Program Contact: Christian Duncan, 203-582-3817
Computers are ubiquitous, and thus so is the code to run devices, applications and even the machines themselves. The most complicated artifacts built by humans are software systems, and software engineers design and develop these systems. Using cutting-edge engineering principles and practices in a hands-on team-oriented environment, software engineering students learn how to build the code of the future.
Through exposure to the University Curriculum, foundational coursework in science, mathematics, major field courses and extracurricular activities, students graduating with a BS in Software Engineering achieve intellectual proficiencies in critical thinking and reasoning, scientific literacy, quantitative reasoning, information fluency and creative thinking and visual literacy. They also achieve interpersonal proficiencies in written and oral communication, responsible citizenship, diversity awareness and sensitivity and social intelligence.
The BS in Software Engineering program requires a minimum of 120 credits for degree completion.
Note: A minimum grade of C- is required for all computer science and software engineering course prerequisites, unless otherwise stated.
Within the policies of the School of Computing & Engineering, the Software Engineering program enforces credit limits during the academic terms. Exceeding 18 credits in the fall or spring semesters, 4 credits in the January term, or 10 credits in each summer term requires the approval of the dean's office.
Please see footnotes for additional information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum | 50 | |
| Software Engineering Courses | ||
| CSC 110 & 110L | Programming and Problem Solving and Programming and Problem Solving Lab | 4 |
| CSC 111 & 111L | Data Structures and Abstraction and Data Structures and Abstraction Lab | 4 |
| CSC 215 | Algorithm Design and Analysis | 3 |
| SER 120 & 120L | Object-Oriented Design and Programming and Object-Oriented Design and Programming Lab | 4 |
| SER 210 | Software Engineering Design and Development | 3 |
| SER 225 | Introduction to Software Development | 3 |
| SER 305 | Advanced Computational Problem Solving | 3 |
| SER 340 | Full-Stack Development 1:Software Requirements Analysis | 3 |
| SER 341 | Full-Stack Development 2: Software Design | 3 |
| SER 330 | Software Quality Assurance | 3 |
| SER 350 | Software Project Management | 3 |
| SER 490 | Engineering Professional Experience | 0 |
| SER 491 | Senior Capstone I | 3 |
| SER 492 | Senior Capstone II | 3 |
| CSC/SER Elective: CSC 210, CSC 240 or any CSC or SER course at the 300 level or above 1 | 3 | |
| SER Elective: Any two additional SER courses at the 300 level or above | 6 | |
| Math, Science, and Engineering Requirement 2 | ||
| ENR 395 | Professional Development Seminar | 1 |
| MA 285 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Required math and science courses counting toward the University Curriculum | ||
| Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (CSC 205) (course credits count toward the university curriculum) | ||
| Calculus I (course credits count toward the university curriculum) | ||
or MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable | |
8 credits of UC Natural Science with Lab in BIO, CHE, PHY 3 | ||
| Required courses for remaining math/science requirement are selected from the following: | 15 | |
| Integral Calculus With Applications | ||
| Calculus II: Part A | ||
| Calculus II: Part B | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Foundations of Advanced Mathematics | ||
| Discrete Mathematics | ||
| Theory of Computation | ||
| Cryptography | ||
| Mathematical Modeling | ||
Any Mathematics course with rigor at least equivalent to MA 141 with program director approval | ||
Or any UC Natural Science Elective in BIO, BMS, CHE, PHY or SCI or in another science discipline with program director approval. If those electives are in the same discipline as the 8-credit Natural Science sequence, program director approval is needed | ||
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Waived with approved minor.
- 2
Total math/science credits must equal a minimum of 30 credits.
- 3
The first 4 credits of Math and Science courses should be chosen from : BIO 101, BIO 101L, BIO 150, BIO 150L, CHE 110, CHE 110L, PHY 121.
The second 4 credits should be the continuation of your first selection: BIO 102, BIO 102L, BIO 151, BIO 151L, CHE 111, CHE 111L, PHY 122.
Course plans are subject to change. Course availability, potential transfer credits, and course prerequisite completion may influence the final course schedule for each program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| CSC 110 & 110L |
Programming and Problem Solving and Programming and Problem Solving Lab |
4 |
| MA 140 | Pre-Calculus | 3 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (UC Writing 1) | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar (UC Foundations Inquiry) | 3 |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC 111 & 111L |
Data Structures and Abstraction and Data Structures and Abstraction Lab |
4 |
| SER 120 & 120L |
Object-Oriented Design and Programming and Object-Oriented Design and Programming Lab |
4 |
| MA 205 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (CSC 205) (UC Math) | 3 |
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research (UC Writing 2) | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SER 225 | Introduction to Software Development | 3 |
| CSC 215 | Algorithm Design and Analysis | 3 |
| MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable (UC Personal Inquiry 2) | 3 |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum Science Requirement 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SER 210 | Software Engineering Design and Development | 3 |
| MA 285 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| CSC/SER Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum Science Requirement 2 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SER 340 | Full-Stack Development 1:Software Requirements Analysis | 3 |
| SER Elective | 3 | |
| Math/Science Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| ENR 395 | Professional Development Seminar | 1 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SER 341 | Full-Stack Development 2: Software Design | 3 |
| SER 330 | Software Quality Assurance | 3 |
| SER 305 | Advanced Computational Problem Solving | 3 |
| Math/Science Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| SER 490 | Engineering Professional Experience | 0 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SER 491 | Senior Capstone I | 3 |
| SER 350 | Software Project Management | 3 |
| Math/Science Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SER 492 | Senior Capstone II | 3 |
| ENR 410 | School of Computing and Engineering Integrative Capstone (UC Integrative Capstone) | 3 |
| SER Elective | 3 | |
| Math/Science Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Student Outcomes
Attainment of the following outcomes prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Program Educational Objectives
Within four to seven years of graduation, graduates of the software engineering program are expected to:
- Be models of ethical behavior in their profession and community.
- Achieve sustained employment in a professional field and/or pursue additional educational opportunities.
- Continue lifelong learning as they develop professionally and maintain currency with software engineering knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrate professional and personal growth through leadership and mentoring roles.
Admission Requirements: School of Computing & Engineering
The requirements for admission into the undergraduate School of Computing & Engineering programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.
Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.
Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)
Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they:
- Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science and computer science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs).
- Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.
Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).
Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Software Engineering
A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Software Engineering program. Below is a sample plan of study for the first two years.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| English I | 3 | |
| CSC 1201 (Introduction to Programming) | 4 | |
| MATH 2600 (Calculus I) | 4 | |
| Gen Ed Elective | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| English II | 3 | |
| CSC 1213 (Object-Oriented Programming) | 4 | |
| MATH 2611 (Discrete Mathematics) | 4 | |
| Gen Ed Elective | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSC 2216 (Data Structures and Algorithms) | 4 | |
| MATH 2610 (Calculus II) | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I with Lab | 4 | |
| Gen Ed Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC 2218 (Software Engineering Methods) | 4 | |
| MATH 2621 (Linear Algebra) | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II with Lab | 4 | |
| Computer Science Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 64 | |