Software Development
College of Engineering
Emphases: Entertainment Arts & Engineering (EAE)
Bennion
Center
Capstones
Program
Learning Abroad
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with your advisor to discuss which CS and Math courses to start with
- Begin taking Gen Ed courses (spread these out)
- Consider the EAE emphasis
Making Progress
Meet with your advisor often to:
- Discuss your progress
- Learn about course options for electives
- Create a path to graduation that works best for you
Keep track of degree requirements:
- Check your progress using DARs, flowcharts, or a degree requirements sheet (your advisor can personalize one for you!)
- Plan to take 2-3 CS courses per semester
- Consider adding a minor or certificate to enhance your degree
Finishing Up
- Enroll in senior capstone courses
- Finish remaining GEs & degree requirements
- Check your degree audit & meet with your advisor to confirm graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Attend Weeks of Welcome events
- Attend the Get Involved Fair & Engineering Club Rush to explore student groups on campus (check out game clubs in EAE too)
Making Progress
- Get connected to the Utah Center for Inclusive Computing (UCIC)
- Attend research symposiums in the School of Computing
- Form study groups with classmates and peers
- Take advantage of office hours and get to know your professors
- Use your ArtsPass to access events
- Find a job on campus
- Consider getting involved in ASUU
- Become a UCIC Student Ambassador
Finishing Up
- Network with your fellow classmates & professors
- Take on a leadership role in a student-led club or organization
- Get involved with the Alumni Association and Forever Utah
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Utilize tutoring resources in the School of Computing, Math Center, & the Learning Center
- Research careers that interest you to get an understanding of skills they require
Making Progress
- Attend a STEM or Computing Job Fair to find internships
- Attend Computing Research Day, join a research team, & connect with professors whose research interests you
- Learn about research opportunities through OUR including programs like UROP & SPUR
- Enroll in CS 4011: Professional Development to learn about different careers & prepare for entering the job market
Finishing Up
- Take electives that pique your interest & prepare you for your desired career
- Collaborate with your team to complete your senior capstone
- Present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
Transformation
Getting Started
- Find a mentor by connecting with faculty & student leaders
- Request a learning consultation through the Learning Center
- Attend a workshop with the Center for Student Wellness
Making Progress
- Explore resources & services available to you at the University Counseling Center
- Go on a learning abroad trip
- Reach out to professors to engage in research experience
- Analyze your study skills - talk to a Student Success Coach about ways to improve
- Complete an internship that allows you to utilize your knowledge and skills
- Check out student games at EAE's Play and Launch events
Finishing Up
- Showcase your skills acquired in the SD program through your capstone project!
- Reflect on what you've learned in the program & extracurricular experiences
- Participate in graduation events
Impact
Getting Started
- Attend a Learning Abroad 101 info session
- Engage in service opportunities with the Bennion Center
- Meet with a Student Success Coach
Making Progress
- Apply to work as a TA, tutor, or UCIC Student Ambassador
- Apply to go on an Alternative Breaks trip through the Bennion Center
- Find for-credit internships through the Hinckley Institute
- Explore flexible & intensive course opportunities through FLEXU
- Contribute to a project in the Sorenson Impact Center
- Consider taking a community-engaged learning course
Finishing Up
- Present research at a local, national, or global conference
- Prepare to develop your capstone project into a business venture or research project
Careers
Getting Started
- Meet with a career coach and explore resources & workshops offered at the Career & Professional Development Center
- Draft a resume & sample cover letter
- Attend Career Fest
Making Progress
- Update your resume and cover letter regularly to reflect your skills & experiences
- Seek out an internship and/or undergraduate research opportunity
- Check out internships & jobs posted to COE's Jobs Board
- Attend Pathways or the STEM Career Fair in the fall
- Job shadow or conduct informational interviews with alumni & professionals in a field that interests you
Finishing Up
- Meet with a career coach to create a job search plan, do a mock interview, & polish your resume
- Participate in career fairs & expos
- Apply for jobs or graduate programs
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
Software Development is the study of the principles, tools, and techniques for developing modern software. Software developers create the web, mobile, and desktop applications that we use every day. They typically work as full stack developers, writing and maintaining the secure front end and back end code that turns a specification into a real-world, functioning system. As the School of Computing’s newest undergraduate degree program, the Software Development BS allows you to explore foundational concepts of computer science including computer programming, object-oriented programming, algorithms and data structures. You will take core courses in topics like data wrangling, software practice, web software development, mobile app programming, computer security, and design for human-centered experiences. In your final year, you complete a senior capstone project or thesis to showcase the culmination of your knowledge and skills. You can also pursue an optional emphasis in Entertainment Arts & Engineering (EAE) if you are interested in game design. Beyond coursework, the School of Computing offers opportunities to engage in undergraduate research, gain internship experience, and make connections within organizations such as Women in Computing and the Utah Center for Inclusive Computing. With a degree in Software Development, you will be prepared to fill a growing demand for software developers and engineers in a wide range of industries.
Learning Outcomes
- Utilize and demonstrate a knowledge of classical algorithms and data structures to solve computational problems, and analyze the efficiency of algorithms.
- Show proficiency as a software engineer and demonstrate programming skills and the ability to learn new languages and tools.
- Work with a large code base; and work with modern standard computing ecosystems such as web, mobile, and cloud applications.
- Create effective user interfaces and user experiences.
- Function effectively as a member of a team engaged in software development; and communicate effectively in a variety of technical and professional contexts.
- Apply current ethical standards as related to software engineering.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.