Software Engineering
Design, build, and maintain large-scale software systems
What You'll Study
While Computer Science focuses on the theory of computation, Software Engineering is about the practical application of building software. You learn engineering principles to manage large projects, ensure quality, and deliver reliable products.
- Software design patterns
- Software testing and quality assurance
- Project management (Agile/Scrum)
- User requirements analysis
- Web and mobile development
- Database systems
- Cloud computing
- System security
Example Classes
How to Know If You'll Like It
You'll probably enjoy this if...
- ✓You want to build real-world applications people use
- ✓You enjoy working in teams and collaborating
- ✓You are organized and like structure
- ✓You care about making things reliable and easy to use
- ✓You like the idea of "engineering" solutions
- ✓You want a clear path to a developer job
You might not enjoy this if...
- ✕You prefer solo work and dislike meetings
- ✕You want to focus solely on deep mathematical theory
- ✕You dislike documenting your work
- ✕You prefer hardware over software
Self-Check Quiz
Answer these questions honestly to see if this major might be a good fit for you.
Do you prefer building something quick or building it right?
Career Outcomes
Featured In-Demand Careers
Software Engineer
Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems. Work with cutting-edge technologies to solve complex problems.
Cloud Architect
Design and oversee cloud computing strategies for organizations, ensuring scalability, security, and efficiency.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Protect organizations from cyber threats by monitoring, analyzing, and responding to security incidents.
Product Manager
Lead product development from conception to launch, bridging business strategy with user needs and technical capabilities.
Other Common Career Paths
- •QA Engineer
- •DevOps Engineer
- •Technical Project Manager
- •Solutions Architect
Industries
Try It First
Test if you like this field before committing to a major:
Design a simple "wireframe" for a new app idea on paper or using a tool like Figma.
Create a simple webpage and host it on GitHub Pages. Learn about version control (Git).
Collaborate with a friend to build a simple game or website, splitting the work.
Related Majors
Frequently Asked Questions
CS is broader and includes more theory. SE is more focused on the process of building software in teams.
Generally, yes. SE focuses more on design, architecture, and process than complex algorithms.
In most countries, "Software Engineer" isn't a licensed title like "Civil Engineer".
Yes! You learn how to build products from scratch, which is valuable for startups.
Usually Java, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, and Python are common.
Ready to Explore This Major?
Get personalized guidance on whether Software Engineering is right for you and how to build a competitive profile.