Software Engineering Making smart software for today and tomorrow
What is Software Engineering?
Software Engineering is about the sound construction of computer systems for today and tomorrow.
Computers are everywhere these days. Computer information and control systems have become increasingly embedded and integrated into the very fabric of human society. They control our clocks, washing machines, motor vehicles, traffic lights, the electric power to our homes, and the essential processes of our production economy.
Computer systems can no longer be thought of as standalone entities. They are component parts of much larger, very complex structures involving hardware, software, people, and all the unpredictable events in the natural world. Most people - even computer science graduates - are not fully aware of both the difficulty involved in building such complex systems, and the essential need for those building them to be equipped with advanced techniques not taught in ordinary computer programming courses.
This means training in areas including modelling and understanding complex interactive systems, identifying how computer information systems can be made to improve performance, managing the construction of the information system components, and ensuring that procedures are in place for continual testing and maintenance.
Why Study Software Engineering?
You'll be able to join the ranks of a highly sought-after profession. New Zealand's (and the world's) future depends on having technical experts who can oversee the construction of the complex information systems that will underpin the new knowledge-based society.
You'll gain the expertise to enter a fast-growing industry with highly-paid job opportunities, where innovation is rewarded.
You'll discover the satisfaction of devising and modelling systems, and then testing them under a range of operating conditions.
Career Opportunities
Software Engineers are among the highest-paid professionals in most countries of the world. Countries like Japan and the United States are rapidly relaxing their immigration laws in order to address their critical shortages in this area.
Software engineers are not only in demand at software development companies, but are also sought after in a range of other organisations involved in the development of significant information systems. This includes governments, telecommunications companies, the chemical industry, the biomedical industry, financial institutions, the agribusinesses, pharmaceuticals, healthcare sector corporations, engineering and manufacturing firms.
With the growing use of e-commerce, particularly business-to-business e-commerce, the need for skilled Software Engineers is increasing at a rate that far outstrips the supply. In fact in the words of noted software engineer, David Parnas: "career opportunities for software engineers are essentially unlimited". You may be employed directly by these companies, or work for a service firm, taking on a range of projects for a number of different organisations.
While the work of Software Engineers can often involve developing interactive, user-friendly applications to be used by companies and individuals, it can also involve the development of a considerable amount of "behind the scenes" software that is never seen by the consumer. This can include systems to improve the management of e-commerce, or to improve the security and privacy of internet transactions.
There is enormous scope for eager entrepreneurs to establish new start-up organisations throughout the information technology and telecommunications industries. This might mean just about anything, from designing an interactive application for use on the Web, to developing your own line of software to meet the needs of a particular sector, such as tourism or finance.
Background Required
To enter the BAppSc in Software Engineering, you'll need to study Mathematics to NCEA level 3.
What Will I Study?
Your first and second years of study will be made up from a wide range of information and computer science papers, where you'll learn about databases, mathematical applications, software development, and strategies for using computers to solve real-life problems. As well as attending lectures, you'll spend a lot of time in the computer labs, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Studies are extended in your third year to include issues like systems design, where you'll assess software on issues like usability and visual appeal. You'll take a course dedicated specifically to the area of Software Engineering, looking at the development process of large scale, reliable, maintainable software. You'll learn how to manage and coordinate a software project, taking into account things like modelling, costing, risk, organisation and resourcing.
Commerce courses will prepare you for work in a business environment. You'll learn entrepreneurial skills, including how to start up a new venture in the field of Software Engineering.
In your fourth year, you'll undertake a major research project, allowing you to concentrate on a particular area of Software Engineering which has captured your imagination. This might mean solving an industry-based problem, or working on a particular application, such as an e-commerce program with computer or cellphone access. You'll also choose some additional papers in areas including e-business, empirical studies, computational architectures and agent-based software technologies. By the time you've completed this qualification, you'll be a well-rounded Software Engineer, ready to take an active role in this exciting field.
Further information
For more detailed information on Software Engineering papers and course requirements, please see the main University website at http://www.otago.ac.nz/subjects/seng.html
Major Subject and Programme Requirements
Minor Subject Requirements
Profile: Steve Smith
Steve Smith, once an Otago student himself, can quite honestly say that his team led New Zealand into the Internet age. Back in 1992, he helped create the country's second ever worldwide web site, designed for an Antarctic research organisation. "We were beaten to the first website by just four weeks!" he says.
This early experience gave Steve the strong sense that the Internet was destined for great things. "Nobody could predict the kind of shape and direction it would eventually take," he says, "but we knew it was going to be huge."
And it was from this instinct that Christchurch-based software engineering firm Alchemy Group was born. The company, managed by Steve, creates software solutions for businesses, using the Internet protocol as its delivery system. This can be a big job.
"We don't call our staff software programmers; they're software engineers," says Steve. "They are responsible for building quality, robust, future-proof business systems that take into account issues like usability, reliability, performance, scalability and supportability. They must also be able to integrate with other legacy systems."
"We try to expose our staff to as many applications as possible - that's how you move up the learning curve very quickly. You need to be incredibly flexible and adaptable to survive in this industry."
And here, Steve bemoans the shortage of graduates who have both technical skills as well as a practical understanding of the commercial world. He welcomes, therefore, the direction being taken by Otago's new Bachelor of Applied Science.
"We are a business, and our clients are businesses. They come to us because they're looking for cost-effective technology solutions that will give them a market edge, and it's imperative that our staff understand that. When they're cutting a piece of code, they should know why they're cutting that code."
"In this industry," adds Steve, "people who understand this bigger picture and who can generate good ideas get rewarded extremely well."
Contacts
For further information regarding Software Engineering, please contact:
Professor Martin Purvis
Department of Information Science
Tel 64 3 479 8318
Fax 64 3 479 8311
Email mpurvis@infoscience.otago.ac.nz
Website http://www.softeng.otago.ac.nz/
Other Websites
Department of Information Science http://www.otago.ac.nz/informationscience
PDF Infosheet
You can download the latest Software Engineering Infosheet (232k in PDF format).
