Software Engineering
The focus of the software engineering curriculum, which leads to the bachelor of software engineering, is on software design and construction, requirements analysis, security, verification, and validation, as well as software engineering processes and tools appropriate for the development of complex software systems. The degree program prepares students for professional careers and graduate study with a balance of computer science theory and practical application of software engineering methodology. The curriculum is based on a strong core of computing topics and also enriches each student’s general education with a range of courses from science, mathematics, the humanities and the social sciences. Through advanced elective courses, the curriculum allows students to specialize in core areas of computer science and software engineering. Engineering design theory and methodology, as they apply to software systems, form an integral part of the curriculum, beginning with the first course in computing and culminating with a comprehensive senior design project, which gives students the opportunity to work in one or more significant application domains. The curriculum also emphasizes oral and written communication skills, the importance of ethical behavior, and the need for continual, life-long learning. The overall educational objectives of the Software Engineering program are for graduates of the program to attain success in their chosen profession and/or post-undergraduate studies.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 1100 English Composition I | 3 | ENGL 1120 English Composition II | 3 |
| Core Science Sequence (Series B, D, H)1 | 4 | Core Science Sequence (Series B, D, H)1 | 4 |
| MATH 1610 Calculus I | 4 | MATH 1620 Calculus II | 4 |
| COMP 1210 Fundamentals of Computing I | 3 | COMP 2210 Fundamentals of Computing II | 4 |
| ENGR 1110 Introduction to Engineering | 2 | COMP 2240 Discrete Structures | 3 |
| ENGR 1100 Engineering Orientation | 0 | ||
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MATH 2660 Topics in Linear Algebra | 3 | STAT 3010 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists | 3 |
| Core History Sequence | 3 | Core History Sequence | 3 |
| ELEC 2200 Digital Logic Circuits | 3 | Core Literature | 3 |
| COMP 2710 Software Construction | 3 | Core Social Science Elective | 3 |
| COMP 2800 Professional Development I | 1 | COMP 3270 Introduction to Algorithms | 3 |
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| COMM 1000 Public Speaking | 3 | PHIL 1020 Introduction to Ethics or 1110 Ethical and Conceptual Foundations of Science | 3 |
| Math Elective1 | 3 | Math Elective1 | 3 |
| Core Fine Arts | 3 | COMP 3500 Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
| COMP 3220 Principles of Programming Languages | 3 | COMP 3700 Software Modeling and Design | 3 |
| COMP 3350 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | 3 | COMP 4320 Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Technical Elective1 | 6 | Technical Elective1 | 3 |
| COMP 4300 Computer Architecture | 3 | COMP 4710 Senior Design Project | 3 |
| COMP 5120 Database Systems I | 3 | COMP 4730 Computer Ethics | 2 |
| COMP 5700 Secure Software Process | 3 | COMP 5710 Software Quality Assurance | 3 |
| COMP 4800 Professional Development II | 1 | Free Elective | 3 |
| COMP 4810 Program Assessment | 0 | ||
| UNIV 4AA0 | 0 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours: 122 | |||
- 1
Courses for Core Science Sequence, Math Elective, and Technical Elective credit must be chosen in accordance with CSSE department policies and approved course listings. Students must consult with a CSSE Academic Advisor when selecting these courses.
The AU Bulletin lists the University Core Curriculum requirements for students in the College of Engineering.
Courses in bold-face are those used to calculate in-major GPA.
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Math electives for the software engineering program must be selected from courses designated as MATH or STAT with the following restrictions:
- MATH 2630 Calculus III and MATH 2650 Linear Differential Equations are each allowed as a math elective.
- Any other course with the MATH designation must be at the 4000-level or above.
- All courses with the STAT designation must be at the 3000-level or above.
- Any mathematics course required by the software engineering curriculum will not count as a math elective.
The software engineering program requires an 8-hour sequence of natural science course work intended for science and engineering majors. This course work develops an understanding of the scientific method and includes laboratory work.
The science sequence requirement can only be satisfied by Series B, Series D, or Series H below.
Series B
BIOL 1020 Principles of Biology
BIOL 1021 Principles of Biology Laboratory
BIOL 1030 Organismal Biology
BIOL 1031 Organismal Biology Laboratory
Series D
CHEM 1030 Fundamentals Chemistry I
CHEM 1031 Fundamentals of Chemistry I Lab
CHEM 1040 Fundamental Chemistry II
CHEM 1041 Fundamentals of Chemistry II Lab
Series H
PHYS 1600/1607 Engineering Physics I
PHYS 1610/1617 Engineering Physics II
Technical Elective hours are used to provide breadth and depth of content. The software engineering program requires 9 hours of technical elective credit, which must be satisfied with approved COMP courses. The department maintains a list of approved technical electives for each semester. Students must consult with a CSSE Academic Advisor when selecting these courses.
The overall objective of the software engineering program is to prepare graduates who will be successful in their chosen career paths. Within a few years of graduation, alumni of the software engineering program will attain:
- PEO 1: Success in their chosen profession as evidenced by career satisfaction, promotions/raises, and leadership at levels appropriate to their experience.
- PEO 2: Success in post-undergraduate studies as evidenced by satisfaction with the decision to further their education, advanced degrees earned, and professional visibility (e.g., publications, presentations, awards, etc.).
Graduates of the software engineering program will have an ability to:
SENG-SO-1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
SENG-SO-2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
SENG-SO-3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
SENG-SO-4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
SENG-SO-5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
SENG-SO-6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze, and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
SENG-SO-7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
