Systems Engineering, ME SE

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach encompassing the entire set of scientific, technical, and managerial efforts needed to evolve, verify, field and support an integrated life-cycle balanced set of system solutions that satisfy customer needs. In designing and developing today’s large and complex systems, the systems engineer must understand and balance competing demands ranging from the end user’s needs to financial concerns.

The systems engineering program first provides a broad understanding of the roles of a systems engineer, and on that foundation it provides a thorough understanding of the implementation process from needs analysis to system requirements. The increasing complexity of today’s engineering systems places a great demand on the systems processes and techniques to ensure efficient and cost effective solutions to formulated needs and fielded systems.

ME SE Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements for regular admission into the Master of Engineering—System Engineering program are as follows:

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in engineering, mathematics, physics or a closely related field from an accredited institution
An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0 in all college level academic work attempted
Evidence of mathematical maturity equivalent to the completion of the following university-level course work:
- Three semesters of calculus
- At least one semester beyond calculus (advanced calculus or ordinary differential equations)
- Linear algebra
- Probability and statistics
Two or more years experience with commercial, civil or government systems engineering practice or a closely related field (preferred)

Students are required to obtain two copies of official transcripts from all academic institutions attended (including UCCS if applicable) as well as three letters of recommendation, mailed directly to the EAS College Office.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for regular admission may be admitted on a provisional basis subject to the recommendations of the Graduate Committee.

Currently enrolled undergraduate engineering students with exceptional academic records may qualify for guaranteed early admission to the graduate program—please contact the College for more information.

ME SE Degree Requirements

ME SE General Requirements

The degree program consists of 30 semester hours of course work comprising 24 hours of prescribed program courses and 6 hours of electives.

The Systems Engineering curriculum included courses designed for working professionals who design, develop, field, operate and maintain today’s complex engineering systems. Offered courses stress the system life-cycle approach and the underlying systems engineering process. Other courses offer the quantitative basis for conducting trade studies, computer simulation and risk management. These courses ensure developed systems solutions satisfy the stated need, and are the most cost effective alternative for the fielded system.

ME SE courses are offered in a distance learning (online) format.

Deviations from the predefined curriculum(including requests for transfer credit)must be approved by the graduate faculty advisor and the Graduate Committee and reflected in the Program of Study. Course work must be completed with a 3.0 GPA or better, and all course work applied to the program (including any transfer credit) must have been completed no earlier than six years prior to degree completion.

ME SE Course Requirements (24 hours)

ME SE Elective Courses (6 hours)

Students will select two Master’s level courses to fulfill the elective requirement. The courses should be consistent with the student’s academic background and professional interests and the student’s graduate advisement approve the course selections.

ME SE Capstone Project

All ME SE students are required to accomplish a capstone systems engineering project to demonstrate mastery of the overall program objectives. The project is administered through ENGR 545, which is part of the prescribed course sequence. ENGR 545 is normally scheduled in two parts— a 2 semester hour class during Spring term, followed by a 1 semester hour class during Summer which is devoted to project documentation and final presentation. Project topics are decided between the student and the advisor and will normally reflect a real world industry or community need and/or interest.