Software Engineering

About this Composite Major

Software Engineering (SE) is all around us. The IT industry is a diverse field impacting virtually every business—from the service industry and technology companies to manufacturing specialists and health care professionals within large companies and small businesses. VCSU’s Software Engineering, the first major of its kind in the North Dakota University System, prepares students with problem solving skills required to create software solutions to meet the needs of employers.

The CSSE Department has joined in Academic Alliances with technology companies such as SAP, Microsoft, and Salesforce, using these technologies to complete hands-on projects. Students often work in teams to encourage the learning of group dynamics and soft-skills. Nontraditional IT majors may be interested in Software Engineering because of the inclusion of humanistic issues such as project management, requirements gathering, and human computer interaction. Software Engineering majors learn to create software from start to finish. They learn to ask questions to understand problems, design software to solve those problems, build and test the software, and implement the solution. Various courses contribute to this learning.

Visit our page at csse.vcsu.edu. Let your dream become a reality at Valley City State University!

Meet a student

"The CSSE department and VCSU career services really does a phenomenal job in helping a student who wants to be proactive in the career search. I already have a job lined up for after graduation. I give all the credit to my department and career services for helping me achieve this. My vision and career goals are pretty simple after - excel with any assignment I am given and take any opportunity that comes my way." - Connor Aanderud, Software Engineering student

"When I started the Software Engineering program at VCSU, I did not know anything about programming or management. The SE program taught me how to program while also teaching me how to manage and be managed as a software engineer. With this experience I will eventually be able to become an expert in my field." Benjamin Kietzman '20, Edgeley, ND

Career Opportunities

Professors work with students during a CIS class.

Students with an SE degree can become:

Software engineers
Software developers
Software architects
IT project managers
Business analysts
Systems analysts
Cyber security managers

Practical Experience

CIS students work with professor Sue Pfiffer outside.

Students are encouraged to complete internship credits and count those credits towards their Software Engineering major. VCSU students have completed successful internships with companies including:

Doosan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
Bobcat
NASA
Thomson Reuters
Cavendish
John Deere
Microsoft
Appareo Systems
NBC Universal
North Dakota Information Technology Department.

VCSU students develop excellent technology and soft skills and many are hired into full-time positions with these companies after graduation.

In addition to internships, cooperative research projects with faculty give students first-hand experience with advanced research techniques. The undergraduate research ranges from Virtual Reality to the Internet of Things. Students also bring together their skills and knowledge in the capstone course where they typically work in a student-led team with stakeholders outside of the classroom to complete a project that is technical in nature.

Contact Information

Department Chair and Faculty Contact

Susan Pfeifer, susan.pfeifer@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7719

Department Location

McFarland Hall 138, (701) 845-7550

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ²
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java ¹
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ²
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics ¹
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology ¹
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: Required
²: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security	3
COMM 360	Group Dynamics	3
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I	3
CSCI 161	Introduction to Structured Programming II	3
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ¹	3
MATH 208	Discrete Mathematics	3
MATH 321	Applied Probability and Statistics	3
SE 110	Discovering Computing	3
SE 201	Introduction to Software Engineering	3
SE 211	Software Construction	3
SE 212	Software Engineering Approach to Human Computer Interaction	3
SE 242	Data Structures	3
SE 311	Software Design and Architecture	3
SE 321	Software Quality Assurance and Testing	3
SE 370	Computer Organization & Systems	3
SE 380	Systems Analysis and Design	3
SE 381	Project Management	3
SE 385	Database Theory/Design	3
SE 480	Capstone	3
Directed Electives
Select one of the following options with at least 3 credits of 300-400 level classes included:		12
Option 1: Enterprise Systems Cognate
CIS 341	Customer Relationship Management Software Administration
CIS 369	Enterprise Systems
CIS 371	Enterprise Systems II
SE 331	Customer Relationship Management Software Development
Option 2: Science Cognate
12 credits of major only science courses and approval from advisor. Possible options include:
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
PHYS 294	Independent Study
PHYS 494	Undergraduate Research
Option 3: Internships
12 credits of internship may be chosen.
SE 497	Internship
Additional specialties may be chosen with advisor approval. Please consult with your advisor.
Total Credits		69

¹: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 69 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	CIS 147	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	CSCI 160	3
Mathematics (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 125 (Gen Ed)	3
SE 110	3	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
UNIV 150	1	Speech Communication (Gen Ed)	3
	14		16
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CSCI 161	3	CSCI 127	3
CSCI 289	3	HPER 100 (Gen Ed)	2
MATH 208	3	SE 211	3
SE 201	3	SE 212	3
PSYC 111 (Gen Ed)	3	SE 242	3
		Additional Humanities and Social Science (Gen Ed)	2
	15		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
SE 311	3	ECON 201 (Gen Ed)	3
SE 385	3	SE 321	3
COMM 360	3	SE 381	3
Directed Elective	3	Literacies (Gen Ed)	3
Elective	3	Directed Elective	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
SE 370	3	SE 480	3
SE 380	3	MATH 321	3
Art and Music (Gen Ed)	3	Directed Elective	3
Directed Elective	3	Elective	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
	15		15
Total Credits 121

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

Effectively understand requirements, design solutions, and develop software (follow software engineering principles) to successfully implement software for various domains.
Think creatively, outside of the box, while designing solutions for unique problems.
Communicate effectively with stakeholders during all phases of a project.
Manage small, simple projects and work in high performing teams to complete projects successfully.