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Master of Science (MS) - Software Engineering - DePaul 

Master of Science (MS) - Software Engineering - DePaul

The Master of Science in Software Engineering provides students with skills that are widely applicable, highly in demand, and richly rewarded.  
 

MS in Software Engineering 2009


The MS in Software Engineering at DePaul CDM provides students with the theoretical foundations of software engineering, a discipline concerned with the practical problems of developing large-scale software systems.

Students gain experience and exposure to the most recent developments in software engineering through team projects in software development and project management. The Software Engineering curriculum encompasses all important aspects of software engineering, including:

  • Software engineering processes
  • Requirements engineering
  • Software architecture and design
  • Software construction, software testing
  • Software maintenance
  • Software configuration management
  • Software project management
  • Software quality assurance

The Software Engineering program provides students with highly marketable skills and knowledge in state-of-the-art software engineering methodologies, techniques, and applications. It also emphasizes the development of communication and presentation skills in a team-based software development environment.


Concentrations


The Project Management Concentration addresses the management of the quality of software products and processes and provides coursework in management and measurement techniques.

The Software Development Concentration addresses the foundations, methodologies, and tools for developing high quality large-scale software systems, with an emphasis on the technical issues of software development.

The Software Architecture Concentration addresses the management and design of large-scale software systems.

The Systems Analysis Concentration addresses requirements engineering and quality assurance of large-scale or enterprise-level software systems solutions.

The Gaming and Entertainment Technologies Concentration addresses the foundations, methodologies, and tools for developing large-scale computer games and entertainment software systems.


What Students Learn From This Program

  • Technical foundations in object-oriented analysis, modeling, architecture, design, and construction
  • Communication skills and experiences in collaborative and team-based software development
  • Knowledge and skills in software project management, configuration management, and quality assurance
  • Knowledge in software development process improvement and experience in agile and iterative software development process
  • Technical know-how in developing, integrating, and deploying web-based enterprise applications and service oriented architecture (SOA)

Grade and GPA Requirements


Students in this degree program must complete 13 courses (52 hours) beyond the Prerequisite Phase. Successful completion of the Software Engineering Program consists of:

  • Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses.
  • Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree.
  • Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA.
  • Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.

Program Requirements 2009


To view Graduate Program Requirements for previous years click here.
M.S. in Software Engineering
Master of Science in Software Engineering 2009
Prerequisite Phase

Prerequisite Phase for Project Management, Software Development, Software Architecture and System Analysis
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      CSC 211 Programming in Java I   Self Placement Test!  
√ √      CSC 212 Programming in Java II   
√ √      or  CSC 224 Java for Programmers   
√ √      or  CSC 396 Programming in Java I and II   
√ √      CSC 373 Computer Systems I   
√ √      CSC 374 Computer Systems II   
√ √      CSC 383 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java   
 
Prerequisite Phase for Gaming and Entertainment Technology
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√        GAM 224 Introduction to Game Design   
√ √      CSC 211 Programming in Java I   
√ √      and  CSC 212 Programming in Java II   
√ √      or  CSC 224 Java for Programmers   
√ √      or  CSC 396 Programming in Java I and II   
√ √      CSC 373 Computer Systems I   
√ √      CSC 374 Computer Systems II   
√ √      CSC 383 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java   
         or  CSC 393 Data Structures in C++   
 
Graduate Phase
Students may register for graduate courses only after meeting all Prerequisite Phase requirements. The graduate phase consists of the following components:
  • Foundation Phase
  • Advanced Phase
  • Elective Phase
  • Software Engineering Studio or Capstone phase
Foundation Phase
All Concentrations
The Core Knowledge Phase courses for the MS in Software Engineering are:
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 425 Principles and Practices of Software Engineering   
√ √      SE 430 Object Oriented Modeling   
√ √      SE 450 Object-Oriented Software Development   
 
Advanced Phase
Software Development Concentration - Required
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 477 Software and Systems Project Management   
√ √      SE 433 Software Testing   
√ √      SE 435 Distributed Systems I   
 
Project Management Concentration - Required
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 477 Software and Systems Project Management   
         SE 468 Software Measurement/Project Estimation   
√ √      SE 470 Software Development Processes   
 
Software Architecture Concentration - Required
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 477 Software and Systems Project Management   
         SE 480 Software Architecture   
√ √      SE 435 Distributed Systems I   
 
Software Analysis Concentration - Required
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 477 Software and Systems Project Management   
         SE 482 Requirements Engineering   
√ √      SE 433 Software Testing   
 
Gaming and Entertainment Technologies Concentration - Required
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
         SE 456 Architecture of Computer Games   
√ √      HCI 440 Usability Engineering   
√        GPH 425 Survey of Computer Graphics   
         SE 556 Advanced Architecture of Computer Games   
 
Elective Phase - Software Engineering Elective
Four Courses from any of the following:

Software Development
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 433 Software Testing   
         SE 480 Software Architecture   
√ √      SE 533 Software Validation and Verification   
√ √      SE 540 Software Development for Mobile and Wireless Systems   
         SE 542 Software Development for Limited and Embedded Devices   
         SE 549 Model-Driven Software Development   
 
Enterprise Computing
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 452 Object-Oriented Enterprise Computing   
√ √      SE 554 Enterprise Component Architecture   
         SE 453 Architecture and Frameworks for Developing Client Applications   
         SE 457 Service-Oriented Architecture   
√ √      SE 560 Structured Document Interchange and Processing   
 
Computer Security
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
         SE 473 Security Architecture I   
         SE 573 Security Architecture II   
         CNS 450 Computer Forensics   
 
Distributed Systems
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 435 Distributed Systems I   
         SE 536 Distributed Systems II   
√ √      SE 552 Concurrent Software Development   
         TDC 573 Multimedia Networking   
√ √      CSC 438 Framework for Web Application Development   
 
Project Management
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
         SE 468 Software Measurement/Project Estimation   
√ √      SE 477 Software and Systems Project Management   
√ √      IS 556 Enterprise Project Management   
√ √      IS 535 Information Technology Investment Financial Analysis   
√ √      IS 533 Enterprise Security Infrastructure Controls and Regulatory Compliance   
         IS 565 IT Outsourcing   
√ √      IS 560 Enterprise Systems   
 
Requirements Engineering
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 470 Software Development Processes   
         SE 482 Requirements Engineering   
√ √      HCI 440 Usability Engineering   
√ √      SE 433 Software Testing   
 
User Interface Engineering
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      HCI 440 Usability Engineering   
         SE 453 Architecture and Frameworks for Developing Client Applications   
√ √      SE 540 Software Development for Mobile and Wireless Systems   
         SE 546 Software Architecture and Design for Desktop Applications   
 
Bio-Informatics
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      CSC 421 Applied Algorithms and Structures   
         CSC 531 Introduction to Bioinformatics   
         CSC 541 Introduction to Proteomics   
 
Programming Languages and Compiler
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      CSC 447 Concepts of Programming Languages   
         CSC 448 Compiler Design   
         CSC 548 Advanced Compiler Design   
         CSC 535 Formal Semantics of Programming Languages   
 
System Engineering
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 540 Software Development for Mobile and Wireless Systems   
         SE 542 Software Development for Limited and Embedded Devices   
         SE 546 Software Architecture and Design for Desktop Applications   
         CSC 443 Introduction to Operating Systems   
         CSC 546 Operating Systems Design   
         CSC 559 Software Engineering for Financial Markets   
 
Gaming and Entertainment Technology
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
         SE 456 Architecture of Computer Games   
         SE 556 Advanced Architecture of Computer Games   
√ √      SE 558 Architecture and Design for Multiplayer Games   
         GAM 476 Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games   
√        GPH 425 Survey of Computer Graphics   
 
Artificial Intelligence
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
         CSC 480 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence   
√ √      CSC 578 Neural Networks and Machine Learning   
 
Software Engineering Research
Students taking the research option must take the following course:
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√        SE 690 Research Seminar   
 
Student must also complete one of the following:
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
         SE 696 Master's Project   
         SE 698 Master's Thesis   
 
SE 698 Master's Thesis is a two-credit hour course. Students must register for this course a minimum of two times and must continue to enroll in the course in every quarter after the first quarter until the thesis is completed to the satisfaction of their advisor. A maximum of four credit hours will apply for degree credit. The Master's project or thesis must represent an original contribution to the area, and may include system development, empirical studies, or theoretical work. The scope and the details of the research project will be determined by the research supervisor, and must be approved by the student's academic advisor.

Elective Phase - CDM Electives
One elective course in the range of 420-699, must be from the College of CDM. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit. Any course required for the student’s concentration but taken as part of the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be waived, but cannot be used for elective credit.

Elective Course Restrictions
Elective courses are in the range of 420-699, and must be from the College of CDM. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit. Any course required for the students concentration but taken as part of the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be waived, but cannot be used for elective credit.

Software Engineering Studio or Capstone Phase
Students in the Software Development, Project Management, Software Architecture and Systems Analysis concentrations are required to complete the following:
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 491 Software Engineering Studio   
         SE 591 Software Engineering Studio II   
 
These two courses must be taken as a sequence in consecutive quarters. Students will be working on a large, real project in a team. The project will be carried out from conceptualization to completion using the current technologies.

Students in the Gaming and Entertainment Technology Concentration are required to complete one of the following:
Offered Fall 
In classOnline 
         GAM 594 Gaming and Entertainment Technology Capstone   
√ √      SE 491 Software Engineering Studio   
 
All courses in degree
 
  • CNS 450 Computer Forensics
  • CSC 211 Programming in Java I
  • CSC 212 Programming in Java II
  • CSC 224 Java for Programmers
  • CSC 373 Computer Systems I
  • CSC 374 Computer Systems II
  • CSC 383 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java
  • CSC 393 Data Structures in C++
  • CSC 396 Programming in Java I and II
  • CSC 421 Applied Algorithms and Structures
  • CSC 438 Framework for Web Application Development
  • CSC 443 Introduction to Operating Systems
  • CSC 447 Concepts of Programming Languages
  • CSC 448 Compiler Design
  • CSC 480 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
  • CSC 531 Introduction to Bioinformatics
  • CSC 535 Formal Semantics of Programming Languages
  • CSC 541 Introduction to Proteomics
  • CSC 546 Operating Systems Design
  • CSC 548 Advanced Compiler Design
  • CSC 559 Software Engineering for Financial Markets
  • CSC 578 Neural Networks and Machine Learning
  • GAM 224 Introduction to Game Design
  • GAM 476 Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games
  • GAM 594 Gaming and Entertainment Technology Capstone
  • GPH 425 Survey of Computer Graphics
  • HCI 440 Usability Engineering
  • IS 533 Enterprise Security Infrastructure Controls and Regulatory Compliance
  • IS 535 Information Technology Investment Financial Analysis
  • IS 556 Enterprise Project Management
  • IS 560 Enterprise Systems
  • IS 565 IT Outsourcing
  • SE 425 Principles and Practices of Software Engineering
  • SE 430 Object Oriented Modeling
  • SE 433 Software Testing
  • SE 435 Distributed Systems I
  • SE 450 Object-Oriented Software Development
  • SE 452 Object-Oriented Enterprise Computing
  • SE 453 Architecture and Frameworks for Developing Client Applications
  • SE 456 Architecture of Computer Games
  • SE 457 Service-Oriented Architecture
  • SE 468 Software Measurement/Project Estimation
  • SE 470 Software Development Processes
  • SE 473 Security Architecture I
  • SE 477 Software and Systems Project Management
  • SE 480 Software Architecture
  • SE 482 Requirements Engineering
  • SE 491 Software Engineering Studio
  • SE 533 Software Validation and Verification
  • SE 536 Distributed Systems II
  • SE 540 Software Development for Mobile and Wireless Systems
  • SE 542 Software Development for Limited and Embedded Devices
  • SE 546 Software Architecture and Design for Desktop Applications
  • SE 549 Model-Driven Software Development
  • SE 552 Concurrent Software Development
  • SE 554 Enterprise Component Architecture
  • SE 556 Advanced Architecture of Computer Games
  • SE 558 Architecture and Design for Multiplayer Games
  • SE 560 Structured Document Interchange and Processing
  • SE 573 Security Architecture II
  • SE 591 Software Engineering Studio II
  • SE 690 Research Seminar
  • SE 696 Master's Project
  • SE 698 Master's Thesis
  • TDC 573 Multimedia Networking
 
Career Options: 

Software Engineering is one of the fastest growing and highest paid professions in the US today, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Software Engineering program prepares students for careers that may fit a variety of different job titles, including:

  • Software Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Software Architect
  • Project Manager
  • System Analyst
  • Application Developer.
     
DePaul University's College of Computing and Digital Media
243 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago IL. 60604 | (312)362-8381
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