Master of Science in Software Engineering
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements vary by track. All students take the required six core courses (18.0 quarter credits).Core Courses
Core courses cover topics that are essential for the practicing software engineer.
| Core Courses | 18.0 Credits | |||
| Computer science courses | ||||
![]() |
||||
| CS 575 | Software Design | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 576 | Dependable Software Systems | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Electrical and computer engineering courses | ||||
![]() |
||||
| ECEC 500 | Fundamentals of Computer Hardware | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| ECEC 600 | Fundamentals of Computer Networks | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Information science and technology courses | ||||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 627 | Requirements Engineering and Management | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 638 | Software Project Management | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
Tracks
Students in each track follow the policies determined
by the respective College.
Information Science and Technology Track
Track Coordinator:
Dr. Eileen Abels, 215-895-6274, eabels@drexel.edu
This track supports students interested in applying software engineering
to information systems problems in commercial organizations and other
settings. The principal focus is the process by which user and system
requirements are converted into cost-effective, maintainable software
systems. This is complemented by a concern for defining, creating, understanding,
and evaluating the full range of software life-cycle products. The track
places particular emphasis on information systems methodologies such as human-computer interaction, requirements analysis, modeling, and validation,
along with the use of off-the-shelf tools and components to assist in software
processes.
Students in the information science and technology track take a total of nine track courses: four required track courses, three courses selected from the track distribution courses, and two courses selected from the distribution courses or other approved electives. This track requires a total of 45 credits, 18 of which are from the required core.
| Required courses | 12.0 Credits | |||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 608 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 630 | Evaluation of Information Systems | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 636 | Software Engineering Process I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 637 | Software Engineering Process II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Distribution courses | 9.0 Credits | |||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 606 | Advanced Database Management | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 607 | Applied Database Technologies | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 610 | Analysis of Interactive Systems | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 611 | Design of Interactive Systems | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 620 | Information Systems Analysis and Design | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 631 | Information Technology Integration | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 646 | Information Systems Management | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Two Elective courses | 6.0 Credits | |||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 612 | Knowledge Base Systems | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 613 | XML and Databases | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 616 | Computer-Supported Cooperative Work | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 617 | Introduction to System Dynamics | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| INFO 634 | Data Mining | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
Computer Science Track
Track Coordinator: Dr. Spiros Mancoridis, 215-895-6824,
spiros@drexel.edu
The computer science track welcomes students who are interested in a variety
of technical topics pertaining to the development of software systems such
as databases, networks, operating systems, graphics and animation systems,
compilers, expert systems, and systems for scientific computing. Students
will use languages and apply techniques to specify, design, implement, test,
and maintain software systems.
Students in the computer science track take 9 courses
in addition to the 6 core courses. Of the 9 courses, 4 courses must be
from one of the six concentrations. The other 5 courses are electives
that may be fulfilled by any course offered for the MSSE degree.
Students in their final 3 quarters of study who have a 3.5 GPA or better
may take a 9-credit project instead of 3 elective courses. To register
for a project, the student must select a project advisor (a member of
the CS faculty who is willing to supervise). The project is a large-scale
software development effort in which students specify, design, implement,
and test a significant software system.
| Concentration courses | ||||
| Computing Systems concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| CS 500 | Database Theory | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 540 | High Performance Computing | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 543 | Operating Systems | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 544 | Computer Networks | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 643 | Advanced Operating Systems | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 645 | Network Security | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 647 | Distributed Systems Software | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 675 | Reverse Software Engineering | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 676 | Parallel Programming | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 741 | Computer Networks II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Programming Languages concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| CS 525 | Theory of Computation | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 550 | Programming Languages | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 551 | Compiler Construction | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 552 | Compiler Construction II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 650 | Program Generalization and Optimization | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 675 | Reverse Software Engineering | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 676 | Parallel Programming | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| User Interface Software concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| CS 530 | Developing User Interfaces | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 536 | Computer Graphics | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 630 | Cognitive Systems | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 636 | Advanced Computer Graphics | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 680 | Special Topics in Computer Science: Game Design and Implementation | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| PSY 612 | Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction Design | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Artificial Intelligence concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| CS 510 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 511 | Robot Building Laboratory | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 610 | Advanced Artificial Intelligence | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 612 | Knowledge-Based Agents | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 613 | Machine Learning | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Scientific Computation concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| CS 540 | High Performance Computing | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 567 | Applied Symbolic Computing | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 668 | Computer Algebra I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 669 | Computer Algebra II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 676 | Parallel Programming | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 680 | Special Topics in Computer Science: Methods I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CS 680 | Special Topics in Computer Science: Methods II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
For additional information on the Computer Science Track, as well as an FAQ, visit the Department of Computer Science's Master of Science in Software Engineering web page.
Engineering Track
Track Coordinator: Dr. Kapil Dandekar, 215-571-3579, dandekar@ece.drexel.edu
Students in this track pursue techniques to model engineering problems and offer software solutions. The courses in this track emphasize problems facing engineering industries including electrical, mechanical, environmental, chemical, and others. Systems modeling and simulation techniques will be used to solve these problems.
Students in this track take 27 or more credits of track
courses in addition to the 18 credits of required core courses. Three
computer engineering courses are required; the other courses are from
one of five concentrations. A total of 45 approved graduate credits are
required for the MSSE, including the 18 credits of core courses. Students
opting for the Graduate Co-op Program (GCP) option are required to complete 51 approved credits,
including 6 GCP credits.
For more information on curriculum requirements,
visit the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's Graduate
Student Guide.
| Sample Track Courses | ||||
| Chemical engineering concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| CHE 554 | Process Systems Engineering | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CHE 658 | Advanced Process Design | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Civil and architectural engineering concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| CIVE 501 | Model Analysis of Structures | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CIVE 605 | Advanced Mechanics of Materials | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CIVE 701 | Structural Analysis I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CIVE 702 | Structural Analysis II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CIVE 703 | Structural Analysis III | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| CIVE 704 | Behavior and Stability of Structural Members I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Electrical and computer engineering concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| ECEC 511 | Issues in Combinational Circuit Design | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| ECEC 512 | Issues in Sequential Circuit Design | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| ECEC 513 | Design for Testability | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| ECEC 621 | High Performance Computer Architecture | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| ECEC 622 | Parallel Computer Architecture | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| ECEC 623 | Advanced Parallel Computer Architecture | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| NOTE: Any other ECE 500-level or above course may be eligible for credit for the Electrical and Computer Engineering concentration. | ||||
| Materials engineering concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| MATE 605 | Computer Simulation of Materials and Processes I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MATE 606 | Computer Simulation of Materials and Processes II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MATE 670 | Materials Processing I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MATE 671 | Materials Processing II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| Mechanical engineering and mechanics concentration | ||||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 534 | Discrete Time Control and Estimation I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 535 | Discrete Time Control and Estimation II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 536 | Microcomputer-Based Control of Dynamic Systems I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 537 | Microcomputer-Based Control of Dynamic Systems II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 574 | Introduction to CAM | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 534 | Reliability of Mechanical Systems I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 677 | Reliability of Mechanical Systems II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 678 | Reliability of Mechanical Systems III | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 681 | Finite Element Methods I | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 682 | Finite Element Methods II | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||
| MEM 683 | Finite Element Methods III | 3.0 | ||
![]() |
||||












