Software engineering is a major in computer science that involves the systematic design, development, testing, and maintenance of software systems. It encompasses various key principles such as requirements analysis, where the needs of users are identified; design, which involves creating the software architecture and components; implementation, the actual coding process; testing, to ensure the software functions correctly; and maintenance, which involves updating and enhancing the software over time. Moreover, software engineering emphasizes the importance of project management, collaboration, and adherence to coding standards to ensure the creation of high-quality, reliable, and scalable software solutions.