Software engineering is the application of engineering concepts to software development. Software engineering takes into account engineering aspects like the hardware and software environment when working on a program.
Software engineers work on creating, maintaining, and managing software applications of various types. Software engineers have extensive knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and they apply engineering principles to software creation.
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Software Engineering courses in the following subject areas:
There are many Software Engineering courses that take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials and taught modules. Assessments will take place on a continuous basis with written examinations and practical assignments combined in order to achieve a qualification.
You could also consider work experience or a work shadow in the industry. Relevant work experience is a good way of demonstrating a genuine interest in computing and is regarded favourably by employers.
Work Experience will not only give you the opportunity to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
After completing a course in Software Engineering you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of software engineering and computer science.
Software engineers are employed in a very broad range of sectors:
Specialist IT firms - such as IT consultancies, large IT providers, software development, internet providers and training firms; organisations that use IT software, systems and equipment, including retailers, law firms, business intelligence and market research organisations, education providers, the armed forces, the public sector and voluntary sector organisations.
Manufacturing industry - including automotive, navigation, telecommunications, manufacturing and construction companies.
Financial services - including global investment banks, financial/banking organisations, security market specialists and the pensions sector.
Public utilities - covering energy and water supply, energy extraction and transport.
Working hours will depend on whether you are employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various facilities or companies. The hours are usually full time, Monday to Friday. However, longer hours are often necessary towards the end of projects as deadlines approach, as well as during the testing stage so that systems can be tested when they're not being used. In some cases, software engineers may be required to be on call to deal with problems. This can involve evening and weekend work in a shift pattern. Allowances may be available in these cases.
After completing a course in Software Engineering you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practise in certain career areas such as technology, healthcare, automotive manufacturing, green energy, remote sensing, aeronautics, government, non-profit, and finance.
What is the difference between a software engineer and a software developer?
Software engineering applies engineering principles to create software that connects a client’s needs with technological solutions.
Software developers are responsible for the entire development process and are the driving creative force behind programs. They typically work together with the client to create a conceptual design and then have computer programmers create the programming code needed to run the software.
The main difference between software engineering and software development is that one oversees the engineering while the other focuses on creating functional programs.
Software engineers can be divided into two categories:
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