In This Section

The Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering program requires you to complete a minimum of 126 credits including a capstone course. The curriculum addresses a variety of software engineering topics for comprehensive coverage of modern software and techniques including:

  • discrete mathematics
  • probability and statistics
  • computer programming
  • object-oriented methodology
  • software design
  • software validation and verification
  • software security
  • computer networks

As part of SWENG 480/481, taken during your senior year, you'll be required to complete a capstone project which includes collaborating with fellow students to design, plan, manage, and implement a software system and provide you with experience working with real industries.

Collaborative Learning

The online courses are highly interactive and collaborative, allowing you to build strong ties with others and gain perspectives from other disciplines and industries. Maximum flexibility is maintained by the program in an effort to meet both the professional needs of individual students and academic quality standards.

Course List - Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering 

Prescribed Courses (86 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Chemical Principles I CHEM 110 Basic concepts and quantitative relations.  3 credits
Experimental Chemistry I CHEM 111 Introduction to quantitative experimentation in chemistry.

Prerequisite or concurrent: CHEM 110 or CHEM 106		 1 credit
Digital Design: Theory and Practice CMPEN 270 Introduction to digital systems and their design. 

Concurrent: PHYS 212		 4 credits
Microprocessors CMPEN 351 Microprocessor architecture; memory system design; assembly language programming; interrupts; the stacks and subroutines; memory and I/O inter-facing; serial I/O and data communications; microprocessors applications.

Prerequisites: CMPEN 270 or CMPEN 271 and CMPEN 275		 3 credits
Operating Systems CMPEN 441 Resource management in computer systems.

Prerequisite: CMPSC 360		 3 credits
Communication Networks CMPEN 461 Data transmission, encoding, link control techniques, network architecture, design, protocols, and multiple access.

Prerequisites: CMPEN 270 or CMPEN 271; CMPSC 121 or CMPSC 201		 3 credits
Introduction to Programming Techniques CMPSC  121 Design and implementation of algorithms. Structured programming. Problem solving techniques. Introduction to a high-level language, including arrays, procedures, and recursion.

Prerequisite: MATH 110 or prerequisite or concurrent MATH 140		 3 credits
Intermediate Programming CMPSC 122 Object-oriented programming, recursion, fundamental data structures (including stacks, queues, linked lists, hash tables, trees, and graphs), the basics of algorithmic analysis, and an introduction to the principles of language translation.

Prerequisite: CMPSC 121		 3 credits
Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science CMPSC 360 Discrete mathematics and foundations for modern computer science.

Concurrent: CMPSC 122		 3 credits
Database Management Systems CMPSC  431W Topics include: conceptual data modeling, relational data model, relational query languages, schema normalization, database/Internet applications, and database system issues.

Prerequisite: CMPSC 221; ENGL 202C		 3 credits
Programming Language Concepts CMPSC 461 Fundamental concepts of programming language design, specifications, and implementation; programming language paradigms and features; program verification.

Prerequisites: CMPSC 221 or SWENG 311; CMPSC 360		 3 credits
Data Structures and Algorithms CMPSC 465 Fundamental concepts of computer science: data structures, analysis of algorithms, recursion, trees, sets, graphs, sorting.

Prerequisites: CMPSC 122; CMPSC 360 or MATH 311W		 3 credits
Effective Writing: Technical Writing ENGL 202C Writing for students in scientific and technical disciplines.

Prerequisite: ENGL 015 or ENGL 030; fourth-semester standing		 3 credits
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MATH 140 Functions, limits; analytic geometry; derivatives, differentials, applications; integrals, applications.

Prerequisites: MATH 22 and MATH 26 or MATH 26 and satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination or MATH 40 or MATH 41 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination.		 4 credits
Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MATH 141 Derivatives, integrals, applications; sequences and series; analytic geometry; polar coordinates.

Prerequisite: MATH 140 or MATH 140A or MATH 140B or MATH 140E or MATH 140G or MATH 140H		 4 credits
Matrices MATH 220 Systems of linear equations; matrix algebra; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; linear systems of differential equations.

Prerequisites: MATH 110, MATH 140, or MATH 140H		 2 credits
Ordinary Differential Equations MATH 250 First- and second-order equations; special functions; Laplace transform solutions; higher order equations.

Prerequisite: MATH 141		 3 credits
Basic Management Concepts MGMT 301 Study of fundamental principles and processes available to the understanding of management.

Prerequisites: ENGL 015 or ENGL 030; ECON 102 or ECON 104; MATH 021		 3 credits
General Physics: Mechanics PHYS 211 Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of mechanics: motion, force, Newton's laws, energy, collisions, and rotation.

Concurrent: MATH 140		 4 credits
General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism PHYS 212 Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism.

Prerequisites: MATH 140, PHYS 211; Concurrent: MATH 141		 4 credits
Statistical Analysis I STAT 301 Probability concepts; nature of statistical methods; elementary distribution and sampling theory; fundamental ideas relative to estimation and testing hypotheses.

Prerequisite: 3 credits of calculus		 3 credits
Object-Oriented Software Design and Construction SWENG 311 Design, documentation, testing, and construction of software using software engineering strategies embodied in object-oriented programming languages.

Prerequisite: CMPSC 122		 3 credits
Software Engineering SWENG 411 Software engineering principles including lifecycle, dependability, process modeling, project management, requires specification, design analysis, implementation, testing, and maintenance.

Prerequisite: CMPSC 122; Concurrent: SWENG 311		 3 credits
Software Architecture SWENG 421 The analysis and design of software systems using canonical design patterns.

Prerequisite: SWENG 411		 3 credits
Software Verification, Validation, and Testing SWENG 431 Introduction to methods of software verification, validation, and testing; mathematical foundations of testing, reliability models; statistical testing.

Prerequisites: SWENG 411; STAT 301		 3 credits
Embedded Real Time Systems SWENG 452 The design and implementation of real time systems.

Prerequisites: CMPSC 472 or CMPSC 473 or CMPEN 441		 3 credits
Software Engineering Design SWENG 480 Concepts of engineering ethics, economy, and project management, senior capstone project selection, and technical communication skills.

Prerequisite: SWENG 431		 3 credits
Software Engineering Project SWENG 481 Capstone group design projects in software engineering.

Prerequisite: SWENG 480		 3 credits
Additional Courses (6 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits

Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy
or
Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy

 ECON 102

or

ECON 104		 Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution.
or
National income measurement; aggregate economic models; money and income; policy problems.		 3 credits
Electrical Circuits and Power Distribution EE 211 D.C. and A.C. circuits, transformers, single and three-phase distribution systems, A.C. motors and generators.

Prerequisite: PHYS 212; Concurrent: MATH 250		 3 credits
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (9 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Net-centric Computing CMPSC 421 This course introduces JavaScript and AJAX for creating Rich Internet Applications, and XML for client-server communication and Web Services.

Prerequisite: CMPSC 221 or SWENG 311		 3 credits
Web Services SWENG 465 This course introduces the students to a contemporary computing paradigm called "service-oriented computing."

Prerequisite: SWENG 311 or CMPSC 221		 3 credits
Special Topics SWENG 497 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest. 3 credits
Electives (1 credit)
Description Credits
Chosen in consultation with an adviser. 1 credit
General Education (45 credits**)
Description Credits
Arts – GA 6 credits
Humanities – GH 6 credits
Health and Wellness – GHW 3 credits
Natural Sciences – GN 9 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences – GS 6 credits
Writing and Speaking – GWS* 9 credits
Quantification – GQ* 6 credits
Integrative Studies (6 credits)***

*A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

**21 of the 45 credits are included in the Requirements for the Major

***This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. 

Please note: Among the above degree requirements, students should incorporate at least 3 credits in US cultures, 3 credits in international (IL) cultures, and 3 credits in writing across the curriculum courses. The above course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 36 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.