An experiential approach to incorporating software testing into the computer science curriculum

Testing accounts for about half of the cost of software, but testing receives little treatment in most curricula. This paper presents an approach to giving students experiences in software testing throughout the curriculum, rather than the usual approach of offering a separate course in testing. The centerpiece of the authors´ approach is the Software TestLab, which exists to train selected students in the art and science of testing, and to transfer testing practice into core courses. TestLab students become agents of technology transfer. This paper describes the conceptual framework used to define the set of essential test experiences, and presents lessons learned, to date