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
| 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 431 | Topics include: conceptual data modeling, relational data model, relational query languages, schema normalization, database/Internet applications, and database system issues. Prerequisite: CMPSC 221 or SWENG 311; 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 |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Introductory Microeconomic 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 |
| 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 |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Chosen in consultation with an adviser. | 1 credit |
| 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.