Choosing between SE and CSE for my undergrad, want to study a CS MS program in the US in the future.

[Lukastr]

Hello there! 

I'm about to apply for college here in Sweden and i'm currently choosing between CSE (Computer science & engineering) and SE (Software engineering) at Chalmers university of technology here in Sweden (CS isn't offered). These are the programs i'm choosing  between (CSE) https://student.portal.chalmers.se/en/chalmersstudies/programme-information/Pages/SearchProgram.aspx?program_id=1308&grade=1&conc_id=-1&parsergrp=1 and (SE) https://student.portal.chalmers.se/en/chalmersstudies/programme-information/Pages/SearchProgram.aspx?program_id=1312&grade=1&conc_id=-1&parsergrp=1. You can see all the courses for the programs at the pages that I linked, just switch between year 1, 2 and 3 to see them all. In Sweden we have the Bologna system with the Bologna 3 year bachelor's degree that is accepted at most American universities for grad studies. Will the fact that I study CSE or SE instead of "pure" CS affect my chances of getting accepted into US grad schools for a master's degree? Which one of those two programs would probably be the best with the intention of going to the USA to get a master's degree in CS? Are the programs lacking something that is a prereq for most US master's programs? Do they look good?

[Icydubloon]

 

44 minutes ago, Lukastr said:

Will the fact that I study CSE or SE instead of "pure" CS affect my chances of getting accepted into US grad schools for a master's degree?

Yes. CSE is much better.

 

[.letmeinplz//]

CSE will be considered as "CS" (some US CS programs are even listed as such). That said, S(W)E could also be fine if you intend to do research in that area. Your ability to get into a graduate program in the US will be less about the acronym on your degree and more about what you actually did and intend to do once you start graduate studies. 

Also if your links are your only CS-oriented courses you may want to check targeted schools for their recommended, and sometimes minimum, qualifications on courses. For example, Pitt requires courses in

• Intermediate Programming (CS 0401)
• Discrete Structures (CS 0441)
• Information/Data Structures (CS 0445)
• Computer Organization/Assembly Language (CS 0447)
• Theory (CS 1510 or 1511)
• Languages (CS 1520 or 1621)
• Systems (CS 1550 or 1651)

to be admitted. So look at your prospective courses in each and see if they cover what is required by the graduate schools you want to go to.

Edited January 16, 2017 by .letmeinplz//

[mynamjef]

It would seem to me that the SE track is more geared towards industry professionals whereas the CSE track has more research opportunities.

If you're trying to get a job, SE track should be enough. No professional masters degree necessary, really.

But if you're trying to do research, then I'd second the above recommendations and go with CSE.