Program Contact: Jonathan Blake  203-582-8539

Computers are ubiquitous, and thus so is the code to run devices, applications and even the machines themselves. The most complicated artifacts built by humans are software systems, and software engineers design and develop these systems. Using cutting edge engineering principles and practices in a hands-on team-oriented environment, software engineering students learn how to build the code of the future.

Through exposure to the University Curriculum, foundational coursework in science, mathematics, major field courses and extracurricular activities, students graduating with a BS in Software Engineering achieve intellectual proficiencies in critical thinking and reasoning, scientific literacy, quantitative reasoning, information fluency and creative thinking and visual literacy. They also achieve interpersonal proficiencies in written and oral communication, responsible citizenship, diversity awareness and sensitivity and social intelligence.

BS in Software Engineering Curriculum

Note: a minimum grade of C- is required for all computer science and software engineering course prerequisites, unless otherwise stated.

Within the policies of the School of Computing and Engineering, the Software Engineering program enforces credit limits during the academic terms. Exceeding 18 credits in the fall or spring semesters, 4 credits in the January term, or 10 credits in each summer term requires the approval of the dean's office.

University Curriculum
Foundations of Inquiry:
FYS 101First-Year Seminar3
EN 101Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing3
EN 102Academic Writing and Research3
Quantitative Literacy:
MA 205Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (CSC 205)3
Disciplinary Inquiry:
Take one of the following Natural Science courses 14
General Biology I
and General Biology I Lab
General Biology for Majors
and General Biology for Majors Laboratory
University Physics
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
Humanities, Social Sciences, Fine Arts 29
Personal Inquiry I:
Take a second Natural Science course 14
Take two additional courses from within Humanities, Social Sciences, Fine Arts 26
Personal Inquiry II:
MA 141Calculus of a Single Variable3
Take an additional 5 UC credits (some of the Additional Requirements below could count)5
Integrative Capstone:
University Capstone3
Common Engineering Curriculum
ENR 395Professional Development Seminar1
Additional Requirements 3
MA 285Applied Statistics3
Additional 13 credits of Mathematics or Science13
Any UC Natural Science Elective in BIO, BMS, CHE, PHY or SCI or in another science discipline with program director approval. If those electives are in the same discipline as the 8-credit Natural Science sequence, program director approval is needed.
Mathematics elective from the following list:
Integral Calculus With Applications
Calculus II: Part A
Calculus II: Part B
Linear Algebra
Foundations of Advanced Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics
Theory of Computation
Cryptography
Mathematical Modeling
Or any Mathematics course with rigor at least equivalent to MA 141 with program director approval
Software Engineering Courses
CSC 110
110L
Programming and Problem Solving
and Programming and Problem Solving Lab
4
CSC 111
111L
Data Structures and Abstraction
and Data Structures and Abstraction Lab
4
CSC 215Algorithm Design and Analysis3
SER 120
120L
Object-Oriented Design and Programming
and Object-Oriented Design and Programming Lab
4
SER 210Software Engineering Design and Development3
SER 225Introduction to Software Development3
SER 305Advanced Computational Problem Solving3
SER 340Full-Stack Development 1:Software Requirements Analysis3
SER 341Full-Stack Development 2: Software Design3
SER 330Software Quality Assurance3
SER 350Software Project Management3
SER 490Engineering Professional Experience0-1
SER 491Senior Capstone I3
SER 492Senior Capstone II3
CSC/SER Elective: CSC 210, CSC 240 or any CSC or SER course at the 300 level or above 43
SER Elective: Any two additional SER courses at the 300 level or above6
Total Credits114-115
1

The second Natural Science course must be a continuation of the first course.

2

Courses must be from different areas.

3

Total math/science credits must equal a minimum of 30 credits.

4

Waived with approved minor.

 

Complete additional coursework to reach 120 credits. This coursework must include any missing UC credits from Personal Inquiry II above.

Student Outcomes

Attainment of the following outcomes prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program Educational Objectives

Within four to seven years of graduation, graduates of the software engineering program are expected to:

  1. Be models of ethical behavior in their profession and community.
  2. Achieve sustained employment in a professional field and/or pursue additional educational opportunities.
  3. Continue lifelong learning as they develop professionally and maintain currency with software engineering knowledge and skills.
  4. Demonstrate professional and personal growth through leadership and mentoring roles.

Admission Requirements: School of Computing and Engineering

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate School of Computing and Engineering programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.

Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)

Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they: 

  • Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science and computer science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs). 
  • Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.

Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).

Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Software Engineering

A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Software Engineering program. Below is a sample plan of study for the first two years.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
English I 3
Calculus I 4
Introduction to Engineering 3
Java Programming I 4
Elective 3
 Credits17
Spring Semester
English II 3
Discrete Mathematics 3
Java Programming II - Logic & Design 4
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall Semester
General Chemistry II with Lab 4
History Elective 3
Math Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
Spring Semester
General Chemistry II with Lab 4
Math Elective 3
Computer Science Elective 3
Computer Science Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
 Total Credits65