Program Overview: Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
Majors Overview November 16, 2014The most common undergraduate program with a main emphasis on software development would be a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering (B.S.S.E.) degree program. This program will teach students about the different software engineering systems, tools, and techniques used to maintain and create computer software.
Bachelor of Science Degree Programs in Software Engineering
College computer science and computer engineering departments usually collaborate in offering most Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering (B.S.S.E.) degree programs. Facets of both disciplines are usually blended in the curriculum.
Students enrolled in a B.S.S.E. degree program are imparted the skills and knowledge they need to be able to analyze, design, and implement computer software systems, like the ones used in health monitoring equipment such as CT scans and MRIs, apart from cell phones and video games.
Education Requirements
Although no substantial prerequisites have to be met by incoming students to bachelor’s degree programs in software engineering, students enrolled at most colleges and universities would benefit by taking computer programming, computer science, and math classes in high school.
Coursework
Towards their culmination, B.S.S.E. degree programs usually involve students in a project-based assignment wherein students categorized in work groups work to devise a comprehensive software system. Core coursework may include these topic areas:
•Intro to algorithms and data structures
•Software development tools and procedures
•Differential equations
•Principles of software development
•Internet development
•Ethical issues in computing
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of 30% has been predicted for software developers over the 2010 – 2020 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, systems software developers brought home an average annual wage of $104,480, while applications software developers earned $90,060 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Those that successfully complete a B.S.S.E. degree program may choose to continue their education by earning a master’s degree relevant to software engineering, including a Master of Science in Information Systems (M.S.I.S.), Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science, or Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.).
With education and experience, software engineers may expect more career advancement opportunities. Employers for more complex software development positions prefer master’s degree graduates (BLS). Software engineers with work experience and business savvy may aspire for leadership roles, including chief information officers, managers of information systems, or project managers.
