2-Year Diploma in Software Testing and Quality Assurance

Course Duration: 2 Years (4 Semesters, including holidays and attachment)
Course Fee: 30,000 Kenyan Shillings per semester
Weekly Commitment: Minimum of 2 hours per day
Course Overview:
This diploma focuses on the principles and practices of software testing and quality assurance. Students will learn to ensure the reliability, performance, and security of software applications through various testing methodologies and tools. The course covers manual and automated testing, quality management, and industry best practices.

Year 1

Semester 1: Introduction to Software Testing

Week 1-4: Fundamentals of Software Testing

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Testing Lifecycle
Types of Testing: Unit, Integration, System, and Acceptance
Testing Principles and Objectives
Practical Exercises: Writing and executing basic test cases

Week 5-8: Manual Testing Techniques

Test Planning and Design
Test Case Creation and Execution
Defect Reporting and Management
Practical Exercises: Conducting manual tests on sample applications

Week 9-12: Testing Tools and Environments

Overview of Testing Tools (JIRA, Bugzilla)
Test Management Tools and Their Uses
Setting Up Test Environments and Data
Practical Exercises: Using testing tools to manage test cases and track defects

Week 13-16: Quality Assurance Fundamentals

Quality Assurance vs. Quality Control
Quality Assurance Processes and Standards (ISO, Six Sigma)
Implementing QA Practices in Software Development
Practical Exercises: Developing and implementing QA processes

Semester 2: Advanced Software Testing

Week 1-4: Automated Testing

Introduction to Automated Testing Tools (Selenium, QTP)
Scripting and Creating Automated Test Scripts
Executing and Maintaining Automated Tests
Practical Exercises: Developing automated test scripts for web applications

Week 5-8: Performance and Load Testing

Performance Testing Principles and Types (Load, Stress, Scalability)
Tools for Performance Testing (JMeter, LoadRunner)
Analyzing and Reporting Performance Metrics
Practical Exercises: Conducting performance tests and analyzing results

Week 9-12: Security Testing

Introduction to Security Testing and Vulnerability Assessment
Common Security Threats and Testing Techniques
Security Testing Tools (OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite)
Practical Exercises: Performing security testing on applications

Week 13-16: Usability and Accessibility Testing

Usability Testing Principles and Techniques
Accessibility Standards and Compliance (WCAG)
Conducting Usability and Accessibility Assessments
Practical Exercises: Evaluating the usability and accessibility of applications

Year 2

Semester 3: Advanced Topics in Quality Assurance

Week 1-4: Test Automation Frameworks

Understanding Test Automation Frameworks (Data-Driven, Keyword-Driven)
Building and Customizing Automation Frameworks
Integrating Automation Frameworks with CI/CD Pipelines
Practical Exercises: Creating and using a test automation framework

Week 5-8: Agile and DevOps in Testing

Agile Testing Methodologies and Best Practices
Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)
Role of Testing in DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
Practical Exercises: Implementing Agile and DevOps testing practices

Week 9-12: Test Management and Reporting

Test Management Strategies and Tools
Reporting and Metrics in Testing
Risk-Based Testing and Test Coverage Analysis
Practical Exercises: Managing test projects and generating reports

Week 13-16: Quality Assurance in Software Development

Implementing QA Processes in Software Projects
Conducting QA Audits and Reviews
Ensuring Software Quality through Lifecycle Phases
Practical Exercises: Developing and implementing QA strategies in projects

Semester 4: Capstone Project and Industry Attachment

Week 1-4: Capstone Project

Identifying a Software Testing and QA Problem Statement
Project Planning, Execution, and Management
Implementing Testing Strategies and Reporting
Final Presentation and Evaluation

Week 5-8: Industry Attachment

Hands-On Experience in Software Testing and QA Roles
Applying Learned Skills in Real-World Testing Projects
Industry Networking and Professional Development

Week 9-12: Professional Development and Career Planning

Building a Professional Portfolio and Resume
Job Search Strategies and Interview Preparation
Understanding Industry Certifications (ISTQB, CSTE) and Pathways

Week 13-16: Course Review and Final Exam

Comprehensive Review of All Topics Covered
Practice Projects and Final Assessments
Final Exam and Evaluation

Certification:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a "Diploma in Software Testing and Quality Assurance," certifying their expertise in software testing methodologies, quality assurance practices, and industry tools. This certification prepares them for roles such as Software Tester, QA Analyst, Test Automation Engineer, and similar positions in the software development and IT industry.