[jon.kiparsky]

An engineering degree, no. A degree with "engineering" in the name? Maybe.

What is a "software engineering" degree? What does it cover? What are the prereqs? If it's something you get in four years of undergrad and it's supposed to set up up to be an "architect" or some such thing, I'd be a little skeptical.

As for IT degrees, those don't even pretend to be engineering. They're about using tools, not making them. Most people who are looking for programmers don't want tech support staff.

[Aphex19]

What is a "software engineering" degree? What does it cover? What are the prereqs?

It's a course which focuses on the processes of software engineering, which is not the same as just purely programming. Software engineering will likely cover the methodologies used to produce (large scale) software for clients. e.g. requirements engineering, system analysis and design. Well, that's what I would expect anyway.

the requirements and prerequisites will be specific to the course, but they will likely assume you have no prior programming experience.

[jon.kiparsky]

Well, yes, I've actually taken a software engineering course. It was a little different from what you describe, and it involved a hell of a lot of programming, since most of the course was a group project built for a client who actually expected something tangible at the end of the year, but it did cover that material as well.

I was wondering what a software engineering degree might be, since without that answer you can't say whether you look down on it. Simply pointing to the eleven-letter word in the title of the degree doesn't tell us much.

[Gantz]

I don't know how it works in the rest of the world, but in Canada many Software Engineering graduates have the capability to become Professional Engineers (professional accreditation http://www.peng.ca/english/index.html ) And that means that one has to pass first year and so on and so forth. In Canada the software engineering program is basically computer engineering w/ a shift of focus from hardware to software.

[omglookitsagoat]

According to the software engineering degree page at UTD, This is what the software engineering degree is like: "Like the BS degree in computer science, the BS in software engineering is based on a mathematical foundation that includes calculus, linear algebra and discrete mathematics. The two programs also have the same computer science core, including modern programming methodologies, the analysis of algorithms and data structures, and the study of operating systems. But whereas the computer science program continues with courses in advanced data structures, programming languages and automata theory, the software engineering program includes courses in requirements engineering, software validation and testing, and software architecture. There’s also a rich choice of application areas, including digital systems design, computer networks, embedded systems, computer imaging, artificial intelligence and cognitive modeling, and human-computer interaction."

[jon.kiparsky]

Sounds reasonably serious. I'm not sure I would want a software engineer who hadn't done serious programming, so if that's not included I'd be a little worried, but from the description, this might be a reasonable program.

From the point of view of someone hiring, the question is, what does this degree tell me about the applicant. They want the person who can do the job they need done - if the degree communicates that, it's a good indicator.

[omglookitsagoat]

UTD is a good quality college. I would trust almost anyone who could finish the program there to be able to do what they claim to be able to do. It's known in the state for being a great college for STEM careers. It's very technology and science oriented. I would assume the software engineering degree there does include some programming since it says it has the same core as computer science, which does include programming.

I looked at a lot of different colleges in different states and their curriculum for computer science and UTD looked like the best one out of all the ones I looked at.

More info from the software engineering degree page at UTD's website:
"The software engineering program is part of the University’s Computer Science Department, which features an internationally recognized faculty and a 150,000-square-foot building with state-of-the-art laboratories."

source page

This post has been edited by omglookitsagoat: 09 October 2011 - 12:58 PM

[jon.kiparsky]

Well, I think you're answered your question: it's a serious school, so the math requirements will be serious, and you should take them seriously. If that worries you, you should talk to someone in the department about your specific concerns, and make what use you can of their advice.

[Nikitin]

You should try to get into UT Austin. Just saying...

[elgose]

omglookitsagoat, on 09 October 2011 - 01:52 PM, said:

UTD is a good quality college. I would trust almost anyone who could finish the program there to be able to do what they claim to be able to do.
...

UTD is a good school, but be careful with your zeal. You'll have people at every school that just barely got through, and other people that will claim they can do things they can't (there's usually a lot of overlap between the two). UTD is no exception.

Nikitin, on 09 October 2011 - 09:45 PM, said:

You should try to get into UT Austin. Just saying...

UT (isn't it the one school in the UT program that you don't add the city?) is one of the few schools I'd rather go to in Texas. Nothin' wrong with UTD, but UT's somethin' special.

[omglookitsagoat]

Thanks for the advice. I'll consider UT then. I'm going to look for a professor I can talk to about which college and major would be the best for me.

[ishkabible]

jon.kiparsky, on 09 October 2011 - 08:49 PM, said:

Sounds reasonably serious. I'm not sure I would want a software engineer who hadn't done serious programming, so if that's not included I'd be a little worried, but from the description, this might be a reasonable program.

From the point of view of someone hiring, the question is, what does this degree tell me about the applicant. They want the person who can do the job they need done - if the degree communicates that, it's a good indicator.

that seems to be the most important point, showing you can program. i really think im going to want an open source project to put on my resume sense not only dose that show i can program but it shows them how i can program. it's also part of the culture more or less.