Computer software plays an important role in our daily lives: Our mobile phones, laptop computers, online banking, Internet applications such as YouTube, video games and movies, cars, and almost all aspects of daily life are touched by software. In addition, the number and size of computer applications continues to grow. It is not surprising that in 2004 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 760,840 software engineers employed in the U.S. in comparison to approximately 1,400,000 employed in all other engineering disciplines combined! Also, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, computer software engineering promises to be one of the fastest growing occupations between 2004 and 2014 and that many opportunities will exist for graduates with at least a bachelors degree in the field:

Employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations, as businesses and other organizations adopt and integrate new technologies and seek to maximize the efficiency of their computer systems. Competition among businesses will continue to create an incentive for increasingly sophisticated technological innovations, and organizations will need more computer software engineers to implement these changes. In addition to jobs created through employment growth, many job openings will result annually from the need to replace workers who move into managerial positions, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force.

Finally, software engineering continues to be cited as being among some of the top career choices based on salaries and job satisfaction.

A high school background in computers is not necessary to major in software engineering because the program includes introductory courses needed for the major. The software engineering major at Miami differs from computer science in that it emphasizes topics such as software design, software quality assurance, software requirements analysis, software project management, software maintenance, and formal methods for software development.  The curriculum integrates course work in computer science, software engineering, mathematics, oral and written communication, the liberal arts and science. Throughout the program students learn in a team environment and thus gain skills in effective communication. Students also choose a specialization area (four courses) in an particular application area from diverse areas such as bioinformatics, scientific systems, computer security, e-business systems, and other areas.

On- and off-campus opportunities are available for students to gain practical and professional experience.  BITS (Benton Information Technology Solutions) is a student-run technology consulting business providing computer solutions to on- and off-campus clients.  From the CEO through software engineers, students experience the reality of running their own technology business.  Other on-campus options include working with a faculty member on research, and jobs in our computer labs.  Miami's Office of Career Services assists in placing many students in summer internship employment. Students also participate in professional societies such as the ACM(Association for Computing Machinery), the AWC Committee on Women in Computing, and the Student Advisory Council.

Curriculum and Handbook

Curriculum for the Software Engineering Major.

For more details about the program see the Undergraduate CSA Student Handbook.