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Software Development

100%
Of incoming first-years & transfers
Receive scholarships
12:1
Ratio
Of students to faculty
96%
Employment rate
Of surveyed alumni within 9 months of graduation

Discover our Bachelor of Science in Software Development

The software development major prepares you to be a professional who applies computer science, business, and information systems to create solutions. You’ll learn the theory and practice of the profession, how to work in groups to complete large software projects, and appropriate ethical standards.

What will you learn?

Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll be able to:

  • Demonstrate competency in fundamental programming concepts, data structures and algorithms, operating systems, and other key industry skills
  • Understand IT infrastructure used in modern organizations
  • Create effective software systems
  • Use modern programming languages and tools to create applications
  • Understand the ethics required for technology professionals

What courses will I take?

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT MAJOR

Required:
BA 250Technology & Communication In Business3
BN 204Principles Of Management3
BN 340Management Information Systems3
BN 377Project Management3
CS 105Fundamentals Of Computer Science4
CS 106Data Structures4
CS 190Computer Organization4
CS 203Information Ethics3
CS 235Systems Programming Concepts4
CS 326Information Systems Analysis3
CS 388Database Systems4
CS 435Senior Project: Computer Science4
DS 101Introduction to Data Science I3
MA 162Discrete Mathematics3
Choose One of the Following:3-4
CS 302
Programming Languages
CS 389
Algorithm Analysis
CS 395
Web Programming
Choose One of the Following:4
CS 340
Game Design and Development
CS 341
Mobile Development
Free Elective:3
Choose one elective with course code BA, BC, BK, BN, CS, or EC (or other approved course)
Total Hours58-59

Academic Requirements

A grade of C or above (C- does not count) is required in all courses in the major and their prerequisites.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT MAJOR

Required
BA 250Technology & Communication In Business3
CS 105Fundamentals Of Computer Science4
CS 106Data Structures4
CS 203Information Ethics3
CS 326Information Systems Analysis3
CS 388Database Systems4
MA 162Discrete Mathematics3
Choose One of the Following:3-4
CS 302
Programming Languages
CS 389
Algorithm Analysis
CS 340
Game Design and Development
CS 341
Mobile Development
CS 395
Web Programming
Total Hours27-28

The following is the typical sequence of courses required for the major*:

Freshman
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CS 1054Domain3CO 1013
MA 1623 CS 1064
Writing Competency 4 DS 1013
Portal3 Domain3
 14 3 13
Sophomore
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CS 1904CS 2033BA 2503
BN 2043 BN 3403
Domain3 CS 2354
Domain3 Domain3
  Domain3
 13 3 16
Junior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CS 3263Elective3CS 395 or 3024
CS 3884 Science Domain with Lab4
Domain3 Domain3
Domain3 Domain3
Elective1  
 14 3 14
Senior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CS 3414BN 3773CS 4354
ME 4501 Elective3
Elective3 Elective3
Elective3 Elective3
Elective3  
 14 3 13
Total Hours: 123

Note: Elective courses could be used for a second major, a minor, a course of interest, internship or study abroad experience.

Note: See the Curriculum section for more information on Portal, Competency, Domain, and Capstone courses.

*Disclaimer

The course offerings, requirements, and policies of Mount Mercy University are under continual examination and revision. This Catalog presents the offerings, requirements, and policies in effect at the time of publication and in no way guarantees that the offerings, requirements, and policies will not change.

This plan of study represents a typical sequence of courses required for this major. It may not be applicable to every student. Students should contact a department faculty member to be sure of appropriate course sequence.

CRST Data Intelligence Lab

State-of-the-art equipment, student scholarships, and internship opportunities.

After a transformational gift from CRST The Transportation Solution, Inc., Mount Mercy announced the creation of the CRST Data Intelligence Lab in 2022.

Featuring a virtual reality area, robotics equipment, 3D printers, collaboration spaces, and other new technology, our students will learn the theory and practice of the profession.

Beginning in Fall 2023, CRST will also offer paid internships for Mount Mercy computer science, information systems security, software development, and data science students, which will supplement renewable scholarships. 

Robotics equipment in the CRST Data Intelligence Lab
robotics equipment
Mount Mercy students demonstrate robotics equipment
Mount Mercy students demonstrate robotics equipment
Mount Mercy President, Dr. Todd A. Olson, demonstrates virtual reality equipment
a man with virtual reality equipment

What are the next steps?

Mount Mercy offers competitive tuition and generous scholarships.

We also encourage all students to apply for federal, state, and other kinds of financial assistance.

Learn more about:

We make it easy by accepting applications year-round! No deadline, no fee, no pressure.

  1. Create your application
  2. Apply under standard admissions criteria or go "test optional"
  3. Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Mail to:

  Mount Mercy University Admissions
  1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402

For more detailed instructions on how to apply, see our Admissions page.

Careers in software development

Software development is a rapidly changing profession. Mount Mercy endeavors to teach, model, and demonstrate the most modern professional practices. Students with a software development degree find employment opportunities in almost all industries. Graduates can find careers in positions from Computer Programmer to Game Developer to Webmaster and beyond.

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