Difference between Computer Science & Software Engineering and the Best Universities in Malaysia

Choosing the Best Private University in Malaysia to Study Computer Science or Software Engineering

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A university degree in computer science, software engineering or information technology is no longer enough to secure a job in Malaysia. Employers in Malaysia are looking for individuals with multiple skill sets. Employers today expect their employees to be able to multitask and communicate well in the English language.

The gap between the demand for information and computer technology (ICT) talent and the supply of that talent is large. Study indicates that the existing situation cannot even supply half of the demand by 2020, about 500,000 human capital educated in science and technology will be needed in Malaysia. From this number, at least 30,000 graduates are required in the ICT job market.

According to PIKOM, there are many jobs out there for IT graduates and there are also many jobless IT graduates. The reason for this is that there is a mismatch of the courses with the skill needed. In addition, the training that the students received was not up to the standard needed in the industry.

With the increased demand for trained professionals in information technology (IT) and the many universities for students to choose from, it is important for the student to be able to choose a university that best fits his or her needs – financially, quality, educationally and career.

You may also be interested to read:

• Top 10 Universities for Computer Science Degree Courses in Malaysia
• What are the Important Factors in Choosing a Top University to Study Computer Science in Malaysia
• Find Out the Difference Between the Top 3 Computing Courses in Malaysia – Information Technology (IT), Computer Science & Software Engineering
• Top 10 Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma in Software Engineering or Diploma in Information Technology (IT) Course at Top Universities in Malaysia
• Malaysia’s Best Foundation in Information Technology (IT) / Computer Studies
• Computer Science vs Software Engineering Degree Courses at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

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Studying Computer Science and Software Engineering in Malaysia

Computer software engineers, or software developers, design and develop software applications or computer systems in Malaysia. They develop computer applications for clients as well as the major systems that make a computer run.

Students interested in a career in computer software engineering needs to have analytical skill, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills as well as creativity and attention to detail; familiarity with database management, development environment, program testing and other related software.

Students should be good in Mathematics and possess at least a Credit in SPM or O-Levels for Maths. Students should have a strong interest in programming and lots of patience in creating a programme.

Software Engineering is developing, designing and maintaining software systems that are reliable and efficiently carries out the tasks smoothly. The software system is created in collaboration with the needs and requirements of the clients. The software designed must be user friendly for the staff or customers to use. Software Engineering is an integration of computer science, computer programming, mathematics and engineering practice. Software engineers apply the principles of computer science and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that make computers work.

What is the Education Pathway to a Computing Degree in Malaysia?

Students after SPM or O-Levels may go for the Foundation in Computing or Information Technology at top private universities in Malaysia for 1 year before continuing on to the 3-year Computer Science or Software Engineering degree. With 3 credits in SPM or O-Levels including Maths, students may go for the 2-year Diploma in Information Technology, Diploma in Computer Studies or Diploma in Software Engineering and then enter into Year 2 of the Computer Science

or Software Engineering degree. Pre-University students with the relevant results in STPM, A-Levels, SAM, CPU, AUSMAT, etc. can enter directly into Year 1 of the Computer Science or Software Engineering degree at the best university in Malaysia.

Established since 2009, EduSpiral Consultant Services is a top recruitment agent for private universities in Malaysia and private colleges in Singapore providing information and counselling on courses and helping students to choose the right university. EduSpiral Consultant Services sets ourselves apart from other agents by providing counseling based on facts and evidence so that our students are able to make the right choices after SPM, O-Levels, UEC, STPM, A-Levels or Pre-University. We search for articles such as the one below that will benefit our students to help them make the right choices about choosing their career and course.

What is the Difference Between Studying Computer Science and Software Engineering in Malaysia?

Software Engineering is the field of studying, devising and building a practical solution to a problem. The objective of a software engineer is to understand a problem within a computer and create software that eases the problem. Computer Science is a field that deals with the scientific and practical approach to computing and all of its applications. A computer scientist focuses on the theory of computation and its applications.

The popularity of computers & technology has resulted in greater interest in computer-based courses in Malaysia. These include dividing the computer into hardware, software, programming and many other fields. These courses divide the many different aspects that make a computer. Software Engineering (SE) and Computer Science (CS) are two different fields that are used in computing. Many people that even perform jobs in Software Engineering field often possess Computer Science degrees. Because of such instances, many students are confused about Computer Science and Software Engineering.

Software Engineering is the field of studying, devising and building a practical solution to a problem. The objective of a software engineer is to understand a problem within a computer and create software that eases the problem. This could include either manipulating existing software or creating a new one from scratch. Software is required to make computer function. This job is mostly a team effort. Engineers group together with programmers in order to build a software that works with the system at hand.

Computing consists of several fields, and many respected colleges and universities offer undergraduate
degree programs in several of them such as computer science, computer engineering, information
systems, information technology, software engineering, and more. These computing fields are related but
also quite different from each other. The programs represent a number of computing disciplines.

Software engineering had emerged as an area within computer science. As computing is used to attack
a wider range of complex problems, creating reliable software becomes more difficult. With large,
complex programs, no one person can understand the entire program, and various parts of the program
can interact in unpredictable ways. (For example, fixing a bug in one part of a program can create new
bugs elsewhere.)

While computer science (like other sciences) focuses on creating new knowledge, software engineering (like other engineering disciplines) focuses on rigorous methods for designing and building things that reliably do what they’re supposed to do.

Universities in Malaysia typically offer two computing majors: Computer Science and Software Engineering. There is a huge overlap between the subjects offered in these two majors. Even the career paths of these degrees overlap.

Programmers, software developers and computer scientists all serve different roles in the technology industry, but there is much similarity regarding skill sets, and overall there is a lot of crossover between the various fields.

The difference between the three roles really comes down to focus. All of these professionals can program computers, but programmers are focused on writing perfect, elegant code, whereas computer scientists are often more focused on theory, and software developers tend to be jacks of all trades with leadership skills who get placed in charge of software projects.

Computer Science Degree vs. Software Engineering Degree in Malaysia

Can a Computer Science Graduate Work as a Software Engineer in Malaysia?

Companies hire based on skill set. They do not specifically look for degrees in software engineering. Once hired, most companies start with the title of Software Engineer regardless of your major. It is also common place for computer science graduates to move into software engineering roles as they gain experience.

A typical career path of a computer science graduate involves application development and innovation. In the industry, this translates to software product development. For this reason, programming and networking jobs is the domain of computer science graduates. In academia, computer science graduates work on innovations in computer science theory and algorithms. This involves advanced graduate work that typically leads to a Ph.D. degree.

When a position requires development of large software systems, both computer science and software engineering graduates are potential candidates. Skill set and the amount of software engineering coursework undertaken during the program determines the suitability of the candidate. It is interesting to note that most of the software engineers today are computer science graduates and not software engineers. This is partly because software engineering is a relatively new degree compared to the computer science degrees that are available for more than 30 years.

Computer Science is the study of computer systems including algorithmic processes and the principles involved in the design of hardware and software.

Computer scientists are primarily concerned with the design of algorithms, languages, hardware architecture, systems software, applications software and tools. Applications range from simple game playing to the control of space vehicles, power plants and factories, from banking machines to intelligent fault and medical diagnosis. Computer professionals, in short, are concerned with the creation of computer and information systems for the benefit of society.

Computer science spans a wide range, from its theoretical and algorithmic foundations to cutting-edge
developments in robotics, computer vision, intelligent systems, bioinformatics, and other exciting areas.
We can think of the work of computer scientists as falling into three categories.

1. They design and implement software. Computer scientists take on challenging programming jobs. They also supervise other programmers, keeping them aware of new approaches.
2. They devise new ways to use computers. Progress in the CS areas of networking, database, and
   human-computer-interface enabled the development of the World Wide Web. Now CS researchers are working with scientists from other fields to make robots become practical and intelligent aides, to use databases to create new knowledge, and to use computers to help decipher the secrets of our DNA.
3. They develop effective ways to solve computing problems. For example, computer scientists develop
   the best possible ways to store information in databases, send data over networks, and display complex images. Their theoretical background allows them to determine the best performance possible, and their study of algorithms helps them to develop new approaches that provide better performance.

Computer science spans the range from theory through programming. Curricula that reflect this breadth

are sometimes criticized for failing to prepare graduates for specific jobs. While other disciplines may
produce graduates with more immediately relevant job-related skills, computer science offers a
comprehensive foundation that permits graduates to adapt to new technologies and new ideas.

Computer Science (CS or CompSci) is a field that deals with the scientific and practical approach to computing and all of its applications. Believe it or not, computer science came long before the development of computers. Computing was done since the time of the abacus. A computer scientist focuses on the theory of computation and its applications.

The study of computer science began even before the development of the first computer; it started with the development of machines for calculations such as the abacus. When it was clear that the computer were being designed for more purposes than just normal mathematical calculations, the field of computer science was broadened to study the computer systems that we have today. The first accredited degree for computer science was offered by the University of Cambridge in 1953 in the UK and by Purdue University in 1962 in the US.

Computer science has more to do with theory of the computer and its computing abilites rather than

hands-on applications. Computer science is basically the ability to solve a problem or getting the computer to do something without the help of a human. This field of data is not directly affected by the humans. Computing can also be done by hand and is used by many fields that are not related to primarily developing computers.

Scientists focus on developing algorithms that can create, alter and change the data depending on what they would like. The commands that the computer follows are done by certain algorithm that tells it what to do. Computer science can also be divided into two specializations: theoretical computer science and applied computer sciences.  The theoretical science focuses on the classical theory of computation, along with other more abstract, logical, and mathematical aspects of computing. The applied computer sciences cover topics such as artificial intelligence, computer architecture and engineering, graphic designing, computing science, etc. It deals with mainly applications or additional programs.

Computer science requires a strong mathematical and scientific background. Depending on colleges, the courses may vary in teaching subjects. While some collages prefer teaching theoretical aspect of computer science, others focus on advanced programming. Courses include Theoretical computer science, Theory of computation, Information and coding theory, Algorithms and data structures, Programming language theory, Formal methods, Concurrent, parallel and distributed systems, Databases and information retrieval, Artificial intelligence, Computer architecture and engineering, Computer graphics and visualization, Computer security and cryptography, etc.

Sample of Subjects that can be found in a Computer Science Degree Programme at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

• Programming Fundamentals
• Computer Architecture
• Fundamentals of Relational Database
• Discrete Mathematics
• System Analysis and Design
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Foundation of Human Computer Interaction
• Computer Networks
• Data Structures & Algorithms
• Program Design & Development
• Principles of Programming Languages
• Operating Systems and Concurrency
• Artificial Intelligence.(AI)
• Database Programming
• Computer Graphics
• Web Application Integration 1 (Web)/Image Processing(AI)
• Software Engineering
• Social and Current issues in Computing
• Parallel Computing
• Advanced Programming Language Concepts
• Algorithmics
• Real-Time Systems
• Ubiquitous Computing
• Emergent Technology
• Cloud Infrastructure & Services
• Information Storage & Management
• Computer Systems Security
• Multimedia Techniques for Animation, Games & Film Effects
• Investigations in Computer Science
• Engineering Software & Applications
• Data Structures
• Concurrent Programming
• System & Network Administration
• Computer Systems and Low Level Techniques
• Ai Methods
• Programming Concepts in C++
• Mobile & Wireless Technology
• Believable Models for Games & Virtual Reality

Computer Science Careers in Malaysia

Computers are everywhere today, and the job market reflects this. Communication in all of its forms telephone, television, networks depend on complex and extremely reliable software. Vehicles, ships, aircrafts, and satellites are all controlled by computers.

Modern medical care depends on imaging techniques that in turn depend on computation. Businesses, from the local bank to the international on-line store, rely on secure access to networks and databases.

The booming entertainment industry with video games and movie animation that today flourishes in Montreal, also has a large demand for programmers and designers.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science you are qualified to design and create new software and also to modify, and test existing software for computerized applications in a broad range of business and industry. You may also be required to devise new and more efficient algorithms and techniques.

Software Engineering is the practice of designing and implementing large, reliable, efficient and economical software by applying the principles and practices of engineering.

Software Engineering is the field of studying, devising and building a practical solution to a problem. The objective of a software engineer is to understand a problem within a computer and create software that eases the problem. This could include either manipulating existing software or creating a new one from scratch. Software is required to make computer function. This job is mostly a team effort. Engineers group together with programmers in order to build a software that works with the system at hand.

Many subjects that are learned in Software Engineering is similar to the ones learned in Computer Science, but it also includes additional subjects such as requirements engineering, software architecture, software testing, and software deployment. Other areas that play an importance in this field include leadership, communication, time management, people management, etc. The engineers must plan out the best way to tackle the situation at hand and create a step by step process on how to accomplish this task. They may require to code in certain time, but most of the coding is done by programmers. A software engineer requires a background in software creation, programming languages, mathematics and computer hardware.

Software engineers when developing software go through a software process. This software process model is an abstraction of software process and is also known as process paradigms. The first published model for the software process is known as the Waterfall model. When a software is being made it must first be conceptualized on the paper, following which the program is designed and then asked to be written. The software then goes through vigorous testing and a soft release before it is made public. According to Guide to the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge, a widely accepted standard; software engineering can be divided into ten sub-disciplines: Software requirements, software design, software construction, software testing, software maintenance, software configuration management, software engineering management, software engineering process and software quality.

Software engineers learn much more about creating high-quality software in a systematic, controlled, and efficient manner. Software engineers are trained in all aspects of the software life cycle, from specification through analysis and design, to testing maintenance and evaluation of the product. They are concerned with safety and reliability of the product as well as cost and schedule of the development process.

Studying Software Engineering at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

Software Engineering has its roots in the theory and mathematics of computer science. While its study has a lot in common with computer science, software engineers learn much more about creating high-quality software in a systematic, controlled, and efficient manner. Software engineers are trained in all aspects of the software life cycle, from specification through analysis and design, to testing maintenance and evaluation of the product. They are concerned with safety and reliability of the product as well as cost and schedule of the development process.

Software engineering is the discipline of developing and maintaining software systems that behave
reliably and efficiently, are affordable to develop and maintain, and satisfy all the requirements that
customers have defined for them. More recently, it has evolved in response to factors such as the growing impact of large and expensive software systems in a wide range of situations and the increased importance of software in safety-critical applications.

Software engineering is different in character from other engineering disciplines due to both the
intangible nature of software and the discontinuous nature of software operation. It seeks to integrate the
principles of mathematics and computer science with the engineering practices developed for tangible,
physical artifacts. Prospective students in Malaysia can expect to see software engineering presented in two contexts.

• Degree programs in computer science offer one or more software engineering courses as elements of
  the Computer Science curriculum. Some offer a multi-course concentration in software engineering within Computer Science.
• A number of institutions offer a software engineering degree program.

Degree programs in computer science and in software engineering have many subjects in common.
Software engineering students learn more about software reliability and maintenance and focus more on
techniques for developing and maintaining software that is correct from its inception. While CS students
are likely to have heard of the importance of such techniques, the engineering knowledge and experience
provided in Software Engineering programs go beyond what Computer Science programs can provide.

The importance of this fact is so great that one of the recommendations of the Software Engineering report is that, during their program of study, students of Software Engineering should participate in the development of software to be used in earnest by others. Software Engineering students learn how to assess customer needs and develop usable software that meets those needs. Knowing how to provide genuinely useful and usable software is of paramount importance.

In the workplace, the term software engineer is a job label. There is no standard definition for this term
when used in a job description. Its meaning varies widely among employers. It can be a title equivalent to
computer programmer or a title for someone who manages a large, complex, and/or safety-critical
software project. The layman must be mindful not confuse the discipline of software engineering with the
ambiguous use of the term software engineer as used in employment advertisements and job titles.

What subjects in SPM or O-Levels do I need to be good at in order to study Software Engineering in Malaysia?

MATHS! If you want to study Software Engineering, you will need to be good in Mathematics. You should have an “A” in SPM for Additional Maths or at least a strong credit. Students always make the mistake of choosing to study Software Engineering because they like to play with computers. If you don’t have a strong foundation in Maths, you should choose some other course.

What do you need to know as a Software Engineer in Malaysia?

Software Engineers need to use different programming languages, depending on the purpose of the program. The programming languages most often used are C, C++, and Java, with Fortran and COBOL used less commonly. Other programming languages that are in high demand are HTML, XHTML, XML, PHP, Visual Basic.

With the growth of smart phones comes with it the demand for the programming languages related to it such as the programming language, Objective C, and its software development tool (XCode) for the iOS market.

Software Engineers will also need to have a strong foundation in computer science, logic and mathematics.

What will I study in a Software Engineering Degree Course in Malaysia?

Through the development of new technologies and applications, software engineering radically and continually changes the way we experience our world, whether in gaming, communications, commerce, entertainment, science or education.

In the software engineering degree programme in Malaysia, you will take a course that emphasises the principles of programming and a course on computing fundamentals. You will study Java programming, object-oriented software engineering, data structures and algorithms, algorithmic foundations, computer systems and web application development.

Students will also be exposed to VB.net, HTML, J2ME, Java Scripting as well as networking and business communication. The modules lead into all aspects of software applications; internet technology; multimedia technology; information systems; operating systems; systems methodologies; visual programming; and database management systems.

Students may take some non-IT courses such as marketing, business communication and problem- solving, among others, are included in the course so that students are equipped with transferable skills that will enable them to work efficiently both independently and in teams.

Students will normally take about 35 subjects or more. In addition, all students are also required to successfully complete General Studies modules as stipulated by the Malaysian Qualification Agency, as well as fulfil credit requirements for Co-Curricular Activities. The MQA subjects are compulsory at all colleges and universities.

Sample of Subjects that can be found in a Software Engineering Degree Programme at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

• Computing & IT in the Workplace
• Fundamentals of Software Development
• Introduction to Databases
• Introduction to Management
• Introduction to Networking
• Mathematical Concepts for Computing
• Operating Systems & Computer Architecture
• System Analysis & Design
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
• AI Methods
• Data Structures
• Design Methods
• Programming Concepts in C++
• Requirements Engineering
• Software Architecture
• System Programming and Computer Control
• Object Oriented Development with Java
• Research Methods For Computing and Technology
• System Development Methods
• Advance Programming Language Concepts
• Advanced Database Systems
• Algorithmics
• Cloud Infrastructure & Services
• Design Patterns
• Designing & Developing Applications on Cloud
• Investigations in Software Engineering
• Software Engineering Project
• Software Quality Engineering

What do you do as a Software Engineer in Malaysia?

Software engineers are involved in the design and development of a variety of software, including computer games, word processing and business applications, operating systems and network distribution, and compilers, which convert programs to machine language for execution on a computer.

They also install, configure and maintain software systems used by commercial or manufacturing companies. They can work with the company to coordinate each department’s needs such as ordering, billing, inventory, payroll, and records.

Software Engineers could also help set up the company’s intranets or networks that link computers within the company. This helps the communication between the departments. To develop tailor-made software systems,

Software Engineers will begin by meeting up with the client to gather information on what they would like for the software to achieve. They need to gain a thorough understanding of the client’s business and information needs, and analyse the current system.

After that, they will then analyse the information and then begin to design, develop and test the software in real situations. Software Engineers will create detailed sets of instructions, called algorithms. The algorithms tell the computer what to do. They also are used to convert instructions into a computer language. This process is called programming or coding. Software Engineers must be experts in operating systems and middleware to ensure that the underlying systems will work properly.

Software Engineers can also develop “off-the-shelf” or “ready-made’ software packages that can be integrated into an existing operating system. The ability to integrate the software requires a thorough knowledge of the software packages and programming languages.

They will need to provide the appropriate interfaces to be used to integrate them. Software Engineers works with in a team to design new hardware, software, and systems. The team may consist of engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and design people, who work together to release a product.

Software Engineers need to ensure that their knowledge is up-to-date as technology changes rapidly. Computer software can be developed for any function for control and automation, manufacturing, business, and management systems. Restaurants use custom-made software to ensure their accounts are kept properly and orders for food can be made efficiently so that wastage is managed.

Best Step-by-Step Guide in Choosing the Right University for your Computer Science or Software Engineering Studies in Malaysia

Step 1: Learn About the Software Engineering Career in Malaysia

Computer software engineering includes a variety of tasks and job descriptions, so aspiring software engineers may need to research the field before pursuing education and training that will prepare them for a particular career path. The types of software that computer software engineers create, test and evaluate include business applications, network control systems, operating systems, databases, middleware and computer games. Software engineers may use a variety of different programming languages.

Those who work primarily with computer systems may design and implement data assurance and system security, as well as customize computer systems to meet the needs of clients. They may also set up intranets, which are networks that allow different computers within an organization to communicate.

Step 2: Talk to Knowledgeable & Experienced Counselors

Talking to an experienced education advisor would help you to navigate through this confusing time of choosing the best course that fits you.

Experienced education counselors are able to analyse your interests, personality and exam results to help you make a list of possible courses for consideration. EduSpiral Consultant Services staff have more than 15 years experience in counseling students. Having worked in the private education industry, we have in-depth knowledge of each private university and college in what they are good at.

EduSpiral Consultant Services has worked with our partner universities and colleges for many years while the counselors at the private universities or agents’ offices change every few years therefore they would not have the in-depth knowledge of the courses and the university that they are working at.

At EduSpiral Consultant Services, I have worked in the private higher education industry in Malaysia for more than 15 years advising students with facts and evidence on how to choose the right course after SPM. You should carefully think about what are the options available to you. To choose the best course that fits you, students may fill up our EduSpiral Career Assessment form for evaluation.

The EduSpiral Career Assessment form is a simple form designed by us that gathers information from students after SPM, O-Levels, UEC, STPM or A-Levels in order to assess their aptitude helping us to determine the most suitable course and career progression.

Step 3: Choose to Study the Bachelor’s Degree at a Top University in Malaysia

A bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum education requirement for computer software engineering jobs in Malaysia. Those who work with applications typically major in software engineering, computer science or mathematics. Courses in a computer science undergraduate program may include computer fundamentals, data structures, principles of programming languages, software engineering and computer architecture.

Students must choose a top university in Malaysia for computer software engineering in order to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in this career.

A good university would have a solid internship programme in place. Employers in Malaysia may prefer to hire those who have relevant experience in addition to a bachelor’s degree. Students can participate in internships during their undergraduate education to enhance their employment prospects. Internships also enable students to gain hands-on experience and learn new skills from professionals in the industry.

Step 4: Get Professional Certificate During your Studies in Software Engineering in Malaysia

Gain professional certification. Obtaining certification can demonstrate a certain level of competence and make job applicants more competitive.

Product vendors, software firms and professional computing societies, such as the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and many more offer certification programmes in Malaysia.

Students who seek certification from a product vendor or software firm may be required to work with the company’s products, while certification from a professional computing society typically requires a series of examinations, maintenance of membership and periodical recertification.

Step 5: Gain Related Experience and Skills in your Job in Malaysia

Since computer software engineers design new software programs, they should have a high degree of creativity. They should also have strong problem-solving, mathematical and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work with abstract concepts. Communication skills are also important since they must interact with hardware engineers, industrial designers, manufacturing operations personnel and end users to develop software products. An entry-level position, such as a computer support specialist or computer technician, can help prospective engineers develop these skills and obtain hands-on experience in the field.