Introduction to Systems Engineering - 645.662

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of systems engineering and their application to the development of complex systems. It describes how the systems engineering viewpoint can be brought to bear to address engineering challenges as well as the essential role of systems engineering in project management. Topics include defining systems, the system development life cycle, and the systems engineering method. These primary topics are decomposed into requirements analysis, functional design, physical design, design validation, concept development, engineering development, and post development. In addition, the tools and methods at the systems engineer’s disposal are also covered. These include risk analysis, configuration management, design trade-offs, modeling and simulation, and interface management, as well as how these subjects are linked to systems program management activities. More advanced Systems Engineering topics such as Software Systems, System of Systems, Enterprise Systems, and Agile Systems Engineering are introduced. The course defines the breadth and depth of the knowledge that the systems engineer must acquire concerning the characteristics of the diverse components that constitute the total system. Students will work as a group to develop and present a conceptual system architecture chosen from a list of existing systems in order to gain familiarity with architecting, system modeling, and the relationship between requirements, activities, hardware/software, interfaces, and other system elements.