Software engineering project simulation in student entry phase of computer scientists-to-be

Many freshmen students of computer science are unaware of the requirements and job profiles of their future professional domain. To provide them with a deeper insight into the requirements of their future jobs at an early point of their studies, we designed a software engineering simulation project that focuses on the main tasks a software engineer has to deal with in professional life. More precisely, this project focuses on the major software-technical, methodological and practical competencies every computer scientist-to-be must acquire. Thus, this introductory software engineering project serves as a kind of “kick off meeting” for freshmen students in computer science. It creates an initial insight into and understanding of the overall interrelation of the different tasks and skills that will be a crucial part both of their study process as well as of their future professional career.