Software Engineering
Drs. Hans Dekkers
Prior education: Doctorate in Computer Science
Current position: Study programme coordinator and lecturer in Requirements Engineering
What distinguishes the Software Engineering Master’s from other informatics Master’s programmes?
'The key difference is that we focus exclusively on software engineering. Classical informatics programmes are much broader, and focus in-depth on specific theoretical background information. We also have a broad focus, but that focus is limited to the field of software engineering. The scale and complexity of the profession is key during this Master’s programme. How do you carry out a reliable analysis? What is the most efficient working method? These are the sorts of questions our students are confronted with.'
Is the programme exclusively oriented towards day-to-day practice, or do you also teach some theory?
'This Master’s programme is practically-oriented in the sense that we strive to help you become a better software engineer. That requires both theoretical and practical knowledge. The programme focuses on technology, the human aspect and the field of research. For example, our students learn how to read and analyse complex articles while simultaneously working on the actual design and construction of software.'
Could you explain what the Requirements Engineering course is all about?
'Software is expected to meet all sorts of requirements. In addition to functioning properly, it needs to do what the client wants it to. At Requirements Engineering, you learn how to define the various preconditions and take stock of the relevant system requirements. I suppose you could compare it to cooking. Unlike many other Informatics programmes, our students don’t just learn how to follow a recipe; they learn how to put together the individual ingredients. Once they know how to do that, they have the freedom to stray from the recipe and improvise. After all, genuinely talented software engineers are creative and keen to innovate. A little pinch of this or a bit of that might lead to a very different – and more effective - result!
The study programme has a relatively high pass rate. Haven’t you made the curriculum too easy?
'Absolutely not. The high pass rate has a lot more to do with our strict selection procedure. We conduct initial interviews with prospective students in order to assess whether they are suitable for the Master’s programme, and determine a suitable preparatory programme where necessary. If a candidate’s educational background is ill-suited to the Master’s programme, we don’t simply reject them. However, we do suggest that they complete an extensive preparatory programme in advance. It’s an effective way of ensuring that our students have enough prior knowledge to successfully complete this demanding programme within the space of a year.'
What other qualities do you need in order to complete the Master’s programme?
‘You need to be inquisitive, and prepared to learn new things. Speaking from experience, I know that software engineers have a tendency to think they know it all. Obviously, that’s a fallacy: there are always plenty of new things to be learnt. You can do so by reading professional literature or working with other engineers. Talking to lecturers and fellow students will help you discover new approaches to problem solving. You also need to be open to criticism; in the end, that’s the only way to learn and grow.'