Software engineering is based on computer science in the same way other engineering disciplines are based on physical or life sciences. However, it adds an emphasis on issues of requirements, process, design, measurement, analysis and verification, providing a strong foundation in engineering principles and practice as applied to software development.

Software engineering students gain knowledge and skill in all aspects of the software development life cycle, including requirements elicitation and analysis, software architecture, design, construction and verification. They learn to work within and to continuously improve a defined software development process, with the aim of producing high-quality software predictably and efficiently. To provide a basis for this software engineering practice and process, students are grounded in the fundamentals of computer science, including discrete mathematics, data structures, algorithms, computer organization and operating systems.

You may want to consider SE if you …

  • Enjoy working with software and computer systems
  • Are able to do mathematics and detailed work with accuracy
  • Are prepared to be a life-long learner to maintain knowledge and skills in the rapidly changing computer industry

Apply to MSOE!

Ready to learn more about Milwaukee School of Engineering and our software engineering degree? Filling out the application is fast and easy!

Hear about the growing influence of AI in our everyday lives with MSOE faculty and student Ethan Hindes in MSOE's podcast, Rethink What's Possible:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming prominent in more and more industries each day, including health care. Listen to Dr. Sheila Ross, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department chairperson; Dr. John Bukowy, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department assistant professor; and student Ethan Hindes discuss the advancements of AI, its impact on their research on kidneys with the Medical College of Wisconsin, and how Hindes found his way to computer science.   

 

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Software and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Graduate Outcomes

97%

We're proud that 97% of 2022-23 graduates from our software engineering program are fully employed, enrolled in graduate school or enlisted in a branch of the military after graduation.

2024 Career Connections Center Annual Report

Software Engineering Program Details

Read more about MSOE's Software Engineering undergraduate degree.

Meet our Faculty

Get to know our distinguished software engineering faculty!

Computing Code of Conduct

Learn more about how to collaborate, while avoiding plagiarism, in your software development courses at MSOE with the EECS computing code of conduct.