MS in Software Engineering - Villanova Colle

Villanova University's Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSE) equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in software engineering. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum with required courses in software design, database systems, and algorithms, complemented by a range of electives to tailor studies to individual interests. Graduates are highly sought after by employers in various industries, pursuing careers as software engineers, developers, and architects.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSE) at Villanova University is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in software engineering or pursue advanced studies in the field. The program is tailored to meet the growing demand for professionals capable of designing, developing, and maintaining complex software systems.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the MSSE program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate expertise in key areas of software engineering.
Effectively communicate technical information in both written and oral formats.
Utilize computing skills, techniques, and tools to solve real-world software problems.

Program Description:

The MSSE curriculum consists of 10 three-credit courses, including both required and elective courses. Students will gain a solid foundation in software design and evolution, database systems, and user/system interface design, among other critical topics.

Outline:

Required Courses:

CSC 8000: Foundations of Algorithms and Data Structures
CSC 8400: Computer Systems
CSC 8490: Database Systems
CSC 8540: Software Engineering
CSC 8541: Requirements Engineering
CSC 8542: Software Design and Evolution

Elective Courses:

Students can choose from a wide range of elective courses to tailor their studies to their individual interests and career goals. Some of the popular electives include:

CSC 8301: Design and Analysis of Algorithms
CSC 8310: Linguistics of Programming Languages
CSC 8470: Computer Graphics
CSC 8520: Artificial Intelligence
CSC 8530: Distributed Systems
CSC 8560: Computer Networks
CSC 8570: User/System Interface Design
CSC 8600: Object-Oriented Design and Programming
CSC 8990: Graduate Computing Practicum
CSC 9010: Special Topics
CSC 9025: Grand Challenges of Computing
CSC 9030: Thesis

Assessment:

Students in the MSSE program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

Exams: Students will complete written exams at the end of each course to demonstrate their understanding of the material covered.
Projects: Students will work on both individual and group projects throughout the program, allowing them to apply their knowledge to real-world problems.
Presentations: Students will prepare and deliver presentations to share their research findings and demonstrate their communication skills.
Thesis: For those pursuing the thesis option, they will conduct an independent research project and submit a written thesis.

Teaching:

The MSSE program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are committed to providing a high-quality learning experience. The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:

Lectures: Instructors deliver lectures to introduce new concepts and theories.
Discussions: Students engage in classroom discussions to explore different perspectives and deepen their understanding of the material.
Hands-on Labs: Students participate in hands-on lab sessions to gain practical experience with software development tools and techniques.
Research Projects: Students work on research projects to develop their analytical and problem-solving skills.

Careers:

Graduates of the MSSE program are highly sought after by employers in a wide range of industries, including technology, consulting, and finance. Graduates can pursue careers as:

Software Engineers
Software Developers
Systems Engineers
Software Architects
Project Managers

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements:

Applicants to the Master's program in Software Engineering must hold a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies, with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. In addition, they must meet the following undergraduate prerequisites:

Programming Proficiency:

Students entering either of our graduate programs are required to have proficiency in a modern computer programming language such as Java, C++ or C. Because of the importance of the object paradigm in modern computing systems, Java, C++ or another object-oriented language is highly recommended. Programming proficiency must include the following:

Fundamental data structures, such as arrays, lists, stacks, queues, and trees.
Elementary iterative and recursive algorithms, including searching and sorting techniques.

Computing Systems:

Undergraduate work in computer organization or computer architecture and operating systems is required. The relevant topics include the following:

Information representation
CPU organization, operation, instructions sets, scheduling
Memory organization, memory management
File systems
Concurrency, processes, threads

Mathematical Preparation:

An undergraduate course in discrete structures (sometimes called discrete mathematics) is necessary for many aspects of computing. Additional requirements include two semesters of calculus plus probability and statistics.

Options for Meeting the Prerequisites:

The prerequisites may be completed at any accredited college or university, including community colleges. Villanova offers the required prerequisite undergraduate courses that may be taken through the part-time studies program if not already enrolled at Villanova. Those courses are:

CSC 1051: Algorithms and Data Structures I
CSC 1052: Algorithms and Data Structures II
CSC 1300: Discrete Structures
CSC 2400: Computing Systems I

International Students need to submit additional application materials:

English Proficiency
Credentials Evaluation
Financial Certification

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