What Can You Do with a Degree in Software Systems Engineering?

[jordan123]

Hello. I have just a few questions for you guys!

1) Software Systems Engineering vs Software Engineering? U of R only has the systems style.

2) Would you take Co-operative education if your school offered it with their engineering degree. (Only reason I do not is it is an extra year to get a degree hmm)

3) Lastly, my school offers engineering minors with engineering majors you choose. Now would it be wise to minor in say electrical, environmental, industrial etc while majoring in software. Or just take random electives like the ethical issues of science and technology, and other classes that are interesting?

Thanks PF!

 

[story645]

1) Software Systems Engineering vs Software Engineering? U of R only has the systems style.

Depends on what you're interested in. If you like systems programming (C, assembly, really hard core/low level stuff) go for that, if you like applications level programming (games, programs like word or excel, etc.) go for that. A lot of the skills are transferable, so it doesn't matter much in the long run anyway.

2) Would you take Co-operative education if your school offered it with their engineering degree.

If you're planning to get a job out of school, it's a great way to pick up experience and get your foot in the door. It's very attractive in the current job market.

Now would it be wise to minor in say electrical, environmental, industrial etc while majoring in software. Or just take random electives like the ethical issues of science and technology, and other classes that are interesting?

Do what interests you. At the end of the day, grad schools look at your coursework and jobs only see the courses you list, so it doesn't matter much which way you choose. If you think you want to work in embedded systems, EE may be a good minor, but you'll pick up the relevant skills anyway if you end up in the field.

 

[jordan123]

Depends on what you're interested in. If you like systems programming (C, assembly, really hard core/low level stuff) go for that, if you like applications level programming (games, programs like word or excel, etc.) go for that. A lot of the skills are transferable, so it doesn't matter much in the long run anyway.


If you're planning to get a job out of school, it's a great way to pick up experience and get your foot in the door. It's very attractive in the current job market.


Do what interests you. At the end of the day, grad schools look at your coursework and jobs only see the courses you list, so it doesn't matter much which way you choose. If you think you want to work in embedded systems, EE may be a good minor, but you'll pick up the relevant skills anyway if you end up in the field.

Thanks. So that does not mean with a Software Systems degree I would be unable to program "games, programs like word or excel, etc" ?

 

[story645]

Thanks. So that does not mean with a Software Systems degree I would be unable to program "games, programs like word or excel, etc" ?

So long as you learn programming fundamentals, you can code just about anything. I'm just thinking that the degree probably won't be focused on those types of applications, though I don't know. Plenty of schools use the term "software systems" and "software" interchangeably. Look at the curriculum and see what types of courses they offer.

Traditionally systems programming is more focused on lower level stuff like writing OS's and hardware drivers and the like. It's got a hardware focus, whereas other software sits on top of the systems layer. But, if you know how to write a driver for a video card, your programming skills are probably solid enough that you can learn how to write a video game.