Abstract: This research enacted Project-Based Learning (PBL) strategy to improve the quality of the learning process in Software Engineering (SE) course in Department of Informatics, Universitas Islam Indonesia. PBL was adopted by combining the waterfall process model and SE professional practices suggested in the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) Version 3.0. With the application of appropriate professional practices in accordance with SWEBOK 3.0, students of SE course is expected to have the professional characters of software engineers. Two classes of SE being the objects of the study were treated differently in terms of intentions and tolerance to the team. From the results obtained, the adoption of PBL in accordance with SWEBOK 3.0 can significantly help to instill professional characters of software engineers in students. Classes treated more rigidly showed far better learning outcomes than the class treated with tolerance.