**Course Description:**

This course provides an introduction to software testing principles, techniques, and tools. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of software testing, including manual and automated testing, test planning, test case design, and defect management. The course emphasizes practical, hands-on learning through projects and exercises.

**Course Objectives:**

– Understand the role and importance of software testing in the software development lifecycle.

– Learn various software testing techniques and methodologies.

– Develop skills in designing, executing, and managing test cases.

– Gain proficiency in using software testing tools for automation and defect tracking.

– Understand how to identify, report, and manage software defects.

**Week 1: Introduction to Software Testing**

– Overview of software testing and its significance

– Different types of testing (manual vs. automated)

– Software development lifecycle (SDLC) and testing lifecycle (STLC)

– Key concepts: quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), and testing

**Week 2: Testing Fundamentals**

– Types of testing: functional, non-functional, regression, and acceptance testing

– Levels of testing: unit, integration, system, and acceptance testing

– Static vs. dynamic testing

– Verification vs. validation

**Week 3: Test Planning and Management**

– Test planning process and creating a test plan

– Risk analysis and mitigation strategies

– Test estimation techniques

– Test management tools overview

**Week 4: Test Case Design Techniques**

– Writing effective test cases

– Test case design techniques: boundary value analysis, equivalence partitioning, decision table testing, state transition testing

– Creating test data

– Practical exercises in test case design

**Week 5: Test Execution and Reporting**

– Test execution process

– Logging and tracking defects

– Defect life cycle and defect management tools

– Writing and reporting test results

**Week 6: Automated Testing Introduction**

– Introduction to test automation

– Benefits and challenges of test automation

– Overview of test automation tools (Selenium, QTP, etc.)

– Practical exercises with a selected test automation tool

**Week 7: Advanced Automated Testing**

– Writing automated test scripts

– Data-driven and keyword-driven testing

– Integrating automated tests with CI/CD pipelines

– Practical exercises in advanced automation techniques

**Week 8: Performance Testing**

– Introduction to performance testing

– Key performance indicators (KPIs)

– Load testing, stress testing, and endurance testing

– Tools for performance testing (JMeter, LoadRunner, etc.)

– Practical exercises in performance testing

**Week 9: Security Testing**

– Importance of security testing

– Common security vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)

– Techniques for security testing

– Tools for security testing (OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, etc.)

– Practical exercises in security testing

**Week 10: Mobile and Web Application Testing**

– Differences between mobile and web application testing

– Testing strategies for mobile applications

– Cross-browser and cross-platform testing

– Tools for mobile and web application testing (Appium, BrowserStack, etc.)

– Practical exercises in mobile and web testing

**Week 11: Agile and DevOps Testing**

– Introduction to Agile methodologies

– Role of testing in Agile projects

– Continuous testing in DevOps environments

– Tools for Agile and DevOps testing

– Practical exercises in Agile and DevOps testing

**Week 12: Final Project and Review**

– Comprehensive project covering all aspects of the course

– Application of testing techniques and tools learned

– Peer review and feedback sessions

– Final project presentations and critique

– Course review and Q&A

**Assessment:**

– Weekly assignments and quizzes (40%)

– Midterm project (20%)

– Final project (30%)

– Class participation and attendance (10%)