Undergraduate degree in Software Engineering

DEGREES AVAILABLE: Major

What is Software Engineering?

Software Engineering combines a solid foundation in computer science with knowledge of how to engineer modern software systems, and how to function within teams.

  • The Software Engineering major prepares students to be productive members of software engineering teams in a variety of application domains, with focus on the domains of major importance within each decade.
  • The major emphasizes the design and implementation of large software systems.

Is Software Engineering for me?

The Software Engineering major gives students a strong foundation in software engineering as well as a solid basis in computer science. Students should consider this major if you:

  • Want to be a productive member of software engineering teams in a variety of application domains including, but not restricted to, Web and mobile applications
  • Wish to acquire technical knowledge and have an appreciation for life-long learning
  • Are excited by the ability to place software in the social context in which is it developed
  • Wish to create novel applications that have the potential to bring social change

What do I take?

Coursework in mathematics and statistics provide students the basis for rigorous thinking; coursework in the foundations of computer science provide students the basis for computational thinking; coursework in topics of software engineering prepares students for the production of software; project courses prepare students for the practice of software development.

Lower-division:

  1. ICS 21 and ICS 22, or Informatics 41 and 42, or ICS 31* and ICS 32* and ICS 33*.
  2. ICS 65 or ICS 45C.
  3. ICS 45J*.
  4. ICS 23 or ICS 46.
  5. Informatics 43 or ICS 52.
  6. ICS 51.
  7. Mathematics 2A-B, ICS 6B, ICS 6D, ICS 6N*, Statistics 7 or Statistics 67.

Upper-division:

  1. Core requirements: CS 122A, CS 143A, CS 132, CS 161, Informatics 101/CS 141, Informatics 113, Informatics 115, Informatics 131, Informatics 121, Informatics 122, Informatics 123, Informatics 151, Informatics 191A-B-C, ICS 139.
  2. Four elective courses chosen from the following: Informatics 102, Informatics 124, Informatics 125/CS 113, Informatics 133, Informatics 134, Informatics 141/CS 121, Informatics 143, Informatics 148, Informatics 161, CS 133, CS 134, CS 142A, CS 142B, CS 145A, CS 145B, CS 146, CS 165, ICS 160, ICS 167, ICS 168.

Software Engineering elective courses may not be counted as part of the Management Minor or the Biomedical Computing Minor.

*Note:  These courses will be taught during AY 2012-13

Change of major Criteria

Current UCI students interested in changing their major to Software Engineering must meet the following requirements:

  • Average cumulative UC GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Students must complete the following required courses with an average GPA of 2.0 or higher at the time of application:
    • ICS 21/CSE 21 and ICS 22/CSE 22, or Informatics 41 and 42, or ICS 31 and 32;
    • One of the following: Math 2A, Math 2B, ICS 6B, or ICS 6D.
  • Students with more than 60 units will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may not be admitted to the major
  • Students will not be able to complete the degree in Software Engineering prior to Spring 2013.

Special Programs and Learning Opportunities

There are several ways to add depth, scope, and experiential learning to your academic program of study. An academic counselor will help you determine the most efficient way to add another major, minor, or concentration to your academic plan, and will refer you to other campus programs and resources that support your interests and future goals.

» CONCENTRATIONS:


  • Engineering and Computer Science in the Global Context

    All Bren School majors in good standing may propose an academic plan that demonstrates the ability to complete the concentration and other requirements for graduation in a reasonable timeframe.

    The globalization of the marketplace for information technology services and products makes it likely that Bren ICS graduates will work in multicultural settings or be employed by companies with extensive international operations, or customer bases. The goal of the concentration is to help students develop and integrate knowledge of the history, language and culture of a country or geographic region outside the United States, through coursework both at UCI and an international host campus, followed by a technology related internship in the host country.

    Application:
    Each student's proposed program of study, specifying coursework and a guided internship experience in a region outside the U.S., must be approved in advance by the Bren School of ICS Associate Dean for Student Affairs. It is expected that each student's proposal will reflect a high degree of planning that includes the guidance of academic counselors and those at the UCI Center for International Education regarding course selection, as well as considerations related to internship opportunities, housing and financial aid. The academic counselors and the Associate Dean will be available to assist qualified students with the development of a satisfactory academic plan, as needed.

    Requirements:
    1. A minimum of eight courses at UCI or at the international campus with an emphasis on the culture, language (if applicable and necessary), history, literature of the country that corresponds to the international portion of the program, international law, international labor policy, global issues, global institutions, global conflict and negotiation and global economics;
    2. A one or two semester sequence of technical courses related to the major and, possibly, cultural, history, and literature courses taken at an international university;
    3. A two month or longer technical internship experience in the same country as the international educational experience.
» MINORS

Students inside and outside of the Bren School of ICS may want to pursue a minor, a coordinated set of courses which together take a student well beyond the introductory level in an academic field, subject, and/or discipline. Note: Some minor requirements may be fulfilled by the student’s major requirements. Some major/minor combinations are not allowed.

» OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONORS-LEVEL STUDY

Students who are majoring in Biomedical Computing, Business Information Management, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, and Information and Computer Science, and ICS Undeclared Pre-Majors are invited to apply for admission to the Bren School of ICS's introductory honors sequence (ICS H21/H22/H23). These courses provide a uniquely challenging and intimate learning environment in which conventional course material is explored in greater depth.

A student must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible to enroll in ICS H21:

  • Minimum 620 on each of 2 of 3 sections of the SAT; or
  • Member of the UCI Campuswide Honors Program; or
  • Verification of score of 3 or higher on AP Computer Science A exam; or

Eligible students will be provided an authorization code (required) for course enrollment at the time of their summer orientation/registration session.

» BREN SCHOOL OF ICS HONORS PROGRAM

Allows juniors and seniors majoring in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Informatics, or Information and Computer Science to pursue advanced work in one of many research areas.

Students admitted to the program participate in an honors seminar, conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member, and write a research paper.

More information about eligibility criteria and benefits of successful completion of the honors program is available at the Honors program web site.

» INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

The School encourages all majors to take advantage of this valuable experience, and faculty advertise many research opportunities every year.

Students are also encouraged to participate in the campus Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which offers guidance and grant funding for student-proposed independent research, and sponsors programs which provide summer stipends for students working on faculty-guided research.

» CAMPUSWIDE HONORS PROGRAM

Available to selected high-achieving students from all academic majors from their freshman through senior years. For more information see the CHP web site.

» EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAM

Upper-division students have the opportunity to experience different cultures while making progress toward degree objectives through the Education Abroad Program (EAP).

EAP is an overseas study program which operates in cooperation with host universities and colleges throughout the world.

» OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST

Still not sure?

Prospective and current students interested in learning more about the Bren ICS degree options are encouraged to meet with the Associate Dean, counselors and student ambassadors in the Bren ICS Student Affairs Office.

They will help you determine which of our majors and minors best support your academic strengths and interests.

CONTACT:
Bren ICS Student Affairs Office
Information and Computer Science Building I, Suite 352
Irvine, CA 92697-3430
Phone: (949) 824-5156
Email: ucounsel@uci.edu

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