All you need to Know about the Software Engineering Course in Malaysia

Find Out What is Software Engineering, the Job Demand, Education Pathway & Studying the Software Engineering Course in Malaysia

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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.

Learn how to become a software engineer in Malaysia by talking to knowledgeable & experienced counselors and then choosing the best private university for your degree studies. I understand the different areas and will be able to guide you to choose the right area to focus on. Research the education and career requirements, training and certification information and experience needed to be successful in your future career in software engineering in Malaysia.

You may also be interested to read:

• Choosing a Top University in Malaysia to Study Computer Programming Course
• 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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What is Software Engineering all About – The Definition, the Course and Career in Malaysia

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. Software 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:

1. Software requirements
2. Software design
3. Software construction
4. Software testing
5. Software maintenance
6. Software configuration management
7. Software engineering management
8. Software engineering process
9. 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 private universities offer a software engineering degree programme in Malaysia

Degree programmes 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.

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 at least a “C” in SPM or O-Level for Additional Maths or Maths. Students always make the mistake of choosing to study Software Engineering because they like to play with computers.

Who Should Study Software Engineering?

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.

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?

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.

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.

What are the top computing skills in demand in Malaysia?

• JAVA / J2EE
• SharePoint
• Biztalk
• ASP.NET
• Android
• iOS
• Agile
• PHP
• C++

Career Prospects for Software Engineers in Malaysia

With software permeating virtually all aspects of our work in our society, a Software Engineering graduate in Malaysia has the option to work in many different sectors such as telecommunications, finance, health care, manufacturing, retailing, security, transport. Other engineering areas like aeronautical, automotive, mechatronic, building, electrical, etc. also have increasing needs for software engineering. The entertainment industry with video games and movie animation also has a large demand for Software Engineers.

As a Software Engineer you will be a qualified professional involved in the technical work of designing, coding, and testing large software products. You will also be responsible for tasks such as directing projects, managing teams, estimating costs and resources, assessing business plans, reviewing proposals and suggesting innovations.

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 Software Engineering degree.

Alternatively, 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 Software Engineering degree.

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

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