Program Overview

Introduction to the MS Software Engineering Master's Program

The Master’s Degree in Software Engineering (MSSWE) program is offered by the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Purdue. This program allows each student to create their own plan of study, which defines their academic program. The degree requirements afford flexibility for developing a plan of study that best suits each student’s needs and professional objectives.

MSSWE Program Learning Outcomes

The MSSWE program has the following learning outcomes:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex software engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. Develop expertise in machine learning and data science; embedded software, robotics, and controls; systems software; and/or cybersecurity.
3. Recognize and articulate specific software engineering needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare as well as global, cultural, and social, environmental, and economic factors.
4. Effectively communicate software design and development decisions.
5. Work effectively as a member of a team solving software engineering problems.

Degree Details

Eligibility

A bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering is preferred. Students with other related undergraduate degrees who have extensive work experience in the field may be admitted if their credentials collectively indicate an ability to succeed in the coursework.

Degree Requirements

• Total credits needed: 30
• Two core courses:
  • Select one:
    • ECE 60800, Computational Models and Methods (3 credits)
    • CS 58000, Algorithm Design, Analysis, and Implementation (3 credits)
  • ECE 59500, Advanced Software Engineering (3 credits)
• One math course (3 credits): See Appendix A
• A total of 18 hours of software-related ECE and CS coursework, including core courses above.

Other Requirements

• Responsible Conduct of Research Course Requirement: All ECE graduate students must satisfactorily complete the Responsible Conduct of Research course.
• Written English Requirement: All ECE graduate students must demonstrate acceptable proficiency in written English before admission.
• Undergraduate Credit Hours: Graduate students may take undergraduate courses if space allows, but these may be included on the plan of study only in special situations and if a grade of B- or better is received.

Minimum Academic Standards

MSSWE students are subject to both ECE academic standards and University academic standards.

ECE Academic Standards

• Maintain a plan-of-study (POS) grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 out of 4.00, with no grade of less than C− on the POS.
• Meet the written English proficiency requirement within the first two semesters of the academic program.
• Make continuous and significant progress each semester toward completion of degree requirements.
• Complete all degree requirements and graduate within three years after entering the ECE graduate program.

University Academic Standards

• Academic Notice: A student at Purdue University shall be placed on university academic notice if their fall or spring semester or cumulative GPA at the end of any fall or spring semester is less than 2.0.
• Dropping of Students for Academic Deficiency: A student on academic notice shall be separated from the University at the close of any fall or spring semester in which their semester and cumulative GPA is less than 2.0.

Master's Degree Plan of Study

All MSSWE students must file a plan of study (POS).

Preparing Your Plan of Study

1. Review the MSSWE degree requirements and course lists.
2. Use the online Electronic Plan of Study program in myPurdue to compose a draft of your plan of study.
3. Submit your final plan electronically.

Changing Your Plan of Study

As a student’s program progresses, there may arise conditions that necessitate a change in the plan of study. Such changes, when based upon sound academic reasons, are encouraged.

Course Registration

First-Semester Registration

Incoming ECE graduate students must complete the online ECE orientation to obtain their registration PIN.

Subsequent Semester Registrations

We encourage you to select your courses and to register as early as possible, since decisions to cancel low-enrollment courses may affect your course options.

Continuation for the ECE PhD

To continue graduate work toward a doctorate degree after completion of the Master’s degree, a student must be admitted to the ECE PhD program.

Petitions to the Graduate Committee

All graduate students have the right to petition for exceptions to any existing rule if they feel that the circumstances are sufficiently unusual to warrant special consideration.

Appendices

Appendix A: Mathematics Requirement

The following courses have been approved for meeting the mathematics requirement:

• Any 500- and 600-level math courses (MA), except seminar courses and teacher training courses
• Any 500- and 600-level statistics courses (STAT), except seminar courses
• Specific computer science and physics courses

Appendix B: English Requirement

Any one of the following methods may be used to fulfill the English requirement:

• Score a four or higher on the GRE Writing Assessment
• Score 22 or higher on the Writing section of the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT)
• Score 6 or higher on the Writing section of the IELTS
• Pass ENGL 62100, Written Communication for International Graduate Students, offered at Purdue University, with a grade of Pass (“P”)
• Successfully complete a one-semester-long composition course equivalent to ENGL 62100 or ENGL 10600 or 10800 from an English-medium university with a grade of B or better

Appendix C: Completing the Master's Plan of Study

The information provided below may be helpful when filling out your plan of study:

• Research area: The space for indicating the research area may be filled in with a word or words describing your area of interest.
• Concentration: Students in the MSSWE program do not have a concentration.
• Courses/grades not included: Do not include any of the following on the plan of study:
  • Courses used to fulfill the departmental English requirement
  • Courses with Pass/No pass grades
• Adding courses: For each course, use the appropriate link in the plan of study generator.