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James Papademas

In this capstone course, students will identify, gather, analyze, and write requirements based on user needs and will then design, construct, integrate, and implement an information system as a solution to a business problem. Students will document integration architecture, methodologies, and technologies using industry best practices. User needs and user centered design will be applied in the selection, creation, evaluation, and administration of the resulting system. The system design process will take into account professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities and stress the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society. Discussion will also cover the need to engage in continuing professional development.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to System Integration and DevOps Tooling
This module provides an overview of system integration concepts and introduces the fundamental tools used in DevOps practices. Students will learn about the importance of integration in modern software development and gain hands-on experience with essential DevOps tools. The module also covers the importance of forming project teams and the initiation of the first sprint.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Culminates in a final project presentation, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their understanding of system integration and DevOps principles
Covers DevOps tooling, which is essential for automating and streamlining software development and deployment pipelines in modern IT environments
Explores the ethical, legal, security, and social issues related to computing, which is crucial for responsible system design and implementation
Requires students to identify, gather, and analyze requirements based on user needs, which is a fundamental skill for systems analysts and designers
Examines the 'Three Ways of DevOps,' offering a foundational understanding of systems thinking, feedback loops, and continuous experimentation
Includes a module on information security in DevOps, also known as DevSecOps, which is increasingly important for protecting systems and data

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Reviews summary

Capstone project for systems integration

According to students, this course serves as a largely positive capstone experience, effectively helping learners synthesize knowledge from their degree. A central element is the project-based learning approach, which involves applying concepts to a real-world business problem and working within teams. While the teamwork aspect is praised for its realism, it can also present challenges. The course introduces DevOps concepts and tooling, which learners found relevant, but several reviews noted a desire for more technical depth and hands-on labs in these areas. Overall, students appreciate the course's practical relevance and logical structure for applying skills.
Requires significant team collaboration.
"forcing us to work in teams and deal with integration issues."
"The team aspect, while sometimes difficult, is crucial for this type of work."
"team dynamics heavily influenced the experience, which is realistic but frustrating if your team isn't great."
"emphasis on team collaboration and communication is excellent."
"Teamwork is essential."
Focuses on practical, industry skills.
"...applying theoretical concepts to a real-world business problem..."
"Learning to gather requirements and design a solution from scratch was a fantastic experience."
"Very practical and relevant."
"The focus on requirement gathering, design, and integration in a team setting is spot on for real-world systems roles."
"...mimics real-world scenarios..."
Synthesizes knowledge from the degree.
"This capstone course was exactly what I needed to synthesize everything from my degree."
"Felt like a culmination of my studies."
"Fantastic capstone course. Pulled together knowledge from various areas of my degree."
"Solid foundation building course... Good preparation for applying learned skills..."
Applies concepts to real problems via a project.
"The focus on applying theoretical concepts to a real-world business problem through a team project was invaluable."
"The project work was challenging but rewarding..."
"The project-based approach truly simulates real-world systems integration challenges."
"The project dominates the course, and success depends heavily on your team."
"Project is key."
Introduces DevOps but lacks technical depth.
"The module on DevOps tools was particularly relevant and practical."
"...some areas, especially advanced technical practices like CI/CD pipelines, could have gone deeper."
"As others mentioned, the depth in technical DevOps areas was somewhat lacking..."
"The DevOps tooling intro was useful, though just an intro."
"My main criticism is the lack of depth in specific technical tools or methodologies within DevOps."
"...hoping for more detailed technical examples and hands-on labs related to integration technologies, not just DevOps tools overview."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Systems Integration - Bachelor's with these activities:
Review Version Control Systems
Refresh your knowledge of version control systems like Git to better understand continuous integration and collaboration aspects of DevOps.
Browse courses on Git
Show steps
  • Review basic Git commands like commit, push, pull, and merge.
  • Practice branching and merging workflows.
  • Explore remote repositories on platforms like GitHub or GitLab.
Read 'The Phoenix Project'
Understand the cultural and organizational aspects of DevOps through a compelling narrative.
Show steps
  • Read the book, paying attention to the challenges faced by the characters.
  • Reflect on how the 'Three Ways of DevOps' are applied in the story.
  • Consider how the lessons learned in the book can be applied to real-world system integration projects.
Follow CI/CD Pipeline Tutorials
Deepen your understanding of continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines by following online tutorials.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on setting up CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI.
  • Follow the tutorials to create a simple pipeline for a sample application.
  • Experiment with different pipeline stages and configurations.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Read 'Continuous Delivery'
Gain a deeper understanding of continuous delivery principles and practices.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the key principles and practices of continuous delivery.
  • Identify the challenges and benefits of implementing continuous delivery.
  • Consider how the concepts in the book can be applied to your own projects.
Automate Infrastructure Provisioning
Gain practical experience with infrastructure as code by automating the provisioning of cloud resources.
Show steps
  • Choose a cloud provider (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and an infrastructure-as-code tool (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).
  • Define the infrastructure resources you want to provision (e.g., virtual machines, networks, databases).
  • Write code to automate the provisioning process.
  • Test your code and deploy the infrastructure.
Document a System Integration Architecture
Solidify your understanding of system integration by documenting a real or hypothetical integration architecture.
Show steps
  • Choose a system integration scenario (e.g., integrating an e-commerce platform with a CRM system).
  • Identify the components involved in the integration.
  • Create a diagram illustrating the integration architecture.
  • Write a document describing the architecture, including the technologies used, the data flow, and the security considerations.
Contribute to a DevOps Project
Enhance your skills and contribute to the community by participating in an open-source DevOps project.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source DevOps project on platforms like GitHub or GitLab.
  • Review the project's documentation and contribution guidelines.
  • Identify a bug or feature that you can contribute to.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Systems Integration - Bachelor's will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps engineer automates and streamlines the software development lifecycle. This course includes modules covering DevOps tooling, the principles of DevOps, and technical practices for continuous flow. The course offers insight into implementing feedback loops in DevOps and addresses information security in DevOps, often referred to as DevSecOps. This course helps prepare individuals to succeed as a DevOps engineer by equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster collaboration, automate processes, and ensure continuous delivery.
Integration Engineer
An integration engineer specializes in combining different components or subsystems into a unified system. This course provides a solid foundation by teaching students how to document integration architecture, methodologies, and technologies using industry best practices. This course also exposes learners to DevOps tooling. The course provides practical experience in designing, constructing, and integrating information systems, which is directly applicable to the responsibilities of an integration engineer, preparing them to effectively manage complex integration projects.
Automation Engineer
An automation engineer designs, develops, and implements automation solutions to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort. This course helps prepare someone to be an automation engineer by covering automation techniques and DevOps tooling. The focus on continuous integration and version control strategies equips automation engineers with the skills needed to streamline development and deployment pipelines. Course participants apply DevOps principles to real-world scenarios for additional practical exposure.
Data Integration Specialist
A data integration specialist combines data from different sources into a unified view. This course helps data integration specialists because it teaches how to document integration architecture, methodologies, and technologies using industry best practices. The coverage of DevOps tooling and practices allows one to effectively manage data integration projects and ensure data quality and consistency. As a data integration specialist, one should find this course extremely useful.
Systems Analyst
A systems analyst evaluates an organization's systems and processes, designing new systems or modifying existing ones to improve efficiency and productivity. This course, with its focus on identifying user needs and designing information systems as solutions to business problems, helps build a foundation for a career as a systems analyst. The course teaches how to gather and analyze requirements and how to construct, integrate, and implement information systems using industry best practices. With the knowledge gained in this course, a systems analyst will be able to better approach how a novel or present system ought to function.
Release Manager
A release manager plans and coordinates the release of software updates and new features. This course helps prepare one to become a release manager by covering DevOps practices and continuous flow. The modules on technical practices for continuous flow and implementing feedback loops in DevOps directly support the responsibilities of a release manager, allowing them to improve release processes and ensure efficient software delivery. The course synthesizes knowledge to apply DevOps principles to real-world scenarios.
Security Analyst
A security analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's systems and data from cyber threats. This course directly addresses the role of security in DevOps practices through its module on information security in DevOps, also known as DevSecOps. It covers secure coding practices, automated security testing, and compliance in continuous delivery environments. This education makes this course a relevant preparatory step for a career as a security analyst, particularly in organizations adopting DevOps methodologies.
Information Architect
An information architect structures and organizes information to improve usability and accessibility. This course helps become an information architect due to its emphasis on user needs and user centered design in the selection, creation, evaluation, and administration of systems. By exploring the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society, this course prepares individuals to make informed decisions that improve how information is structured and accessed.
Technical Project Manager
A technical project manager leads technical projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This course helps provide the background to become a technical project manager by teaching students how to identify user needs, gather requirements, and design information systems. The focus on documentation, methodologies, and technologies helps ensure projects are well-managed and align with business objectives. Knowledge of software development can be very beneficial to those in this field.
Software Architect
A software architect is responsible for the high-level design and structure of software systems. The focus on system design and integration in this course helps one become a software architect, particularly due to its coverage of integration architecture, methodologies, and technologies using industry best practices. The course emphasizes user-centered design and addresses ethical, legal, and security issues, providing a well-rounded perspective crucial for making informed architectural decisions.
IT Systems Manager
An IT systems manager oversees the operation and maintenance of an organization's IT infrastructure. This course, with its comprehensive coverage of system integration concepts and DevOps practices, helps prepare an individual to become an IT systems manager. The course addresses ethical, legal, security, and social issues, equipping them to manage IT systems responsibly and effectively, ensuring they align with organizational goals. Knowledge of DevSecOps is very useful for those in this field.
Solutions Architect
A solutions architect designs and implements comprehensive IT solutions that meet specific business needs. This course, with its emphasis on identifying user needs, gathering requirements, and designing information systems, helps become a solutions architect. The course covers integration architecture, methodologies, and technologies, thus equipping one with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and implement effective solutions that align with business objectives. It may be quite useful.
IT Project Manager
An IT project manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of information technology projects. This course helps build a foundation for IT project management because it emphasizes user needs and provides practical experience in designing, constructing, and implementing information systems. The course also addresses ethical, legal, security, and social issues, equipping project managers to navigate the complexities of IT projects responsibly and effectively. Such knowledge is valuable for one who wishes to become an IT project manager.
Technical Consultant
A technical consultant provides expert advice and guidance to organizations on how to use technology to achieve their goals. This course helps one become a technical consultant by providing a broad understanding of system integration, DevOps practices, and user-centered design. The comprehensive approach to system design and integration, combined with the focus on ethical and social issues, enables technical consultants to provide well-informed and responsible recommendations.
Business Intelligence Analyst
A business intelligence analyst analyzes data to identify trends and insights that can improve business decision-making. This course helps become a business intelligence analyst by teaching students how to gather and analyze requirements based on user needs. The course's emphasis on creating, evaluating, and administering systems helps ensure that business intelligence solutions are effective and aligned with organizational goals. This comprehensive approach prepares individuals to contribute valuable insights to their organizations.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Systems Integration - Bachelor's.
Provides a fictional but realistic account of a company's DevOps transformation. It illustrates the challenges and benefits of implementing DevOps principles in a relatable way. Reading this book will help students understand the cultural and organizational aspects of systems integration and DevOps. It is highly recommended as additional reading to supplement the course material.
Comprehensive guide to continuous delivery practices. It covers the principles, patterns, and practices for automating the software release process. Reading this book will provide students with a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of DevOps and system integration. It valuable reference for implementing continuous delivery pipelines.

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