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Program Objectives

This curriculum is jointly administered by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Computer Science Department at Iowa State University and it provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to learn software engineering fundamentals, to study applications of the state-of-the art software technologies, and to prepare for the practice of software engineering. The student-faculty interaction necessary to realize this opportunity occurs within an environment that is motivated by the principle that excellence in undergraduate education is enhanced by an integrated commitment to successful, long-term research and outreach programs.

The software engineering curriculum offers emphasis areas in software engineering principles, process, and practice. Students may also take elective courses in computer engineering and computer science.

The objective of the Software Engineering program at Iowa State University is that its graduates should demonstrate expertise, engagement, learning, leadership, and teamwork within five years after graduation.

• Expertise: Graduates should establish peer-recognized expertise together with the ability to articulate that expertise and use it for problem solving in the planning, design, development, validation, and evolution of software using contemporary practices.
• Engagement: Graduates should be engaged in the professional practice, locally and globally, contributing through the ethical, competent, and creative practice of Software engineering in industry, academia, or the public sector, or graduates may use the program as a foundation for interdisciplinary careers in business, law, medicine, or public service
• Learning: Graduates should demonstrate sustained learning through graduate work or professional improvement opportunities and through self study, and they should demonstrate the ability to adapt to rapid technological changes.
• Leadership: Graduates should exhibit leadership and initiative to advance professional and organizational goals, facilitate the achievements of others, and obtain results.
• Teamwork: Graduates should demonstrate effective teaming and commitment to working with others of diverse cultural and interdisciplinary background by applying software engineering abilities, communication skills, and knowledge of contemporary and global issues.

As a complement to the instructional activity, the Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science Departments provide opportunities for each student to have experience with broadening activities. Through the Cooperative Education and Internship Program, students have the opportunity to gain practical industry experience. See College of Engineering, Cooperative Programs. Students have the opportunity to participate in advanced research activities; and through international exchange programs, students learn about engineering practices in other parts of the world.