The role of a software engineering project within an undergraduate applied computing degree

Australian and Tasmanian employment figures show that there is a diminishing number of employment opportunities for computing graduates each year and in the particular case of graduates wishing to work in Tasmania, even fewer opportunities exist. Curriculum design must consider how to give students as much competitive advantage as possible in the job market. Applicants who can point to a completed working and well-documented software package as evidence of practical skills which extend theoretical knowledge are favoured. An informal survey of past graduates and potential employers in the Northern region of Tasmania indicates that prospective employers value the inclusion of a software engineering project as a vital component of the degree. The structure, management and difficulties inherent in running such a unit are discussed. There is a varying emphasis placed on the practical implementation of a software engineering project across institutions