Software Engineering (SWEN)

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 aspects. Students learn about the processes for managing software projects involving many people, work together to solve problems and develop experience.

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for the BE (SWEN). Ideally, you will have 16 credits of NCEA level-3 Maths. However, if you don't have enough credits, you can make up for this by taking one or more bridging courses.

Planning your degree in Software Engineering

Planning your degree may seem daunting - there are lots of courses to choose from, and most have prerequisite requirements (i.e. courses you must take before the one you want). To help you get started, we have provided some example degree plans to use as a starting point.

You can find more details of all those courses offered in the school in the Course List. This includes a brief description of each course, along with its prerequisites requirements.

Example Degree Plan for Game Development

This degree plan focuses on the technical side of software development, and covers a broad range of programming related topics. Shaded courses are those required by the degree, whilst the others are electives that can be chosen by you.

Example Degree Plan or Business and Information Systems

This degree plan focuses on aspects of software engineering that are particularly relevant in a business setting. The Part 3 is chosen to complement this by developing an understanding of business operations and managerial organisation.

Notes on the Example Degree Plans

The example degree plans above are provided to give you some idea of how a combination of electives complete a coherent programme with a "theme". However, there is a wide variety of courses which could be included in your degree, not just those listed above. Also, you don't necessarily have to take courses in the order indicated, and you may prefer to spread your degree over more than four years. Finally, the example degree plans are viable at the time of writing. However, the University timetable changes on a yearly basis, and we cannot guarantee you will be able to take courses exactly in the order listed above.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BE (SWEN)

In addition to the general requirements set out for the BE, a total of 480 points must be accumulated through courses in the schedules of any first degree or postgraduate honours degree of this University. At least 120 points must come from courses numbered 400-level or above. Furthermore, the required and elective courses for the SWEN specialisation must be met.

Required Courses

The required courses are those which you have to take (and pass) in order to obtain your degree.

Electives

The elective courses allow you the choice of which course to take, helping you follow specific interests. Normally, you must take the required number from each elective list.