Earn Your Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering Degree
Majors Overview November 16, 2014Those interested in creating computer applications to make life simpler for others should look into a bachelor’s degree program in software engineering. Students in Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering degree programs will be provided with the skills needed to maintain and build computer software systems.
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering Programs
Students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering program will delve into subject areas related to information science and programming languages; these include project management and human/computer interaction.
Students will become adept at designing and verifying software, working effectively in team environments, communicating in a team, and demonstrating social responsibility. A design project may be taken by them during their senior year, whereby they may create a software program from scratch.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma or, in some instances, an associate’s degree. Students seeking admission to this highly technical field would benefit from completing math courses or from having a strong base in mathematics.
Coursework
A wide array of subject areas are explored in a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering program, such as software architecture, software specifications, and software engineering principles. Students will become adept at analyzing programs and solving problems that may arise. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Networking and management
•Computer programming
•Computer graphics
•Artificial intelligence
•Software evolution
•Information security
Career Choices
Those that successfully complete the program may choose from a range of career choices, including testing of programs for bugs and designing of new applications and games, among other things. They may seek career positions such as:
•Systems software engineer
•Software developer
•Computer application engineer
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2010 – 2020 decade, applications developers and systems developers are expected to see respective job growth rates of 28% and 32%, while software developers are expected to enjoy a faster-than-average growth of 30% over the same period (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, applications developers brought home an average annual wage of $96,260, while systems developers banked $102,550 (BLS).
Certification and Continuing Education Options
Those that successfully complete a bachelor’s program may pursue continuing education in software engineering by earning a Master of Science in Software Engineering degree. Students enrolled in some degree programs are allowed to opt for specializations in areas such as networking, enterprise software technologies, or systems engineering.
Some schools offer these two-year degree programs through weekend and evening classes to suit the convenience of working professionals. Coursework includes software project management, quality assurance, and data modeling.
The Certified Software Development Associate (CSDA) credential is offered by the IEEE Computer Society to benefit individuals that successfully complete a bachelor’s degree program in software engineering or those that do not have a degree, but have attained over two years of work experience. Passage of the IEEE Computer Society’s CSDA exam will enable an individual to obtain this credential.
