Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering

Nowadays, software plays a central role in almost all aspects of daily life: in government, banking and finance, education, transportation, entertainment, medicine, agriculture, and law. The number, size, and application domains of computer programs have grown dramatically; as a result, hundreds of billions are being  spent  on  software  development,  and  the  livelihood  and  lives  of  most  people  depend  on  the effectiveness of this development. Software products have helped us to be more efficient and productive. They make us more effective problem solvers, and they provide us with an environment for work and play that is often safer, more flexible, and less confining. Software engineering is a discipline, which involves the specification, design, construction and verification of large software systems. Although  the  field  of  Software  Engineering  was  established  more  than  30  years  ago,  Bachelor  degree programs in Software Engineering in Ethiopia came into existence in the last few years. According to the GTP (Growth and Transformation Plan) goals and strategies set by the ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the ministry emphasizes the fact that it will work extensively towards creating an enabling environment for ICT professionals to be engaged in innovation, creativity, and research activities. So  that  the  ministry  can  effectively  support  GTP  reform  to  ensure  sustainable  development,  poverty eradication,  human  resource  development,  capacity  development  and  good  governance  through  welldeveloped information communication technology involvement. Hence, the faculty of computing of Bahir Dar University has opened a new program in Software Engineering aiming to produce skilled graduates inthe field of Software Engineering to fill the demand of man power in the field at national level. The  Software  Engineering  program  was  started  during  the  2014-2015  academic  year,  with  a  target  of admitting students in the regular program from the year 2014 onwards, under the faculty of Computing.This  degree  program  is  a  four-year  program  designed  for  students  who  wish  to  pursue  careers  as professional software engineers in industry and commerce. Graduates of this program may pursue career opportunities in  a  variety  of  entry-level  positions,  including  software developer,  software  programmer, application  developer,  Web  application  developer,  software  engineer,  software  applications  analyst, Software Project Manager, Software Tester and Web applications analyst. 

Course Profile

Professional Profile :

Through  document  analysis  on  different  research  organization  websites  in  the  field  of  computer science  and  based  on  other  universities’  computer  science  programs,  it  has  been  found professionals in the field of computer science do have knowledge and skills in software design and implementation,  devising  new  ways  of  to  use  computers,  developing  effective  ways  to  solve computing  problems,  generating  new  knowledge  through  research  as  in  bioinformatics  and intelligent systems, presenting findings clearly ,and using computers for the betterment of society. Computer science professional must have : A  high-level  understanding  of  computing  systems  as  a  whole.  This  understanding  must  go 

  • beyond the implementation details of the various components to encompass an appreciation for the structure of computer systems and the processes involved in their construction and analysis. 
  • Thorough  understanding  of  the  balance  between  theory  and  practice  and  the  essential  link between them not only the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline but also how that theory influences practice
  • A solid foundation that allows and encourages them to maintain their skills as the field evolves.

Bachelor Degree Programs

  Bachelor of Science in Software  Engineering

Hosting Unit 

   Faculty of Computing

 Program Description:

Program learning outcome specifies the expectation of the program at the end of educational process in the department of the Software Engineering. This clearly state what our students able to perform at the end of successful completion of the course work. This mainly focuses on the achievable output unlike the intention described as part of the program aim. 

  • Knowledge and understanding of the essential facts, concepts, principles and theories related to Software Engineering. 
  • Ability to show the mastery of the software engineering knowledge and skills, and professional issues necessary to bring practice as software engineer 
  • Ability  to  work  as an individual and  as  a  part  of  team  to  develop  and  deliver quality  software products. 
  • Ability  to  reconcile  conflicting  project  activities,  finding  acceptable  compromises  within 
  • limitations of cost, time, knowledge, existing systems and organizations 
  • Ability  to  design  appropriate  solutions  in  one  or  more  application  domains  using  software engineering approaches that integrate ethical, social, legal and economic concerns. 
  • Ability  to  learn  new  models,  techniques  and  technologies  as  they  emerge  and  appreciate  the necessity of such continuing professional development. 
  • Study  of  advanced  courses  from  basic  and  preliminary  courses  that  will  make  the  students  to understand all dimensions of the field (Software Engineering) thoroughly. 
  • Acquiring practical skills and knowledge in all dimensions of Software Engineering field by being involved in several group/individual projects. 

Duration of the program:

  Five years

Medium of Instruction:

  English

Admission criteria:

 Applicants should achieve the minimum score on Ethiopian Higher Education Qualification Certificate Examination (EHEQCE) or equivalent which satisfies admission cut point to higher education set by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency. 

Annual Intake:

60

Program Education Objectives:

  • To provide education for the students with at most quality and thereby to cultivate confidence in the students to serve the country better 
  •  Assisting Government’s policy of increasing trained manpower, thereby reducing the shortage of skilled manpower that are required for different organizations, to develop the nation 
  • Assisting the industrial community and institutions around in the region to achieve excellence 

 Graduate Profile:

Software engineers focus on applying the principles of engineering to software development. Their role includes analyzing and modifying existing software as well as designing, constructing and testing end-user applications that meet user needs — all through software programming languages.

Graduation statistics  

Year of GraduationNumber of Students
2015/2016          56
2016/2017          49
2018/2017          54
2019/2018          51
2020/2021    No graduate because of COVID-19
2021/2022          55