Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att-cb!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!mtunx!mtuxo!mtune!petsd!pedsga!chip
From: chip@pedsga.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: MS in Software Engineering
Message-ID: <541@pedsga.UUCP>
Date: 14 Apr 88 12:17:22 GMT
References: <17063@gatech.edu>
Reply-To: chip@pedsga.UUCP (Chip Maurer,7361)
Organization: Concurrent Computer Corp., Tinton Falls, N.J.
Lines: 74

In article <17063@gatech.edu> rob@gatech.UUCP (Rob McCurley) writes:
>
>Recent discussions in this newsgroup have considered the question of
>what should be taught to students in undergraduate or PhD programs in
>computer science and software engineering.  I'm currently pondering a
>related question: what should be taught to students in an MS in
>Software Engineering (MSSE) program?  Here's a few specific questions
>to get the ball rolling:
>
>1) In the spectrum ranging from vocational to theoretical education
>(if such a spectrum exists), where should an MSSE program lie?
>
>2) What should the incoming/outgoing student know about the
>following areas:
>
>programming languages
>programming methodologies
>compiler technology
>mangement techniques
>software cost calculation
>technical writing
>program specification and verification
>
>3) What areas are missing from the above list?

I am currently in the M.S. Software Engineering program at Monmouth
College (where?) and would like to describe the curriculum.  As far
as I know, it is one of only 2 or 3 MSSE programs in the country.

The curriculum will change this Fall.  Originally it was comprised
of 10 required courses.  Now there are 6 requred core courses and
4 electives (out of 8).

Core Courses:

1. Math Foundations I
2. Software Engineering I
3. Programming-in-the-large
4. Network Design
5. Project Management
6. System Project Implementation

Electives:

1. Math Foundations II
2. Computer Architecture
3. Database Management
4. Programming Languages
5. Programming-in-the-small
6. Operating Systems Implementation
7. Special Topics
8. Protocol Engineering

The program seems geared for the 3 largest employers in the county, AT&T,
Fort Monmouth and Concurrent as most of the students work at either of these
3 places.  Outside instructors are usually AT&T or Bell Labs employees.

My impression:

	Not bad.  It is a relatively new program and is suffering from
the throes of infancy (new teachers, changing curriculum, etc).   There
will be a new department chairman this fall.  The old one was the biggest
dolt on two legs (not just a personal biased opinion, but the opinion of 
everyone else in the program too).

	Its relatively expensive at $1200/course.  I can't say I would
take it if it wasn't for company reimbursement.


-- 
         Chip ("My grandmother called me Charles once. ONCE!!") Maurer
     Concurrent Computer Corporation, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 (201)758-7361
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