Software engineering is the systematic approach to the development, operation, maintenance and retirement of software; the controlling element of computer-based systems. As society becomes even more dependent on computers, one of the biggest challenges is the creation of new software necessary to make computers useful. Software engineering deals with the challenges associated with large-scale, high quality software: size and complexity, cooperation between developers, clients and users, and evolution of software over time to maintain its value. Software engineers use principles of computer science, engineering, design, management, psychology, sociology and other disciplines to design and manage large software systems. Team and individual projects are a focus of this plan, an approach valued by employers.

This major builds on the first three years of the BE (Software) which progresses through a broad foundation of preparatory courses in engineering, mathematics, and computing, followed by more advanced software engineering coursework.