University of Oxford Logo University of OxfordSoftware Engineering - Home
On Facebook
Facebook
Follow us on twitter
Twitter
Linked in
Linked in
Google plus
Google plus
Digg
Digg
Pinterest
Pinterest
Stumble Upon
Stumble Upon

Open Day Schedule

Events take place from 10.30 to 14.00 on Tuesday 24th June 2014.

Here is the schedule of activities:

10:30 - 11:00   Arrival registration and coffee  
11:00 - 11:30
Introduction to the Programme,
Prof Jeremy Gibbons

The Software Engineering Programme delivers one-week graduate-level courses in almost 40 different subjects. The Programme is aimed primarily (although not exclusively) at professional software engineers: courses are taught with a view to current and emerging practice and technologies, and the Programme's structure reflects the fact that its students often have to deal with many and varied competing pressures. In this talk, we will introduce the Software Engineering Programme and discuss its potential for providing benefits to its students.

11:30 - 12:00
Authentication Using Pulse-Response Biometrics,
Dr Kasper Rasmussen

Many modern access control systems augment the traditional two-factor authentication procedure (something you know and something you have) with a third factor: "something you are", i.e., some form of biometric authentication. This additional layer of security comes in many flavors: from fingerprint readers on laptops used to facilitate easy login with a single finger swipe, to iris scanners used as auxiliary authentication for accessing secure facilities. In the latter case, the authorized user typically presents a smart card, then types in a PIN, and finally performs an iris (or fingerprint) scan.

In this talk I will introduce a new biometric — based on the human body's response to an electric square pulse signal — that we call pulse-response. The pulse-response biometric is effective because each human body exhibits a unique response to a signal pulse applied at the palm of one hand, and measured at the palm of the other. Using a prototype setup, we show that users can be correctly identified, with high probability, in a matter of seconds. This identification mechanism integrates very well with other well-established methods and offers a reliable layer of additional security, either on a continuous basis or at login time.

12:00 - 12:30
Can you convince me your code has no bugs?
Dr Vojtech Forejt

Finding bugs in software has always been a difficult task. Most common techniques for dealing with this problem are adhering to a strict programming style, or extensive testing. However, such techniques never provide the programmer with guaranteed results.

In this talk I will give a brief survey of techniques that allow for more rigorous analysis of programs, giving guarantees about the program behaviour or absence of bugs. I will show what challenges these approaches face, and how they can be tackled.

12:30 - 14:00 Buffet lunch  
14:00 onwards Interviews by appointment  

Please let us know if you intend to come (whether or not you are staying for lunch), so that we have an idea of numbers.

Interviews will be held in the afternoon by appointment (for those candidates who have already submitted online applications and have been called for interview).

In addition to formal interviews, there will be opportunities throughout the day for informal one-to-one discussions with programme lecturers about your personal interests and aspirations for part-time study.

Read about the Programme, see some testimonials from past and present students, find out how to apply, look up directions to the Department of Computer Science, or register or ask for more information.