Software Engineering

Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2012 academic year unless otherwise specified.

On this page:

This subject is taught by the School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Overview

Almost all aspects of the modern world involve computers. The critical component of computers, which allows them to be used in so many different ways and for so many different applications, is the software.

Designing and implementing software systems is the task of the software engineer, who must manage the enormous complexity of software systems, ensure efficiency and make sure the design is useful. The increasing interconnectedness of software systems makes these problems continually challenging.

Victoria’s Software Engineering programme gives students the expertise needed for solving these problems. Software engineers must not only have a range of technical expertise, but must also be able to work with other people— other engineers, clients and systems users.

The courses in the Software Engineering programme address these issues. Students learn about the processes for managing software projects involving many people and work together to solve problems and develop experience. The final-year courses explore a range of advanced topics in Software Engineering, building directly on the research expertise of the academic staff.

Software Engineering can be taken as a specialisation in the Bachelor of Engineering (BE).

Undergraduate Information

Software Engineering students must complete the following components to obtain their BE (SWEN):

Part 1:

This consists of the following courses, which provide the necessary foundation for a BE (SWEN):

To gain entry to Part 2, students will need to pass their Part 1 courses with at least a B average.

Part 2:

This is the core component of the BE, and is made up of various 200, 300 and 400-level courses:

ENGR 301, 302, 401, 489
NWEN 241, SWEN 221, 222, 223, 224, 301, 302, 303
At least one of COMP 261 or NWEN 242
At least one other course from COMP 301-399, NWEN 301-399, SWEN 304
At least three courses from SWEN 401-440, at least one further course from SWEN 401-440, NWEN 401-440, COMP 421-425

Part 3:

This consists of three courses outside of your specialisation which form a coherent unit. This is an opportunity to explore some other interest you may have outside of the BE.

Work Experience:

This consists of 800 hours of approved work experience in an engineering environment.

Postgraduate Information

Information about postgraduate study in Software Engineering can be found on the School of Engineering and Computer Science's postgraduate study pages.

How to Find out More

You can order more information on this subject by registering on our Request for Study Material Form.

Victoria's Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation Office offers advice on courses and help with planning your degree.

Contact the Faculty of Engineering's Student Administration Office for information on Admission, qualifications and courses, course advice and selection criteria, exemptions and prerequisites and your Application to Study.

Courses, degrees and other qualifications in Engineering are taught by the School of Engineering and Computer Science.

School Office: Cotton Building 358,
Phone: 0-4-463 5341
Email: office@ecs.vuw.ac.nz

Related Subjects and Careers

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List of Courses

On this page:

100 Level Courses
200 Level Courses
300 Level Courses
400 Level Courses

100 Level Courses
SWEN 102 – Introduction to Software Modelling

200 Level Courses
SWEN 221 – Software Development
SWEN 222 – Software Design
SWEN 223 – Software Engineering Analysis
SWEN 224 – Formal Foundations of Programming

300 Level Courses
SWEN 301 – Structured Methods
SWEN 302 – Agile Methods
SWEN 303 – User Interface Design
SWEN 304 – Database System Engineering

400 Level Courses
SWEN 421 – Formal Software Engineering 1
SWEN 422 – Human Computer Interaction
SWEN 423 – Object-Oriented Paradigms
SWEN 424 – Model-Driven Development
SWEN 425 – Design Patterns
SWEN 426 – Advanced Software Engineering: Implementation
SWEN 427 – Advanced Software Engineering: Requirements and Design
SWEN 430 – Compiler Engineering
SWEN 431 – Advanced Programming Languages
SWEN 432 – Advanced Database Design and Implementation
SWEN 433 – Web Information Systems Engineering
SWEN 434 – Data Warehousing
SWEN 438 – Special Topic in Software Engineering 1
SWEN 439 – Special Topic in Software Engineering 2
SWEN 440 – Directed Individual Study
SWEN 441 – Directed Individual Study

School of Engineering and Computer Science