Software Engineering
College of Engineering
Much of our modern-day world is controlled by software from items in our personal lives like cars, cell phones and computers, to more global areas such as medical devices, business systems or even national defense. Software engineers design, build and maintain the software used in these devices and more.
San Luis Obispo, California
The software engineering program provides an in-depth study of computer science and software engineering fundamentals and practice, as well as a strong emphasis on mathematics and the use of engineering methods in software design.
Interactive Entertainment Concentration
The Interactive Entertainment concentration prepares you for technical-oriented careers relating to computer graphics, digital animation, video games and interactive experiences.
More about Interactive Entertainment Concentration
Other Areas of Concentration
While not formal concentrations, the major offers a wide choice of technical electives that allows you to focus on particular areas of computer science including databases, distributed computing, software engineering, programming languages, graphical user interfaces, operating systems, computer networks, computer graphics and artificial intelligence.
Software engineering majors are able to participate in a blended program where you can earn your bachelor's and master's degrees at the same time.
To be eligible for the program, you must have completed 20 units of CSC courses past CPE 203. Participation in the program is based on prior academic performance and other measures of professional promise, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
About the Program
Software engineering prepares you to design, build and maintain software for computers, business applications, games, network control systems and more.
Classes emphasize the team approach to building software and provide leadership opportunities. Lab experiences and a required internship ensure that you will have both a theoretical and practical understanding of software engineering and will prepare you to become software professionals who develop good products on time and within budget. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Learn by Doing
In this program, you will learn general programming skills as well as the software development process including design, testing, debugging, documentation, problem solving, requirements and more. You will develop websites and apps, write code for operating systems of devices such as autonomous vehicles, and much more.
Develop an App
Our Graduates
Software engineering graduates find significant opportunities in software development and management, software engineering and marketing in California and throughout the world.
Graduates are highly recruited by industry, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, IBM, SUN, Intel, Intuit, Amgen, Adobe, Salesforce, DreamWorks, Disney, Electronic Arts (and other game companies), Raytheon, Boeing, Cisco, HP, JPL, Saint Jude Medical, Lawrence Livermore National Labs and many more.