Course Descriptions & Learning Outcomes

The MS in Systems Engineering is ten, 3-credit courses (30 credits). Curriculum has been chosen by MITRE leadership; unique, MITRE-specific Learning Outcomes are noted below.

SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering

  • Appreciate and apply the fundamental principles of systems engineering.
  • Holistically apply systems engineering processes to effectively define, develop, and deploy complex systems.
  • Apply the various systems engineering methods and techniques as appropriate across all phases of a system’s life cycle.
  • Improve the performance of large, complex defense and information processing systems for the DoD, Intelligence Community, Homeland Security and other sponsors.

OIE 542.  Risk Management and Decision Making

  • Make sound decisions when faced with uncertainty.
  • Integrate subjective and objective information to model and evaluate risk.
  • Determine risk, develop mitigation strategies and effectively report risk to the sponsor.

SD 550. System Dynamics Foundation: Managing Complexity

  • Examine the feedback concept in complex systems.
  • Construct and execute models to simulate human behavior changes due to feedback.
  • Adjust organization structure to change behavior and results.
  • Use system dynamics concepts to better assure success in complex projects and businesses.
  • Utilize the dynamics of complex organizations to determine the difference between failure and success to facilitate accomplishing the goals.

SYS 540. Introduction to Systems Thinking

  • Effectively and efficiently apply systems thinking tools and techniques to improve the performance of complex and agile developed systems.
  • Provide impartial and independent systems thinking and technical expertise to assist sponsors in making key decisions with scientific, engineering, and analytical rigor.
  • Holistically consider all aspects of a system to ensure consistent functionality as needed in the intended operational environment.

SYS 510. Systems Architecture and Design

  • Appreciate and apply the principles of architecture frameworks by exploring various framework representations, tools, and methodologies.
  • Work in depth with one particular architecture framework tool and system.
  • Implement architecture and design methodologies to develop enterprise-level systems and system of systems solutions.
  • Utilize design and architectural trends and techniques to help achieve multilevel and multilateral security.
  • Identify both risks and opportunities associated with architectural choices to design and deliver the best system solution to the sponsor.
  • Best utilize the tools that are available to help the system architect or designer to exploit complexity rather than subdue it.
  • Adapt standard systems engineering technical and management processes to system-of-system environments.
  • Apply methodologies needed to architect and design and a system comprised of multiple systems capable of autonomous operation.
  • Recognize design patterns and paradigms useful for architecting complex systems-of-systems, such as loose coupling.

SYS 521. Model-Based Systems Engineering

  • Formalize the practice of systems engineering through the use of models.
  • Work in-depth with modeling languages, tools and methods through a hands-on project that includes construction of an executable model.
  • Integrate multiple modeling domains across the life cycle from system of systems to component level.
  • Implement MBSE to achieve quality/productivity improvements, lower risk through rigor and precision, increase critical communications among system/project stakeholders and manage complexity.

SYS 579D. Engineering Dependable and Secure Systems

  • Design and develop dependable system architectures with resilience.
  • Design for and assess software reliability.
  • Build in dependability, reliability and security up front in the requirements and architecture design of the system.

SYS 520. System Optimization

  • Properly optimize any systems solutions though practical hands-on qualitative and quantitative approaches.
  • Identify system optimization opportunities in a business/engineering environment.
  • Apply rigorous mathematical tools and models to solve multi-objective optimization problems.
  • Use linear programming, non-linear programming, integer programming, and stochastic techniques to solve simple system optimization problems such as blending, set covering, networking, pricing, location, and economic order quantity problems.

SYS 511. Systems Integration, Verification and Validation

  • Properly plan for and implement the appropriate Integration, Verification and Validation (IV&V) methodologies at each phase across a system’s life cycle.
  • Develop an agile and executable IV&V plan early in the life cycle with traceability back to requirements and user needs.
  • Work with users and systems developers to define appropriate acceptance criteria for agile systems.
  • Plan for and  conduct agile IV&V activities for critical and complex systems.

SYS 585. Systems Engineering Capstone Experience

  • Effectively integrate and apply academic knowledge and skills learned previously in the systems engineering graduate program courses to a real-world problem.
  • Work effectively in a team environment on a complex project of interest to the sponsoring organization.
  • Effectively communicate through writing about and briefing various aspects of the project.
  • Practice effective leadership skills to accomplish the goals of the project.