Bachelor's Degree Programme in Software Engineering Programme description

This programme description was prepared by OsloMet pursuant to the National Curriculum Regulations for Engineering Education, adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research on 3 February 2011.

The Norwegian Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, which was adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research on 20 March 2009 and 15 December 2011, provides an overview of the overall learning outcomes defined in terms of the knowledge, skills and general competence candidates are expected to have achieved on completion of the education. The learning outcomes described in the programme description have been prepared in accordance with the National Curriculum Regulations and the Qualifications Framework.

The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Software Engineering provides a basic, broad and professions-related education in information technology, focusing in particular on programming, software, software engineering and application development. The programme also comprises system-oriented and technical engineering courses. In addition, the programme comprises several social science and natural science courses, which help to place the education in a broader academic context.

The programme qualifies students for a number of computer science jobs in private and public enterprises, such as programming, software engineering, consultancy services, system operation, user support and user training. The programme also forms a good basis for entrepreneurship and innovative activities. Furthermore, it qualifies students for further education in computer science at master’s degree level at universities and university colleges, for example the master programme Applied Computer and Information Technology (ACIT) at OsloMet.

Software Engineering is a three-year full-time study programme, and candidates who have earned 180 credits will be awarded the degree Bachelor of Software Engineering.

The programme targets applicants with special university and college admission qualifications who want a higher education in information technology, who want to work in computer processing and information technology, and who also want their qualifications to have a natural science profile. Applicants without a natural science background can apply for admission to OsloMet’s introductory course or three-semester scheme to qualify for the engineering programmes. See OsloMet’s website http://oslomet.no

The Higher Education Entrance Qualification/prior learning and work experience, Mathematics (R1+R2) and Physics 1. An introductory course or qualifications from a technical college under previous regimes are sufficient to meet the qualification requirements. Applicants with qualifications from a technical college pursuant to the Act relating to Tertiary Vocational Education (2003) only need to take Mathematics R1+R2 and Physics 1.

Reference is made to the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education: https://lovdata.no/dokument/LTI/forskrift/2007-01-31-173

After completing and passing the three-year bachelor’s degree programme in Software Engineering, the candidate is expected to have achieved the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has broad knowledge that provides an overall system perspective on the field of engineering in general, with specialisation in software engineering. Key knowledge for everyone enrolled in the software engineering programme includes problem-solving, software development and interfaces, and principles for the development of computer systems and computer networks
• has basic knowledge of mathematics, natural science, relevant social and economics subjects and how to use them in problem-solving in the field of information technology
• has knowledge of the history of technology, technology development, the role of engineers in society, relevant legal provisions relating to the use of computer technology and software, and knowledge of the consequences of the use of information technology
• is familiar with research and development work in the field, and relevant methodology and work methods

Skills

The candidate:

• is capable of applying knowledge and relevant results from research and development work to solve theoretical, technical and practical software engineering problems and of making well-founded choices
• is capable of applying analytical and algorithmic methods and logic in development and problem solving
• masters methods and tools as the basis for targeted and innovative work. This includes the skills needed to:
  • use operating systems, system software and networks
  • define requirements and to model, develop, integrate and evaluate computer systems
  • use programming tools and software engineering environments
• is capable of identifying, analysing, planning and carrying out information technology projects, assignments and experiments both independently and as part of a team
• is capable of programming in several programming languages
• is capable of performing requirements analyses and create solutions with user interfaces that attend to the users' wishes and needs
• is capable of finding, evaluating, using and referring to information and relevant material and presenting this in a manner that sheds light on an issue
  • seeking out specialist literature and critically assessing the quality of sources
  • compiling reference lists in accordance with the applicable template
• is capable of contributing to new ideas, innovation and entrepreneurship through participation in the development and realisation of sustainable and socially beneficial products, systems and/or solutions that include information technology

General competence

The candidate:

• has insight into the environmental, health-related, social and financial impacts of products and solutions in the field and can apply ethical and lifecycle perspectives
• is capable of communicating knowledge about information technology to different target groups both orally and in writing, and has the ability to illustrate the importance and consequences of using this technology
• is capable of reflecting on their own professional practice, including in teams and interdisciplinary contexts, and is able to adapt the practice to the work situation
• is capable of contributing to the development of good practice by participating in professional discussions in the field and by sharing knowledge and experience with others
• has information literacy skills; knows why it is necessary to search for quality-assured sources of knowledge, why sources must be cited, and is familiar with what is defined as plagiarism and cheating in student work
• is capable of updating their knowledge through literature studies, information retrieval, contact with academic environments and user groups and through experience

The work and teaching methods will vary from course to course, but will often build on problem-based teaching and learning. The students will work continuously on solving problems, assignments and developing projects of different kinds. Computers, tablets, mobile phones, the internet, the web and other electronic channels and units are used systematically for learning, dissemination, guidance, development and communication purposes.

Lectures, exercises with individual and group supervision, coursework requirements (compulsory assignments), group projects, contact with the business community (including guest lectures) and self-study will be used.

The programme concludes with an extensive, independent and practical bachelor’s thesis that is normally an assignment from a commercial client.

The course descriptions for the individual courses contain details about the work and teaching methods used on the course. In addition, a teaching plan containing a progress schedule, reading list, deadlines for submitting required coursework and information about teaching and exercises will be drawn up at the start of the semester.

The engineering programmes are adapted for internationalisation in that the students can take courses abroad, primarily from the fourth semester. See https://student.oslomet.no/hvor-nar

In addition, OsloMet collaborates with institutions in several European countries on an English-language course called European Project Semester (EPS). It is worth 30 credits and is mainly intended for incoming exchange students. For OsloMet’s own students, EPS can replace the bachelor’s thesis. EPS can also be offered to Oslomet’s own third-year students in the sixth semester. Admission to the course is based on individual application.

Engineering is an international field. Most of the course literature is in English, and several of the systems and work tools use English as their working language. Some of the teaching may be in English. The individual course descriptions will state the courses this concerns. These courses will give the students good experience and knowledge of English engineering terminology.

The programme does not contain special courses with multicultural or general international perspectives. The students are a diverse group as regards their ethnic and cultural backgrounds, however, which means that they will gain experience of cooperating across cultural and language barriers.

Required coursework means compulsory assignments/activities that must be approved by a given deadline in order for students to be able to sit the exam. Coursework can be written work, project work, oral presentations, lab courses, compulsory attendance at lectures etc. Required coursework can be done individually or in groups.

Required coursework is intended to ensure the students’ progress and development and that they participate in necessary elements of the programme. Coursework requirements can also be set to ensure that students achieve a learning outcome that cannot be tested in an exam.

The number and type of coursework requirements, the rules for meeting the coursework requirements, deadlines and other details are set out in the course descriptions and teaching plans that are announced at the start of the semester.

Previously approved coursework can be valid for two years after it is approved, provided that the course has not changed.

Required coursework is assessed as ‘approved’ or ‘not approved’.

Not approved coursework

Valid absence documented by, for example, a medical certificate does not exempt students from meeting the coursework requirements. Students who have valid grounds for absence, or who have submitted coursework that is not approved, should as far as possible be given a new chance to resubmit it before the exam. This must be agreed with the lecturer in question on a case-to-case basis. If another attempt at meeting a coursework requirement is not possible because of the nature of the subject/course, the student must be prepared to meet the coursework requirement on the first possible occasion. This can result in delayed progress in the programme.

The examination regulations are specified in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet and the National Curriculum Regulations for Engineering Education. See OsloMet’s website about rules and regulations

Oral and practical exams are assessed by two examiners, as the exams results cannot be appealed. Formal errors can nonetheless be appealed.

One overall grade is given for the portfolio. It is only possible to appeal the exam result for the portfolio assessment as a whole. Any information provided about weighting is only considered additional information in relation to the final grade. If parts of the portfolio contain elements such as an oral presentation, practical assignments etc., the exam result cannot be appealed. The rules concerning right of appeal are described in each individual course description.

Exams that are only assessed by internal examiners shall be regularly selected for external assessment.

Assessment

The grades pass/fail or a grade scale with grades from A to E for pass and F for fail are used for exam assessment.

Prerequisite knowledge and study progress

Prerequisite knowledge over and above the admission requirements are described in the course descriptions.

Even if no specific requirements for prior knowledge are defined, the students should take courses worth at least 50 credits each year to be able to complete the programme within the nominal length of study.

• From the first to the second year of the programme – courses worth 50 credits should be completed
• From the first and second years to the third year of the programme – courses worth 100 credits should be completed

Students must be registered in the third year of the programme and have completed at least 100 credits from the first and second years of the programme by 1 October, before they can write their bachelor’s thesis.

Programme supervisor scheme

The programme supervisor scheme is part of the quality assurance of each individual study programme. A programme supervisor is not an examiner, but someone who supervises the quality of the study programmes. All study programmes at OsloMet shall be subject to supervision by a programme supervisor, but there are different ways of practising the scheme. Reference is made to the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet: https://student.oslomet.no/retningslinjer-sensorer

Rescheduled/resit exams

Students must register for resit/rescheduled exams themselves. Resit/rescheduled exams are normally organised together early in the following semester. Resit exams are for students who have taken the exam and failed. Rescheduled exams are for students who did not take the ordinary exam. The conditions for taking resit/rescheduled exams are set out in the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet.

Diploma

The final assessment for each course is included on the diploma for the Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering. The title of the bachelor’s thesis will also be included on the diploma.

The purpose of OsloMet’s quality assurance system is to improve the students’ learning outcomes and development by raising quality at all levels. OsloMet wishes to cooperate with the students, and their participation in the quality assurance work is crucial. The overriding goals for the quality assurance system include:

• to ensure a high level of quality in educational activities, including practical training and the learning and study environment
• to ensure that the study programmes are relevant to the professional fields
• to ensure that the quality continues to improve

For the students, this entails, among other things, student evaluations:

• course evaluations
• annual student surveys for all of OsloMet

More information about the quality assurance system is available here: https://student.oslomet.no/regelverk#etablering-studium-evaluering-kvalitetssystem