Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Software Engineering, BS


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The Bachelor of Science degree in Software Engineering (BSSE), offered by the Department of Computer Engineering , goes beyond programming to include engineering methodologies and hands-on project experience. The program prepares students to become qualified engineers for IT leading companies in Silicon Valley and international engineering market by providing them with state-of-the-art engineering methods, emergent technologies, team work experience, and solutions so they are capable to address design, coding, validation, and measurement issues for the construction of large-scale computer systems and software applications in the real world. The Software Engineering Bachelor of Science degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Program Criteria and the Software and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 24
Major Preparation 33
Major Requirements 66
Total 123

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

All courses in the Preparation and Required in Major (all courses in preparation, core, and concentration) must be completed with a grade of “C- or better”. The following Preparation for the Major courses must be completed with a grade of “C or better”: MATH 30 MATH 31 , and PHYS 50 .

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements  apply to this major. 

Core Lower Division General Education (15 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 24 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details. Of the 39 units, the following 15 units are not satisfied by the major or the American Institutions courses outlined below:

Upper Division General Education


Of the 9 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education


The Physical Education Requirement is waived for this major. See the Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 units)


At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found in the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  section. 

This requirement is fulfilled in this major with:

Major Preparation (33 units)


Students must complete the following courses with “C” or better to graduate: MATH 30 MATH 31 PHYS 50 . The remaining courses in Preparation for the Major must be completed with “C-” or better to graduate.

Major Requirements (66 units)


Students must complete all the courses in Core Courses, Required Courses and Approved Upper Division Electives sections with “C-” or better to graduate.

Total Units Required (123 units)


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