Why Study Software Engineering

The School of Computer Science offers two undergraduate Software Engineering degrees, the Bachelor of Computer Science (Software Engineering) and the Bachelor of Engineering (Software Engineering).

What's the difference?

The BEng(Software Engineering) requires 4 years' full-time study. The BCompSci(Software Engineering) requires 3 years full-time study. Both degrees are very similar in their computer science content for the first three years.

The main difference is that the BEng degree requires a stronger foundation in engineering and mathematics, giving you the skills to study more complex systems. The BEng also includes a full-year group project in the 3rd year, whereas the BCompSci includes a smaller (one semester) group project.

In the fourth year of the BEng, you will study level-four courses in Software Engineering and Professional Practices (Management, Financial Management) from both Engineering and Computer Science. These give you significantly more depth and experience in software engineering principles.

What about honours?

If your results in the first three years are of an adequate standard, you may be invited to take an Honours Degree. For both degrees, the Honours program requires four years of study.

For the BEng, Honours is completed concurrently with the fourth year of study, by the inclusion of a project with a research component. For the BCompSci, honours is an additional year of study that includes a research project.

If you are a BCompSci honours student, you can usually enrol in most level-4 Computer Science Software-Engineering courses; but there are some that are only available to B.Engineering students. If you are a BCompSci honours student, you normally cannot enrol in the Engineering management courses.

What about jobs?

The BEng degree provides a strong mathematical and engineering foundation. You could use this knowledge to design systems that include both hardware and software, and for solving complex problems. Employers that are likely to be interested in these skills are those who work in areas involving hardware/software interaction, and changing environments, such as defence, automotive and communications.

The BCompSci provides a strong foundation in designing general software systems. Most small- to mid-size industries have software development requirements that do not involve special hardware, other than the computers the software runs on. Many larger industries, such as finance, health services, education, entertainment, also have significant software needs, but without a particular hardware bias.

So which should I pick?

As with most things, it depends:

The BEng(Software Eng) will provide you with a broader background, and greater depth in software engineering with an exposure to more maths and system/hardware level engineering. You'll also have more practical experience through projects. The tradeoff is one additional year of study. However, if you do well, you may have the opportunity to complete your honours degree in four years, which is the same time it takes to get an honours degree in the BCompSci. If you are a motivated student with a wide interest in programming in different environments, then the BEng is probably the right choice.

If you don't have an interest in hardware, low level programming, or complex systems, but have a specific interest in Software Engineering and want an introduction to software engineering principles, then BCompSci is probably the right choice.

The BCompSci is also more flexible with electives outside of Computer Science and Engineering, allowing you to study your other areas of interest too. If you are interested in psychology, new languages, politics, history, astronomy, or whatever, a BCompSci can give you fundamental software engineering skills to complement your other interests, and give you the background for a career that combines your interests.

What will you study?

Advanced subjects covered in the later years include high-integrity software engineering, coding and cryptology, embedded computer systems, software process improvement and computer architecture. There is a strong emphasis on group software development projects in years 3 and 4 with close industrial connections. Students are required to complete 12 weeks of approved work experience. Furthermore, students who perform well, especially in the later years, are awarded the B.E. degree with honours.