A collaborative bachelor´s degree in software engineering

This paper discusses a new Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering (BSSE) that is offered via a collaboration of three departments of one university. The sponsors span the disciplinary areas of computer science, computer engineering, and information systems. The combination of disciplinary areas helps provide a broad foundation for the program. At the same time, while the idea of joint sponsorship may make sense, putting that idea into practice has its difficulties. Academic units have differences in organizational culture, and disciplines may vary in research tradition and curricular expectations. Administrative issues are also more complicated for a collaborative program. All of these factors may make it more difficult to achieve a satisfactory result. This paper begins with a discussion of the development of the degree program including the process used and issues that had to be addressed along the way. Next, the curricular content of the degree is outlined, with particular attention to contribution and perspective provided by each of the degree sponsors. Finally, the paper discusses initial experiences in offering the degree.