COURSE CURRICULUM

The Software Engineering BS curriculum at Rochester Institute of Technology for 2025–2026 is a 127-credit, five-year program that combines strong computing fundamentals, software design principles, and extensive industry experience. In the first year, students build a foundation in programming, problem solving, calculus, and discrete mathematics, along with communication and introductory software engineering concepts. This stage develops core technical and analytical skills essential for software development.In the second year, students move into more advanced topics such as web-based systems, software engineering principles, project management, and software subsystems, while also studying physics and statistics. Communication and global perspective courses help strengthen professional and interpersonal skills. The program introduces cooperative education preparation and begins emphasizing teamwork and real-world applications.The third year focuses on software design, human-centered requirements, and computing systems, along with linear algebra and process electives. Students also begin participating in co-op experiences, gaining hands-on, full-time industry exposure. These co-op terms continue into later years, forming a major part of the program.In the fourth year, students study advanced topics such as algorithms, secure software engineering, and system architecture, while completing additional immersion requirements and co-op experiences. This stage strengthens their ability to design scalable and secure systems.In the fifth year, students complete a two-part senior project, where they apply their knowledge to solve real-world software engineering problems. Additional electives in design, engineering, and professional areas allow specialization. Overall, the curriculum integrates theory, practical experience, and modern technologies, preparing graduates for careers in software development, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and related fields.