Teams develop software systems as solutions for problems in particular domain areas. The problems are in many domains, such as bioinformatics, business applications, or interactive entertainment, that are mostly beyond the realm of software engineering and computing. Projects in these domains are completed by multidisciplinary teams and require the software engineer to interact with team members from these other disciplines. Our curriculum gives you the opportunity to explore an application domain that fits your professional and academic outlook. An application domain consists of three courses that gives you broad exposure to issues and concerns that may arise while working in that domain area. Your application domain also helps prepare you to interact with team members from non-computing disciplines, who just like you, are essential members of the multi-disciplinary team solving the problem.

You will typically start your application domain at the end of your 3rd year of study, as by then you will have had the opportunity to explore professional and academic alternatives through several Co-Op experiences and coursework. You declare your application domain on the Declaration of Application Domain form.

Application domains change with student interests and ever-changing technical fields. You can find the most current list of courses in each application domain below. On occasion a student might identify an application domain not listed here. We have a process in place which students can use to propose an application domain different from the ones we have identified. We reserve the right to accept or reject the proposed domain.

Application Domains

• Artificial Intelligence
• Bioinformatics
• Business Applications
• Computational Mathematics
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Security
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
  
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Interactive Entertainment
  
• Public Policy
• Scientific and Engineering Computing
• Statistics
  
• Usability

To declare your application domain you must complete the Declaration of Application Domain. Follow the instructions for that form.

You may declare a pre-defined application domain at any time during the term.

If you are declaring a student-defined application domain or modifying a studemt-defined or predefined domain, you must complete an Declaration of Application Domain form and get it reviewed by an Undergraduate Curriculum Committee member. The reviewed form must be submitted to the department before the end of the third week of the term. The full Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will review all submitted forms, and provide you with the decision on your request by the end of the fifth week of the term, in time for you to register for classes for the next term. If your proposed or modified domain is not accepted, you can select a predefined domain to start next term or reapply with a revised proposal during the review period next term.