Systems Engineering (MS)

Developed in collaboration with MITRE SE Leadership; this program brings together engineers from across MITRE and it provides the possibility to waive the written Knowledge Exam portion for INCOSE Certification. Systems Engineering is a critical skillset in all industries and communication is a core competency of systems engineering. The blended online format of this program delivers the critical communication component coupled with the theory and practice that is built into all WPI programs.

NEXT PROGRAM LAUNCH: TBD

To inquire about this program and when it will launch next, please email Corporategrad@wpi.edu 

Webinars:

• Ask Me Anything: Systems Engineering: SE experts from MITRE and WPI explain the ins and outs of systems engineering and answer questions. Recorded Live
  Available On-Demand

WPI’s Master of Science in Systems Engineering will improve your ability to:

• Identify what customers/stakeholders want their systems to accomplish
• Analyze requirements, explore implementation alternatives, and design/engineer to minimize risks
• Develop integration, verification and validation strategies to confirm systems meet users’ needs
• Describe, design and develop hardware/software architectures for complex system functionality
• Minimize budget and schedule risks during system design and development

Program Logistics:

• • 3 Semesters a year
  • Fall, Winter, Spring
  • Course delivery: 2 hours synchronous, 2 hours asynchronous

Prerequisites:

• • An ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in an engineering discipline or Computer Science
  • Major GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • The GRE is NOT required for admission to this program.

MS in Systems Engineering Courses

• SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering*
• OIE 542. Risk Management and Decision Making
• SD 550. System Dynamics Foundation: Managing Complexity
• SYS 540. Introduction to Systems Thinking
• SYS 510. Systems Architecture and Design
• SYS 521. Model-Based Systems Engineering
• SYS 579D. Engineering Dependable and Secure Systems
• SYS 520. System Optimization
• SYS 511. Systems Integration, Verification and Validation
• SYS 585. Systems Engineering Capstone Experience

*WPI’s updated SYS 501 course is approved for Academic Equivalency by the INCOSE Certification Advisory Group. WPI & INCOSE

ThunderDrone – A Capstone Experience!

WPI’s Systems Engineering cohort 1 just completed their capstone experience. This group of students knocked it out of the park and with their presentation and results. In attendance was MITRE leadership and employees along with WPI faculty and staff.

A faculty member quoted “This was probably the best set of Capstones that I have witnessed in my 17 years at WPI, and Team 2’s was phenomenal. These make me proud!”

Team 2: David Patterson (Lincoln Labs),  Michael Chory (Lincoln Labs), George Dias, and Roy Lane

Abstract: The potential combination of the agility and persistence offered by multirotor platforms with the range, speed, and environmental flexibility of chemically propelled ordinance presents unique operational utility for certain mission profiles which are currently inadequately met. While kinetically deployed unmanned aerial systems have been operational for several years, all have been fixed-wing platforms. Recent advances in multirotor technology have enabled deployable multirotor platforms, but these advantages have not yet been leveraged operationally. In addition to analyzing propulsion and deployment variables, the authors propose example mission conops, initial system requirements, staffing required for development, risk management and test plans to achieve operational readiness, and lifecycle management plans for the future capability represented by a Kinetically Deployed Multirotor Platform (KDMP) system, dubbed the ThunderDrone.

Overall, I found the WPI MS Systems Engineering Program to be great!! The combination of the age and experience diversity of the MITRE Cohort, the delivery format, and the ability to take the classes in the evenings at MITRE – coupled with the course materials, course projects, deeply knowledgeable and helpful Instructors was fantastic. I would certainly recommend the Program to other MITREs who have a real thirst to understand the broader aspects of Systems Engineering, and how to apply it to solve our Sponsor’s problems.

– Frank Picca, Systems Engineering Alum