Department of Software Engineering

Head of Department: Assoc. Prof. İsmail KOÇ, PhD

Vice-Head of Department:Assoc. Prof. Özgür ÖKSÜZ, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Burak YILMAZ, PhD

Erasmus+ Programme Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Özgür ÖKSÜZ, PhD

Farabi Programme Coordinator:  Assist. Prof. İsmail KOÇ, PhD

What is Software Engineering?

Software engineering is the systematic application of engineering approaches to software development and is a discipline within computer science. The first steps towards establishing the profession of software engineering were taken with two conferences on the subject, organised in 1968 and 1969 and sponsored by NATO. The software crisis that emerged between 1965 and 1985 clearly demonstrated the importance of the discipline of software engineering. To illustrate:

i) OS/360, development of which began in 1964 with a budget of $25 million and a team of fewer than 100 people, ended up costing far more than expected due to reasons such as delivery date delays and the workforce expanding to 1,000 people.

ii) Software developed without adequate attention to security leads to the theft of users’ credentials, resulting in loss of reputation, time and money.

iii) As in the Therac-25 case, a radiation device controlled by a computer (software) exposed patients to lethal doses of radiation, causing fatal health complications.

Vision: To train software engineers and senior software engineers who have achieved full personal development in the field of software engineering, both theoretically and practically; to undertake and commercialise R&D projects with our undergraduate and postgraduate students; and to conduct scientific research and publish papers that solve problems. To be a department recognised for its scientific and technological activities in our region, our country and abroad, and to be a centre of attraction in software engineering.  

Mission: To contribute to the development of all our country’s software needs domestically and to reduce external dependency; to train engineers capable of developing software for export; and to carry out the work and organise the structures necessary to realise and sustain this vision.

Programme Language: Turkish

Programme Overview: The Department of Software Engineering was established within our Faculty in October 2020 and will begin admitting its first undergraduate students in the Autumn Semester of the 2020–2021 academic year. In 2020, four Assistant Professors and one research assistant were appointed to our Department, and our students will be able to make use of the sufficient number of classrooms and computer laboratories within our Faculty. Furthermore, it is planned to utilise the distinguished staff and infrastructure of the Department of Computer Engineering, with whom we maintain close collaboration. The establishment of its own software development and testing laboratory is planned for 2021.   

Admission and Enrolment Requirements: The Department of Software Engineering generally admits undergraduate students through the placement process based on the results of the Higher Education Transition Examination (YGS), which is conducted nationwide by the Student Selection and Placement Centre. In addition, undergraduate students may also be admitted via the Vertical Transfer Exam and the Foreign Student Exam (YÖS), both administered by the same centre. Students also have the opportunity to pursue their studies in our department through schemes such as lateral transfer, minor programmes and double degree programmes.

Recognition of Prior Learning: The prior learning of students entering the department through lateral or vertical transfer is assessed by the accreditation committee in accordance with the department’s curriculum, and their accreditation is subsequently granted. The prior learning of students undertaking a double major or minor within the department is assessed in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on the Principles Governing Transfers, Double Majors, Minors and Inter-institutional Credit Transfers between Associate and Bachelor’s Degree Programmes in Higher Education Institutions.

Graduation Requirements: In order for a student to graduate from the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Software Engineering, they must have taken and passed the courses required for graduation as stipulated by the programme, successfully completed practical work, internships and similar activities, and achieved a final weighted grade point average of at least 2.00. The graduation requirements are definitively set out in our University’s Regulations on Associate and Bachelor’s Degree Education, Teaching and Examinations.

Assessment Principles: In accordance with the Associate and Bachelor’s Degree Education, Teaching and Examination Regulations, at least one mid-term exam and one final exam must be held for every course enrolled in at the Bachelor’s level. In addition, assignments, practicals and projects may be set in courses to support students’ development. The assessment of courses and practicals is conducted in accordance with the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education, Teaching and Examination Regulations.

Employment Opportunities: Students who graduate from our department and obtain the title and qualifications of a Software Engineer have access to a wide range of employment opportunities both in Turkey and abroad. As we live in the information age, the demand for IT professionals—and software engineers in particular—is growing day by day. Software Engineers can find employment in various roles across numerous sectors, including research and development centres, industry, management and the service sector (such as software architect, software developer, software engineer, quality/test engineer, interface developer and database administrator).

Progression to Postgraduate Programmes: Students who have completed their bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering can continue their postgraduate and doctoral studies in disciplines such as bioinformatics and artificial intelligence, in addition to Software Engineering and Computer Engineering.