 | 1.5 credits | AF |
| 2726 | Written Assignment 2 | 1.5 credits | AF |
The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.
The examiner may carry out oral follow-up of written examinations.
The total grade is based on a simple average. Rounding occurs upwards.
The information before the start of the course states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.
An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.
7. Course evaluation
The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.
8. Restrictions regarding degree
The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.
9. Course literature and other materials of instruction
Two books are recommended:****
- Karl Wiegers, Joy Beatty. Software Requirements. Microsoft Press, Third Edition, 2013. ISBN: 978-0735679665
- Axel van Lamsweerde: Requirements Engineering: From System Goals to UML Models to Software Specifications. Wiley Press, First Edition, 2009. ISBN: 978-8126545896
Additional material, such as research literature and other complementary material, including access to online learning material where reasonable and appropriate, will be made available during the course.