New Computer, Software Engineering
Degrees Approved
BY DAVE REID
From Dateline (April 8, 2004)
Students who dream of careers in computer
engineering, and software engineers who wish to enhance their skills
and knowledge, will be the beneficiaries of two new degrees offered
by the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
One of the programs – a master’s in software
engineering – is the second online graduate program to be
offered by the university. The bachelor’s degree in computer
engineering was developed in response to area high-tech firms seeking
people in this field. Both programs are effective this summer.
“We are responding to the needs of students,
local technology com- panies and to professionals in the field seeking
computer or software engineering degrees,” says Raman Unnikrishnan,
ECS dean.
Software engineering is the application of systematic
engineering principles to the development and maintenance of computer
software, says Dorota Huizinga, associate ECS dean and professor
of computer science. “Our curriculum is fundamentally grounded
in software engineering research, theory, principles and practice.
“The 22-month online program prepares individuals
for careers as software process managers, designers and developers
in industry and governmental agencies,” she notes. “Our
emphasis on software process through the entire curriculum makes
this program unique among professional master’s degrees.”
“The online degree is designed for working
professionals who wish to further their skills and pursue graduate
level education in software engineering,” says Demetrios Michalopoulos,
professor of computer science. “Because it is an online program,
it has been approved and accredited by the Western Association of
Schools and Colleges (WASC).”
Computer engineering, the other new program, is the
design and analysis of computer hardware and software. “Our
computer engineering program integrates pertinent science and mathematics
courses with electrical engineering and computer science courses
to develop an engineer capable of designing and analyzing all aspects
of modern computer and embedded systems,” says Unnikrishnan.
“The degree can lead to immediate employment after graduation
as a design, development, test, application or marketing engineer
of computer hardware or software,” he adds.
Industry support for the undergraduate program is
strong, as evidenced by letters from Boeing, Intel, JPL, Raytheon,
Systems Co., Technology Strategy Group and Unisys.
“The combination of software and hardware design
training that is contained in the new curriculum is right on the
mark for the kinds of systems we design ...Engineers with the skills
proposed for the new computer engineering program will be more immediately
employable without extensive training after being hired,”
wrote a director of external technology from a Newport Beach firm.
“We looked at accredited programs across the
country in formulating this program so that it meets the standards
set by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology,”
says Susamma Barua, professor of computer science.
“Both of these new degree programs will significantly
reach a new pool of students, and also will help people in industry
to advance in their careers,” says Unnikrishnan. “Our
educational efforts are consistent with today’s trends in
technology, and our online program will reach stu-dents across the
nation and beyond.”
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