Software Systems Engineering Degree

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Software Systems Engineering

That game you love, the app you’re addicted to, and your favorite photo filter all have one thing in common: A software engineer designed them. Study how these programs are developed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology with a Software System Engineer concentration from CTU. You can choose one of three programming tracks—Java, C#, or Visual Basic—then immerse yourself in tackling the complex problems and situations that lead to software breakthroughs.

Employment of software developers is projected to grow 25 percent from 2022-2032¹ — much faster than average for other professions.

184

Program Credits

5 Weeks

Course Length

Online

Location

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Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) degree program provides instruction in computer system architecture, networking, database and security, as well as broad technical subjects such as programming, network management, system administration, cloud computing, IT system development, project management and ethics. This program has a General Track and three concentrations: Network Management, Security, and Software System Engineering.

The BSIT program is designed to provide students with a strong technical background as well as analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills that enable them to contribute as professionals to a variety of technical roles, which can include planning, designing, developing, integrating, configuring, administrating, and supporting various types of enterprise information systems, ranging from email and any type of data servers, to cloud computing based mission critical business specific IT applications and services, within the various fields of information technology and the high-tech industry.

This program does not lead to additional licensure or certification. As such, CTU has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.

Through innovative industry-current curricula and technology-enabled student-centered teaching, the College of Computer Science, Engineering and Technology empowers students to become motivated, creative, ethical, and skillful professionals who can resolve challenges in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology in order to meet the needs of the digital economy.

* CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs.

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Courses

Courses - General Education		Credits
COMS102 This course introduces students to the strategies and techniques needed to develop a professional presence. Students will explore how personal and professional development impacts effectiveness in the workplace. Assignments explore the concept of professional presence in relation to interpersonal dynamics and the communication needs of individuals, groups, and organizations.	Dynamic Interactions and Professional Presence	4.5
ELE	Humanities Elective	4.5
ELE	Science Elective	4.5
ELE	Science Elective 1	4.5
ELE	Science Lab Elective	1.5
ELE	Science Lab Elective 1	1.5
ELE	Social Science Elective	4.5
ELE	US History/US Government Elective	4.5
ENGL104 ENGL104 is the first course in a sequence of two composition classes designed to empower students to develop their voice, build confidence in writing, and develop both their writing and critical thinking skills. Students will have the opportunity to practice adapting their writing for different audiences, purposes, and platforms, and will be able to explore how the choices they make influence the meaning and success of their written communications. This course explores the use of the writing process to compose clear, organized writings that are appropriate for various audiences and purposes. This course introduces the importance of clear and persuasive writing in personal, professional, and academic contexts.	Introductory Written Communication	4.5
ENGL105 ENGL105 is the final course in the composition sequence and builds on the writing skills developed in ENGL104. In this course, students continue to practice writing for a variety of contexts, purposes, and audiences. Throughout the course, students incorporate research into their writing by using digital tools and resources to identify and cite credible sources following CTU APA guidelines.	Professional Written Communications	4.5
MATH109 Introduction to Algebra is designed to provide students with critical mathematical tools to help them be successful in technical fields. This course begins with a review of arithmetic operations and includes topics such as linear equations, polynomials, and rational equations. In addition, students have the opportunity to apply these concepts as they develop problem solving strategies important for success in the professional world.	Introduction to Algebra	4.5
MATH112 This course is designed to review concepts of elementary algebra and introduce students to additional algebraic concepts used in technical career fields. Students will have the opportunity to develop problem solving skills essential for success. The course introduces functions and their properties as well as the relationship between functions and their graphs. Techniques for solving a variety of equations are studied, and matrices are introduced to solve systems of linear equations..	Analytic College Algebra	4.5
MATH225 This course studies problems that involve finite or discrete data sets. Logic and set notation form a foundation for creating structure in data storage and information retrieval. Tools used include truth tables, methods of proof, Venn diagrams, Big-Oh functions, graphs, trees, paths, and matrices. In addition, the course covers statistical measures, basic probability concepts, and normal distributions.	Applications of Discrete Mathematics and Statistics	4.5
PHIL101 This course is designed to provide students a basic understanding of moral and ethical theories and concepts. The activities and discussions encourage students to explore and solve ethical dilemmas by identifying and applying moral and ethical theories. Students will also be encouraged to explain their reasoning from cultural, professional, and personal standpoints. A variety of ethical issues and methodologies will be explored, as students evaluate moral dilemmas in an assortment of work and life scenarios.	Introduction to Ethics	4.5
SOCL102 This course introduces students to the study of sociology and how it applies to careers, community, and family. Sociology examines the nature of society including the theories and principles of multi-cultural and social interactions. This course addresses how the concepts of social organization, social institutions, and social changes influence everyday life.	Introductory Sociology	4.5
UNIV104 UNIV104 is designed to provide students with a foundation for success in CTU’s undergraduate academic environment. This course introduces effective academic strategies and resources integrating them with career planning methods that can be leveraged to pursue future academic and professional goals.	Academic and Career Success	4.5
	or
HUMELE	Humanities Elective
	Total Credit Hours:	66

Courses - Core		Credits
CS119 This course introduces students to an introductory programming language which can demonstrate several common types of programming models such as scripting, procedural, and object-oriented programming in one language. The course covers algorithmic logic, basic declarations and statements, control structures, data and program design, basic concepts of object-orientation, and also covers how to organize multiple program components into a single programming project. Students will be required to complete several programming/scripting exercises throughout the course. The course will assist students in building up a practical foundation to study other programming languages.	Introduction of Programming	4
CS126 In this course, students explore end user interaction with the UNIX operating system. This course examines the basic features of the UNIX operating system, UNIX commands, the UNIX file system, the UNIX shells, and shell programming. It also draws comparisons between UNIX and Linux.	Unix Fundamentals	4
	or
CS227 This course introduces students to the basic features of the Linux operating system and the fundamentals of Linux programming. Through several hands-on exercises and projects, students will be exposed to the Linux utility commands, file system and directories, the Linux shells, and the shell script programming. Students need to demonstrate an intermediate level competency in Linux shell programming.	Linux Programming	4
CS251 This course introduces database design, and implementation and database management systems. Topics covered in this course include conceptual and logical database designs for several businesses, implementing these designs using a database management system and developing business applications that access these databases.	Fundamentals of Database Systems	4
	or
CS253 This course introduces the basic database management system (DBMS) concepts including relational data models, database management system architecture and components, as well as structured query language (SQL), etc. Topics such as conceptual, logical and physical database designs will be covered and applied for several small real-world database application projects.	Introduction to Database Systems	4
CS346 Developing usable software products is vital in today’s competitive marketplace. This course provides in-depth coverage of the computer human interface, user interface design, user profiling, prototyping and usability testing. Note: this class does not require programming skills.	User Interface Design	4
CS362 This course gives complete coverage of SQL, with an emphasis on storage, retrieval and manipulation of data.	Structured Query Language for Data Management	4
	or
CS221 This course will give students the opportunity to extend their database knowledge and skills through applying the theory from CS252 into practical applications implemented by programming in Structured Query Language (SQL). In a lab setting, students will explore how to analyze a business problem, model data flow, create a conceptual and logical database designs, and implement these designs through programming in SQL. Students will also develop applications to access these databases. Students need to demonstrate an intermediate level competency of using SQL to develop database based applications.	SQL Programming	4
CSS150 This course provides the foundation for the study of computer system security. The course centers around the ten domains comprising the Information Security Common Body of Knowledge. Topics include access control systems, telecommunications and network security, cryptography, operations security and business continuity and disaster recovery planning. Students will be exposed to security management practices as well as security architecture and models security laws, investigations and ethics.	Introduction to Computer Security	4
CSS200 This course identifies and explains technical issues involved in network security. It also covers the fundamentals of wireless networking protocols, their security issues and threats. Covered topics include cryptography applications; access control; firewalls; key management network security issues; application, e-mail and middleware security; wireless local area network technologies.	Principles of Network Security	4
EM200 Web development is a broad field and this class provides a basic foundation for follow-on web related classes. The focus for this class is to produce and manipulate actual code creation with HTML5 and CSS3 (or updated industry web standards) for structuring/presenting content on the web. W3C provides industry guidelines related to current web design practices and standards. Students employ, interpret, manipulate and generate HTML5 and CSS3 code using Notepad++ or TextWrangler (Mac platform) or other industry standard text editor. Students will learn the history of the Internet, the various iterations of HTML web mark-up language to the current version, HTML5. The use of Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) Language for formatting web content will be emphasized. The creation of complete one or more web sites to utilizing the variety of web element will be required .	Introduction to Website Development	4
IT100 This course is designed to provide students with knowledge about the fundamentals of Information Technology as they relate to the support of various business needs, including the fundamental aspects of information technologies, the corresponding software and hardware systems, and their typical applications. Students will study how to understand these IT fundamentals and the roles, careers and professional development, legal and ethical issues, and emerging trends in Information Technology.	Introduction to Information Technology	4
IT140 This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of operating systems and specialized networking operating system models. The fundamentals of common operating systems, client/server environments, network infrastructure, theoretic models and system architecture are discussed, including legacy operating system platforms and security processes utilized in today's enterprises.	Introduction to Operating Systems and Client/Server Environments	4
IT175 Cloud computing is an approach to computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet. This course introduces students to the services, virtualization, and challenges within cloud computing environments.	Introduction to Cloud Computing	4
IT204 This course serves as an introduction for students to acquire a foundation in current data communication and networking technologies. The course provides an introduction to the hardware, media, Ethernet, addressing, IP Configuration, components, and connections of a network. Network concepts such as network topologies, and major protocols, as well as the basic functions of network administration and operation are covered.	Fundamentals of Networking	4
IT225 IT Support Systems introduces the increasingly important area of systems support. Students will develop the skills, concepts and knowledge needed to provide high-quality customer service in an IT systems support organization. Students will also integrate technical, managerial and communications knowledge to support an applied problem.	IT Support Systems	4
IT304 The Computer Networks and Communications course reinforces the network objectives identified in IT204 course. It presents concepts of data communications and network design within the wide area networking including the operation of telecommunication systems, transmission media and communications hardware, network topologies, switching methods and protocols, security and existing network analysis.	Computer Networks and Communications	4
IT326 Provides instruction in installing, managing, monitoring, configuring and troubleshooting, DNS, DHCP, Remote Access, Network Protocols, IP Routing, and WINS in a Windows network infrastructure. In addition, this course provides instruction in managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting Network Address Translation and Certification Services.	Network Infrastructure Administration	4
IT401 The major objective of this course is to introduce the concepts, methodology and terminology of Enterprise Architecture and integrate this knowledge with previous courses in operating systems, database management systems, networking, and programming. The course primarily focuses on the overall planning process of enterprise architecture. Issues and options involved in implementing an enterprise architecture incorporating a distributed IT system are examined from a Macro Level. An ongoing discussion is conducted on how the emergent profession of enterprise architecture fits into the duties and responsibilities of today’s IT manager. Other resources and references relating to the field of enterprise architecture are introduced.	Information Technology Architectures	4
IT415 This course introduces the methodologies used when exploring and analyzing vast volumes of data. Students are exposed to various techniques that have been developed over time to support the exploration of large data mines and the data mining process. Methods of classifying and visualizing information are emphasized.	Business Intelligence	4
IT425 Systems Analysis and Design provides instruction on the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) phases. This course looks at the SDLC as a structured approach for developing requirements, performing analysis, producing the design, coding or installation of the solution, testing the application and installing the final product. The system as defined in this course could include a network, telecommunications, new software development or other information systems. It also explores the business and technical decision making process for ''buy versus build,'' in-sourcing versus outsourcing, evaluation and benchmarking and testing.	Systems Analysis, Design and Integration	4
IT496 This is a course that entails the development of an information system application in a project team setting. The course reinforces students' abilities to choose and apply the right business and information technology principles, processes, methods, and tools to develop a solution to support business marketing and operation needs. Every student will join only one project team and will assume at least one type of job function typical in an information system development project, such as requirement collection and analysis, system function specification, architecture design, component design, and project management, etc.	ISM Team Project	4
MPM210 This course is designed to provide an overview and introduction to the discipline of project management, coupled with an examination of the techniques that project managers use to complete their projects on schedule, within budgeted cost, and according to specified scope and quality. Using materials from the PMBOK^® Guide, students study the operational framework of project management relating to the four phases of the project lifecycle (starting the project, organizing and preparing, carrying out the work, and ending the project) and the five project management process groups (initiating processes, planning processes, executing processes, monitoring and controlling processes, and closing processes). This course provides the basis for the development of project management skills in subsequent project management courses.	Introduction to Project Management	6
Electives	Select 12 credits of IT related courses	12
	Total Credit Hours:	94

Courses: Concentration		Credits
CS455 Software Requirements Engineering introduces students to requirements elicitation, identification, definition, and documentation. Students will explore and practice elicitation techniques, define functional and non-functional requirements, write use-case scenarios, explore user interface alternatives, learn how to analyze and model requirements, and develop a requirements traceability matrix that spans the software development lifecycle.	Software Requirements Engineering	4
CS457 Software Design defines and describes the behavior of a software system. In this course, students learn to select and apply a design method and use a modeling notation to clearly communicate and document a software solution. A variety of design processes, methods, tools, and types of software designs are explored throughout the course. Requirements are incorporated into the design and traced to ensure completeness, correctness and consistency via the requirements traceability matrix. Students apply the theory by developing a software design specification.	Software Design	4
CS459 Software Testing provides an overview of a variety of testing practices and methods, and then gives the students the opportunity to apply the theory as they perform software tests. This course focuses on the types of tests that are conducted during the software development lifecycle, such as unit testing, usability testing, operational testing, integration testing, stress testing, and system testing. Students develop a test procedure, a test plan, conduct system and usability testing, and write a test report that documents the results.	Software Testing	4
CSS300 This course surveys tools and techniques designed to detect intrusion into an organization's computer systems. In the hands-on lab component of the course, students will use a number of public domain and commercially available security tools. The course examines common attack methods, general inadequacies in various systems to include commercial intrusion detection systems. Utilization of the risk assessment process for determining cost effective vulnerability solutions is emphasized.	Vulnerability Assessment and Management	4
IT454 This course focuses on various practices that need to be established within an organization for an effective and efficient management of security. Topics such as security policies, design and implementation, risk assessment and management, and security procedures will be covered.	Security Management	4
SWE410 This course gives the student an overview of the software process using the most common development methodologies currently used in industry. Students are introduced to IEEE standards for software processes. The relationship between software quality and process is emphasized with the benefits of process improvement.	Software Processes	4
	Total Credit Hours:	24

Total Credit Hours: 184

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Learning Outcomes

General:

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
Identify and analyze user needs and to take them into account in the selection, creation, integration, evaluation, and administration of computing-based systems.

Concentration Learning Outcomes:

Software Systems Engineering:

Design and develop software with various software engineering processes and methods to support the various organization needs.

Faculty

Dr. Yanzhen Qu

University Dean

Dr. Yanzhen Qu is the University Dean and Professor at the College of Computer Science, Engineering and Technology at Colorado Technical University (CTU). During his tenure at CTU, Dr. Qu has taken a leadership role in modernizing the curricula of CTU’s CS, IT and Cybersecurity degree programs, ranging from Associate to Doctoral levels.

Dr. Richard Cai

Executive Program Director

Dr. Richard Cai is CTU’s Executive Program Director for the College of Computer Science, Engineering & Technology. In this role, Dr. Cai supervises curriculum design, development and revision for the degree programs offered in the college. He also plays a key role in the program assessment and accreditation.

For more faculty profiles please visit our Leadership and Faculty page.
For more information visit the College of Information Systems and Technology.

Accreditations and Alignments

Outcomes for this program align with the educational standards of ABET.

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FAQs

What is a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) with a concentration in Software Systems Engineering degree?

CTU’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) with a concentration in Software Systems Engineering Degree Program is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities in the workforce. This concentration of BSIT degree program emphasizes current trends and anticipated changes in the software system engineering field, along with a strong technical background, so students may prepare to effectively contribute as professionals to a variety of technical roles within the various fields of information technology and the high-tech industry.

What will I study in this BSIT degree program?

As you work to complete your BSIT with a concentration in software systems engineering, you will be immersed in courses where you will study these topics and much more: information technology architecture; systems analysis, design and integration; management of security; and the software development lifecycle.

When and where can I begin my information technology classes?

Courses for the BSIT with a concentration in software systems engineering start online approximately every five weeks. Completion of the CTU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the CTU online application process. You may complete the application process over the phone with an advisor or you may go online. Once you’ve completed the online application, you may hear from an advisor within the following 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.

How many credits are required to graduate from a bachelor’s degree program?

The BSIT with a concentration in software systems degree program consists of 184 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. CTU Fast Track^™ exams also offer the opportunity to earn college credit for what you already know—allowing you to complete your degree up to 30% faster.¹

¹ The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition towards the full cost of a degree program depends on the number of CTU Fast Track^™ exams successfully passed. Fast Track program credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for possible 30% reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential Fast Track savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.

Why should I pursue a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Software Systems Engineering degree at CTU?

Through innovative industry-relevant curricula and technology-enabled student-centered teaching, you will study through classroom learning and hands-on experience that aligns to industry standards and helps you work to develop skills that are applicable to the needs of the digital economy.

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¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Software Developers, at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm (visited May 31, 2024).