Software Engineering

Program Description

Software Engineering is focused on the application of systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to the development, operation, and maintenance of software systems. Inclusive of computer programming but going well beyond, Software Engineering is concerned with methodologies, techniques, and tools to manage the entire software life cycle, including development of requirements, specifications, design, testing, maintenance, and project management. The advent of Software Engineering is a natural result of the continuous quest for software quality and reusability, and the maturing of the software development industry.

The Department of Computer Science offers a Graduate Certificate in Software Engineering, Master of Software Engineering, Master of Science in Software Engineering, and Ph.D. in Software Engineering. The programs are designed to appeal to both full-time students and software professionals who are employed and wish to pursue a program part time. The Master of Software Engineering is a course work only program while the Master of Science in Software Engineering is a course work, comprehensive examination and research program. For additional information, see cs.ndsu.edu or contact the Computer Science Department at (701) 231-8562 or gradinfo@cs.ndsu.edu.

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants must fulfill the program requirements listed below:

Certificate

1. B.S. or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing, including 12 semester hours or equivalent of Computer Science or Software Engineering courses from an educational institution of recognized standing, or at least one year full-time professional software engineering experience;
2. Programming skill in a modern higher level programming language, preferably C++, C#, or Java;
3. A 2.85 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA in previous course work.

Master of Software Engineering

1. Bachelor’s level (B.S., B.A., Sc.B., etc.) degree from an educational institution of recognized standing;
2. Ability to design and implement a program consisting of several interacting classes that might total approximately 100 executable statements;
3. International Students require a minimum TOEFL ibT of 79 or an IELTS of 6.5.
4. A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA in previous coursework. Conditional admission may be given with a 2.7 or higher GPA and professional experience.

Master of Science

1. Four year or longer B.S. or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 grade point scale. Eighteen semester hours or equivalent in Computer Science from an educational institution of recognized standing, or at least 2 years of full-time professional software engineering experience. Full time professional experience may offset the GPA requirement at the rate of 0.1 in GPA for each 18 months of such experience to a maximum of 0.3 in GPA;
2. Programming skill with one modern higher level programming language, preferably C++, C#, or Java.
3. A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA in all previous coursework.

Doctor of Philosophy

1. Four year or longer B.S. or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing with at least a 3.25 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 grade point scale. Eighteen semester hours or equivalent in Computer Science from an educational institution of recognized standing, or at least 3 years of full-time professional software engineering experience. Significant full-time professional software development experience may offset this GPA requirement at the rate of 0.1 in GPA for each 2 years of such experience to a maximum of 0.4 in GPA. If the applicant has an M.S. or equivalent degree from an educational institution of recognized standing, the GPA in that degree should be at least 3.35 on a 4.0 scale.
2. Programming skill in at least 1 higher level programming language, preferably C++, C#, or Java.