Software engineering is the discipline dedicated to the engineering principles and techniques required for the sound construction of the computer systems of today and tomorrow. As businesses and institutions integrate new technologies to compete in the global environment they require individuals who are cognizant of the latest techniques in computational intelligence and are armed with the skills required to construct new dynamically interacting components.

Software engineers are trained in all aspects of software creation- from specification through analysis and design, to testing, maintenance and evaluation of the product. They are equipped with advanced knowledge in software architecture, project management, technical planning, risk management and software assurance – areas that are essential in implementing and overseeing software-intensive projects of high technical complexity.

Student Outcomes – By the time of graduation, software engineering students will have:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

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.

3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

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.

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.

6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

8. A fundamental knowledge and an appreciation of the technology and business processes necessary to nurture new technologies from concept to commercialization.

The mission of the Bachelor of engineering in software engineering (BESWE) program is to provide an education based on a strong engineering core, complemented by a strong thread of systems thinking and critical thinking. The objectives of the Software Engineering program can be summarized as follows:

• Design and develop software components for complex systems.

• Communicate with engineers of all disciplines in the languages and methods of those engineers.

• Understand the overall systems context for their projects, and apply systems thinking in designing solutions that integrate components of different types, such as hardware, software and people.