Software engineering is a young profession that has become vital to our society. Industries, services, health care, finance, security, education and the government depend on software assets and services. Relying on computer science, engineering and mathematics, software engineering provides principles and processes that help developers produce high-quality software that is safe, secure and reliable.

Software Engineering at UT Dallas

The software engineering program is part of the University’s Department of Computer Science, which features an internationally recognized faculty with more than 2,800 students and a 150,000-square-foot building with modern classrooms and cutting-edge laboratories.

Like the BS degree in computer science, the BS in software engineering is based on a mathematical foundation that includes calculus, linear algebra and discrete mathematics. The two programs also have the same computer science core, including modern programming methodologies, the analysis of algorithms and data structures, and the study of operating systems. While the computer science program continues with courses in advanced data structures, programming languages and automata theory, the software engineering program includes courses in engineering, software validation and testing, and software architecture. There is also a rich choice of application areas, including digital systems design, computer networks, embedded systems, computer imaging, artificial intelligence, machine learning and human-computer interaction.

The Jonsson School operates one of the largest internship and cooperative education programs of its kind, averaging more than 2,800 undergraduate and graduate student placements a year at Dallas-area high-tech companies, including Texas Instruments, State Farm, Lockheed Martin, AT&T, Fujitsu Laboratories of America, Samsung Electronics, Cisco, Intel, Raytheon and IBM.

Software engineering requires strong high school preparation. A minimum of elementary algebra and geometry should be completed, while trigonometry, calculus, physics and chemistry are highly recommended. Any Advanced Placement courses in computer science or advanced technology are highly beneficial, and solid communication skills are very important.

Careers in Software Engineering

Virtually all major companies and corporations need software-related core competencies. Software engineers are central in developing and making use of these competencies. They work in teams that interface extensively with clients, company executives, IT managers, data scientists, and security and domain experts. Software engineering professionals are creative, highly collaborative, well paid and in very high demand with employers. Software engineering graduates embark on career paths that may lead to positions as chief strategy officer, project manager, chief technology officer, software architect, senior manager of software development, risk management officer and security analyst.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

About the School of Engineering and Computer Science

The Jonsson School is strategically located in the Telecom Corridor, home of the second-largest high-tech economy in the U.S. The Jonsson School recently completed a major public-private initiative that greatly expanded its capabilities, including construction of a new state-of-the art 220,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research building, and recently opened a 200,000-square-foot engineering building. The School is home to six academic departments:

• Bioengineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Systems Engineering

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science: Biomedical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, data science*, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering, system engineering

Master of Science:Biomedical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, cyber security, technology and policy**, electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering and management***, telecommunications engineering

Doctor of Philosophy: Biomedical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering, telecommunications engineering

*Joint program between School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

** Joint program between the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

** Joint program between the Naveen Jindal School of Management and Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Research

Research efforts underway at the school involve such cutting-edge technology as:

• Medical imaging.
• Speech recognition.
• Materials characterization.
• Cochlear implant technology.
• Cybersecurity.
• Organic electronics.
• Physical, chemical and biosensors.
• Wireless networking.
• Carbon nanotubes.
• Micro-electromechanical systems.
• Semiconductor design.

Additional Facts

The Jonsson School’s rapid growth has helped propel its undergraduate programs into U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the nation’s top schools of engineering.

The Jonsson School has significantly increased the size of its faculty in recent years, hiring top recent graduates of Stanford University, Cornell University, Purdue University, Georgia Tech and UCLA, as well as seasoned professionals from Rutgers University, University of Southern California, University of California, Davis, Sandia National Laboratories, Freescale Semiconductor and Texas Instruments.

The Jonsson School features a variety of student organizations that are actively involved in both academic and social activities. Completely student-run, these include the Association for Computing Machinery, the Game Development Group, the National Society of Black Engineers, a chapter of the scientific research society Sigma Xi, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers.

The Fast-Track Program enables exceptionally gifted undergraduate students to include up to 15 hours of master’s level courses in their undergraduate degree plans. When Fast-Track students graduate with a bachelor’s degree, they are automatically admitted to graduate school at UT Dallas. The hours required to complete the master’s degree are reduced by up to 15 hours by the number of Fast-Track graduate hours completed.