Software Engineering

Software is everywhere, but it is the job of Software Engineers to design software systems that have the required functionality, and are secure and reliable. This goes beyond programming, and a feature of our Software Engineering program is a series of software engineering workshops that give students experience in working in small teams and managing projects.

Software Engineering is a profession concerned with the processes, methods, and tools for the design and development of high quality, reliable software systems. This involves the study and application of software specification, design, implementation, testing, and documentation of software. Target systems may range from simple software applications to mission-critical real-time systems.

The software industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Even companies that have been associated largely with hardware in the past estimate that 80-90% of their engineers are involved in software development. As a consequence of this rapid expansion there is a serious worldwide shortage of software engineers who are able to deal with the complexity of developing high-quality software systems.

Given the ubiquitous nature of software in modern society, software engineers can find employment opportunities in many areas. These will include, but will not be limited to, the computing, software, electronics, telecommunications, security and defence industries.

The program provides a thorough grounding in fundamental computer science areas and substantial exposure to applications, giving students a broad spectrum of experience in aspects of software systems from the machine level to applications in business and industry.

A feature of the program is our Software Engineering Workshop series of courses that spans the first three years of the program. These workshops are used to undertake realistic projects in which students work in teams and gain experience with all aspects of software development.

The program objective is to produce graduates who will be able to:

• Undertake the production of high quality software.
• Meet the needs of society for efficient, reliable software over the period of their professional life.
• Make significant contributions to the development and application of computing technology, especially software.
• Take an active part in developing the Software Engineering profession.

The program contains the following electives:

• two free elective courses (12 UoC) chosen from anywhere in the University. These two course are usually taken in first and second years of the program.
• eight Software Engineering professional elective courses (48 UoC) chosen from a broad suite of level 3 and 4 courses in computing, mathematics, electrical engineering and information systems. These courses are usually taken in the third and fourth years of the program.

Maths Ext 1, English Standard Band 3 or English (ESL) Band 4. Students who do not meet these levels should contact our Student Office about alternatives, including bridging courses and alternative program structures.

Maths Ext 2. Subjects listed under Advantageous Knowledge will be useful for a more in depth study of the field. Obtaining a result in Band E4 in Maths Ext 2 allows students to take the higher level maths course MATH1141.

Examples include software engineers employed with companies that develop significant software systems. These will include the computing, software, telecommunications, electronics, security finance and defence industries as well as business.

At least 60 days of approved Industrial Training must be completed before graduation. Industrial Training should be concurrent with enrolment and is best accumulated in the summer recesses at the end of years 2 and 3.

S1 = Semester 1 (12 weeks)
S2 = Semester 2 (12 weeks)
UoC = Units of Credit

Information on electives can be found from the School's website, or students can come to our Academic Advisory session (held during the enrolment period) for more information and advice about which electives to choose.