A Graduate Program on Embedded Software Engineering in China

Software has become a key component of embedded systems as more and more complex embedded systems have been developed. Currently most embedded system developers in China are graduated from electronics, mechanics, automatic control and other majors. These developers are familiar with the application fields, but unfamiliar with systematic development process, method and management of software project. Moreover, the embedded software development is different from general software development. To provide more qualified software developers for embedded systems, we have founded a graduate program in embedded software engineering (ESE), which combines the embedded system development and software engineering (SE), with emphasis in state-of-art embedded software development methods and techniques. In this program, we teach students complex software analysis and design, construction and test. To name a few, students enrolled in this program learn (1) how to apply software architectures and software design patterns to embedded systems, (2) how to manage a large and complex software project, (3) Co-develop hardware and software, etc. This program includes a series of courses and a multilevel practice model. Some courses are provided by industries. The practice model includes four levels. In the fourth practice level, students will finish a complete project in industries under the project manager's instruction. They not only learn techniques and put into practice on embedded software development, but also experience the industry cultures. This 2-5 years graduate program is to train graduates to be well qualified for embedded software development positions in software industry.