Course Listings

Systems Engineering Overview

SYSE 610 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An introduction to systems engineering using examples of manufacturing, information, and mechanical systems that involve the integration of different technologies. Emphasis is on the role of the systems engineer. Systems thinking principles and complex systems and system-of-systems theory are reviewed. Discussion covers various approaches to system dynamics modeling. An overview of the system life cycle through conception, design and development, integration and testing, and deployment and support is provided.

Requirements Engineering

SYSE 620 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An in-depth examination of the various techniques used in establishing and specifying system requirements, both physical and functional. Topics include system decomposition, requirements traceability, configuration management, and requirements validation. Several U.S. and international standards are examined as examples of requirements specification.

Model-Based Systems Engineering

SYSE 625 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SYSE 610. An introduction to formal system modeling and simulation methods using software-based approaches, which are replacing more traditional document-based descriptive modeling methods. Discussion covers the trend in industry toward standardized modeling techniques using software, especially SysML (Systems Modeling Language) computer packages, allowing greater consistency in system model representations between technologies, across industries, and even across language barriers. Topics include ways that computers can represent system models in detail and provide complex system simulations with minimum effort using several different system modeling and simulation software platforms. The objective is to be able to determine when and how model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approaches are useful, which tools to use, and which data to use as input to the MBSE tools and how to use the results from the tools in decision making.

System Design and Development

SYSE 630 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SYSE 610 and SYSE 620. A detailed exploration of the design and development phases of the system life cycle. Discussion covers several tools used for systems simulation and computer-aided design. Topics also include methods and policies for change control and the principles of quality assurance as an underlying concept in systems design.

System Integration and Test

SYSE 640 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SYSE 610 and SYSE 620. A review of various strategies used to integrate system components and verify satisfaction of requirements at both subsystem and overall system levels. The concept of formal verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) is discussed. Examples of automated software testing tools are also examined.

Design Considerations

SYSE 650 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SYSE 610 and SYSE 620. An introduction to system engineering subdisciplines that are critical in system design and deployment. Discussion covers reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) factors. Concepts in human factors engineering, system safety, and quality assurance are also reviewed.

Systems Engineering Management

SYSE 660 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SYSE 630 and SYSE 640. An examination of the role played by the systems engineer as liaison between technical specialists, business managers, and internal users or external customers. Discussion covers the traditional systems development life cycle, domestic and internal standards, and the evolving emphasis on agile methods and adaptive processes. Topics also include risk management and organizational considerations in outsourcing.

Systems Engineering Capstone

SYSE 670 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SYSE 640 and SYSE 650. A project-based capstone study of systems engineering designed to integrate knowledge and skills gained in previous study. Both in individual projects and a group project focus on demonstrating the ability to construct a system design and develop a plan for a system's development and support.