The Software Development Studio is a unique teaching and learning environment at UTS, built to emulate a real software development practice, where student teams work on industry-initiated projects and industry leaders are volunteer mentors.
Software Development Studio
What does Software Development Studio involve?
Text on screen: Software Development Studio Prototype Showcase
I guess what surprised me the most about the studio was just how collaborative it was. We worked really, really well as a team and also with industry to create some really fantastic solutions for people out there.
What surprised me the most about the software studio learning experience was how close to industry we actually had to work on, so basically all the processes that we follow, the projects that we get to work on, and also the fact that we get to work with industry mentors and real clients was basically [the] icing on the cake.
What really surprised me about my learning experience as a part of the software development studio is that they actually allowed us to define our own process and our own tools and pipeline, so that it really became our project, and you know, our subject. A lot of the outcomes were just whatever we as a group decided on.
The experience working with UTS students was exhilarating. They were super engaged and super on the ball; they had a lot of excellent ideas. It really helped me as well, thinking outside the box and working with people that are I guess younger and have different perspectives on the possibilities of the project and what we can consider doing.
I guess I learnt about teamwork and how it can really work well if you have a fantastic team. The team I had behind me, we weren't friends at the start of the project, but we became close by the end of it and we worked really, really well together.
The most valuable skills I’ve learnt probably revolved around how to work in a software team to deliver products and also most recently how to actually lead software teams and interface with clients as well.
The valuable skill that I learnt as a part of the software studio was actually working in a team where we could define whatever processes and agile methodologies we actually wanted to work with.
The value of working with UTS students was their incredible ability to think outside the box, and their tendency to put themselves in the customer or the client’s shoes and to really think about what they would be delivering and how the person receiving that would be able to use and what would benefit them.
The Software Development Studio is the School of Software’s Industry Studio Program offered as an elective to senior year students studying the Bachelor of Information Technology at UTS. It aims to teach the industrial design of software by replicating as closely as possible, the real life experience of software design through a structural process of teaching.
One brief, 12 weeks, teams of 4–6 students
Get involved
Working in multi-year teams and under the guidance of industry and faculty mentors and coaches, you’ll deliver solutions for problems posed by industry.
Teams are made up of four or five members who are not peers, but come from different years of study and also from both the Bachelor of Engineering and the Bachelor of Science in IT. You will also have half-a-dozen industry mentors who spend one to two hours weekly, face-to-face collaborating on your solution.
You will use industrial tools and work in development roles to create software as a design activity. Your team will use an Agile methodology; your group's software development is on a very short cycle so you can catch mistakes quickly. It is the perfect space to feel comfortable taking risks!
Combined with your practical experience in the software studio, you will receive theory and reflection tasks for your work practice.
What are some of the previous projects?
Teams have worked on industry-engaged projects that include assisting various mobile apps, research-based game development, start-ups with their software development, and extending a user interface development tool.
Information for students
Eligibility
Students enrolled in one of the following courses are invited to participate in the Software Development Studio:
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Games Development
- Bachelor of Science in IT with an Enterprise Systems Development major
There may be exceptions to the above requirement.
Image: Anna Zhu
There are two ways you can join in the Software Development Studio as part of your engineering or IT course.
| Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|
Participate in the Studio as an alternate assessment item in some subjects, including:
| Enrol in one or two of the following elective subjects, if your study plan permits:
|
Register for the Software Development Studio
Be part of the Software Development Studio in the next teaching session.
Information for partners
We’re constantly on the lookout for new partnerships to expand our network and Industry Studio Program experience, to showcase our students’ talents and expertise gained throughout their time studying at UTS.
Industry Studio program benefits
- Meaningful outcomes – senior students, equipped with skills and knowledge of design, prototype creative proof of concept solutions under the guidance and leadership of academics using UTS’ cutting edge technology and world class facilities.
- Time and resource – save in-house development time by allowing students to design and prototype new ideas for feasibility and analysis.
- Engagement – leverage the opportunity for your company to engage with students and build your influence and reach throughout the session and at the End of Session Showcase.
- Professional development – give your staff the opportunity to gain professional mentoring experience.
- Social impact – be part of preparing students for the future of work.
- Source talent – network with top-talent, engaged and highly motivated students. Observe their performance and cultural fit
Software Development Studio
It’s a unique teaching and learning environment at UTS, built to emulate a real software development practice. Find us at CB11.05.402.
Image: Anna Zhu
UTS ProtoSpace
Our advanced additive manufacturing lab, located in Building 7.
UTS Tech Lab
UTS Tech Lab is a multidisciplinary research facility that supports bespoke industry-led partnerships designed to drive innovation and growth in engineering and IT.
[Upbeat electronic music at start]
[Robot voice] Welcome to UTS Tech Lab
UTS Tech Lab is designed to change the way universities and industry work together in Australia
Creating a flexible project-focused approach to commercial outcomes and research impact
It's a space where industry and government collaborate with specialist UTS staff on multidisciplinary research that has a real and sustained impact
The 9000 square metre facility includes multidisciplinary labs across engineering and computer sciences we have collaborative workspaces, meeting and seminar rooms, which are all available to our industry partners
As well as state-of-the-art facilities our partners have access to global experts and rising talents through UTS interns, PhD students and graduates
Tech Lab has advanced capabilities to support projects in digital transformation including IOT, artificial intelligence, robotics industry 4.0 and smart infrastructure
The 5g lab is developing 3D printed antenna and integrated circuits to enable Internet of Things - or IOT – innovation
Other specialist facilities include a multi-axis simulation table that enables large-scale testing of structures including earthquake research
The academic team working with Sydney Water is developing advanced robots with laser profiling and sensing technologies to identify water pipe defects before critical failure, which is saving millions of dollars
Plus the largest antenna chamber in Australia supporting research in communications and 5g
and the most comprehensive acoustics engineering facility in New South Wales
The opportunities at Tech Lab are endless
By bringing together a diversity of disciplines and expertise we're creating new ways of working, new ways of thinking and new ways of imagining what is possible for our industry partners
[Ends with music fade]
Meet the academic
Dr Yining Hu
Lecturer
School of Computer Science
Dr Yining Hu is a Lecturer in Software Engineering at the School of Computer Science, University of Technology Sydney. She is also a researcher and developer in Blockchain and Web3, IoT, and AI. She has worked on many industry and academic projects across various sectors including telecommunication, cryptocurrency, agriculture and supply chain management. Learn more about Yining
