Software Engineering Minor

Effectively building modern software systems at scale requires not just programming skills, but also engineering skills.  These skills include the ability to interact effectively with customers to gather the requirements for a system in a precise way; to develop a design that resolves competing quality attributes; to make tradeoffs among schedule, cost, features, and quality to maximize value to stakeholders; to work effectively with other engineers; and to assure the quality of the delivered software system.  We hear regularly from industry that these skills are crucial to them, and that they are interested in students with a strong software engineering background.

Overview

The software engineering minor is designed to teach the fundamental tools, techniques, and processes of software engineering.  Through internships and a mentored project experience, students gain an understanding of the issues of scale and complexity that motivate software engineering tools and techniques.  The core curriculum includes material both on engineering the software product and on the process, teamwork, and management skills that are essential to successful engineering.  Graduates of the program should have the technical, process, and teamwork skills to be immediately productive in a mature engineering organization.

Minor Requirements

Admission

The Software Engineering Minor is open to undergraduate students in any major in the university.  The program is limited to 15 students per incoming class (as of Spring 2008, however, we are not yet close to that limit).  For priority consideration, applications are due 10 days before the beginning of Spring and Fall course registration, and decisions will be made 3 days before course registration begins so students can plan effectively.  Upcoming due dates are October 31, 2008; April 10, 2009; November 6, 2009; and April 9, 2010.  Students may petition the Director for admission outside this schedule.

To apply, send email to jonathan.aldrich at cs.cmu.edu and cc cora13 at cs.cmu.edu.  Include in your email:

Prerequisites

Core Course Requirements

Electives

Required Internship and Reflection Course

A software engineering internship of a minimum of 8 full-time weeks in an industrial setting is required.  The student must be integrated into a team and exposed to industry pressures.  The intern may work in development, management, quality assurance, or other relevant positions.  The director of the SE minor program has sole discretion in approving an internship experience based on these criteria.  Students should confirm that an internship position is appropriate before accepting it, but internships that fulfill the criteria will also be accepted after the fact.

Double Counting Rule.  At most 2 of the courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be counted towards any other major or minor program.


For questions contact:

Jonathan Aldrich
Director, Software Engineering Minor Program
Wean 8212
412-268-2728
jonathan.aldrich@cs.cmu.edu