Software Engineers are in high-demand in North America – software engineering is considered one of the fastest growing careers! It also doesn’t hurt that becoming a software engineer is a lucrative career choice. With a competitive starting salary (entry level positions in Canada start at $75,621 per year) and room to grow (most experienced software engineers make up to $150,000 per year!), TRU’s Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering is a program to consider if you enjoy creative problem solving and computer science.
What can we tell you about the program itself? So many cool things! But for the sake of this blog post, we’ll highlight our top 10 things you may not know.
1. It is a competitive program with only 40 seats per cohort
This allows our students to work closely together, make connections with one another, and develop great working relationships with their professors. Our cohort size is great for learning and networking, both of which may help our students secure jobs after graduation.
2. Instructors teach both lectures and labs
In TRU’s Software Engineering program there aren’t teaching assistants, which allows students to make strong connections with each instructor, as they are teaching both the lectures and labs. The instructors also know exactly what is being taught in both, which allows greater instruction and mentorship with students. The program at TRU requires a lab to be taught in conjunction with each lecture. This means students are gaining hands-on industry experience throughout the entire program at TRU.
3. Two state-of-the-art labs
The Engineering department works with industry professionals to ensure the curriculum is meeting industry standards and the equipment students use is what will be used throughout their career. The department has a dedicated lab technician to ensure all computers and hardware products are up-to-date and can assist students when required.
4. Mandatory 4th year co-op
Students get paid to work in their career field, gain experience in the industry and network with career professionals! Students will already have work experience to add to their resume and have the opportunity to find a career to pursue before graduation. Find out more about co-op here.
5. Flexible admission requirements
Physics 11 is required for admission into the program but physics 12 is recommended. The Department of Engineering at TRU wants to ensure students at different academic levels have an opportunity to explore the Software Engineering industry.
6. Extra academic support from your instructors
At TRU in the Software Engineering program, the department is committed to students’ success and offer a wide range of support. The department believes in an open-door policy where students are always welcomed to reach out to their professors. The department is here to offer support!
7. Engineering Club
TRU has an Engineering Club run by students. It’s a great way to add experience, connect with students in the program, and create projects students can add to their resume.
8. Co-op experience may count towards engineer in training hours
Earn a year of Engineering-In-Training hours through the co-op experience. To apply for a professional engineering license, 4 years of Engineering-In-Training hours within the industry are required and the mandatory co-op experience may count towards one year towards students’ Professional Engineering License (PEng).
9. The only Bachelor of Software Engineering program in the interior
From the interior and love the quieter life-style, small class sizes, and individual attention from faculty? Or from the coast and want to experience life in a smaller capacity? The Software Engineering program at TRU will check off all those boxes. Kamloops offers bike trails, hiking, world-class skiing, and the campus sits at the heart of the city and is close to shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Software Engineering program offers small class sizes, individual attention from instructors, and a degree in one of the fastest growing industries.
10. Each student has their own computer in both the hardware and software lab
Only software engineering students have access to the engineering software and hardware lab. There is a special QR code access for engineering students. There are 40 computers in each lab, which means students have access to their own computer in the program. Students aren’t required to share a computer during lab sessions which means they gain hands-on experience every lab class time for Software Engineering students.
Have questions about Software Engineering at TRU? You can always reach out to us in the Future Students Office using our Ask Us a Question feature.
-The Future Students Team 🙂
