An undergraduate option in software engineering: analysis and rationale

This paper discusses an undergraduate option in software engineering which is currently in the approval process at the University of Ottawa. The proposed option represents a close collaboration between the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In this paper we present an analysis of the weaknesses of the graduates of existing programs and some criteria for the choice of courses in the new option. In particular, we examine why a significant amount of additional project-based experience should be required in the software engineering option. The resulting option differs from those at other universities in that it has a somewhat greater emphasis on both human factors and the object oriented approach.