phd system engineering

Systems engineering, PhD

The systems engineering doctoral degree program advances students’ understanding of complex engineering systems. Students will learn how to manage systems that encompass technological, social, cultural and environmental components that impact the input, output and interactions within a system.

Program description

Systems engineering is the art and science of creating systems that meet requirements, often while managing opposing constraints. Systems engineering is a holistic, integrative field. Combined knowledge of several engineering disciplines lead to design and production of balanced, optimized systems.

Modern industrial systems must encompass the technological, environmental, social and cultural components that impact the input, output and interactions within a system. 

The systems engineering PhD program will prepare you to identify, model, analyze, interpret, optimize and manage the multidimensional interactions of modern technological challenges. 

Students will be required to complete a core of five courses, providing the foundation for

• systems thinking,
• systems identification,
• systems modeling,
• systems design and analysis, and
• perspective taking.

This program is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related field, and that have demonstrated excellent mathematical aptitude.

Career outlook

Graduates of the systems engineering doctoral program will possess the expertise to advance systems integration of key industry and government sectors. They will also be ready to contribute to the body of knowledge on interdisciplinary methods, techniques and strategies for designing and managing complex systems. 

Admission requirements

Applicants who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply.

• a minimum of a BS in engineering or a closely related discipline from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or from appropriately credentialed institutions in other countries
• a minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = A) in the applicable bachelor’s degree

Application process

The admission process begins by applying for graduate admission . The application requires that following items must be submitted:

• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose: Submit online a 300- to 500-word statement of purpose describing your motivation and rationale for obtaining a PhD in the Systems Engineering program at Arizona State University and how it relates to your long-term career goals.
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
• A GRE Waiver may be requested for PhD Systems Engineering applicants with a completed undergraduate engineering degree from a  U.S. ABET accredited undergraduate  program with 3.0+ cumulative GPA, or applicants with a completed MS degree from a U.S. ABET accredited undergraduate program. Please note, if GRE requirement is waived there is no guarantee for admission.
• International applicants must also meet the  English proficiency requirements , as defined by Graduate Admissions. Please be sure to review the  TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score requirements , as your application will not be processed without valid proof of English proficiency.

Graduate faculty and funding opportunities

More information.

ASU degree page

Schedule an advising appointment

Degree requirements

A minimum of 84 semester credit hours are required for the PhD degree, distributed as follows:

• A maximum of 30 credit hours of coursework from a previous master’s degree in engineering or a related field may be applied to the PhD.
• Three core courses, totaling 9 credit hours.
• One foundation course, totaling 3 credit hours.
• Additional coursework that is directly in support of the research area. This must total, at a minimum, 15 credit hours.
• 12 credit hours of EGR 792, Research.
• 12 credit hours of EGR 799, Dissertation

Application deadlines

August 15  Spring semester (January) January 15  Fall semester (August)

These are priority deadlines. Applications submitted after this deadline may still be considered.

Core courses

All students enrolled in the PhD in Systems Engineering must complete the following core courses* as early as is reasonable in their program. Students must also complete one course from their foundation area. Additional curriculum details are available in the PhD Systems Engineering program handbook .

• EGR 602: Principles of Independent Research
• EGR 608: Advanced Simulation
• EGR 611: Complex Engineering Systems

If a student needs additional preparation before taking one or more of the core courses the required deficiency courses may not be used as part of the Plan of Study, although the grades received in these courses will be used in computing the overall GPA. Additionally, PhD programs of study are dependent on both the background and the chosen specialization of individual students, and preparation beyond the minimum core requirements is occasionally necessary.

[email protected]

Graduate Program Chair:  Thomas Sugar

Graduate student resources

Academic calendar

Academic standards

Graduate College Policies

Resources and Forms

Ph.D. in Systems Engineering

The Ph.D. is an advanced graduate degree for students wishing to contribute to knowledge creation through independent, original, cutting-edge research. 

The PhD in Systems Engineering provides a springboard for careers as an academician, as a researcher, as a consultant or in management/leadership within a university, institute, industry or government setting. SIE doctoral programs include three components:

• Coursework and Teaching to gain fundamental and advanced knowledge, as both student and GTA
• Research conducted in a collaborative environment leading to a doctoral dissertation and scholarly papers
• Engagement in UVA’s intellectual life

See below for information on the Systems Engineering PhD program, or download the SIE Graduate Handbook .

Admissions Criteria

The deadlines for PhD applications with financial aid requests are January 5 for fall semester and September 29 for spring semester. All SIE faculty are eligible to advise students enrolled in the SE PhD program. We accept applications from candidates with degrees from all engineering and some affiliated backgrounds. In some cases, candidates who do not have engineering or similar credentials will be offered conditional admission, which will require them to take selected undergraduate coursework in addition to the coursework required for their PhD. 

All candidates are evaluated by one or more of the SIE research subgroups. Some students are admitted directly into a specific research group with a specific advisor. Other candidates are admitted into a subgroup and are then connected with an advisor during the first year. 

Most accepted PhD students receive financial aid. Funding offers take the form of GRAs, GTAs and/or various fellowships. SIE is committed to acquiring the resources to fund PhD students for five years, contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the degree. The department’s default stipend for PhD students is $35,000 per year. 

Funded offers also include tuition and health insurance. Some PhD students are funded by third-party entities (e.g., their employer or government or military agencies), and a small number of students are self-funded. 

Join our vibrant community of graduate students!

Engineering School Requirements

Engineering School requirements for the PhD degree are described on the UVA Graduate School of Engineering’s information webpage . The page also addresses admission requirements, rules and regulations pertaining to financial assistance and outside employment, and other matters. The portion of the Engineering School’s website devoted to current graduate students contains many helpful resources, including required forms.

Time limit: All requirements for the PhD degree must be completed within seven years after matriculation to the program.

Coursework, Professional Development and Engagement

SIE has three general classes of PhD requirements: coursework, professional development, and academic engagement. These are described below. 

The SE program require relevant coursework to help students access foundational knowledge in their discipline while striking a balance between depth and breadth. All PhD students must take at least six credits of graduate coursework at UVA beyond the master’s degree. All PhD students, including those entering with an ME/MS from another institution, must complete at least six credits of SIE coursework. Students who earn an ME or MS degree at UVA en route to a PhD in SE may use SE credits from their master’s degree to meet this requirement. A minimum of 30 credits beyond the BS program is required for all Engineering School PhDs. The following requirements should be met: 

• Mandatory Courses: SYS 6001 and 2 semesters of SYS 7096
• Nine credit hours of foundation courses : 3 courses selected from SYS 6003, SYS 6005, SYS 6007, and SYS 6021.
• Twelve credit hours of methodological courses : Students must take four courses from at least two of the methodological areas listed here . The courses listed in each of the areas are only exemplars as course offerings change from year to year. Other courses in these areas may be used to fulfill methodological requirements as approved by the student’s doctoral advisory committee. Additionally, certain courses are listed in multiple areas. In these cases, the student must decide which area the course satisfies for their plan of study. Each course may only satisfy one area for the student’s plan of study.
• Nine credit hours of research elective courses : These can be any 6000 and 7000 level courses that are chosen in consultation with the advisory committee to support the student’s research program.

Special Circumstances 

Prerequisites: The student who does not have the prerequisites (i.e., calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, computer programming) should take articulation courses. These courses cannot be used to satisfy the degree requirements. 

Equivalent Courses: The student who, prior to enrolling in our graduate program, has already taken a course equivalent to a core course may petition the graduate program director for the substitution of the core course by an elective course. Students that received automatic bulk transfer credits that are applied towards SEAS’s credit requirements must complete the SE Coursework Petition Form to receive credit towards their degree program requirements. The form will need to be completed to have graduate courses taken while enrolled in a previous graduate program evaluated towards SIE Foundations courses to determine if they can be used to fulfill any of your course requirements. Other transfer coursework taken in another STEM program will count towards the methodological and/or research electives. 

Transfer Credit: PhD students who have earned a master’s degree in a STEM field will receive an automatic bulk transfer of 24 graduate course credits toward SEAS’s total graded coursework credit requirement. PhD students who have earned a master’s degree in a non-STEM field will receive an automatic bulk transfer of 12 graduate course credits toward SEAS’s total graded coursework credit requirement. Students who receive a bulk transfer of credit may not transfer any additional credits toward the PhD degree. PhD students, that didn’t earn a master but took graduate level course, may transfer a maximum of 6 graduate course credits into their program of study. Only courses with a grade of B or better that have not been applied toward another degree may be transferred. The request for credit transfer must include the following documents: a completed Request Approval of Transfer Credits form , a description of course content and level, and an official transcript. The documents are provided to the SIE Student Services Coordinator to facilitate processing of the request. If the student is already admitted into a UVA program, then the request for credit transfer must be preapproved before the course is taken. 

Professional Development and Academic Engagement

The ultimate goal of an SE PhD is to give students the best possible preparation for their careers in research, government, or industry. The following professional training requirements help students prepare for the full spectrum of career choices: 

• GTAs : Students typically serve as a GTA at some point over the course of their MS or PhD. GTAs will enroll for three credits (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, or S/U, basis) of SYS 6097 or SYS 9997 in a section corresponding to their supervising instructor. Receipt of one or more U grades for graduate instruction may endanger a student’s eligibility to serve as a GTA in future semesters. More information about the Engineering School’s language-skills requirements for international students serving as GTAs can be found  here .
• Research Dissemination : Students will disseminate their research via journal and conference papers. Before scheduling the final defense, students must have at least one first-authored paper with their research advisor published or accepted by a journal or peer-reviewed conference paper approved by their advisory committee. To aid in supporting student travel to conferences, all SIE PhD students are able to apply to receive a travel grant if their research adviser or fellowship is unable to fund their travel, conference registration, and lodging. To receive a travel grant, the student must be the primary author presenting a peer-reviewed publication. Additionally, their advisor must write a statement that there are no research funds to support travel. See the Doctoral Student Travel Grant section below for more information. 
• Seminars and Defenses : SIE is committed to providing members of our community with the opportunity to learn from a wide range of scholars and practicing engineers through seminars. These seminars are organized as (a) our weekly Graduate Colloquium and (b) Distinguished Speakers invited by our faculty on an ad-hoc basis. As an essential component of graduate education, PhD students should register for at least two semesters (preferably in their first year) of SYS 7096 with zero credit hours. Students are expected to attend and participate actively in scheduled SIE and UVA seminars and student thesis/dissertation defenses. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, it is expected that seminars and defenses are held in person at the university. 
• Academic Engagement : Doctoral students are valued members of SIE’s community of scholars. They are expected to be good citizens by engaging in departmental and school-wide events (e.g., milestone defenses, symposiums, workshops, social events). 

Doctoral Student Travel Grant

Each SIE PhD student is eligible to apply for a one-time travel grant of up to $1,500 to present their research at a peer-reviewed conference once during their tenure at UVA. To receive a travel grant, the student must be the primary author presenting a peer-reviewed publication. Additionally, their advisor must write a statement that there are no research funds to support travel. The one- time grant can be requested by using the SIE PhD Student Travel Fellowship Request Form . The request should be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the conference date.

The three main milestones toward completion of an SE PhD are the qualifying exam, the dissertation proposal, and the dissertation defense. 

The typical timeline for the completion of the PhD in SIE is listed below. This timeline assumes that students enter the PhD after first completing a master’s degree. However, SIE also routinely accepts students directly into the PhD program without first requiring them to complete an MS. For these students, it may be valuable to extend the initial timeline by one year, in which case students can delay the qualifying exam until the end of their second year. The rest of the timeline then proceeds as shown below.

Engineering School policy allows a leave of absence (an action students can take after the completion of a semester, indicating that the student plans to be away from the university for at least one semester) for parental leave or serious personal or family illness; this requires notification to and approval from the appropriate department or program and the Office of Graduate Programs. When considering these options, students are urged to talk with their advisor, their program’s graduate director and the Engineering School’s graduate registrar. These individuals are committed to helping students find and navigate their best possible paths. Students must first obtain the approval of their advisor and the graduate director of the student’s program.

Typical timeline for doctoral students entering with a master’s degree .  Students entering without an MS may need one extra year before taking the qualifying exam. Different research groups offer qualifying exams at different times of year.

• Establish a working relationship with the faculty advisor(s)
• Begin coursework
• Identify a research area and doctoral committee
• Prepare a plan of study*
• Pass the qualifying exam (August)

Year 2 

• Finish coursework
• Establish research
• Present and defend dissertation proposal (March–June)

Year 3 

• Continue research
• Submit a paper for publication
• Attend and present at a research conference

Years 4-5 (as needed)

• Complete research
• Publish additional papers or proceedings
• Defend dissertation

*The plan of study form is for departmental use only. Students should file the form with an SIE student services coordinator and maintain a copy for themselves to access it whenever they convene their committee and/or complete a requirement. Official tracking for SEAS and SIE requirements are done using the student's academic requirements report in SIS.

Qualifying Exam

The principal objective of the qualifying exam (also referred to as the comprehensive exam and PhD exam) is to assess a student’s research aptitude and confirm that they have the skills necessary to make a substantive contribution in their field. The exam also provides an opportunity for students to receive early, individualized feedback regarding their strengths and weaknesses in research and foundational knowledge. 

The goal of the qualifying exam is not to directly assess any content in required courses but to provide a comprehensive use of the foundational principles and methods in research. Thus, students must have already specified the required coursework they will take for their program before taking the qualifying exam. Required coursework varies by concentration, the student’s anticipated dissertation topic, and the recommendation of the student’s committee members. 

Successful students will demonstrate that they can:

• Understand, interpret and critically evaluate relevant literature.
• Analyze data (via experiments, observations, surveys, simulation, etc.) and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Apply technical/engineering tools, concepts, coursework and/or approaches to gain insight on real-world problems.
• Effectively communicate results in both oral and written formats.
• Answer questions and respond to critical feedback when sharing, defending and revising their ideas.

The examination consists of two parts, written and oral. The following guidelines apply.

Committee Composition

The examining committee will include three to five members. At least two of the committee members must be from the candidate’s main research area. At least three of the members must be faculty members with non-zero percentage appointments in SIE. External (non- SIE) or courtesy faculty may be a part of the committee but do not count toward the program requirement. In most instances, the qualifying committee contains many of the same members as the student’s dissertation advisory committee. However, this is not mandatory. 

The chair of the qualifying exam committee should be from the student’s home program but cannot be the student’s advisor. The chair will be responsible for collecting and delivering feedback to the student, as explained below. 

Committee Creation and Preliminary Scheduling

Students should work with their advisor to identify a qualifying exam committee and schedule their exam to take place no later than the end of their second year in the SIE department. Some students may be ready earlier, and if the committee is amenable, they may take the exam after completion of the required coursework for their program. The student should send a completed Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral Advisory Committee form to SIE student services coordinator by the end of the semester preceding the examination. The form should be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the date of the written exam component. 

The faculty recognizes that preparing for and taking the qualifying exam can be one of the more stressful periods of the PhD program. However, framing the exam as a research aptitude assessment is intended to make it such that “preparing for the exam” and “doing research” can be one and the same. Students should meet with each of their committee members prior to beginning t

Structure and Format of Exam

Students will work with their individual examination committees to identify dates for the written and oral components of the exam. They should then work backward from those dates to complete the activities summarized below. 

Once the written exam date has been selected, students should prepare a two-page document that (i)outlines their research area and explains how it will advance knowledge in their PhD discipline and (ii) provides a preliminary reading list (e.g., research papers, book chapters, policybriefs) organized by topic to be used in their qualifying exam. They should circulate thesematerials to their committee members no later than one month before their scheduled exam date.Committee members will have one week to respond to the student with suggested modificationsto their proposed reading list. The student will then circulate the final reading list to the wholecommittee no later than two weeks before the scheduled exam date. It is recommended thatstudents start this process early so they can have a thoughtful, engaged dialogue with thecommittee and prepare a comprehensive reading list.

The student’s examination committee will then prepare their questions based upon the research overview and finalized reading list. They will forward the questions to the advisor and other committee members before the exam with adequate time for everyone to evaluate the exam as a whole before it begins. 

The student will work on the exam for up to seven days; however, individual faculty may specify time limits for their own individual questions. Students will submit their solutions to the examination committee at the end of the exam period. Each committee member will score their own questions using the a-e criteria of the SIE Qualifying Exam Assessment Form. Each committee member should complete their own scoring prior to the oral exam. 

The oral exam will consist of two parts: 1) a brief prepared presentation summarizing the questions and the student’s responses to the questions and 2) follow-up questions from the committee. There is no stipulated duration for the oral exam. However, a one-hour oral exam period is recommended with approximately 30 minutes devoted to presentation and 30 minutes allotted for questions. Once the oral exam has concluded, each committee member will re-score their question, again using the a-e criteria and the SIE Qualifying Exam Assessment Form (see Table 4-4). The chair is responsible for collecting and organizing feedback from the committee and then communicating it to the student after the exam. A key objective for the exam is to give students individualized feedback on their unique strengths and weaknesses.

Exam Outcomes

The outcome of the exam is determined collectively by the examination committee choosing from four options: pass with distinction, pass, pass with remediation, or fail. The committee weighs both parts of the exam (written and oral) at its discretion when determining the outcome. The chair is responsible for communicating the outcome of the exam and delivering feedback from the committee to the student after the exam. 

Students who do not pass, or pass with remediation, can retake the examination within six months. After two unsuccessful attempts, the student is dismissed from the PhD program. 

• Engineering School’s Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral AdvisoryCommittee : This form is due to an SIE student services coordinator at least two weeks before the scheduled examination.
• Engineering School’s Report on Ph.D. Exam and SIE Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Assessment : These forms are sent to the chairperson of the committee by the SIE student services coordinator to be completed and returned to them after the exam.
• Academic Requirements Report from SIS: The student brings one copy for each committee member to the oral exam.

Note: A student must have approval from the academic advisor for forming their committee.

Dissertation Proposal

Formulation of a dissertation proposal is a key step toward completion of the PhD This milestone allows a student’s committee to make three important determinations:

• To assess whether the student’s knowledge of their chosen area and their understanding of relevant literature is adequate to complete a PhD.
• To recommend coursework, approaches/techniques and other resources that would facilitate or enhance the proposed work.
• To evaluate whether or not the proposed work, if completed, would constitute an acceptable basis for a doctoral dissertation.

Selection of a PhD committee is an important component of the dissertation proposal process, insofar as the committee is responsible for helping the candidate navigate their path to the PhD. The PhD committee approves a candidate’s plan of study, including coursework, teaching, dissertation proposal and the final dissertation. SIE faculty place high value on interdisciplinarity and crosscutting collaborative research. Accordingly, we are firmly committed to letting each student work with their research adviser to select a committee that best supports their scholarly and professional development. PhD candidates must adhere to both the committee composition rules set by SEAS as well as by the department. The requirements are outlined below: 

• SEAS Requirements: The final dissertation committee must include a minimum of three Engineering School faculty with a minimum of four UVA faculty and a minimum of five total members; one of the UVA members (the external member) must be from outside SIE. At least three of the dissertation committee members must have non-zero appointments in SIE.
• SIE Courtesy faculty member policy: Courtesy faculty members appointed by SIE may serve as the primary adviser of a PhD student. Courtesy faculty members that are not the primary adviser can count towards either an internal or external member.
• SIE Committee composition rules: Final committee composition should consist of no fewer two SIE faculty members with greater than 50% appointment. The committee chair should also have a primary appointment in SIE.

Finally, it is strongly recommended that the dissertation proposal committee consist of all five faculty members that would be on the final defense; however, it is acceptable for a dissertation proposal committee to have four instead of five members, in which case the fifth person is added before the final defense. 

The dissertation proposal consists of both a written document and an oral presentation. The written document should discuss the proposed work, contributions, preliminary results to date, and research timeline in a concise manner. Proposal documents should not exceed 15 single- spaced pages (or 30 double-spaced pages). The bibliography and any appendices (appendices are not required to be read by the student’s committee) are not included in this page limit. Significant departures from these guidelines must be approved in advance by the student’s proposal committee. The written proposal document must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks in advance of the proposal presentation.

All members of the committee evaluate the proposal and generate a preliminary assessment of the candidate’s achievement of the following research skills: a) identifying relevant problems of interest, b) interpreting existing literature, c) generating hypotheses, d) collecting data (via experiment, observation, modeling and/or simulation), e) interpreting results and drawing conclusions, f) communicating results (in oral and written formats), g) answering questions and defending their work, and h) commenting/critiquing on the work of others. 

The oral defense of a dissertation proposal is advertised within SIE and Engineering School. All interested parties are welcome to attend. The candidate gives a brief overview (20 to 30 minutes) of their proposed dissertation research, then takes questions from the audience and their committee. The committee then deliberates and decides whether the candidate has passed. The committee also reviews the student’s transcript and plan of study to recommend additional coursework or other relevant training if necessary. In this way, the emphasis of the dissertation proposal will be on supporting student growth, rather than just deciding who passes/fails. Candidates who fail the exam must take it again within six months. The chair of the candidate’s committee takes the lead in identifying an appropriate format and timeline for the second-chance defense. Students who do not pass on their second attempt are dismissed from the PhD program. 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to email the SIE student services coordinator their announcement information which consists of the committee members list with the chair and advisor identified, the meeting date, time, and location information, and the dissertation proposal title and abstract at least two weeks before the proposal. The SIE student services coordinator will provide the chairperson with the relevant forms ( Dissertation Proposal and Admission to Candidacy and Dissertation Proposal Assessment ) for the proposal defense. It is the candidate’s responsibility to bring their transcripts and plan of study. Each committee member is responsible for completing a research skills assessment and submitting it to the committee chair. The chair collates the feedback, submits an aggregated assessment form to the SIE student services coordinator (who sends it to the Engineering School registrar) and circulates the feedback to the candidate and their advisor within two weeks of the proposal. 

Finally, reiterating from Section 4.4 and Table 4-2, SIE students typically complete their proposal milestone at the end of Year 2, or the end of Year 3 if they enter the PhD without an MS. A revised Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral Advisory Committee form should be submitted to the SIE student services coordinator no later than two weeks before the scheduled proposal if the student has revised their committee since their qualifying exam and/or have added the fourth committee member. Proposal defenses are typically scheduled from March through June. 

Final Defense

The final dissertation defense is the culminating step of the PhD process. The main objective of this milestone is to confirm that the completed research constitutes a meaningful contribution to the body of knowledge in the student’s field of study. A secondary objective is to ensure that the written quality of the final document is adequate to highlight the value of the work and make it accessible for an educated audience. Often, there are intermediate meetings with the committee between the proposal and the defense to Students are eligible to defend their dissertation once they have completed all other requirements, including the publication requirement. The final defense committee must have five members (see Section 4.4.3). There is no required format for the dissertation. Rather, the candidate should work with their committee to prepare a satisfactory document. The candidate should circulate the final dissertation to their committee no later than two weeks before the oral defense date. Final defenses are advertised within the SIE and Engineering School. All interested parties are welcome to attend. The candidate gives a brief overview (30 to 35 minutes) of their dissertation research. The candidate then takes questions from the audience and their committee. The committee deliberates and decides about whether the candidate has passed. 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to email the SIE student services coordinators their announcement information which consists of the committee members list with the chair and advisor identified, the meeting date, time, and location information, and the dissertation defense title and abstract at least two weeks before the final defense. The SIE student services coordinators will provide the chairperson with the relevant forms( Report on Final Examination and Thesis and Dissertation Assessment ) for the final defense. The chairperson will return the completed forms back to them after the final defense. 

PhD candidates must apply for graduation in SIS at the beginning of the semester in which they’re expected to graduate. In addition, after successful completion of the final defense, the candidate must submit the dissertation via Libra  (see Graduation Procedure ) and complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates .

Administrative Forms

It is important that graduate students submit administrative forms related to degree requirements in a timely manner to the SIE student services coordinators. These forms can be found on the Engineering School’s webpage for current engineering graduate students.

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here .

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Systems Ph.D. Admission

The application process is entirely online. Begin by going to the application page of the Graduate School website and creating an account. The online application is secure and can be immediately viewed by the Systems admissions committee upon submission. You can learn more about the application process and review additional guidelines on the Graduate School web site.

Admission Deadlines

Admission requirements, academic statement of purpose.

• Your Academic Statement of Purpose should state your reasons for undertaking graduate work, as well as an explanation of your academic interests, including their relation to your undergraduate study and professional goals. Visit the  Graduate School’s Academic Statement of Purpose Page  for detailed instructions.

Research Degree Programs

• Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe (within 1,000 words) the substantive research questions you are interested in pursuing during your graduate studies, and explain how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals. Additionally, detail your academic background, intellectual interests and any training or research experience you have received that you believe has prepared you for our program. Within your statement, please also identify specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own interests.

Academic Degree Programs

• Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe, within 1,000 words: (1) your academic interests, (2) your academic background, preparation and training, including any relevant professional experiences, (3) your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program, and (4) your professional goals.

Unofficial transcripts from each college or university previously attended.

• Please note that there are only up to three fields for listing schools attended. If you attended more than three colleges or universities, you must upload those transcripts in the writing sample portion of the application.
• If you have appropriate supplemental documents such as an undergraduate research paper, resume, awards, etc., upload them in the writing sample portion of the application.

Three letters of recommendation

• Additional ones are allowed.
• Recommenders may submit their letters online. Once an application is submitted, recommenders receive an automated email soliciting their letter (you will be prompted to provide their contact information before you submit your application).
• Recommenders may also submit hard copies to the Systems office.

Official GRE general test scores

• The GRE requirement is waived for AY 2023-24.
• Please make sure to indicate the University code (2098) when submitting your scores. We cannot finalize admission offers to any applicant unless we have received your official scores.

Official TOEFL scores

• TOEFL is required from international applicants, unless they have previously studied for at least four years in an English-speaking country.
• Writing – 25 
• Listening – 25
• Reading – 25 
• Speaking – 22
• For further information on this requirement as well as exemptions, please visit the Graduate School website . 

Application fee of $105

• Cornell University expects all applicants to complete their application materials without the use of paid agents, credentials services, or other paid professional assistance. The use of such services violates University policy, and may lead to the rejection of application materials, the revocation of an admissions offer, cancellation of admission, or involuntary withdrawal from the University.
• In cases of extreme financial need, please contact the Graduate Field Assistant and request for a fee waiver.

The Admissions Process

All applications are due January 15 for the upcoming fall semester. Systems does not admit students for the spring semesters. The admissions committee begins reviewing applications at the beginning of January and continues throughout February. Decisions about admissions (and any financial aid) are communicated to applicants until the end of March. All applicants are notified of their decision by email. Applicants offered admission will receive an admissions letter and a deadline as to when they need to inform Systems about their enrollment decisions (usually April 15). After a student responds that they will enroll at Cornell University, they are sent an I-20 form if applicable.

Any questions, material, or correspondence may to be sent to our office at [email protected] , or at:

Systems Ph.D. Program 602 Frank H.T. Rhodes Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14583 USA

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Systems Engineering, Ph.D.

Online Ph.D. in Systems Engineering

A multi-disciplinary approach to solving complex problems.

As technological advancements and the rate of innovation continue to accelerate, a systems approach is required to address today's multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary challenges.

A complex system consists of diverse and individual factors, or components, that are interdependent and add up to more than the sum of its parts. That complexity drives the need for systems engineering as a formal discipline, providing both a framework and a rigorous theoretical underpinning for the design and management of challenges across industries. To solve problems within complex systems, engineers must utilize tools from a variety of fields including control systems, operations research, reliability and performance engineering, risk analysis, software engineering, and networking and security.

The development of systematic design and management processes, while integrating appropriate tools and requirements from all of the above disciplines, is at the heart of systems engineering. The online Ph.D. in systems engineering prepares students to work with multi-disciplinary teams and methods to solve complex problems in any industry.

A Ph.D. program for professionals

The online Ph.D. in systems engineering is a competitive program for working professionals, offering a flexible study format and applicable material. Students are encouraged to problem-solve current issues faced by their employers as part of their studies.

Designed for senior management and top-level executives, CSU's highly selective online systems engineering Ph.D. program only accepts a handful of students each semester to maintain the integrity and quality of the student experience.

Faculty expertise and applied research

Be a part of a community of engineers exploring the frontier of modern research, pushing the boundaries in the field of systems engineering. The online Ph.D. prepares students to become future leaders in systems engineering. As Ph.D.-level scientists in both academia and industry, you will contribute original research to the field throughout your coursework, driving advancements and leading to improvements in your area of focus for your company and the discipline as a whole.

Study with faculty who bring decades of experience in applying academic research to real-world situations, who are conducting groundbreaking research of their own that will help write the textbooks of tomorrow.

Learn from faculty with expertise in:

• Aerospace and Defense (A&D), including research, system and technology development, and operations;
• Systems architecture and engineering with emphasis on information- and software-intensive systems and enterprises;
• Technical management, production, manufacturing, lean engineering, life cycle management, test and analysis, transitioning technology into manufacturing; and
• Design and analysis of aerospace, energy, and automotive systems, design optimization, and environmental assessment.

Visit the Systems Engineering website to learn more about the faculty associated with the systems engineering Ph.D. program, and their research specializations.

What you will learn in the online Ph.D. in systems engineering program

In consultation with your advisory committee, you'll individually structure the systems engineering graduate program to fit your academic and research goals. Your Ph.D. experience culminates in a dissertation* which serves to heighten research and knowledge in your area of interest, and demonstrates a solid foundation of systems engineering theory and practice, as well as a multi-disciplinary understanding of systems concepts.

Topics of study include:

• Information technology and project management
• Systems engineering processes
• Engineering risk analysis
• Systems engineering architecture
• Simulation modeling and experimentation
• Dynamics of complex engineering systems

Review the Ph.D. curriculum .

The online Ph.D. in systems engineering offers the advantage of synchronous or asynchronous delivery, allowing you the flexibility to study when and where it works best for your situation, with options to:

• Watch and interact online while the lecture is happening live on campus.
• Watch a recorded version online after work or on the weekend.

*Dissertation does not require a campus visit.

Industries with opportunities for systems engineers

The online systems engineering Ph.D. prepares students for a wide-variety of careers in many industries, including, but not limited to:

• Research and development
• Systems engineering and optimization
• Government/Military
• Clean energy
• Environment

The volume of applicants far exceeds the number of students that can be accepted into this program. The highly selective nature of the program maintains the integrity and quality of the student experience.

Requirements

• A minimum of 72 credits must be completed. Students with an applicable master’s degree may have up to 30 credits apply, such that they take 42 credits at CSU for the Ph.D.
• The Ph.D. requires students to complete a qualifying process (B grade or higher earned in all coursework toward the degree), an oral preliminary examination, and an oral final examination in addition to the finished dissertation document. All Ph.D. students are considered provisional until they complete the qualifying process and preliminary exam.
• Course substitutions, if permitted, must be approved by your department and faculty advisor.

Once admitted, please stay in touch with your department and faculty advisors and reference Department Resources and the SE Handbook to ensure you are meeting all program requirements.

Advising and Faculty Mentor Expectations

All Ph.D. applicants are expected to create a formal advising arrangement with a faculty advisor before joining the Ph.D. program to assist with advising, course selection, and research. Doctoral students must complete an annual evaluation with their research advisor every year to continue degree progress. To explore options for a faculty advisor, visit the faculty list .

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 18 credits of SE coursework, selected to be relevant to your research project, and a minimum of 24 credits of SYSE 799A dissertation, taken over the duration of your program. Faculty advisor permission is required before your first semester of SYSE 799A registration.

Course delivery options allow you to study when and where it works best for you, whether that is streaming the lecture from your computer while it's happening live on campus or watching a recorded version at a time more convenient for you.

Please check with the SE department for a complete list of course options. When registration for a term is open, use our Credit Courses Page to search and register for online courses.

Jim Scheibmeir

“I was looking for a credible university with flexibility to study for my Ph.D. remotely. CSU Online provided both. I learned to make data driven decisions and remove my own bias in my thinking. I gained confidence, skills, enjoyment, and growth.”

“I deal with systems engineering daily at my job - building systems from conception to operation. I had tunnel vision to solving engineering problems. This program taught me creative ways to solve problems. I learned about fields that I had little experience in such as digital twinning. My performance and motivation have improved because of this program.”

Application Deadlines

The highly selective nature of this program is intentional and designed to maintain the integrity and quality of the student experience. Before applying to the degree program, it is strongly recommended that you contact us well in advance of the application deadline to understand and fulfill all requirements.

Full consideration is given to applicants who meet the given deadline. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed as space within the program allows.

Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.

1 Review Admission Requirements

Download the complete Systems Engineering Application Information Packet prior to starting the application process. This packet provides detailed information regarding CSU's Systems Engineering graduate programs, minimum application qualifications, criteria for admission, and more.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• B.S. degree from a regionally accredited institution in engineering, mathematics, or a science discipline with a GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Basic Statistics

Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience and the personal statement.

Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time. We recommend starting the application process at least 1 month before the deadline to ensure you submit all required materials on time.

2 Secure a Faculty Advisor

A faculty advisor must be secured before you begin your application. Please download and reference the Systems Engineering Application Information Packet for details.

3 Prepare Application Materials

Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.

• Three letters of recommendation Three professional recommendations are required. We recommend letters come from faculty, supervisors, etc. who can accurately speak to your skills. You will provide information about your recommenders in the online application. CSU will contact them with instructions and a link to a secure form they will submit on your behalf.
• Resume Outline your professional employment, collegiate work, and any publications, exhibitions, service activities, prizes, and awards.
• Statement of purpose (2 pages MAXIMUM) This is meant to address the Systems Engineering Admissions Committee and why you would be a good fit for the program. This is different from the Research Interest Summary you will compile, but some of the same information may be used. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
• Your relevant professional/academic background and skills
• Why you are interested in Systems Engineering — provide specific areas of interest and application
• Why you are interested in CSU's program and what you can contribute to CSU

4 Complete Online Application

Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.

• Select "Systems Engineering (Ph.D.) – Distance" when choosing the program of study

5 Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.

Electronic (preferred): Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or [email protected] if the secure service requires an email address.

Mail (if necessary) Graduate Admissions Colorado State University – Office of Admissions 1062 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

Find answers to frequently asked questions .

Check Your Application Status

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.

For International Applicants

Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Learn more about English language proficiency requirements .

We love learning about your goals and answering any questions you have.

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• 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework

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Boston University Academics

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• PhD in Systems Engineering

The Systems Engineering Division offers post-bachelor’s and post-master’s PhDs. Doctoral studies may be pursued in areas actively researched by division faculty.

Students admitted to the post-bachelor’s PhD program must complete the course requirements for the MS in Systems Engineering. They are required to take a minimum of 64 credits during their program of study. The remaining required PhD credit hours remain unstructured and can be chosen, with advisor approval, to meet an individual student’s academic and research needs.

Post-bachelor’s doctoral students will be awarded the MS upon completion of MS requirements and the PhD Prospectus Exam.

There are no structured course requirements for post-master’s PhD students, but such students are required to complete 32 credits applicable to the degree, all of which must be at the 500 level or higher. These courses can be chosen, with advisor approval, to meet an individual student’s academic and research needs.

Post-bachelor’s PhD students are required to take a minimum of 16 credits of research/dissertation coursework. Post-master’s PhD students are required to take a minimum of 8 credits of research/dissertation coursework.

In addition to credit requirements, all PhD students are required to participate in a research rotation program during their first year and must also complete a teaching requirement prior to graduation.

Doctoral students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 to remain in good academic standing and to graduate. All graduate courses are counted in the GPA. Only grades of B− or better fulfill PhD curricular requirements. This requirement applies to post-bachelor’s or post-master’s PhD students.

Doctoral students must satisfy a residency requirement of at least two consecutive academic-year semesters of full-time graduate study at Boston University. They must demonstrate sufficient competency in mathematics. For further information, email [email protected] .

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the PhD in Systems Engineering program will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced quantitative and analytical foundations in systems, control and decision theory, optimization, simulation, and stochastic processes.
• Formulate research problems, advance the state-of-the-art in particular topics, and develop rigorous innovative methods and tools to model, design, analyze, optimize, and manage human-made and physical systems within a broad array of applications.
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communication skills and the ability to disseminate research findings through presentations and in peer-reviewed publications.

Upon entry into the Systems Engineering Division, each student will be appointed an academic advisor from the SE faculty. The advisor will act as the student’s primary academic advisor until the student selects a research advisor(s).

Qualifying Examinations

Doctoral students must pass a comprehensive Qualifying Examination administered by the Division of Systems Engineering. They must pass this exam and a math requirement within the first three semesters of matriculation (those matriculating in January must pass within the first four semesters). In addition, doctoral students must present an oral defense of a research prospectus developed by the student to a prospectus committee by the student’s third year of study. The prospectus committee may also later serve as the Dissertation Committee.

Responsible Conduct of Research Requirement

All College of Engineering PhD students are required to complete the Advanced Responsible Conduct of Research program prior to completing the prospectus. The Advanced RCR program includes an online module and four live discussion workshops.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for the Systems Engineering degree. However, basic mastery of spoken and written English—as determined by oral presentations, written reports, and publishable manuscripts—is a requirement for the PhD.

Residency Requirement

Doctoral students must satisfy a residency requirement of at least two consecutive academic-year semesters of full-time graduate study at Boston University.

Dissertation

The PhD requires original research and presentation in a form suitable for publication in an archival journal. A research advisor guides progress toward the degree. Doctoral students must defend a written dissertation before the Dissertation Committee.

Financial Aid

PhD students may obtain financial aid in the form of competitive teaching fellowships or research assistantships available from grants or contracts held by faculty members. Other traineeship funding may also be available to US citizens and permanent residents.

Related Bulletin Pages

• College of Engineering Departments
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Beyond the Bulletin

• Division of Systems Engineering
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• Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP)
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Systems Engineering, Ph.D.

Download the Course List for Systems Engineering, Ph.D.

Find out exactly what classes you'll be taking

The Ph.D. in Systems Engineering

Systems engineers work in many different fields including information technology and software management to defense, aerospace, healthcare, and transportation. The design, development, and management of computer and network systems are the most critical systems in a company. As a result, the demand for knowledgeable systems engineers remains strong, as organizational information processes become more technical and sophisticated. Individuals with a PhD in systems engineering complete a rigorous curriculum that advances their current career and prepares them for leadership roles.

Experienced Faculty

Florida Tech makes faculty mentorship and hands-on real-world research projects part of every academic experience. As professional engineers themselves, the professors bring years of industry experience to the classroom, providing unique insight and case studies of workplace challenges that students in the PhD in systems engineering program may face on the job. Team assignments and collaborative programs foster a close-knit academic atmosphere.

Fostering Innovation

Working professionals in the PhD in systems engineering program find an advanced program of study they can apply to their workplace. From microscopic nanochips to the colossal Hadron collider, complex systems are everywhere. Even basic industrial products and processes have comprehensive life cycles that require engineering experts to ensure a smooth transition from concept to reality. Students design and refine systems to tackle technical, cost, and scheduling requirements while minimizing potential defects and risks.

An Emphasis on Research

As a national research university, graduates with a PhD in systems engineering are seasoned researchers who have worked side-by-side with peers, professors, and industry leaders to create, observe, and analyze complex challenges and scenarios in their chosen field. These collaborations with interdisciplinary experts are an essential part of the program, and through the Capstone Design Project, students explore problem-solving techniques and create solutions that can be put into practice. A doctoral dissertation on special independent study topics completes the doctoral program.

High-Tech Research Facilities

Supporting the high level of research projects are Florida Tech's facilities. Advanced research centers, institutes, and laboratories are home to essential systems engineering equipment and software in nanotechnology, energy, information characterization, and more.

Advanced Career Preparation

Many Florida Tech alumni are CEOs or top management of large international corporations and high-tech firms - and one is even an astronaut. The university's location on Florida's Space Coast also puts students in proximity to the region's high-tech corridor, with an opportunity to reach some of the most respected names in technology, such as NASA, Northrop Grumman, General Electric, Boeing, Leonardo DRS, and Harris Corp. Systems engineers are some of the highest paid executives in the United States, according to the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, particularly if they have a PhD in systems engineering. System engineers are in demand in the defense, aerospace, transportation, pharmaceutical, medical device, software industries and many other industries that develop complex engineered products - which is why over 90% of Florida Tech's systems engineering graduates get a job within three months after graduation.

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PhD in Systems Engineering Online

Traditional PhD programs are designed to support full-time, primarily on-campus students. WPI’s Online PhD in Systems Engineering program is different. We expect the majority of our students to be part-time, off-campus professionals who have full-time jobs and have been or are involved in systems engineering related work.

The implications of this expectation are that the WPI systems engineering program faculty and administrators will:

• Offer all program courses online, without a traditional on-campus residency requirement.
• Offer the required research seminars in a virtual classroom setting where all participants can readily interact with each other.
• Support student research by strongly encouraging our students to submit papers and presentations to national conferences.
• Expect regular, well-documented, research advisor(s) interactions.
• Utilize best-practice methods to enhance student engagement and encourage professional development.

While we accept applications at any time, faculty review applicants for this program only twice per year – March 1 and November 1.  Click here to apply now .

Refer a Friend

Do you have a friend, colleague, or family member who might be interested in Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) graduate programs? Click below to tell them about our programs.

On-Demand Webinar: Systems Engineering and SE Leadership Info Session

View our on-demand webinar to be introduced to WPI's online Systems Engineering graduate programs. Get an overview of program logistics, what online learning looks like, the application process, and more!

PROGRAM OVERVIEW (a minimum of 60 credits beyond MS)

DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS Selected in consultation with the Research Advisor Focus Area 1: A minimum of 12 credit hours of thematically related graduate courses selected from the areas of Science (including Computer Science), Mathematics, and Engineering excluding Systems Engineering (which can be waived for students with an MS in Science, as defined above) Focus Area 2: A minimum of 9 credit hours of thematically related courses, as defined above and different from the first Focus Area

RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS A minimum of 30 credits registered as SYS 699. Dissertation Research

EXAM REQUIREMENTS Qualifying Exam: Successfully completed no later than 18 credits beyond the MS degree Area Examination: Successfully completed after the Qualifying Exam and no later than 42 graduate credit hours after matriculation into the PhD program Defense: A public defense after certification of the final PhD dissertation research is required. The defense can be scheduled any time after the end of the semester in which the Area Examination was completed

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS Students must establish residency by being a full-time online graduate student for at least one continuous academic year. Full-time graduate students are required to take a minimum of 6 credits per semester.

Admissions Qualifications

Preferred program applicant.

The preferred program applicant will have an MS in systems engineering with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applicants who have earned an engineering master's degree, but not in systems engineering, and who have demonstrated systems engineering work experience, are also strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants will be considered for admission into the PhD program based on a thorough review of their application materials.

Students who have not yet earned an MS degree will not be considered for the WPI Systems Engineering PhD program until completion of the MS program.

PhD Application Process

We are now accepting applications for the online part-time se phd program. if you are interested in a full-time se phd, please contact prof. shams bhada ..

• Non-refundable $70 application fee (waived for WPI alumni and current WPI students)
• Official transcripts in English from accredited institutions
• Three letters of recommendation (can be done through the application portal)
• Statement of purpose (to be submitted with the online application )
• A statement of relevant and related SE work experiences
• Proof of English language proficiency from all applicants for whom English is not their first language: TOEFL or IELTS

Note: GRE scores are not required; we strongly encourage applicants to submit their GRE scores though if they are still current (3 years or less)

For specific application requirements, visit  our admissions for online programs  page.

Experiential PhD: Working Full-Time While Pursuing Your PhD Degree

WPI supports individuals working full-time in industry to pursue PhD degrees either part-time or full-time on topics related to their employment. Want to learn more about this opportunity and how to obtain this industry-based PhD degree, visit the WPI Experiential PhD program page.

Other online graduate programs in Systems Engineering: 

• Online graduate certificate in Systems Engineering
• Online MS in Systems Engineering

See all the events and webinars that the Graduate Studies team are hosting and attending.

View the Calendar

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Colorado State University

Systems engineering.

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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42-Credit Ph.D.

72-credit ph.d..

• Program Timeline
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A program tailored for students with a passion for researching in systems engineering and plan to continue on into industry or academia.

Program Summary

Our Ph.D. program prepares students to become academic leaders in systems engineering.

Throughout the program, students produce significant academic contributions in terms of original research to the field, driving advancements and leading to improvements in energy efficiency, environmental impact, cybersecurity, and economic growth.

The Ph.D. has a limited capacity for new students each year and the admissions process is competitive.

Deciding between a Ph.D. and D.Eng. ?

• Ph.D. v. D.Eng. Information Sheet
• Program Flyer (PDF)
• Transferring between the Ph.D. and D.Eng. is not permitted.

* Note: Before your application can be reviewed, you must secure a faculty advisor. The advisor must hold academic faculty rank as a professor, associate professor, or assistant professor of any appointment type within the systems engineering department.

See advisor eligibility information.

You can earn your Ph.D. online or on-campus. 

Visit CSU Online to learn more about completing your Ph.D. online.

Ph.D. Curriculum

If an appropriate technical master’s degree has been completed , there is the possibility that up to 30 hours of that degree could be counted toward the 72-credit hour requirement for the Ph.D. T he 42-credit Ph.D. option does not  include space for electives.

Introduction to the systems engineering research field. Students will learn about the academic research process, norms, and techniques, with emphasis on the PhD program and expectations.

SYSE 501  – Foundations of Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 505 – Systems Thinking for the Real World (3 cr.)

SYSE 512 – Systems Sensing and Imaging Analysis (3 cr.)

SYSE 530  – Overview of Systems Engineering Processes (3 cr.)

SYSE/ECE 532  – Dynamics of Complex Engineering Systems (3 cr.)

SYSE 534  – Human Systems Integration (3 cr.)

SYSE 536 – Space Mission Analysis and Design (3 cr.)

SYSE 541 – Engineering Data Design and Visualization (3 cr.)

SYSE 544 – AR/VR Environmental Realism for SE (3 cr.)

SYSE 545 – AR/VR Systems Development (3 cr.)

SYSE 548 – Security Engineering for SE (3 cr.)

SYSE 549 – Secure Vehicle and Industrial Networking (3 cr.)

SYSE 555 – Transitions in Energy Systems (3 cr.)

SYSE 567  – Systems Engineering Architecture (3 cr.)

SYSE 569  – Cybersecurity Awareness for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)

SYSE 571  – Analytics in Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 573  – Cost Optimization for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)

SYSE 602  – Systems Requirements Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 603  – Introduction to Systems Test and Evaluation (3 cr.)

SYSE 667  – Advanced Model-Based Systems Engineering

ENGR 502  – Engineering Project and Program Management (3 cr.)          OR       CIS 600A  – Information Technology and Project Management (3 cr.)          OR       CIS 670  – Advanced IT Project Management (3 cr.)

ENGR 510  – Engineering Optimization: Method/Application (3 cr.)

ENGR 520  – Engineering Decision Support/Expert Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 525  – Intellectual Property and Invention Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 531 – Engineering Risk Analysis (3 cr.)

ENGR 533 – Spaceflight and Biological Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 535 – Modeling Human Systems Behavior (3 cr.)

ENGR 540 – Design & Analysis of Engineering Experiments (3 cr.)

ENGR/ECE 565  – Electrical Power Engineering (3 cr.)

ENGR 570  – Coupled Electromechanical Systems (3 cr.)

MECH 513  – Simulation Modeling and Experimentation (3 cr.)

Other experimental courses as offered; check the SE Courses Page for all available SE courses.

SYSE 799A  – Dissertation: PhD (variable credit each semester)

Dissertation credits will be completed throughout multiple semesters.

Three credit hours of SYSE 795 (Independent Study–Publication Replacement) may be used towards the total of dissertation credits OR as one 3-credit course. To register for these credits, at least two publications must already be accepted. You will complete an SYSE 795 Independent Study form  on this page , with faculty advisor approval, and submit to the Systems Engineering Program.

Students who have not yet received a master’s degree may be admitted to the 72-credit Ph.D. program and will be required to meet the “Program of Study” for both the Ph.D. and M.S. programs.

You may choose from the  SE Suggested Elective list . This list is not exhaustive. If you find a graduate-level technical course that pertains to your professional goals and/or the systems engineering field, please  contact the SE Department to check if it may apply as a technical elective.

Only the 72-credit Ph.D. curriculum allows electives.

A maximum of 6 credit hours at the 400 level is permitted. The remaining credits must be at the 500 level or above.

Ph.D. Timeline

1) secure faculty advisor.

Before application to Ph.D. program is reviewed.

2) Complete qualifying process

Coursework done with B or higher. Suggested within 2-4 years of start date.

3) Submit your GS6

Program of Study and Committee Selection Submit before registration for fourth regular semester.

4) Preliminary exam; Submit GS16

After filing GS6 and at least two semesters prior to your defense; schedule with committee at least two weeks in advance.

5) Submit GS25

Application to Graduate. Deadline changes each semester. Check the Graduate School website for the deadline. Typically in the first three weeks of the intended graduation term.

6) Final exam; Submit GS24

See published deadlines from the graduate school; schedule with committee at least two weeks in advance. GS24 needs to be submitted within two working days of defense.

7) Submit GS30

Thesis/Dissertation Submission After final exam; see published deadlines on graduate school website.

8) Graduation

Graduation ceremonies take place at the end of Fall and Spring semesters.

Documents and Forms

Degree sheet.

• Ph.D. Curriculum Degree Sheet

Annual Student Evaluation

• Ph.D. Annual Student Evaluation (.pdf)
• Ph.D. Annual Student Evaluation (.docx)

GS6 Worksheet

• GS6 Worksheet for SE students (.pdf)
• GS6 Worksheet for SE students (.docx)

SYSE795 Information and Registration

• SYSE 795 Information and Registration (.pdf)
• SYSE 795 Information and Registration (.docx)

Other Resources

• Ph.D. Goals & Processes Explanation
• Graduate School Forms

Systems Engineering Graduate Student Handbook

Admission deadlines, fall admission.

Application materials due by July 1

Spring admission

Application materials due by November 1

Graduate School

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Home » Systems Engineering (Ph.D.)

Systems Engineering (Ph.D.)

Discover how to develop systems strategies that can be applied to any industry. Colorado State University’s Systems Engineering degrees prepare you with immediately applicable skills that can help solve current challenges your company may be facing.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Systems Engineering

Areas of study.

• Systems analysis
• System architecture
• System optimization
• This program is offered on-campus and online.
• Contact your department representative or request more program information .
• Check out necessary application instructions and department requirements and resources from your department’s website.
• This program is offered online at a distance; resources for distance students are available through the CSU Online website.
• When you’re ready to take the leap, start your application .

Requirements

Coursework, credit requirements, and more information is available in the Colorado State University general catalog . Please contact your program representative with program-related questions.

Student Employment

Graduate students interested in employment positions (GTA, GRA, GSA appointments and hourly positions) should contact their advisor and their departmental graduate coordinator for the process to apply.

Financial Aid

• Financial aid resources available through the Office of Financial Aid website.
• Your program may have financial aid options available and please check our financial resource section for additional opportunities.

Doctoral Program in Industrial & Systems Engineering

PhD Application Deadline DECEMBER 15 View Application Steps

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Funding & resources, usc graduate application, dissertation topics, phd alumni snapshot, research topics database.

Nathan Decker

Anthony Nguyen

Christopher Henson

Industrial & systems engineering doctoral students citizenship, industrial & systems engineering doctoral students age, tour one of our research labs, recent department videos.

Published on June 8th, 2021

Last updated on August 18th, 2023

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Nathan Decker PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I've received a lot of great advice over the years, (including from my faculty advisor here at USC), but my favorite advice comes from my grandfather, who passed away last year at the age of 100.  He would often remind me to cultivate a heart of gratitude by not taking for granted the small things that God blesses us with each day.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

What's your favorite impulse purchase from the past 12 months?

During the height of the pandemic, I decided to splurge - and prioritize self-care - by getting a set of adjustable-weight dumbbells, since I couldn't go to the gym.  It took 3 months for them to arrive, but when they finally did, it upped my home-workout game immensely!  I'm also way less likely to skip a workout, since there's no excuse now.

Please describe a little about your research and what excites you about it.

My research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence to 3D printing.  I try to make printers smarter by enabling them to learn from their past mistakes and leverage diverse sources of sensor data, resulting in parts that are more accurate.  This is important for applications where the part must be functional, which are increasing in frequency as 3D printing becomes more utilized.  I love my research, since it forces me to work across a number of fields and learn a little bit about everything to solve problems.

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be? 

Before I realized that I have a passion for engineering, I was a Philosophy major for a year during my undergraduate studies, and really enjoyed the experience.  Had I not come to that realization, I might have tried to pursue a career as a Philosophy professor.

What are some factors that helped you decide to pursue your PhD at USC?

My love for USC began from a young age!  Sadly, from 1995 (the year I was born) to 2015, Los Angeles lacked an NFL team, meaning that if you wanted to cheer for a football team, USC and UCLA were the only game in town.  Thankfully, my dad chose correctly, and decided that our family would root for USC.  He took me to watch open football practices on campus growing up, where you could meet players and coaches, as well as a good number of games in the Coliseum.  When it came time to decide where I would go to grad school, I could say that it was USC's outstanding reputation, the fantastic resources that my department offers, the amazing Trojan family, or the great fit with my advisor and lab that sealed the deal, but deep down, I think it was the memories with my father that convinced me I couldn't be anywhere else.

If you were to recommend to an incoming student 3 places to go in California/Los Angeles, what would they be?

What is a memory you'll cherish about your time at USC?

What's one thing about you that might surprise me?

What are your plans after graduation?

In my career, I hope to continue working on challenging problems and learning from brilliant people, wherever that may be.

Hometown (city, country):

La Mirada, CA

Personal Website (if any):

www.nathanidecker.com

Faculty Advisor:

Prof. Qiang Huang

Anthony Nguyen PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

You can't optimize life. Don't be afraid to pivot and embrace opportunities that present themselves.

Completing my Eagle Scout when I was growing up. This accomplishment helped shape my mindset and gave me the courage and confidence to be ambitious with my goals.

I recently purchased my first set of golf clubs and a new pair of rock climbing shoes. I love spending my free time participating in sports activities.

My research is focused on decision making in healthcare settings. This includes clinical, operational, and policy level decisions. Most of my recent work has been on building infectious disease models for HIV and COVID-19 that incorporate human behavior to help local policymakers make more informed decisions for LA County. What excites me most about this research is the cross disciplinary and collaborative nature of the work as well as the fact that it is directly applicable to the local community.

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be? 

If I was not an engineer, I would likely be a physician specialized in either surgery or emergency medicine. I have always been interested in improving patient care and patient quality of life. Engineering allows me to do this at a systemic level. Being a physician enables attaining this goal at a patient level. 

My main reasons for selecting USC were: (1) I had an instant connection with my faculty advisors (2) Being located in Southern California, I knew I would enjoy the environment and lifestyle beyond time spent doing research, and (3) Knowing that USC excels in a wide range of fields, I knew I would be able to engage in interesting cross-disciplinary research. 

(1) Korea Town, Little Tokyo, and other food hubs in LA, (2) San Diego (3) San Francisco.

Department happy hours! It's always great enjoying a drink with your professors, admin, and classmates. 

I try to balance my time between research and playing sports. Even after starting my PhD, I have taken time almost every week to surf, climb, train for races, and now to play golf! A great week is a week when I can manage to do all of these activities.

I plan to go into management consulting with a focus on health related sectors. 

Yorba Linda, California.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ anthonycnguyen/ 

Co-advised by:

• Professor Sze Chuan Suen (ISE)
• Professor Shinyi Wu (Social Work)

Christopher Henson PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering

Do all things unto the Lord.

Getting honorable mention in the ASME best student presentation competition for my work on failure detection in additive manufacturing.

I purchased a Le Creuset dutch oven which has been so enjoyable to work with in the kitchen.

I work on quality improvement software for additive manufacturing. I am most excited about the commercial application of research in my field. 

If I were not an engineer I would most likely be working in finance.

The research area was unique among the schools I applied to and was by a wide margin the most exciting and the best fit. I was also excited about the research providing me with relevant expertise to an industry research setting.

Griffith Park/Observatory (at night) the view of the city is incredible. LA Live has great nightlife/food. Grand Central Market is a very neat place to go for good street food and it is in a cool part of down town. Bonus: California Science Center is right across the street from campus and has a lot of great exhibits.

Going to USC football games with friends after stressful weeks.

I love to cook and entertain for guests.

I hope to work for NASA in a research capacity.

Escondido, California.

Qiang Huang

Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering

College of engineering, ph.d. defense: ehiremen nathaniel omoarebun, ehiremen nathaniel omoarebun.

(Advisor: Prof. Dimitri Mavris)

SPAAD: A Systems Design Methodology for Product and Analysis Architecture Decomposition

Friday, April 5  8:00 a.m. Microsoft  Teams  

Abstract Increasing complexity in engineering design has resulted from the continuous advancement of technology over the past few decades. Over the years, engineers have explored various ways to manage complexity during the different phases of design and have recently shifted from document-based approaches to model-based approaches in the form of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). However, MBSE comes with its own set of challenges.

Despite the introduction of MBSE many systems engineering practices are still based on heuristics, and engineers rely on prior experiences or trial and error approaches to implement systems engineering methods. Although existing methodologies outline important aspects of the system design process, they do not define or provide guidance on how these aspects should be achieved. Recently, INCOSE, the systems engineering professional society, has sought to establish formal and theoretical methods in system engineering that are grounded in science and mathematics. Using formal and theoretical methods, a system can be represented and the relationships between its elements can be better understood.

Also, in recent years, Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) has emerged as a systematic approach to manage the development of complex systems from early integration through a system's life cycle and could be considered the overall construct for system design problems. A fundamental aspect of the IPPD process is the decomposition aspect of the system. With the emergence of MBSE, Requirements, Functional, Logical, and Physical (RFLP) is an important framework used in system decomposition. However, similar to many MBSE approaches, the RFLP framework operates at a high-level and does not provide guidance on decomposing stakeholder requirements into the system's functional, logical, and physical architecture. This led to the motivating question for this dissertation, with the aim to explore ways to improve and effectively translate the decomposition process within the RFLP framework into a system design that satisfies the stakeholder requirements.

A research objective was identified with the aim to develop and implement a method that facilitates a rigorous system decomposition process in a more formal and structured manner using a set of theoretical foundations based on mathematical principles to effectively characterize a system. From this research objective, an overarching research question for this dissertation was formulated with the aim to establish structure between the product and analysis architectures during system decomposition to allow for the design of better and improved systems, especially during the conceptual stages of design. To improve the decomposition process and create a structure within the RFLP framework, Axiomatic Design Theory (ADT) was identified as the most suitable method that can aid in the structured decomposition of a system, while placing emphasis on minimizing coupling and improving the system's robustness. An in-depth examination of ADT and its potential integration with the RFLP framework revealed several limitations, which this dissertation addresses across the various research areas.

The first research area focuses on improving the requirements process in ADT and RFLP. A requirements analysis process is developed to categorize stakeholder requirements into functional and non-functional requirements, provides a framework to establish the relationships between the different types of requirements, and allow for high-level requirements to be broken down into concrete and clear requirements within the product and analysis architectures. The second research area focuses on integrating concepts from Axiomatic Design Theory (ADT) into the RFLP framework. The Independence axiom from axiomatic design, together with its zigzagging attribute is used to decompose the functional and logical layers of the RFLP framework and help create a structure during design.

The third research area focuses on the identification of suitable analysis methods during system decomposition within the analysis architecture. During conceptual design, the selection of a suitable analysis method may be challenging especially when model data is limited. The ability to properly identify a suitable analysis method facilitates informed decision-making during system design. From a combination of the three research areas, a ten-step methodology, SPAAD, is proposed that outlines the steps to perform a systems decomposition from the stakeholder requirements to the development of the functional, logical, and physical architectures for both the product and analysis architectures or domains.

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• Dr. Charles Domerçant – Georgia Tech Research Institute

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ESE PhD Thesis Defense: “Scalable and Risk-Aware Verification of Learning Enabled Autonomous Systems”

April 10 at 1:30 pm.

As autonomous systems become more prevalent, ensuring their safety will become more and more important. However, deriving guarantees for these systems is becoming increasingly difficult due to the use of black box, learning enabled components and the growing range of operating domains in which they are deployed. The complexity of the learning-enabled components greatly increases the computational complexity of the verification problem. Additionally, the safety predictions from verifying these systems must be conservative. This thesis explores two high-level methods for verifying autonomous systems: probabilistic model checking and statistical model checking. Probabilistic model checking methods exhaustively analyze a model of the system to reason about its properties. These methods generally suffer from scalability issues, but if the abstraction is built correctly then the results will be provably conservative. On the other hand, statistical model checking methods draw traces from the system to reason about its properties. These methods don’t suffer the scalability drawback of probabilistic model checking, but their guarantees are weaker and may not even be conservative. This thesis introduces methods for improving the scalability of verifying autonomous systems with probabilistic model checking methods and incorporating notions of conservatism into statistical model checking.

On the probabilistic model checking side, this thesis first explores using engineering intuitions about systems to reduce probabilistic model checking complexity while preserving conservatism. Next, standard conservative probabilistic model checking techniques are used to synthesize runtime monitors that are conservative and lightweight. Finally, this thesis presents a run-time method for composing monitors of verification assumptions. Verification assumptions are critical for simplifying verification problems so that they become computationally feasible.

For statistical model checking, this thesis first leverages a method called conformal prediction to bound the errors of trajectory predictors, which enables safe (i.e. conservative) planning in dynamic environments. Additionally, a method for producing less conservative conformal prediction regions in time series settings is developed. Then a method called risk verification is developed, which uses statistical methods to bound risk metrics of a system’s performance. Risk metrics, which capture tail events of the system’s performance, offer a statistical equivalent of worst case analysis.

Matthew Cleaveland

Ph.d. candidate.

Matthew Cleaveland is a PhD candidate at the University of Pennsylvania in the Electrical and Systems Engineering department. His research focuses on reasoning about safety properties of autonomous and cyber-physical systems. He completed his undergraduate education at Duke University in 2018, where he majored in math and electrical and computer engineering.

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Farooq Azam: Bridging Civil Engineering and Systems Engineering for a Promising Future

Written by Jennifer Ercoli - Director of Grad School Communications

Published April 3, 2024

"My experience at UL Lafayette has been truly remarkable, marked by a welcoming community and the unparalleled support from the faculty and staff. Choosing to join this department is, without a doubt, the best decision I have made."

Where I'm From

I am from Pakistan. I came to UL Lafayette to begin working on my Civil Engineering M.S. degree. 

I am currently working on my Ph.D. in Systems Engineering and plan to graduate in the spring of 2026.

Where I'm Going

I aim to explore various opportunities post my Ph.D., whether in academia or the private sector

Farooq Azam's journey from Pakistan to UL Lafayette has been one of academic passion, research excellence, and community engagement. After graduating with an M.S. in Civil Engineering in December 2023, Farooq is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering intending to complete it by spring 2026.

During his undergraduate years at COMSATS University Islamabad, Farooq's interest in research was sparked by his supervisor, who recognized his talent and encouraged him to delve deeper into the field. This early exposure to research led Farooq to publish his work as a senior undergraduate, laying the foundation for his future academic endeavors.

Farooq's decision to pursue graduate studies at UL Lafayette was influenced by his desire to specialize in traffic safety, particularly in understanding the dynamics of traffic accidents. Dr. Xiaoduan Sun's expertise in this area, coupled with UL Lafayette's welcoming atmosphere and supportive faculty, made it the ideal choice for Farooq's academic pursuits.

At UL Lafayette, Farooq has been involved in impactful research projects, including analyzing the effectiveness of traffic enforcement measures such as SafeLight SafeSpeed cameras and studying the factors contributing to crashes among older adults. His dedication to making roads safer and the interdisciplinary approach through the Systems Engineering Ph.D. program highlights his commitment to solving real-world problems.

Reflecting on his time at UL Lafayette, Farooq emphasizes the warm and supportive community that has made his academic journey memorable. He appreciates the welcoming nature of Lafayette, echoing the sentiment of the "Happiest City" and highlighting the faculty's supportiveness and mutual support.

In Farooq's own words, "My experience at UL Lafayette has been truly remarkable, marked by a welcoming community and the unparalleled support from the faculty and staff. Choosing to join this department is, without a doubt, the best decision I have made."

Farooq Azam's story demonstrates the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence that defines UL Lafayette's Graduate School and its programs in Civil Engineering M.S. and Systems Engineering Ph.D.

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Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

2024 phd graduate – optical/electrical/computer engineering – imaging systems.

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Are you passionate about optical sensing, computer vision, and/or all things imaging?

Are you searching for an opportunity to apply your engineering skills in a creative and collaborative laboratory environment?

Would you love to engage in meaningful, hands-on work with an employer that prioritizes impact, innovation, and personal development?

If so, we are looking for someone like you to join our team at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)!

We are seeking a creative PhD new graduate to join the Imaging Systems Group. As a member of our team, you will contribute to critical system development and experimental efforts. You will be joining a diverse team committed to crafting an environment of innovation.

As a member of our team…

• Your primary responsibility will be to develop, evaluate, and deploy imaging system hardware, algorithms, and/or software.
• You will assist in the brainstorming and development of new initiatives/concepts in optical imaging through internal research and development (IR&D) efforts.
• You will capture technical contributions in internal me/reports and conference/journal papers, and present findings and recommendations at internal and external forums.
• You will support field integration and testing activities of developed systems.

Minimum requirements for your role include…

• Have a PhD in electrical/computer engineering, optical engineering, imaging science, computer vision, or equivalent.
• Have demonstrated the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team and possess strong interpersonal, speaking, and technical writing skills.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret Clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

• Have a intern experience in electrical/computer engineering, optical engineering, imaging science, computer vision, or similar.
• Have an active Secret level security clearance.

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O'odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.

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Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering

A systems engineering academic education provides the technical background needed to communicate at an appropriate level across engineering disciplines and technical professionals, and the decision analysis skills needed to secure, operate, and optimize engineering resources.

About the Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering

Systems E ngineering has been an accepted practice for decades in the aviation, aeronautics, aerospace and defense industries. The Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering teaches you how to oversee and improve large projects by understanding how all parts work together.

Embry-Riddle graduates will gain the technical know ledge to collaborate across various engineering disciplines. They will also learn strategic decision-making skills to improve the performance of intricate systems . This includes a deep understanding of systems thinking, an approach that's all about viewing a project as a whole rather than just in parts.

Why You Should Study this Degree

Systems Engineering is more than just technology ; it’s about working with others to solve real-world challenges through a big - picture approach . Systems E ngineering may be for you i f you like :

B eing the mastermind behind a big project

F iguring out how each part of a puzzle connects

Finding solutions to big issues like transportation systems and sustainable buildings

Making sure teams work well together 

Student Learning Outcomes

What you will learn while pursuing a Systems Engineering degree:

• Development of processes related to the engineering life cycle and management of systems.
• Application of systems engineering methods, techniques and tools as they relate to the stages of the system design process.
• Utilization of engineering management methods, techniques and tools as they relate to system development.

Systems Engineering Career Opportunities

Careers and employers.

Embry Riddle’s Systems Engineering students often secure positions as systems engineers, systems analysts and reliability and safety engineers.

Students majoring in Systems Engineering enter the industry with companies such as:

• The Boeing Company
• Collins Aerospace
• Northrop Grumman

Systems Engineering Salary Information

As of 2023, graduates with a degree in Systems Engineering receive competitive salaries , with an average income of $73,621 annually.

About Systems Engineering at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus

This degree will be available May 1, 2024.

Systems Engineering students participate in hands-on projects from day one by working with small hardware and software systems that interact in the industry. Embry-Riddle prepares graduates for success with sharp technical skills and introduces them to engineering processes used in aerospace and aviation.

Students in the systems engineering program have access to the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Student Projects lab, which supports student projects across multiple fields, and the Cybersecurity Engineering Laboratory to practice advanced cybersecurity techniques.

Systems Engineering Information 

• Credits: 125
• Online or In-Person: In-Person

Helpful Links 

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General Education Requirements

For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education ( https://catalog.erau.edu/ daytona-beach/general-education/) section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.

* Computer Science required course: Aerospace Systems Engineering AOC must take EGR 115; Enterprise Systems Engineering AOC must take CS 223.

Systems Engineering Core Requirements

• Technical Elective (Science): Science course with a lab (4 credits). Examples: BIO 120 and BIO 120L / CHM 110 and CHM 110L / PS228andPS228L/PS 250 and PS 253
• Technical Elective: CEC/CS/EE/SE/SYS/ME/AE/CE Upper-Level Elective (3 credits)
• Aerospace Systems Engineering AOC students are required to enroll in the Aerospace Engineering Topic of EGR 101; Enterprise Systems Engineering AOC student are required to enroll in the EECS Engineering Topic of EGR 101.

Aerospace Systems Engineering Area of Concentration

Enterprise systems engineering area of concentration.

2. Technical Elective: CEC/CS/EE/SE/SYS/ME/AE/CE Upper-Level Elective (3 credits)

Get Started Now:

125 Credits

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RELATED DEGREES

You may be interested in the following degrees:

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

PhD Admission Workshop 2024

The PhD summer workshop 2024 is organized for potential applicants to CUHK Engineering PhD programmes in the 2025-2026 intake.

WORKSHOP APPLICATION INFORMATION

• CUHK Department of SEEM PhD Admission Workshop 
• Online Workshop Date: 15-17 July, 2024 Monday – Wednesday
• Application Deadline: 11:59:59pm 14 June, 2024 Friday
• Application Form: https://cloud.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk/webform/view.php?id=13685204
• Please click on the above hyperlink or scan below QR Code for Workshop Application:

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The influence of load distribution along a line on power and place of connection of a photovoltaic system

A V Bogdan 1 , V A Bogdan 2 , K A Garkavyi 3 and D S Netrebko 1

Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering , Volume 1019 , 14th International Forum on Strategic Technology (IFOST 2019) 14th-17th October 2019, Tomsk, Russian Federation Citation A V Bogdan et al 2021 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 1019 012011 DOI 10.1088/1757-899X/1019/1/012011

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Author affiliations

1 Department of electrical technology, Heat technology and renewable energy sources, Kuban State Agrarian University, Krasnodar, Russia

2 Electrical regimes service, "Kubanenergo" PJSC, Krasnodar, Russia

3 Department of physics and electrical engineering, Krasnodar Air Force Institute for Pilots, Krasnodar, Russia

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Distributed generation in the electrical network causes a redistribution of power and leads to a reduction in technological losses and a decrease in voltage deviations for consumers. The installation of additional generators of electric energy based on the use of wind generators and photovoltaic systems has become widespread in the world energy industry, and has now received development in the Russian Federation. It is shown that the connection of an additional source based on photovoltaic systems can reduce losses in a supply line. According to results of the analysis of a possible location of the connection of an additional power supply on a line with a uniformly decreasing or increasing load, it is proved that the greatest reduction in the level of losses in a line is achieved when additional power supply is connected to it in the case of increase in the load from the beginning to the end. Analytical expressions for determination of economically expedient capacities and a place of connection of an additional source for linearly decreasing or increasing specific load of a supply line are presented. There was determined the optimal power of an additional power source in the form of a photovoltaic system and the optimal point of its connection on a line to reduce power losses during power transmission.

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Graduate Student Spotlight Story: Rosalie Connell

Get to know the people of Ohio State University's Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) through our series of Spotlight Stories. Read what our BME folks are up to-- you might learn about our labs' latest research, our faculty and their classes, our alumni and their careers, our postdoc's research, our student's research and their plans for the future, and more.

What if we could do more with carbon dioxide (CO2) than lock it safely away in the subsurface? What if this greenhouse gas could instead be used in geothermal energy and power millions of homes worldwide?

Touka Elsayed, a master’s student in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University, is winning attention by testing this concept in her research of geothermal reservoirs and CO2 properties. Her work involves modeling geothermal systems' size and heat transfer abilities, investigating how well CO2 would work in such systems, and analyzing the economics and technology involved.

“It’s called CO2 plume geothermal energy,” said Elsayed. “This innovation aims to harness the potential of carbon dioxide to generate geothermal energy while substantially contributing to sustainability and benefiting the environment.”

A new energy approach

Traditionally, geothermal energy can be sourced from natural reservoirs or dry rock. Natural reservoirs are usually associated with hot water or steam from beneath the geysers and other hydrothermal vents to power turbines for energy. Dry rock provides geothermal energy when drilling operations reach hot rock, and water is injected to extract heat from the rock through hot water or steam.

Elsayed is investigating a newer approach, called CO2 plume geothermal energy (CPG) systems, where carbon dioxide could be injected into hot porous reservoirs instead of water. Her modeling studies showed this approach allows for a more efficient heat extraction because CO2 has superior flow properties than water, such as being more buoyant, and thus would require less energy to make it flow out. Results revealed CPG also offers a method for carbon sequestration, providing a dual benefit of renewable energy generation and greenhouse gas reduction.

This innovation aims to harness the potential of carbon dioxide to generate geothermal energy while substantially contributing to sustainability and benefiting the environment.

Using CO 2 safely

Thanks to previous carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) studies, Elsayed already knew storing CO2 in the subsurface must meet specific standards to be safe and effective:

• One or more caprocks or layers of impermeable rock are needed to keep the CO2 from permeating back to the surface.
• The injection sites must be deep enough so that pressures and temperatures keep the gas dense or compact, so it takes up much less space than at sea level or above.
• Porous sedimentary rock layers or a saline aquifer must be below the caprock to house the injected gas.

Gaining recognition

Elsayed created a poster of her results and presented it at the Geothermal Rising Conference in October 2023. She won first place out of a competition of 40 posters. She was among five graduate students awarded the prestigious Geothermal Rising Marcelo Lippmann 2023 Graduate Scholarship and the only master's student.

“Knowing that a respected organization like Geothermal Rising recognized my work and believed in my potential was truly inspiring,” said Elsayed. “I felt an increased awareness about my topic, which was new to everyone there. Several companies were curious to know more.”

I always believe the journey of being an engineering student is not just about earning a degree. It is about shaping your mindset and skills to become a lifelong problem solver.

In the same conference, Elsayed presented a paper she co-authored with fellow graduate student Ahmed Merzoug and their advisor, Dr. Rita Okoroafor. The paper, “Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Fracture Aperture Anisotropy on Thermal Breakthrough Using THM Modeling,” explained how fracture surfaces can impact the long-term performance of geothermal energy from hot, dry rocks.

Factoring techno economics

Elsayed is currently performing technical and economic feasibility studies, or techno economics, of CPG systems paired with a carbon capture project.

Some of the many factors she must estimate to prove the system is feasible are:

• The different capturing technologies and the cost estimation for each. 
• The cost analysis for different components of a full CCUS value chain.
• The heat energy gained and available to sell to utilities over the lifespan of a CPG system.

Elsayed hails from Egypt and said she has enjoyed her education at Texas A&M because students are so welcoming. While her dream job would be working as a top-tier oil and gas company strategic manager, she also wants to help facilitate the energy and sustainability transitions needed globally.

“We need to be open to new ideas and technologies,” said Elsayed. “I always believe the journey of being an engineering student is not just about earning a degree. It is about shaping your mindset and skills to become a lifelong problem solver. Everyone has the potential to make a significant difference.”

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