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Programme Description

Master in Computer Science - Software

Engineering

TASOF – Fall_25

Decision taken by Department board

Document contact Andreas de Blanche, Ph.D., Head of Programme
Version
Adopted 2024-09-13
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Basic data
Department Department of Engineering Science

Division Division of Computer engineering and computer science

Name of Programme, Swedish Magister I Datavetenskap - Software Engineering

Name of Programme, English Master in Computer Science - Software Engineering

HE credits (number of credits) 60

Level (1st Cycle, 2nd Cycle) 2nd Cycle

Entry requirements, Swedish Kandidatexamen eller högskoleingenjörsexamen om 180

hp med 90 hp i något av huvudområdena datavetenskap,
datateknik, software engineering eller motsvarande.
Inklusive kurser omfattande minst 15 hp i programmering
samt 15 hp i matematik. Engelska B, Engelska 6 eller
motsvarande.
Entry requirements, English Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer
Engineering, Software Engineering, or equivalent.
Additionally, the Bachelor of Science degree must include
15 HE credits in programming and 15 HE credits in
mathematics. Verified knowledge of English
corresponding to the course English B/English 6 in the
Swedish Upper Secondary School (high school) or
equivalent.
Main field of study, Swedish Software Engineering

Main field of study, English Software Engineering

Degree, Swedish Filosofie magisterexamen med huvudområdet

datavetenskap
Degree, English Master of Science with a major in Computer Science

Rate of study (full-time, part-time) Full-time

Type of instruction (on campus, On campus

distance teaching)

Language of instruction (Sw, Eng) English

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General programme information

Software engineering was established as a subject area in order to apply sound
engineering principles to software development, ensuring a rigorous approach and
high-quality software products. The software engineering methods and development
principles have proven so successful that they are now being adopted by other
engineering disciplines.

Upon completing our Master's program in Software Engineering, you will acquire
expert knowledge in the complete software development lifecycle. This encompasses
essential skills like requirements engineering, software processes, software modeling
and analysis, software design, and ensuring software quality through verification and
validation processes.

The program goes a step further, equipping you with a deep understanding of
important knowledge of algorithms, how to handle complexity, human-computer
interaction (HCI), and artificial intelligence (AI). With these advanced insights, you'll
be well-prepared to excel in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, capable of creating
software that is not just efficient and reliable but also user-friendly and capable of
harnessing the power of AI for intelligent applications.

You will have acquired the skills needed to become a master software engineer.

Programme contents, structure, and progression

The total programme consists of 60 credits in accordance with the European Credit
Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The courses focus on development and
use of rigorous methods for designing, constructing, and quality validation and
verification of effective and reliable software systems. A software engineer must be
knowledgeable of the entire software development lifecycle, including but not limited
to; requirements engineering, software processes, software modelling and analysis,
software design, and software quality, verification, and validation.

• Requirements Engineering, 7,5 credits

• Applied AI and ML, 7.5 credits
• Software Analysis and Design, 7.5 credits
• Advanced Programming, 7.5 credits
• Software Quality, Verification, and Validation, 7.5 credits
• Human-Computer Interaction, 7,5 credits
• Master of Science Thesis in Computer Science, 15 credits
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Educational methods

• Lectures (20%)
• Seminars (5%)
• Practical/group work (30%)
• Independent work or self-study (20%)
• Thesis work (25%)

Degree

Upon completion of this master’s programme, you will receive a Master of Computer
Science (MSc, 60 credits).

The research basis for the programme

Our Software Engineering program ensures that you are not only up to date with
current research in software engineering but also that you are able to apply it when
working on software projects. The teachers bring their expertise and knowledge
about current research directly into the classroom. This provides students with direct
access to ongoing research projects and the opportunity to conduct their master
thesis within a research project.

Also, scientific literature, research articles, and case studies are integrated into the
course curriculums. Assignments involving analyzing and applying research literature
to software projects are a part of the program, ensuring that students not only
understand theoretical concepts but also know how to apply them in practical
situations.

The labour market, collaboration, and work-integrated

learning 1
Software engineers are in exceptionally high demand in today's global job market,
with the European Union (EU) and Sweden being no exceptions. Their expertise in
developing and maintaining software solutions has become invaluable across
industries worldwide. Nearly all larger companies rely on software, whether they

1 Work-integrated learning is a pedagogical practice in which students’ learning takes place through the
integration of theoretical and practical knowledge and experience, derived from an educational context
within the framework of both higher education as a work environment and civil society.
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operate in healthcare, manufacturing, or the software industry, employ software

engineers.

Sweden offers numerous job opportunities for software engineers, hence it is a good
place for those looking to start their careers. The Swedish industry features high tech
companies like Spotify, Ericsson, Volvo and Klarna, offering a range of roles in
software development, system architecture, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Sweden's
investment in research and development ensures graduates have access to innovative
projects and opportunities. Its education system emphasizes practical experience and
collaboration with local companies, often leading to job offers upon graduation. The
country's openness to international talent, English proficiency, and work-life balance
makes it a favorable environment for software engineering professionals to pursue
their careers. Graduates are well-positioned for roles in both the private and public
sectors or for further studies worldwide.

Positions

A master’s degree in software engineering qualifies you to excel in a variety of roles,

with your specific focus often determined by the nature of your degree project.
Potential career paths include:
1. Software Developer: Designing, coding, and maintaining software
applications.
2. Requirements Engineer: Gather and prioritize system requirements,
facilitating effective communication between teams and clients.
3. Quality Assurance Engineer: Testing software to identify and fix bugs and
ensure it meets quality standards.
4. Systems Engineer: Building and managing complex computer systems, make
sure they run efficiently and securely.
5. DevOps Engineer: Focusing on the integration of development and IT
operations to streamline software deployment and infrastructure
management.
6. Data Scientist: Analyzing and interpreting data to derive insights and build
data-driven applications.
7. Cloud Solutions Architect: Designing and implementing cloud-based
solutions, often utilizing platforms like AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, or
Google firebase.
8. Software Product Manager: Overseeing the development of software
products, from requirements to deployment.
9. IT Consultant: Providing expertise to organizations on technology solutions,
system improvements, and IT strategy.
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10. Machine Learning Engineer: Building and deploying machine learning models
for various applications, such as recommendation systems and natural
language processing.
11. Software Development Manager: Leading and coordinating development
teams, overseeing project timelines and budgets.
12. Big Data Engineer: Managing and processing large volumes of data using
tools like Hadoop and Spark.
13. Entrepreneur: Starting your own software development company or tech
startup to bring innovative ideas to market.
14. UX-designer: Crafts user-friendly software interfaces to enhance the overall
user experience and user efficiency of a software.
15. Usability analyst: Evaluates and improves software usability, working with
UX-designers and developers to enhance the user interface and user
experience.

Potential employers

Many organizations around the globe are actively seeking these professionals to drive
their digital initiatives, create cutting-edge applications, and enhance their competitive
edge. In the Trollhättan and Gothenburg region, where University West is located,
there are promising opportunities in multinational companies such as:

• Capgemini
• Combitech
• GKN Aerospace
• Volvo Group
• Sigma Technology
• SKF

Sustainable development
The Software Engineering master programme integrates the three sustainability
aspects; ecological, economic, and social sustainability, into our courses at the design
stage and communicate them clearly to students during the courses. For instance, in
the AI course, ethical considerations are explicitly addressed and in foundational
courses like requirements engineering, sustainability requirements are incorporated in
the projects. The course on software analysis and design includes the sustainability
aspect when deciding on a software architecture as well as in maintenance and
configuration management. Inclusivity and democracy are embedded in group
projects, ensuring diverse perspectives. This is especially true for the course on
human computer interaction.
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Internationalisation
Students from around the globe come together in your program to create a unique
and international environment. The program is fully taught in English, and you will
study together with students from Sweden as well as international students from
countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America.

Most of your instructors also have international experience in both research and
education. This will enhance your cultural experience and English-language
proficiency.

Other information
WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING

University West is Sweden’s leading university when it comes to work-integrated

learning (WIL). The university was tasked with the development of WIL by the
Swedish government 15+ years ago and continues to lead the field today. WIL allows
you to focus on problem-based learning for industry, with real projects from partner
companies.

The master program in Software Engineering has been built in close collaboration
with software companies and industry experts and is founded on the pressing needs
for skilled software engineering professionals with a comprehensive understanding of
modern software engineering and industry best practice.

Professors and instructors have a wealth of research and industry experience and will
introduce you to both frontline research and industry best practices within the
software engineering area. Through guest lectures, company visits, and company-
proposed topics for degree projects, you’ll gain hands-on experience in all aspects of
software engineering and development. There are also real-life case studies where
you can discuss your understanding, raise questions and propose ideas to experts in
the field – and to potential employers.