Software Engineering
B.S. Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Software Engineering major provides students with a strong foundation in all aspects of software development, from the initial conception of ideas, to envisioning those ideas in designs for new systems and features, to implementing those designs in modern technology stacks and frameworks, to ensuring the overall quality of the systems throughout. The major is designed to prepare students to be productive members of software engineering teams in all kinds of application domains. Graduates of the program can expect to work in industries ranging from startups to the largest technology corporations, in virtually any application domain, including healthcare, finance, entertainment, energy, technology platform providers, social media, virtual reality, education, internet search, and more.
A particular feature of the Software Engineering major is that it is hands-on: students continuously design and build new software, from the first courses in which they might be learning how to program to the final capstone in which they work with an outside organization for two quarters to create a substantial software system. Courses in the major frequently embrace the newest trends and technologies, offering students an up-to-date education that prepares them not just for today’s computing landscape, but also teaches them the skills necessary to quickly adopt ever-emerging new technologies.
Admission
Freshman Applicants: See the Undergraduate Admissions section.
Transfer Applicants:
Transfer applicants who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission. All applicants must complete the following required courses: one year of approved calculus, one year of object-oriented programing (python, java, C++), additional courses as specified by the major, and completion of lower-division writing. Students are encouraged to complete as many of the lower-division degree requirements as possible prior to transfer. Visit the UCI Office of Admissions website for information on transfer requirements for our major.
Requirements
All students must meet the University Requirements.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-division | ||
| A. Select one of the following series: | ||
| I&C SCI 31 & I&C SCI 32 & I&C SCI 33 | Introduction to Programmingand Programming with Software Librariesand Intermediate Programming | |
| or | ||
| I&C SCI H32 & I&C SCI 33 | Python Programming and Libraries (Accelerated)and Intermediate Programming | |
| B. Complete: | ||
| I&C SCI 45C | Programming in C/C++ as a Second Language | |
| I&C SCI 45J | Programming in Java as a Second Language | |
| I&C SCI 46 | Data Structure Implementation and Analysis | |
| I&C SCI 51 | Introductory Computer Organization | |
| SWE 43 | Introduction to Software Engineering | |
| MATH 2A & MATH 2B | Single-Variable Calculus Iand Single-Variable Calculus II | |
| I&C SCI 6B | Boolean Logic and Discrete Structures | |
| I&C SCI 6D | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science | |
| I&C SCI 6N | Computational Linear Algebra | |
| orMATH 3A | Introduction to Linear Algebra | |
| STATS 67 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Computer Science | |
| Upper-division | ||
| A. Core Requirements | ||
| COMPSCI 122A | Introduction to Data Management | |
| COMPSCI 143A | Principles of Operating Systems | |
| COMPSCI 132 | Computer Networks | |
| COMPSCI 161 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | |
| SWE 113 | Requirements Analysis and Engineering | |
| SWE 115 | Software Testing, Analysis, and Quality Assurance | |
| IN4MATX 131 | Human Computer Interaction | |
| SWE 121 | Software Design: Applications | |
| SWE 122 | Software Design: Structure and Implementation | |
| SWE 124 | Internet Applications Engineering | |
| IN4MATX 151 | Project Management | |
| IN4MATX 191A | Senior Design Project | |
| IN4MATX 191B | Senior Design Project | |
| I&C SCI 139W | Critical Writing on Information Technology | |
| B. Select four 4-unit upper-division courses from the School of ICS, including COMPSCI, GDIM, IN4MATX, SWE, and I&C SCI (excluding STATS). At most, two courses (8 units) may be honors research (H198, H198W) or an independent study (199). | ||
Sample Program
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| I&C SCI 31 | I&C SCI 32 | I&C SCI 33 |
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | SWE 43 |
| WRITING 40 | WRITING 50 | I&C SCI 6B |
| General Education III | WRITING 60 |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| I&C SCI 45C | I&C SCI 46 | COMPSCI 143A |
| I&C SCI 51 | SWE 113 | STATS 67 |
| I&C SCI 6D | I&C SCI 6N | General Education III |
| General Education III/VII | IN4MATX 131 | General Education IV/VIII |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| I&C SCI 45J | COMPSCI 132 | SWE 124 |
| SWE 115 | General Education IV | COMPSCI 161 |
| SWE 121 | SWE 122 | General Education IV |
| COMPSCI 141 | IN4MATX 151 |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| COMPSCI 122A | IN4MATX 191B | Software Engineering Elective |
| IN4MATX 191A | I&C SCI 139W | Software Engineering Elective |
| Software Engineering Elective | Software Engineering Elective | General Education VI |
| General Educaiton III |
NOTES:
1. Students are advised that this sample program lists the minimum requirements; it is possible that students may have to take additional courses to prepare for required courses.
2. The lower-division writing requirement must be completed by the end of the seventh quarter at UCI.
3. This is only a sample plan. Course offerings may be moved due to unforeseen circumstances. It is strongly recommended that students meet with an academic advisor to create an academic plan tailored to meet their specific areas of interest.
4. Please pay close attention to course prerequisites while creating your academic plan.
5. In order to meet the prerequisites of the senior design project sequence, students should first complete the upper-division core requirements.