Software Engineering, MS

Program Coordinator: Mark Hills (SZ C-110 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9692; hillsma@ecu.edu)

The master of science in software engineering is designed to provide students with practical knowledge, skills, and professional practices needed to succeed and excel in a rapidly changing software engineering industry. The program also prepares students to pursue further graduate work leading to a PhD degree.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should follow the admissions requirements and process as stated in the admission and retention section of this catalog and the graduate admissions website. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required. Thirtieth (30th) percentile score on the GRE General test is required. Foreign nationals must score 6.5 in the IELTS or 80 on the TOEFL (20 on each section) and must have met all other admission criteria prior to registering for the first semester courses.

Pathways for Entry into the Programs

Two pathways are available for completing the software engineering program requirements. The appropriate pathway depends on the undergraduate major.

Traditional Pathway

The traditional entry pathway is for students whose bachelor’s degrees are in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, information technology, management information systems, or a similar computing discipline. Thirty (30) semester hours are required to earn the degree.

Nontraditional Pathway

The nontraditional entry pathway is for students whose bachelor’s degrees are in engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, or similar analytic and quantitative discipline. Students entering through this pathway are required to complete two specially designed courses during their first semester of study (SENG 5000 and SENG 5005 ). The goals of these two courses are to impart prerequisite knowledge and skills essential to succeed in the program. Thirty-eight (38) hours are required to earn the degree.

Plan of Study

Students are required to complete a Plan of Study Form in consultation with the graduate program director before they begin their graduate study. This is usually done during the week before the first day of classes of first semester.

Degree Requirements

(Choose the appropriate pathway based upon undergraduate major.)

Traditional Pathway

Minimum degree requirement is 30 s.h. of credit as follows:

Core - 9 s.h.

Electives - 21 s.h.

(Choose the 21 s.h. of electives from one of the following three options.)

Course Work Only Option

Twenty-one (21) s.h. from 6000-level software engineering (SENG) courses and 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses. The semester hours from the CSCI courses must not exceed nine (9).

Project Option

Eighteen (18) semester hours from 6000-level software engineering (SENG) courses and 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses. The semester hours from the CSCI courses must not exceed nine (9). Additionally, SENG 6290 - Software Engineering Project with a written project report is required for this option.

The project option involves collecting research literature on a topic of interest, critically examining it, and summarizing the research in the form of a formal technical report. This option may also involve developing software systems or proof of concept systems. Students must deliver an oral presentation of their findings. Students select topics for their projects in consultation with research advisors prior to the beginning of the last semester of study. SENG 6290 is typically completed during the last semester of study.

Thesis Option

Fifteen s.h. from 6000-level software engineering (SENG) courses and 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses. The semester hours from the CSCI courses must not exceed nine (9). Additionally, SENG 7000 - Thesis with a written thesis report is required for this option.

Note:

The coursework option requires an e-Portfolio comprehensive examination. Please contact the program coordinator for more information.

Nontraditional Pathway

Minimum degree requirement is 38 s.h. of credit as follows:

Preparatory courses - 8 s.h.

Core - 9 s.h.

Electives - 21 s.h.

(Choose the 21 s.h. from one of the following three options.)

Course Work Only Option

Twenty-one (21) s.h. from 6000-level software engineering (SENG) courses and 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses. The semester hours from the CSCI courses must not exceed nine (9).

Project Option

Eighteen (18) s.h. from 6000-level software engineering (SENG) courses and 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses. The semester hours from the CSCI courses must not exceed nine 9. Additionally, SENG 6290 - Software Engineering Project with a written project report is required for this option.

Thesis Option

Fifteen (15) s.h. from 6000-level software engineering (SENG) courses and 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses. The s.h. from the CSCI courses must not exceed nine (9). Additionally, SENG 7000 - Thesis with a written thesis report is required for this option.

For the thesis option, students must summarize their research work in the form of a formal written document and deliver an oral presentation. Thesis research work is typically conducted over two semesters.

Note:

The coursework option requires an e-Portfolio comprehensive examination. Please contact the program coordinator for more information.

Note:

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be submitted for all graduate courses. No more than 6 s.h. of course work evaluated as C may be counted toward the degree.