Our world is increasingly run by computer software and processes. Being a software engineer is all about addressing critical issues across the life cycle of a software product, beginning with a proposal to develop an application that requires computing resources and continuing through the development, testing, operation and maintenance of the software product until it is retired.

The undergraduate bachelor's degree program in software engineering involves applying engineering principles to the construction of such software.

At Clarkson, software engineering is unique in its collaborative nature, spanning multiple departments. We combine the expertise, knowledge and experience of faculty from the Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) and  Computer Science to deliver you mastery of theory. This collaborative approach provides you with knowledge and understanding of software processes, honing your ability to develop effective and cost-efficient software systems. The program is also designed to help you build interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to launch a successful career in today’s world.

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Software Engineering Careers

Clarkson Class of 2020 97 percent employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has consistently ranked software engineer at the top of its job list for many years. Demand for software engineers spans many sectors, such as:

  • social media and entertainment
  • energy
  • automotive
  • aviation
  • telecommunication
  • finance and banking

According to PayScale, the average software engineer salary is nearly $85,000. Almost most all organizations require some form of software engineering to support their business. Clarkson software engineering majors have been recruited by companies such as Aetna, Aurora North, Gracenote, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Northeast Information Discovery and Saab Defense and Security.  

In recent years, our software engineering majors have also chosen to attend graduate schools, such as Duke University or Clarkson's own Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. program.

Software Engineering Curriculum & Academic Options

Major in Software Engineering

The software engineering bachelor's degree curriculum includes courses from both computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, statistics and communication. Software engineering majors take courses such as:

  • Programming Languages
  • Operating Systems
  • Linear Circuits
  • Embedded Systems
  • Software Components & Generic Programming
  • Computer Networks
  • Database Systems
  • Electrical Science

Software Engineering Major Curriculum

Minor in Software Engineering

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering also offers a minor in software engineering, which students in any degree program at Clarkson may pursue. The software engineering minor is designed to help students master important principles in software engineering, and most students can complete the minor in four years. Software Engineering majors may also consider a variety of minors to complement their software engineering degree program.

Software Engineering Minor

Robotics Minor

All Clarkson Minors, Concentrations and Tracks

Experiential Learning

Research Opportunities

Our computer, electrical and software engineering professors are also active researchers. Rich research opportunities are available from projects sponsored by agencies such as the National Science Foundation, U.S. Air Force Research Lab, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and private companies.

Internship and Co-op Opportunities

There are a plenty of internship and co-op opportunities from companies, government offices and other organizations available for our computer, electrical and software engineering majors. Clarkson's Fall and Spring Career Fairs, which bring in nearly 200 companies each, are very effective in helping our students secure such opportunities, often leading to full-time job offers before graduation. 

Computer, Software & Engineering Student Clubs

Clarkson software engineering students can get involved outside the classroom through over 200 clubs and organizations on campus, including several related to computers, gaming, robotics, coding, software and electrical engineering. These include:

  • American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
  • Autonomous Robotics Club
  • Gaming Initiative
  • Gaming Society
  • Clarkson Open Source Institute (COSI)
  • H2Code LLC
  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
  • Order of Omega 
  • Power and Energy Society
  • Robotics Living Learning Community
  • Sigma Xi - The Scientific Research Society
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
  • Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
  • Tau Beta Pi - National Engineering Honor Society
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