Master of Science  in Software Engineering 2008

Software Engineering is a discipline concerned with the practical problems of developing large-scale software systems. Software engineers are the architects of the software component of a computer-based system, providing several levels of representations or blueprints leading to specifications through which programmers build the subsystems and modules of the system. Software development methodologies and management techniques combine with theories from mathematics and computer science in a cost-effective manner to solve real-world system development problems. This degree provides students with the theoretical foundations of software engineering, experience in team projects involving software development and management, hands-on experience with state-of-the-art tools, an understanding of advanced software development and management techniques, and exposure to the most recent developments and emerging technologies in Software Engineering.

All students complete any necessary prerequisite courses plus 13 graduate courses. All students are required to participate in an extensive team software development project using cutting edge technologies. Students also have the option of participating in Software Engineering research to keep them abreast of this rapidly changing field. However, to be admitted into the program, they need to have demonstrated through their prior coursework that they can consistently perform at a B level or higher. Students complete the requirements of one of the five concentrations: Project Management, Software Development, Software Architecture, Systems Analysis or Gaming and Entertainment Technologies.

The Project Management Concentration of the Master of Science in Software Engineering addresses the management of the quality of software products and processes and provides coursework in management and measurement techniques.

The Software Development Concentration of the Master of Science in Software Engineering addresses the foundations, methodologies, and tools for developing high quality large-scale software systems, with an emphasis on the technical issues of software development.

The Software Architecture Concentration of the Master of Science in Software Engineering addresses the management and design of large-scale or enterprise-level software systems solutions. Emphasis is on integrating and balancing the needs and expectations of all stakeholders in the system, including customers, developers, and end users.

The Systems Analysis Concentration of the Master of Science in Software Engineering addresses requirements engineering and quality assurance of large-scale or enterprise-level software systems solutions. Emphasis is on analyzing the user requirements and evolving business needs, capturing complex structure and behavior of software applications, and achieving high qualities of software systems using state-of-art tools and techniques.

The Gaming and Entertainment Technologies Concentration of the Master of Science in Software Engineering addresses the foundations, methodologies, and tools for developing large-scale computer games and entertainment software systems. The emphasis is placed on the software architecture of such systems and their main components such as physics engines, artificial intelligence modules, and communication subsystems, etc.
 

The Software Engineering program has two phases:

• Prerequisite Phase
• Graduate Phase

For more information, see the MS in SE Advising Guide.

Grade and GPA requirements

Students in this degree program must complete 13 courses (52 hours) beyond the Prerequisite Phase. Successful completion of the Software Engineering Program consists of:

• Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses.
• Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree.
• Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA.
• Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.

Prerequisite Phase for Project Management, Software Development, Software Architecture and System Analysis

Prerequisite Phase for Gaming and Entertainment Technologies

Graduate Phase

Students may register for graduate courses only after meeting all Prerequisite Phase requirements. The graduate phase consists of the following components:

• Foundation Phase
• Advanced Phase
• Elective Phase
• Software Engineering Studio or Capstone phase

Foundation Phase - All Concentrations

Advanced Phase

Software Development Concentration

Required

Project Management Concentration

Required

Software Architecture Concentration

Required

Systems Analysis Concentration

Required

Gaming and Entertainment Technologies Concentration

Required

Four courses from any of the following:

Software Development

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		SE 431 Model-Driven Software Development
		SE 480 Software Architecture
		SE 533 Software Validation and Verification
		SE 540 Software Development for Mobile and Wireless Systems
		SE 542 Software Development for Limited and Embedded Devices

Enterprise Computing

Offered Winter
In class	Online
√	√	SE 452 Object-Oriented Enterprise Computing
		SE 554 Enterprise Component Architecture
		SE 453 Architecture and Frameworks for Developing Client Applications
		SE 457 Service-Oriented Architecture
		SE 560 Structured Document Interchange and Processing

Computer Security

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		SE 473 Security Architecture I
		SE 573 Security Architecture II
		CNS 450 Computer Forensics

Distributed Systems

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		SE 435 Distributed Systems I
		SE 536 Distributed Systems II
		SE 552 Concurrent Software Development
		TDC 573 Multimedia Networking
		CSC 438 Framework for Web Application Development

Project Management

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		SE 468 Software Measurement/Project Estimation
√	√	SE 477 Software and Systems Project Management
√	√	IS 556 Enterprise Project Management
√	√	IS 535 Information Technology Investment Financial Analysis
		IS 533 Enterprise Security Infrastructure Controls and Regulatory Compliance
		IS 565 IT Outsourcing
		IS 560 Enterprise Systems

Requirements Engineering

Offered Winter
In class	Online
√	√	SE 470 Software Development Processes
		SE 482 Requirements Engineering
√	√	HCI 440 Usability Engineering
		SE 433 Software Testing and Quality Assurance

User Interface Engineering

Offered Winter
In class	Online
√	√	HCI 440 Usability Engineering
		SE 453 Architecture and Frameworks for Developing Client Applications
		SE 540 Software Development for Mobile and Wireless Systems
		SE 546 Software Architecture and Design for Desktop Applications

Bio-Informatics

Offered Winter
In class	Online
√	√	CSC 421 Applied Algorithms and Structures
		CSC 531 Introduction to Bioinformatics
		CSC 541 Introduction to Proteomics

Programming Languages & Compiler

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		CSC 447 Concepts of Programming Languages
√	√	CSC 448 Compiler Design
		CSC 548 Advanced Compiler Design
		CSC 535 Formal Semantics of Programming Languages

System Engineering

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		SE 540 Software Development for Mobile and Wireless Systems
		SE 542 Software Development for Limited and Embedded Devices
		SE 546 Software Architecture and Design for Desktop Applications
		CSC 443 Introduction to Operating Systems
		CSC 546 Operating Systems Design
		CSC 559 Software Engineering for Financial Markets

Gaming and Entertainment Technology

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		SE 456 Architecture of Computer Games
		SE 556 Advanced Architecture of Computer Games
		SE 558 Architecture and Design for Multiplayer Games
√		GAM 476 Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games
		GPH 425 Survey of Computer Graphics

Artificial Intelligence

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		CSC 480 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
√	√	CSC 578 Neural Networks and Machine Learning

Software Engineering Research

Students taking the research option must take the following course:

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		SE 690 Research Seminar

Student must also complete one of the following:

Offered Winter
In class	Online
		SE 696 Master's Project
		SE 698 Master's Thesis

SE 698 Masters Thesis is a two-credit hour course. Students must register for this course a minimum of two times and must continue to enroll in the course in every quarter after the first quarter until the thesis is completed to the satisfaction of their advisor. A maximum of four credit hours will apply for degree credit.

The Master's project or thesis must represent an original contribution to the area, and may include system development, empirical studies, or theoretical work. The scope and the details of the research project will be determined by the research supervisor, and must be approved by the student's academic advisor.

Elective Phase - CTI Electives

One elective course in the range of 420-699, must be from the school of CTI. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit. Any course required for the student’s concentration but taken as part of the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be waived, but cannot be used for elective credit.

Elective Course Restrictions

Elective courses are in the range of 420-699, and must be from the school of CTI. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit. Any course required for the students concentration but taken as part of the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be waived, but cannot be used for elective credit.

Students in all concentrations are required to complete the following:

Students in the Software Development, Project Management, Software Architecture and Systems Analysis concentrations are required to complete the following:

These two courses must be taken as a sequence in consecutive quarters. Students will be working on a large, real project in a team. The project will be carried out from conceptualization to completion using the current technologies.

Students in the Gaming and Entertainment Technology concentration are required to complete

One of the following:

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Last Modified: Tuesday May 26, 2009