Vince and Judy Vidas Program in Systems Engineering MSSYSE
Major: Systems Engineering
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Systems Engineering (MSSYSE)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.2701
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2199
What is Systems Engineering?
Fundamentally, the function of systems engineering is to guide the engineering development of complex systems, or in some cases, new technology.
- It is a set of process, principles, fundamentals, and tools and a cultural aspect that focus to guide the design of complex and complicated systems.
- Emphasis is on the total operation of the system and requires a thorough understanding of system requirements for operation and performance.
- It involves defining the system as functional relationships in the early conceptual stages of the process.
- It includes a rigorous analysis of alternatives to assure optimal system design in later stages.
- It also involves integration of subsystem and emerging technology to develop a system that satisfies the defined requirements.
A systems engineer needs to have the ability to think within the context of a systems point of view. This involves understanding of the system linkages and interactions between the subsystems and components that comprise the entirety of the system.
About the Program
The Master of Science in Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary curriculum which integrates systems thinking with the ability to execute the systems engineering process as well as the ability to understand the complete system. The degree provide skills to enable systems development throughout the entire life-cycle, from conceptual development and engineering design through the operation and sustainment phases. A master’s degree in systems engineering is an excellent complement to any engineering or STEM bachelor’s degree. The program continues with the Drexel School of Engineering tradition by preparing students to be successful in their careers. Study can be on a part-time or full-time basis, and the program is available both online and on campus.
Drexel's MS in Systems Engineering is certified by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), and is one of several programs in the world to hold this distinction. Graduates will automatically qualify for a Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Certification from INCOSE without having to take the certification exam.
The MS Systems Engineering curriculum will do the following:
- Include models relevant to sustainable, high performance systems as they relate to effective systems engineering
- Expose students to model-based systems engineering using SysML and DODAF, also covering major aspects of the systems domain
- Teach systems engineering processes and skills to integrate user needs, manage requirements, conduct technological evaluation, and build elaborate system architectures, assess risk and establish financial and schedule constraints
- Prepare students to intelligently manage and contribute to any engineering challenge, including concept development, technology assessment, architecture selection, and proposal development. The courses stimulate and challenge students as they consider sustainability-oriented projects and become serious systems engineering managers and practitioners
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Drexel University Master of Science in Systems Engineering will be competent in their ability to:
- develop and implement models and tools to enhance and optimize complex systems;
- develop and manage processes relevant to complex systems development;
- architect, design, implement, integrate, verify, validate, support and decommission complex systems;
- use systems engineering tools and practices to identify and execute effective technical solutions;
- manage system-intensive projects within cost and schedule constraints.
Certificate Opportunity
Students may complete a Graduate Certificate as a standalone pursuit or as a gateway to the full Master of Science in Systems Engineering. Students subsequently can apply those credits toward completion of a master's in systems engineering.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the MS in Systems Engineering program, or visit the Certificate in Systems Engineering page.
Admission Requirements
Degree and GPA Requirement
A bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited college or university is required. A bachelor’s degree in science (Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, etc.) may also be acceptable. An undergraduate degree earned abroad must be deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. A minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for a bachelor’s degree as well as for any subsequent graduate-level work is required.
TOEFL Requirement
For students whose native language is not English and who do not hold a degree from a US institution, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. TOEFL scores must be less than two years old to be considered. Minimum total score of 94 (internet-based). Official documents of this exam must be submitted directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. Unofficial photocopies will not be accepted.
Other Requirements
- Submission of an application
- Official, sealed college transcripts
- An essay
- Two or more letters of recommendation
Degree Requirements
Students may take their required elective credits from any graduate-level course(s) in engineering, business, or another college for which they have adequate preparation and can obtain approvals from the college and the systems engineering program.
All candidates are encouraged to discuss areas of interest with the program advisor and to develop a proposed plan of study during the early stages of the program.
Note: Specific course requirements may be waived for students who have taken equivalent courses elsewhere.
Required Courses | ||
EGMT 572 | Statistical Data Analysis | 3.0 |
EGMT 573 | Operations Research | 3.0 |
SYSE 520 | Global Sustainment and Integrated Logistics | 3.0 |
SYSE 533 | Systems Integration and Test | 3.0 |
SYSE 598 | Capstone in Systems Engineering | 3.0 |
SYSE 640 | Model Based Systems Engineering | 3.0 |
SYSE 682 | Introduction to Systems Science | 3.0 |
SYSE 685 | Systems Engineering Management | 3.0 |
SYSE 688 | Systems Engineering Analysis | 3.0 |
SYSE 690 | Modeling, Simulation and Other Tools | 3.0 |
Electives | 15.0 | |
Complete five of the following: | ||
Power System Analysis | ||
Computer Analysis of Power Systems | ||
Synchronous Machine Modeling | ||
Power System Dynamics | ||
Power System Security | ||
Economic Operation of Power Systems | ||
Fundamentals of Systems I | ||
Fundamentals of Systems II | ||
Fundamentals of Systems III | ||
Probability & Random Variables | ||
Random Process & Spectral Analysis | ||
Detection & Estimation Theory | ||
Optimization Methods for Engineering Design | ||
Leading and Managing Technical Workers | ||
Analysis and Decision Methods for Technical Managers | ||
Engineering Economic Evaluation & Analysis | ||
Financial Management | ||
New Product Conceptualization, Justification, and Implementation | ||
Value Creation through New Product Development | ||
Engineering Project Management | ||
Project Planning, Scheduling and Control | ||
Global Engineering Project Management | ||
Visual System Mapping | ||
Managing Engineering Disasters | ||
Systems Thinking for Leaders | ||
Engineering Law | ||
Integrated Risk Management | ||
Engineering Supply Chain Systems | ||
Systems Reliability Engineering | ||
Systems Reliability, Availability & Maintainability Analysis | ||
Statistical Modeling & Experimental Design | ||
Systems Engineering Design | ||
Systems Architecture Development | ||
Software Systems Engineering | ||
Master's Thesis in Systems Engineering ** | ||
Total Credits | 45.0 |
- *
Electives from other engineering disciplines and/or Drexel colleges may be considered with review and approval by the advisor.
- **
If a student decides to pursue the Master's Thesis option, the student will complete the 30 core credits, 6 elective credits, and nine thesis credits. Advisor/Director consultation and approval is required if a student is interested in waiving core courses when pursuing the Master's Thesis option.
Sample Plan of Study
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
SYSE 685 | 3.0 | SYSE 520 | 3.0 | EGMT 572 | 3.0 | EGMT 573 | 3.0 |
SYSE 682 | 3.0 | SYSE 688 | 3.0 | SYSE 640 | 3.0 | SYSE 533 | 3.0 |
6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
EGMT 531 | 3.0 | SYSE 525 | 3.0 | SYSE 530 | 3.0 | SYSE 598 | 3.0 |
SYSE 523 | 3.0 | SYSE 522 | 3.0 | SYSE 690 | 3.0 | ||
6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | ||||
Total Credits 45 |
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
SYSE 685 | 3.0 | SYSE 520 | 3.0 | EGMT 531 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
EGMT 572 | 3.0 | SYSE 688 | 3.0 | SYSE 640 | 3.0 | ||
EGMT 501 | 3.0 | EGMT 573 | 3.0 | SYSE 682 | 3.0 | ||
9 | 9 | 9 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | ||||
SYSE 690 | 3.0 | SYSE 598 | 3.0 | ||||
EGMT 504 | 3.0 | SYSE 525 | 3.0 | ||||
SYSE 533 | 3.0 | SYSE 522 | 3.0 | ||||
9 | 9 | ||||||
Total Credits 45 |
Note: Second Year Summer is less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students this term.
Dual Degree Programs
Students with a previously completed master’s degree at Drexel may pursue a second master’s degree in a different major without the need to go through the admission process again or to complete another 45.0 credits of graduate coursework. Up to 15.0 credits from the first master's may be transferred into the second master’s degree program, enabling students to complete the second master’s degree with a minimum of 30.0 new graduate credits.
Career Opportunities
The MS in Systems Engineering prepares students to become effective systems engineers, leaders, managers, and future executives. With a systems engineering background, students are able to tackle a wide array of engineering challenges from the entire systems life cycle, including concept development, technology assessment, architecture selection, and proposal development.
Systems engineers are highly valued in industry because their skills complement those in traditional engineering fields. Whereas other engineering disciplines usually focus deeply in only one area, systems engineers must integrate all of those areas into a comprehensive and effective system. This is a versatile skill-set that allows for a flexible career path, as systems engineering expertise is sought by a wide range of industries such as healthcare, defense, communications, aerospace, government, transportation, finance, and more. Drexel University’s MS Systems Engineering will prepare students from any of these fields to lead large, complex projects in their organizations.