BSc (Hons) Software Engineering (Full Time)

With its proven track record in graduate employment, this degree will equip you with technical experience and solid professional skills.

Course overview

On this course, you will discover how engineering techniques can be applied to software development, and apply your practical experience in building effective software products.

You will learn how to deliver robust products on time and working to a brief. Focusing on the analysis and specification of requirements, you will be taken through the planning and management of software development processes.

A strong awareness of the best practice in software development will prepare you for work as a computing professional. It is this grounding which helps to maintain Southampton Solent University's strong links with local employers.

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You will develop your independent learning skills by undertaking a range of projects throughout the course.

You will be offered plenty of scope to personalise your area of study with a choice of two from five optional units in Year 3, together with an individual software engineering project.

In addition to the full-time mode, students may study this course on a flexible part-time basis.

Industrial focus

The course focuses on providing you with a combination of computing theory and practice to prepare you for immediate entry into the computing profession after graduation. You can also choose to spend the third year on an industrial placement returning to complete your degree in the fourth year. 

Course content

Year 1

Seven core units:

• Problem Solving for Programmers (half unit)
• Developing Object Oriented Programs (half unit)
• Introduction to Databases
• Internet Technology
• Fundamentals of Computing
• Network Foundation
• Group Project.

Year 2

Six core units:

• Object Oriented Application Development
• Database Application Development
• Developing for the Internet
• Human-Digital Interaction design
• Engineering Software Systems
• Graduate Development.

Year 3

Three core units and two option units:

• Software Systems Development
• Process Analysis and Requirements Engineering
• Project (double unit).

Options:

• Advanced and Distributed Databases
• Emerging Web Technologies
• Human Computer Interaction
• Applications of Artificial Intelligence
• Curriculum Plus.

Why choose this course?

• Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) as fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered IT Professional registration.
• In addition to the University wide IT facilities, the Faculty provides a set of additional labs furnished with the latest computing and networking equipment.
• Other specialised facilities include a fully featured usability lab, wireless network and mobile computing equipment.

Assessment

The course is assessed using in-course assessments only, including software development projects, on-line tests, presentations, seminars and reports. Every student will complete an individual final year project in a topic of their choice.

Key career skills

IT, project management, communication, evaluation and problem solving.

Projects/work experience

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Industrial Placement scheme. Recent placements include large private companies such as Skandia Life and borough councils, as well as many local businesses. 

Graduate profile

Nick Robson

Nick Robson works as a developer for the UK search engine, Mirago.

“The BSc (Hons) Software Engineering does exactly what it says on the tin! As a student you are taught to produce software at any stage of its life using the latest techniques with a flavour for both individual and team efforts.

"These skills are integrated together and applied in many different tasks, working towards a final project where you can really demonstrate your creativity, flair and skills. I composed musical bass lines using Genetic Algorithms in Java. For me this was the pinnacle of the course, the point when I finally felt ready to move into the world of work.

"I graduated into a position in a major UK search engine, Mirago. Within a year I have become a full-time developer working on new ideas and new skills. I enjoyed my time greatly and the most impressive thing is that I was being taught to be a good software engineer, regardless of the technologies, methods, languages or people involved.”