Program Overview

Software engineering is a young profession that has become vital to our society. Industries, services, health care, finance, security, education and the government depend on software assets and services. Relying on computer science, engineering, and mathematics, software engineering provides principles and processes that help developers produce high-quality software that is safe, secure, and reliable.

Software Engineering at UT Dallas

The software engineering program is part of the University’s Department of Computer Science, which features an internationally recognized faculty with more than 2,800 students and a 150,000-square-foot building with modern classrooms and cutting-edge laboratories.

Like the BS degree in computer science, the BS in software engineering is based on a mathematical foundation that includes calculus, linear algebra and discrete mathematics. The two programs also have the same computer science core, including modern programming methodologies, the analysis of algorithms and data structures, and the study of operating systems. While the computer science program continues with courses in advanced data structures, programming languages and automata theory, the software engineering program includes courses in engineering, software validation and testing, and software architecture. There is also a rich choice of application areas, including digital systems design, computer networks, embedded systems, computer imaging, artificial intelligence, machine learning and human-computer interaction.

The Jonsson School operates one of the largest internship and cooperative education programs of its kind, averaging more than 2,800 undergraduate and graduate student placements a year at Dallas-area high-tech companies, including Texas Instruments, State Farm, Lockheed Martin, AT&T, Fujitsu Laboratories of America, Samsung Electronics, Cisco, Intel, Raytheon and IBM.

Software engineering requires strong high school preparation. A minimum of elementary algebra and geometry should be completed, while trigonometry, calculus, physics and chemistry are highly recommended. Any Advanced Placement courses in computer science or advanced technology are highly beneficial, and solid communication skills are very important.

Careers in Software Engineering

Virtually all major companies and corporations need software-related core competencies. Software engineers are central in developing and making use of these competencies. They work in teams that interface extensively with clients, company executives, IT managers, data scientists, and security and domain experts. Software engineering professionals are creative, highly collaborative, well paid, and in very high demand by employers. Software engineering graduates embark on career paths that may lead to positions as chief strategy officer, project manager, chief technology officer, software architect, senior manager of software development, risk management officer, and security analyst.

About the School of Engineering and Computer Science

The Jonsson School is strategically located in the Telecom Corridor, home to the second-largest high-tech economy in the U.S. The School recently completed a major public-private initiative that greatly expanded its capabilities, including the construction of a new state-of-the-art 220,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research building, and recently opened a 200,000-square-foot engineering building. With more than 165 tenured/tenure-track faculty members, 7,400 students, and $53 million in research funding, the Jonsson School has six academic departments:

Bioengineering

Computer engineering

Computer science

Materials science and engineering

Mechanical engineering

Systems engineering

The school also offers a minor in nanoscience and technology.