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University of Colorado · on Coursera

Software Design as an Element of the Software Development Lifecycle

Intermediate English University CertificateFREE
Our recommendation
A University of Colorado course on Coursera that examines design as a distinct, crucial stage of building software — how design translates requirements into a plan for code. It is conceptual and lifecycle-focused, suited to people who want to understand where design fits in software engineering rather than learn a specific tool or language.

Good for: Understanding software design's place in the development lifecycle.

Less suitable if: You want hands-on coding or a specific design-tool tutorial.

Skills you'll gain

Software designSoftware development lifecycleRequirementsDesign processSoftware engineering

Is this course right for you?

A good fit if you…

You want the lifecycle and design view
You are studying software engineering
You prefer concepts over a single tool

Consider something else if you…

You want hands-on coding
You want a specific tool tutorial
You already design software professionally

Requirements: Some software or programming context helps.

Realistic time: Around 10–15 hours over a few weeks.

About this course

Software Design as an Element of the Software Development Lifecycle examines design as a distinct, crucial stage of building software. From the University of Colorado, it explains how design translates requirements into specifications developers can build from, the difference between high-level and detailed design (and why high-level design is well-suited to addressing security), and how design plays its role regardless of the development approach.

What you'll learn

Place design within the software development lifecycle
Translate requirements into buildable specifications
Distinguish high-level from detailed design
Use high-level design to address security
Apply design across different development approaches
Communicate design decisions clearly

This course includes

Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language

What it costs

You can audit the course free on Coursera. A certificate needs a Coursera subscription (about $49/month) or Coursera Plus, with financial aid available.

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Is the certificate recognised?

A University of Colorado certificate on Coursera is a credible learning record. It is a course certificate rather than a professional qualification or degree.

Last updated

Instructor

AG
Albert Glock
Coursera instructor

Taught by Albert Glock for the University of Colorado as part of its Secure Software Design specialization. The focus is on design's role within the lifecycle rather than any single language or tool.

About this provider

CO
Coursera
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Frequently asked questions

No — it focuses on software design as a lifecycle stage, not hands-on coding.
Yes, you can audit it free; the certificate needs a Coursera subscription or Coursera Plus.
People who want to understand how design fits into the software development lifecycle.
Some software context helps, though it is concept-focused rather than code-heavy.
Around 10–15 hours over a few weeks.
Free
to audit
Enroll now