Study plan - Joint Master's Programme in Software Engineering

This study program is a joint degree offered by the Department of Computer science, Electrical engineering and Mathematical sciences at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences - Bergen (HVL) and the Department of Informatics at the University of Bergen (II/UiB). The program will provide students with both practical and theoretical skills in software engineering.

Learning outcomes

A candidate who has completed a Master's degree in software engineering should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has broad knowledge of software engineering and specialized knowledge in the topic of the Master's thesis.
• has thorough knowledge of the theories and methods used in software engineering.
• is able to apply knowledge, understanding to solve problems in new contexts in software engineering.
• can analyze problems in software engineering on the basis of the knowledge, technology and societal relevance.

Skills

The candidate

• can analyze and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scientific arguments.
• can analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations in software engineering and work independently on practical and theoretical problems in the field.
• can use appropriate methods for research and practical development work in an independent manner.
• can carry out a research and development project in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics.
• can independently design, specify and program medium-scale information systems.
• can independently analyse, test and validate large-scale information systems.

General Competence

The candidate

• can analyze relevant professional and research ethical problems tied to software engineering.
• can apply knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects.
• can communicate extensive independent work and masters language and terminology used in the field of software engineering.
• can discuss academic issues, analyses and conclusions within software engineering, both with specialists and the general public.
• can contribute to innovation processes in society by applying information technology.

Content

The study focusses on up-to-date methods for system development and technology, and on how these can be applied in various domains.

In addition will the students acquire knowledge of the basic principles and theory underlying the methods for construction and analysis of complex information systems.

Upon completion of the program you will have developed special skills in some specialization, together with a good overview of the whole field of software engineering.

Teaching

A combination of teaching methods is used in the various courses, mainly lectures and exercise classes. You may find more information in the course description.

The master thesis is an independent scientific work supervised by an academic.

Assessment

The main assessment methods are written and oral examination. The assessment methods for each course are described in the course description.

The final step in the program is a presentation of the master thesis combined with an oral examination, after the master thesis has been submitted, evaluated and approved.

Internationalization

Arrangements can be made for exchanges with institutions abroad. Students who plan an exchange period abroad should timely contact the department to clarify how the education aboard may fit into the course of the master study. 

Organization

The master's programme in Software Engineering consists of an individual research project (master's thesis) of 30 or 60 ECTS credits, and courses of 90 or 60 ECTS credits, respectively. 

Course part

The following courses are compulsory: 

INF234 Algorithms 

INF222 Programming Languages

DAT250 Advanced Software Technologies (taught at HVL)

DAT251 Modern Software Development Methods (taught at HVL)

The courses in the course part must be on 200- and 300-level. The courses are selected in cooperation with the supervisor to give a good foundation to work on the master project. 10 ECTS on 100-level can be included in the degree if the supervisor accepts.

Recommended study plan:

1.semester INF234 DAT250 ELECTIVE

2.semester INF222 DAT251 ELECTIVE

3.semester Thesis Thesis Thesis

(alternative 3. semester in case of 30 ECTS thesis: ELECTIVE ELECTIVE ELECTIVE)

4.semester Thesis Thesis Thesis

Recommended electives Must be chosen in cooperation with the supervisor. Alternatives could be INF210, INF223, INF225, INF226, INF329 or UiB mathematics courses, or DAT252, DAT259 or other HVL courses.