Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering

Opportunities without Boundaries — with a BS in Software Engineering degree from ECU

What is Software Engineering?

The primary characteristic that differentiates engineers from scientists is that engineers design and build things, which solve societal problems. Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics in building things. Software engineers design and build complex software-intensive systems using a range of computing and engineering technologies.

Producing large-scale, high-quality and secure software requires an approach that is rooted in the rigorous and systematic application of engineering principles and proven industry practices.

Rapid advances in search technologies, digital media, mobile computing, eCommerce, cloud computing, social networking and crowd-sourcing are fundamentally changing the way businesses compete and innovate in the era of software everywhere.

Computer Software has changed the world beyond our imagination

The impact of computing innovation touches every field and people in all walks of life. It has transformed industries ranging from taxi services to car manufacturing and autonomous navigation. The computing discipline is one of the greatest engines of opportunity as well as the most disruptive technology transforming entire industries beyond recognition. Can you think of what the world would be like without computers and software? Only a few years ago, the concept of self-driving cars was a fantasy. It is only a matter of time for autonomous vehicles to rule our roads.

What about high-end manufacturing, mass transportation, clean energy, agriculture, entertainment and communications? Software has turned our world upside down.

The ECU Advantage

The ECU BS in Software Engineering program prepares leaders and innovators who will drive the software industry, and bring advances in software engineering to fuel innovation and enable economic development.

Market Demand

Software Engineers are in high demand, and computer software is pervasive in all walks of life. This demand for software engineers will only accelerate given the emergence of computing disciplines such as Cybersecurity, Cognitive Systems, Big Data, Data Science, and Internet of Things (IoT). Over 90 percent of all data has been generated in just the past two years. Businesses and organizations critically depend on software to leverage this data for competitive advantage and to introduce new products and services.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020 median pay of software developers is $110,140, and entry-level education for these jobs is a bachelor’s degree. Employment of software developers is projected to grow 22 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. The main reason for the rapid growth is a large increase in the demand for computer software.

Admission Requirements

An unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 is required. ACT composite score of 27 (or equivalent SAT score) with a minimum score of 24 (or equivalent SAT score) on the math portion is required.

Freshman: For newly admitted students into ECU (i.e., freshmen), students must be eligible for MATH 1065, as determined by the ECU Department of Mathematics.
Change of Majors: Internal change of majors within ECU must have a 2.5 cumulative ECU GPA and minimum eligibility for MATH 2119 or MATH 2171, as determined by the ECU Department of Mathematics.
Transfers: Transfer students from other institutions must have a 2.5 cumulative transfer GPA and minimum eligibility for MATH 2119 or MATH 2171, as determined by the ECU Department of Mathematics.
Second Degree: Second Degree students must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA from previous institutions and minimum eligibility for MATH 2119 or MATH 2171, as determined by the ECU Department of Mathematics.

Degree Requirements

Students need to complete a minimum of 120 semester hours (s.h.) to receive the BSSE degree. 120 s.h. come from: core courses (42 s.h.); concentrations (9 s.h.); elective courses (18 s.h.); science cognates (12 s.h.); math cognates (6 s.h.); and Gen Ed (33 s.h.).

Course information is available in the course catalog.

For additional information, please contact:
Department of Computer Science
Phone: 252-328-9680
Email: se@ecu.edu