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Nenad Medvidovic, PhD – University of Southern California
Dr. Nenad Medvidovic serves as director of the Center for Systems and Software Engineering at the University of Southern California. He teaches courses on software architecture, software engineering, the design and construction of large software systems, and software engineering for embedded systems.
Dr. Medvidovic’s research focuses on product line procedures, architecture-based software development, and software architecture modeling and analysis. He is a member of several professional organizations including the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He has published his work in prominent journals such as the Journal of Empirical Software Engineering, the Journal of Systems and Software, and the Journal of Grid Computing.
Dr. Medvidovic has a doctorate and a master’s degree in computer and information sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Arizona State University.
Colin J. Neill, PhD – Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Colin J. Neill is the director of engineering programs at Pennsylvania State University, where he also serves as an associate professor of software engineering and systems engineering. He teaches classes on system design and architecture, systems thinking, software system design, advanced software engineering, software project management, and advanced telecommunications.
Dr. Neill is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He has been published in several top-notch journals including the European Journal of Engineering Education, the Journal of Systems and Software, and the International Journal of Computer Research.
Dr. Neill completed his doctoral degree in the design of complex real-time systems, his master’s in communication systems, and his bachelor of engineering in electrical and electrical engineering—all from Swansea University.
Reza M. Parizi, PhD – Kennesaw State University
Dr. Reza Parizi is an assistant professor of software engineering at Kennesaw State University. He teaches an introduction to blockchain, smart contracts programming, software architecture and design, the software engineering capstone (a.k.a. senior projects), and emerging software engineering processes.
Dr. Parizi’s research explores R&D in emerging areas of software engineering, blockchain technologies, smart contracts, security in software, IoT, and software development tools. He has published his articles in top scientific journals, including Computers & Security, IEEE Transaction on Reliability, the Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Smart Environments, Information and Software Technology, the Journal of Systems and Software, the Journal of Soft Computing, and the International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer, as well as in international conferences.
Dr. Parizi completed his doctorate in software engineering and master’s in computer science at the Universiti Putra Malaysia, as well as his bachelor’s in computer science at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman.
The Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at ASU offers an online master of science in engineering with a concentration in software engineering. The school’s engineering programs have been ranked in the top 25 percent by the U.S. News and World Report. The program is taught by experienced and knowledgeable faculty, who are actively conducting research in the software engineering field.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer or software engineering (or a related field) from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, a completed graduate admission application, official transcripts, and proof of English proficiency.
The 30-credit program helps students develop and manage software projects. They study information assurance and security, process and quality management, software engineering principles and concepts, software verification and validation, and testing. The program trains students about the design and application of software, engineering principles in software development, operation principles and maintenance, and testing approaches.
At the end of the program, graduates can pursue roles as software developers, computer programmers, electronics engineering technicians, application developers, and computer system analysts.
University of Southern California
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering offers a fully online master of science in software engineering that gives students access to the same faculty and curriculum as its on-campus counterpart. Through practical projects and assignments, students are exposed to the real-world application of computer science.
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in engineering, math, or a hard science from a regionally-accredited university, a satisfactory undergraduate GPA, and GRE test scores, among other requirements.
The 32-credit program prepares students for a career in software engineering leadership. Some of the courses include software management and economics, software engineering, software architectures, analysis of algorithms, foundations of artificial intelligence, and database systems. The program helps students develop various skills in management, collaboration, and engineering.
Upon completion of the program, students have a variety of opportunities available to them in computer programming, government security, bioinformatics, software design, computer security, and information technology, among others.
Penn State offers an online master of software engineering program. Notably, the school is ranked as one of the best engineering schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution (or a degree that is comparable) from an accredited institution, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and official transcripts from each institution attended. Official GRE test scores will also be considered if submitted voluntarily, and TOEFL scores are a requirement for international students.
The 36-credit program consists of various interactive and collaborative courses. The curriculum explores software system design, software systems architecture, requirements engineering, database design concepts, software construction, software testing, and software project management. Students learn to develop software services and products through design and architecture, analysis, data storage and retrieval, and system verification.
The software development skills acquired in the program can be used to devise and implement new technologies. The program opens up several opportunities for graduates in the software engineering field.
Kennesaw State University offers an online master’s program in software engineering. To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree in computing (or a related field) from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.75, a resume or curriculum vitae, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and a completed online graduate application.
The curriculum consists of 36 credits and the coursework covers user interaction engineering, embedded systems, component-based development, and state-of-the-art practices. Students take classes on software engineering, software project planning and management, software architecture, software testing and verification, and emerging software engineering processes.
The program teaches students about the fundamental concepts of computer science and gives them a primer to a career as a computer scientist. At the end of the program, graduates can pursue several opportunities in a variety of fields such as medicine, the military, domestic and international communications, aerospace engineering, and other fields which rely on software.
University of Houston–Clear Lake
The College of Science and Engineering at the University of Houston–Clear Lake offers an online master of science in software engineering, which can be completed entirely online or in a combination of online and face-to-face classes. The program is enriched by a wide variety of practical opportunities to excel as a leader in the software engineering specialty.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related area, GRE scores, and a 3.0 GPA, among other requirements.
The 36-credit program enhances the technical and managerial competency of students. The curriculum incorporates instruction in software construction, architecture, and processes, as well as the software engineering life cycle and requirements. Students learn to master the most rigorous software engineering challenges and utilize the latest tools and resources available. They develop the skills and knowledge needed for designing, testing, developing, and maintaining computer software.
Graduates can work in a variety of fields, such as retail, healthcare, finance, high-tech, government and defense, and research and development.
Washington State University offers an online master’s program in software engineering that helps students develop both software engineering knowledge and leadership and teamwork skills. Moreover, the program is taught by renowned experts in data science, computer science, software maintenance, security, and software testing.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field (industry experience as a computer scientist or software engineer can be substituted), a completed application, a letter of intent and introduction, official TOEFL scores for international applicants, and GRE scores.
The 30-credit curriculum focuses on fundamental concepts based on current industry practices. Topics include software design and architecture, software testing, software quality, project management, software requirements, and advanced algorithms.
Students learn about the principles of software engineering, as well as the latest methods and techniques. They develop skills needed for designing, developing, maintaining, and validating software products. Additionally, they develop managerial and leadership skills necessary to succeed in the industry.
Upon completion of the program, students can take up roles as computer systems analysts, software developers, user interface designers, software testing engineers, and computer systems administrators.
Farheen Gani has researched a wide array of topics related to engineering since 2018. She has written about electrical and computer engineering programs, structural engineering programs, mechanical engineer salaries, environmental engineering programs, and many other subfields of engineering. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).
A master’s degree in data science trains students to expertly analyze data, as well as in other important disciplines such as machine learning, programming, database management, and data visualization. This degree is ideal for aspiring data scientists, data analysts, and pricing analysts.
Businesses today have large amounts of data at their disposal, thanks to the increasing dependence on technology. The job of a data analyst is to dissect the information available, derive meaningful conclusions, and finally, help make sound business decisions. A master's degree in business data analytics helps students get on the fast track to a successful career as an analyst.
As the world goes increasingly digital, every industry has had to adapt, whether it be healthcare, communications, business, real estate, or commerce. Demand for specialists in computer science is increasing, and companies are on the lookout for trained professionals in the field.
Today, digital twins are not limited to just physical objects. With the rise of virtual and augmented reality technologies, digital twins can now replicate entire environments and systems in a virtual space. This has opened up new possibilities for testing and simulation, allowing companies to reduce costs and risks associated with physical prototypes.
Diversity and inclusivity aren’t purely idealistic goals. A growing body of research shows that greater diversity, particularly within executive teams, is closely correlated with greater profitability. Today’s businesses are highly incentivized to identify a diverse pool of top talent, but they’ve still struggled to achieve it. Recent advances in AI could help.
The ability of a computer to learn and problem solve (i.e., machine learning) is what makes AI different from any other major technological advances we’ve seen in the last century. More than simply assisting people with tasks, AI allows the technology to take the reins and improve processes without any help from humans.
This guide, intended for students and working professionals interested in entering the nascent field of automotive cybersecurity, describes some of the challenges involved in securing web-enabled vehicles, and features a growing number of university programs, companies, and people who are rising to meet those challenges.
