When new software is released, hidden flaws can slip through testing. A method known as "software modeling" could prevent many of these errors, but it remains underused because it's complex to learn.
With a $400,000 National Science Foundation grant, Allison Sullivan, an assistant professor in The University of Texas at Arlington's Computer Science and Engineering Department, is creating an interactive tool to teach undergraduates how to apply modeling techniques, with the goal of making the practice more common in the tech industry.
Software models are already used in high-stakes settings like space travel and other fields where lives depend on flawless performance. Yet they remain rare because models can't be automatically generated, are harder to write and take more time to implement than simply testing code. While testing can reveal whether software works under a few conditions, it doesn't guarantee that the program will perform reliably in every situation.
"Ultimately, we want to teach undergraduate students how to build models because if we want more people to use them, we need to get these skills into the curriculum," Dr. Sullivan said. "It's about making this content approachable."
Modeling languages are rooted in mathematical logic, which can be difficult for students to grasp. Sullivan's tool is designed to give them a private, guided experience they can work through at their own pace. By automatically generating exercises at different levels of difficulty, the tool will let students practice, make mistakes and learn from them while building confidence.
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Sullivan said one of the problems with introductory programming courses is that students misunderstand the assignment and solve the wrong problem.
"It's frustrating for the students, but understanding how to create and use modeling could help them identify where they got off track and, ultimately, lead to better understanding of the material," Sullivan said. "The languages we use to build these models are really powerful and can provide lots of intricate analysis, but they can also be intimidating. If we design practice environments that are backed by these models, we can make them less intimidating, and students will be more likely to use them."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
