Is Software Engineering same as Software Development ?

The college I want to join has changed the name of the Software Engineering program to Software Development. Here is the curriculum :








Professional Courses CR Prereq.


Intro to Computer Theory (SWE-135) 3


Intro to Data Comm (NET-130) 3


Web Page Development I (WEB-125) 3


C++ Programming I (SWE-140) 3 SWE135


Relational Database (SWE-200) 3 SWE135


Software Sys Analysis (SWE-130) 3


Web Development II (WEB-225) 3 WEB125


C++ Programming II (SWE-240) 3 SWE140


Data Structures %26amp; Algorithms (SWE281) 3 SWE240 MTH220


Usability %26amp; Design (WEB-370) 3 WEB320 or SWE130


Intro to Java Programming (SWE-150) 3 SWE135


Client Side Scripting (WEB-325) 3 WEB225


Java Systems Dev. (SWE-3XX) 3 SWE200 %26amp; either SWE150 or SWE240


Computer %26amp; Network Sec (SEC-250) 3 NET130


Server Side Scripting (WEB-320) 3 SWE200 or WEB200


.NET Architecture with C# 1 (SWE345) 3 SWE200 %26amp; either SWE240 or SWE3xx Java Sys Dev


Linux/UNIX Programming (SWE-315) 3 SWE240


Proj Mgmt/Team Leadership (MGT260) 3


.NET Architecture with C# II (SWE346) 3 SWE345


Database Systems (CIT-3XX) 3 SWE200


Software %26amp; Web Site Sec (SEC-335) 3 WEB125 SEC250


Enterprise Dev I (SWE-435) OR Internship (SWE-490) 3 Java Sys Dev


General Education


CREW I (ENG-111) 3


Interpersonal Comm (COM-130) 3


Algebra %26amp; Trigonometry (MTH-220) 3 MTH120


CREW II (ENG-112) 3 ENG111


Calculus (MTH-310) 3 MTH220


Literature Elective 3


Discrete Math (MTH-325) 3 MTH220


Ethics (PHI-320) 3 PHI110, 75 cr


Nat'l Science w/Lab (SCI-XXX) 4


Intercultural Comm (COM-270) 3 COM130


Fine Arts Elective (ART-XXX) 3


Intro to Psychology (PSY-100) OR Intro to Sociology (SOC-110) 3


Arts/Hum/Soci Sci/Math/Sci Electives 3


Technical Writing (WRT-231) 3


History Elective (HIS-xxx) 3


General Electives 8

Is Software Engineering same as Software Development ?
Software development and software engineering go hand in hand when it comes to the implementation of software. Software development deals more with the creation of the software and when this is complete, software engineering takes over with the creation of software systems. Both of these disciplines are at times interchangeable and without much difference to the layman. If you just want to have one specific piece of software designed, such as database software that will keep track of your bird watching hobby, then you’ll just need software development. If, however, you want your bird watching database to be able to support multiple functions, such as delivering a report with statistics and results, then you’ll more likely need the expertise of software engineering.
Reply:For the purposes of your school, they seem to be interchangeable. Most engineers will take exception to that claim, though.





The real issue is that software ENGINEERING has as much to do with mathematical theory as with development, they are about as related to Software Development as a FINANCE degree would be to a MARKETING degree.





Here's an example of the curriculum for software engineering at a top-flight school:





The Bachelor's Program at MIT is actually called Electrical Engineering and Computer Science


You'd need credits in Computer systems, A.I., Advanced Algorithms, Computer Architechture, Software, Algorithms, EECS, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, and Discrete Math and another 12 credits of advanced undergraduate subjects plus software lab.





At Carnegie Mellon (best robotics school)


it is also called Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the key here is ALSO an Electrical Engineering focus with some software instruction. Mostly it is theory with practical bits needed to know and to adapt programming.








Here is a site that lists the US programs in "Software Engineering":


http://www.univsource.com/software.htm





An excellent source of what an ENGINEERING program really looks like is available at Seattle University's Website:


http://www.seattleu.edu/scieng/comsci/MS...





The important thing to remember is that calling your program an "Engineering" program wouldn't have made you an engineer. Frankly, I would be surprised if it is even a Bachelor of Science program, as opposed to a Bachelor of Arts.





Believe me, in the techie world it is a HUGE difference. Therefore, your school probably changed it to make sure it was in compliance with accreditation standards set for schools across the country, and had to change it to "Development." It really sounds more appropriate, based on your schedule.





For what it is worth, I have a Bachelor of Arts in another discipline, so I am not knocking that, but if you want a serious engineering program, you might need to switch schools.
Reply:Yes, software Engineering is same as Software Development because only the software engineers can develop a software. If a person do not have any knowledge of any kind of software information then he/she cannot develpo a software. So, according to me SOFTWARE ENGINERRING IS SAME AS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT.
Reply:No,both are different.Software development is a part of software engineering