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Software Engineering

Introduction

Reid Holmes

3.0

Based on 2 ratings

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Reid Holmes

This course, part of the Software Development MicroMasters Program, introduces how teams design, build, and test multi-version software systems.

You will learn software engineering principles that are applicable to the breadth of large-scale software systems. The course explores topics such as agile development, REST and Async programming, software specification, design, refactoring, information security, and more.

This course, part of the Software Development MicroMasters Program, introduces how teams design, build, and test multi-version software systems.

By the end of this course, learners will work in teams, applying an agile software development process to specify, design, and test multiple versions of complex software systems.

Learners who enroll in the Verified track will receive staff grading and increased interaction with the instructor and staff.

What you'll learn

How to build a non-trivial software system using an agile approach in a pair or team
Techniques for specifying the functional and non-functional aspects of a software system
Techniques for designing and testing a software system
The role of refactoring in building a quality system

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What's inside

Learning objectives

How to build a non-trivial software system using an agile approach in a pair or team
Techniques for specifying the functional and non-functional aspects of a software system

Techniques for designing and testing a software system
The role of refactoring in building a quality system

How to build a non-trivial software system using an agile approach in a pair or team
Techniques for specifying the functional and non-functional aspects of a software system
Techniques for designing and testing a software system
The role of refactoring in building a quality system

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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Taught by experienced instructors who are recognized for their work in the field of software engineering

Develops strong foundational skills including specification, design, and testing of software systems

Emphasizes an agile software development approach, which is widely used in industry

Involves hands-on project work, providing learners with practical experience in building software systems

Covers a range of topics relevant to modern software development, including REST and Async programming and information security

Provides staff grading and increased interaction with the instructor and staff in the Verified track

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Reviews summary

Agile team software engineering principles

According to learners, this course provides a strong introduction to software engineering principles, particularly excelling in teaching agile methodologies and team collaboration. Students frequently highlight the hands-on team project as the most valuable aspect, offering practical experience in building non-trivial systems. While the lectures are generally considered clear, some learners note that the course serves more as a broad overview rather than diving deep into every topic. Be prepared for a significant workload, especially surrounding the group project deadlines, which many find challenging but rewarding.

Covers many topics at a foundational level.

"This course gives a very good overview of software engineering, but doesn't go into deep detail on any single topic."

"It's a solid introduction, covering a wide range of principles like agile, testing, design, but serves as a starting point."

"While comprehensive in scope, learners looking for deep dives into specific areas might need supplemental resources."

"Provides an excellent foundational understanding across the software development lifecycle."

Requires substantial time commitment.

"Be aware the workload is quite high, especially when managing the team project alongside other commitments."

"This course demands significant time, particularly during project phases. Plan accordingly."

"The pace is fast, and keeping up with both lectures and project milestones was demanding."

"Found the course quite time-consuming, more so than anticipated, but the depth of learning reflected it."

Material is well-explained and easy to follow.

"The instructor does a great job explaining complex software engineering concepts clearly."

"Lecture videos were concise and easy to digest, covering all the necessary foundational topics."

"I found the lectures helpful in building a conceptual understanding before diving into the project."

"Content delivery was good, providing a solid base for the subject matter."

Apply agile methods in a collaborative setting.

"The team project was the highlight of the course, offering realistic experience with agile development."

"Working in a team on a non-trivial system helped solidify the concepts learned in lectures. Highly recommend the project aspect."

"I loved the practical nature of the team project. It felt like a real-world simulation of software development."

"The project made the agile concepts click for me. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Software Engineering: Introduction with these activities:

Find a mentor in the software development field

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Finding a mentor will give you the opportunity to learn from someone who has experience in the field and can provide guidance.

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Identify potential mentors
Reach out to your potential mentors and ask for their guidance

Follow a tutorial on agile software development

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Following a tutorial on agile software development will help you learn the basics of agile methodologies.

Browse courses on Agile Software Development

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Find a tutorial on agile software development
Follow the tutorial and complete the exercises

Read 'Clean Code'

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Reading 'Clean Code' will help you learn best practices for writing clean and maintainable code.

View CLEAN CODE on Amazon

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Get a copy of the book
Read the book and take notes
Apply the principles you learn to your own code

Three other activities

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Join a study group

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Joining a study group will allow you to collaborate with other students, share knowledge, and get support.

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Find a study group or start your own
Meet regularly with your group to discuss the course material
Work together on assignments and projects

Attend a software development workshop

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Attending a software development workshop will give you the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and get hands-on experience.

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Find a software development workshop that is relevant to your interests
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities

Build a simple software application

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Building a software application will help you apply the principles you learn in the course to a real-world project.

Browse courses on Software Development

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Define the scope of your application
Design the architecture of your application
Develop the code for your application
Test and debug your application
Deploy your application

Career center

Learners who complete Software Engineering: Introduction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

Software Engineers use engineering principles to analyze and design software. They write code, test, and debug software applications for various domains. This course's focus on topics like REST and async programming, design, and refactoring is useful for Software Engineers as this knowledge builds a foundation to create quality software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Software Developer

Software Developers create, install, and support computer applications. They both write code and test the functioning of applications. By learning the concepts of agile development, design, and testing from this course, Software Developers are better equipped to perform their responsibilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course introduces information security as a topic relevant to the design and development of quality software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Systems Architect

Systems Architects design, develop, and implement software systems. They are responsible for the overall architecture of a system, including its hardware, software, and network components. This course offers a solid understanding of software design principles to Systems Architects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Architect

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software applications to ensure they meet quality standards. The topics such as software specification, testing, and refactoring covered in this course provide a solid basis for Quality Assurance Analysts to carry out their responsibilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write, test, and maintain the code that makes software and applications run. By having a grasp of agile development, design, and testing techniques from this course, Computer Programmers can better develop and maintain high-quality software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and create websites. They use a variety of programming languages and technologies to create interactive and user-friendly websites. Knowledge of topics such as agile development, REST and async programming, and software design covered in this course may be useful for Web Developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators maintain and manage databases. They ensure that data is stored, organized, and protected in a way that meets the needs of the organization. This course may be useful for Database Administrators as it introduces principles of software specification, design, and testing which are relevant to database management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

IT Project Manager

IT Project Managers plan, execute, and close IT projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and manage project resources. This course can be useful for IT Project Managers, as it provides an introduction to the principles of software engineering, which are commonly used in IT projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software and other technical products. They explain complex technical information in a clear and concise way. This course offers valuable insights into the software development process, which is important for Technical Writers to effectively document software products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze and design computer systems. They work with users to understand their needs and develop systems that meet those needs. An understanding of software engineering principles covered in this course helps Systems Analysts design and develop effective computer systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Software Tester

Software Testers test software applications to ensure that they are working properly. They identify and report bugs, and they work with developers to fix them. Since this course discusses software testing, it may be useful for Software Testers in improving their testing process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

Network Administrator

Network Administrators manage and maintain computer networks. They ensure that networks are running smoothly and that data is transmitted securely. Knowledge of software engineering principles from this course may be beneficial for Network Administrators in terms of understanding the software applications and systems running on the networks they manage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data. They use data to solve problems and make informed decisions. While this course does not directly focus on data analysis, the principles of software engineering, such as design and testing, can be applied to data analysis tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze and document business processes. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop solutions that improve business performance. This course offers a general understanding of software engineering, which may be useful for Business Analysts who work on projects involving software development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 26 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Software Engineering: Introduction.

Clean Craftsmanship

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Must-read for anyone who wants to write clean and maintainable code. It covers a wide range of topics, from naming conventions to refactoring techniques.

Software Engineering

Introduction

What you'll learn

What's inside

Learning objectives

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Agile team software engineering principles

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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