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Systems Engineering

Faculty
Introduction
Course Work
Undergraduate Programs in Systems Engineering
Graduate Program in Systems Engineering
- Systems Engineering, M.S.

Faculty

Professors: Friesz, Levis (Chair), Michalski, Sage, Van Trees

Associate Professors: Brouse, Buede, Chang, Laskey, Pachowicz, White

Director, Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program: Wenzelberger

URL: http://www.site.gmu.edu/~syst

Introduction

Systems engineering is the process of defining, developing, and integrating quality systems. Some examples of systems include a car, a stereo, the Metro, and George Mason University. Whereas other engineering disciplines concentrate on individual aspects of a system (electronics, ergonomics, software, etc.), systems engineers focus on the system as a whole. System engineers work with stakeholders to define what the system must do, analyze cost and performance of the system, and manage the development of the system.

The Systems Engineering Department offers bachelor of science and master of science programs in Systems Engineering. Certificate programs are offered at the bachelor's level in Operations Research and Engineering and Applied Statistics, and at the master's level in Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) and Computer, Information, and Software Intensive Systems (CISIS).

Course Work

The Systems Engineering Department offers courses with the designator SYST in the Course Descriptions section of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs in Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering, B.S

. The program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering (B.S.S.E.) prepares students for a professional career in systems engineering. Our educational program reflects the systems engineer's unique perspective which considers all aspects of a system throughout the entire lifetime of that system. The systems engineering program at George Mason is interdisciplinary, drawing from engineering, computer science, operations research, psychology, and economics. The core systems engineering courses tie together these diverse threads to provide a global understanding of how individual engineering disciplines fit into the development of complex, large-scale systems. Students gain depth in a technical area by selecting a sequence of technical electives that constitute a concentration track (computer-based systems, network-based systems engineering, systems engineering management, and systems engineering methods). Students construct their own concentration tracks with the help of their adviser. A year-long senior design project provides hands-on experience in applying various systems engineering methods and tools.

Degree Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, students must meet specific requirements for this degree outlined in the accompanying sample schedule.

The university's writing-intensive requirement for systems engineering majors is satisfied by the successful completion of SYST 490 and 495.

Sample Schedule for Undergraduate Systems Engineering Majors

First Semester
MATH 113
CHEM 251
CS 112
ENGR 107
ENGL 101
Total Hours

4
4
4
3
2
17

Second Semester
MATH 114
CS 211
PHYS 250
ECON 103
PSYC 100
Total Hours

4
3
4
3
3
17

Third Semester
PHYS 350
PHYS 351
MATH 213
SYST 201
Humanities/social
science elective
Literature elective
Total Hours

3
1
3
3

3
3
16

Fourth Semester
MATH 203
MATH 214
SYST 202
SYST 203
Literature elective

Total Hours

3
3
3
2
3

14

Fifth Semester
STAT 344
SYST 301
SYST 417
ENGL 302
Technical elective
Total Hours

3
3
3
3
3
15

Sixth Semester
SYST 302
SYST 419
SYST 470
CS 421
Technical elective
Total Hours

4
3
3
3
3
16

Seventh Semester
SYST 451
SYST 471
SYST 490
Technical elective
Technical elective
Total Hours

3
3
3
3
3
15

Eighth Semester
SYST 430
SYST 495
Technical elective

Total Hours

4
3
3

10

Sample schedules for PAGE students may be obtained from the Systems Engineering or PAGE offices. PAGE courses will only be available through May 1998.

The Systems Engineering program requires 15 semester hours of technical electives. Sequences of electives that constitute a concentration "track" may be selected from courses in systems engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, information systems, operations research, and applied statistics, as well as from approved courses in psychology and business administration. Technical electives are normally composed of 300- and 400-level courses for SITE; 100- and 200-level courses may be included for special reasons (e.g., if they are prerequisites for the other 300- and 400-level technical electives or they are needed for the FE/EIT exam). Students may also take some graduate courses at the 500 level, but this requires that the student satisfy a grade point requirement (3.0) and obtain permission from his/her adviser. Students taking a 500-level course must satisfy the same requirements and will be graded in the same way as other graduate students.

Example elective sequences include systems engineering of computer-based systems and network-based systems, systems engineering management, and systems engineering methods. These are described below. All elective sequences must be approved by the student's adviser.

Systems Engineering of Computer-Based Systems (15 credit hours chosen from the following): MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics (required as prerequisite for CS 330); CS 310 Computer Science III; CS 330 Formal Methods and Models; CS 332 Object Oriented Specification and Implementation; CS 480 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence; CS 483 Data Structure and Analysis of Algorithms; INFS 311 Database Management; INFS 312 Computer Architecture and Operating Systems; INFS 315 High-Level Programming Languages; INFS 316 Software Systems Engineering; SYST 442 Decision Support Systems Design; SYST 455 Intelligent Systems Engineering; SYST 511 System Architectures for Large Scale Systems; SYST 595 Discrete Event Systems.

Systems Engineering of Network-Based Systems (15 credit hours chosen from the following): SYST 422 Data Communications and Networks; SYST 420 Network Analysis; ECE 285 Electric Circuit Analysis; ECE 331 Digital System Design; ECE 332 Digital Electronic and Logic Lab; ECE 445 Computer Organization; ECE 449 Computer Design; ECE 542 Computer Network Architectures and Protocols; CS 265 Assembly Language Programming (prerequisite for CS 365); CS 365 Computer Systems Architecture; CS 455 Computer Networking Systems.

Systems Engineering Management (15 credits from the following): SYST 442 Decision Support Systems Engineering; SYST 472 Systems Integration; SYST 473 Risk Management in Systems Engineering; SYST 510 Systems Definition and Cost Modeling; SYST 511 System Architectures for Large Scale Systems; SYST 512 Systems Engineering for Design and Development; SYST 513 Total Systems Engineering and Enterprise Integration.

Systems Engineering Methods (15 credit hours chosen from the following): SYST 420 Network Analysis; SYST 442 Decision Support System Design; SYST 455 Intelligent Systems Engineering; SYST 473 Decision and Risk Modeling; OR 435 Computer Simulation Modeling; OR 451 Optimization Models; OR 481 Numerical Methods in Engineering; STAT 455 Experimental Design; STAT 457 Applied Nonparametric Statistics.

In addition to receiving their B.S.S.E. degree, students may wish to select a concentration that contributes toward either of the following certificate programs.

B.S.S.E. with Certificate in Operations Research and Engineering: STAT 344 Applied Probability for Engineers and Scientists; STAT 362 Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages; OR 435 Computer Simulation Modeling; OR 441 Deterministic Operations Research; OR 442 Stochastic Operations Research; ENGR 311 Mathematical Methods in Physics and Engineering I or MATH 313 Introduction to Applied Mathematics. Two chosen from: OR 451 Optimization Models; OR 481 Numerical Methods in Engineering; OR 498 Independent Study; OR 499 Special Topics; and STAT 354 Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists.

B.S.S.E. with Certificate in Applied Statistics: STAT 344 Applied Probability for Engineers and Scientists; STAT 354 Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists or STAT 554 Applied Statistics; STAT 362 Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages; five courses taken from STAT 455 Experimental Design; STAT 457 Applied Nonparametric Statistics; STAT 463 Introduction to Exploratory Data Analysis; STAT 474 Introduction to Survey Sampling; STAT 498 Independent Study; STAT 499 Special Topics; STAT 544 Applied Probability; STAT 574 Survey Sampling I; OR 435 Computer Simulation Modeling; OR 442 Stochastic Operations Research; and OR 481 Numerical Methods in Engineering.

These certificate programs are managed by the Departments of Operations Research and Engineering, and Applied Engineering Statistics, respectively. Students should apply to those departments directly for admission into their certificate programs.

Advising
All systems engineering students are assigned faculty advisers. With the help of the student's adviser, each student is required to complete a plan of study that must be approved by the student's adviser. This plan of study, contained in the detailed B.S.S.E. pamphlet available from the Systems Engineering office, constitutes a "learning plan" for the degree program. Changes to the plan of study must be approved by the adviser. All students in Systems Engineering are required to see their advisers at least once each semester to plan for the following semester's registration.

Graduate Program in Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering, M.S.

The graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Systems Engineering (M.S.S.E.) prepares students for a professional career in systems design, development, and management, associated with problem formulation, issue analysis, and evaluation of alternative courses of action. The program emphasizes both analytical and practical aspects of engineering complex systems. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in several quantitative modeling disciplines. Students are also expected to master issues relevant to practical aspects of systems design, engineering, and management. The program also prepares students for careers in research and development and for pursuing advanced graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Information Technology.

Each student is assigned a faculty adviser. Students must work with their advisers to complete an approved plan of study. This plan of study must include three core courses, two methods courses, three to four electives in a specialization area, and a thesis or systems engineering project. The plan of study must include 30 semester hours of graduate-level course work. Either a thesis (six semester hours) or research project (three semester hours) is required for the degree. Matriculation requirements for candidates needing additional work in mathematics or engineering may also be included in the plan of study.

Foundation and Admission Requirements

Applicants for the M.S.S.E. program should meet the following entrance requirements:

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in engineering, mathematics, computer science, physical sciences, economics, or a related field;
Completion of courses in calculus (MATH 113, MATH 114, MATH 213), matrix algebra (MATH 203), applied probability and statistics (STAT 344), and a scientific programming language (CS 112);
Evidence of satisfactory prior educational achievement, in at least one of the following forms: an acceptable grade-point average as an undergraduate, a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or an acceptable grade-point average in graduate courses;
Satisfactory performance on the TOEFL examination for non-native English speakers.

Students who enter the program must have a working background in engineering mathematics and computer systems. A student lacking these foundations may apply for admission to the program, but will be required to take one or more foundation courses. The department offers SYST 500 as an intensive review of undergraduate engineering mathematics, including matrix algebra, transforms, differential equations, probability and statistics.

Students who have not completed a basic engineering undergraduate mathematics sequence are required to complete courses in engineering calculus and matrix algebra prior to taking SYST 500. Upon acceptance, students will be informed as to the foundation courses that they may have to take.

A familiarity with analytical modeling software such as spreadsheets or math packages will also be very helpful. Students should acquaint themselves with analytical modeling software packages prior to beginning classes.

Core Courses
Students must complete the following three core courses (nine semester hours):

SYST 510 Systems Definition and Cost Modeling
SYST 520 System Design and Integration
SYST 530 System Management and Evaluation

Specialization Area Courses
Students must complete two basic methods courses and a set of elective courses that together constitute a clearly defined specialization within Systems Engineering. Students pursuing the thesis option complete three concentration area electives; students pursuing the project option complete four concentration area electives.

Students may choose from one of the following four specialization areas, or may create their own specialization area with the approval of their adviser: Systems Engineering Methods (SEM); Systems Management (SMG); Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I); and Systems Engineering of Computer-Based Systems (CBS). Approved basic methods courses and electives for the major specialization areas are listed below.

Project or Thesis
Students must complete a project (three credit hours) or thesis (six credit hours) under the direction of a Systems Engineering faculty member.

Under the project option, the student completes three credit hours of SYST 798. A project objective is selected with the approval of the faculty project adviser. A project report is submitted at the end of the semester and must be approved by the faculty project adviser. Although a student may register for more than three semester hours of project work, only three hours will be applied toward the degree.

Under the thesis option, the student completes six credit hours of SYST 799. The master's thesis should reflect a significant independent research effort. The work is conducted under the guidance of a faculty thesis adviser, and the final written thesis and oral defense are approved by a three-member faculty committee and submitted to SITE. The thesis work is expected to be completed while taking six semester hours of SYST 799. Although a student may register for more than six semester hours, only six hours will be applied toward the degree.

Systems Engineering Methods (SEM)
Systems engineers must address a broad range of issues relevant to the design, implementation, analysis, and management of systems. This specialization area provides the student with methodological tools that can be applied to the systems engineering process. Areas of concentration include decision support systems, distributed intelligent systems, knowledge-based planning systems, network systems, probabilistic reasoning systems, sensor fusion systems, and or optimization methods. The graduate program in Systems Engineering recognizes the importance of balancing an education in quantitative models and engineering tools with a proper understanding of the systems perspective.

Basic Methods Courses for SEM--Students must complete SYST 611 System Methodology and Modeling and one of the following:

SYST 511 Systems Architecture for Large-Scale Systems
SYST 521 Network Analysis
SYST 563 Research Methods in Systems Engineering and Information Technology
SYST 573 Decision and Risk Analysis
SYST 595 Discrete Event Systems
ECE 521 Modern Systems Theory
OR 542 Operations Research: Stochastic Models
STAT 544 Applied Probability
or
ECE 528 Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering Elective Courses for SEM--A sample set of approved elective courses is given below. Courses designated as basic methods courses may also be used as elective courses once the requirement of two basic methods courses has been met. The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined concentration area and must be approved by the student's adviser.

SYST 542 Decision Support Systems Engineering
SYST 555 Introduction to Intelligent Systems Engineering
SYST 664/STAT 664 Bayesian Inference and Decision Analysis
SYST 671 Judgment and Choice Processing and Decision Making
SYST 672 Intelligent Systems for Robots
SYST 777/OR 777 The Modeling of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems
CS 580 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CS 681 Designing Expert Systems
CS 688 Neural Network Principles or ECE 549 Theory and Applications of Artificial Neural Networks
CS 782 Machine Learning
CS 785 Knowledge Acquisition and Problem Solving
OR 641 Linear Programming
OR 642 Integer Programming
OR 643 Network Modeling
OR 644 Nonlinear Programming
OR 745 Optimization in Vector Spaces

Systems Management (SMG)
The defining reality of the 20th century is evolution into a society of organizations and the emergence of management as a discipline. The technical disciplines of systems engineering are necessary but not sufficient for the development of successful systems. The management aspect of systems engineering involves tracking and controlling system development through the major phases of the system life cycle, identifying and resolving problems to minimize impacts on cost, schedule, or performance, and iteratively improving both product and process. The specialization in Systems Management focuses on the theory and practice of systems management and prepares students for careers in managing the development of complex systems.

Basic Methods Courses for SMG--Students must complete SYST 573 Decision and Risk Analysis and one of the following:

SYST 511 Systems Architecture for Large-Scale Systems SYST 563 Research Methods in Systems Engineering and Information Technology OR 542 Operations Research: Stochastic Models

Elective Courses for SMG--A sample set of approved elective courses is given below. Basic methods courses above the two required methods courses may also be counted as elective courses. The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined concentration area.

SYST 512 Systems Engineering for Design and Development
SYST 513 Total Systems Engineering for Enterprise Integration
SYST 571 Systems Engineering Management
SYST 572 Introduction to Systems Integration Engineering
SYST 664/STAT 664 Bayesian Inference and Decision Analysis
SYST 671 Judgment and Choice Processing and Decision Making
SYST 677 Statistical Process Control
USE 610 Construction Systems and Management
DESC 720 Project Management
SWSE 625 Software Project Management

Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C³I)
C³I systems are pervasive throughout the civilian and military world, allowing responsible authorities such as commanders or chief executive officers to control resources such as personnel, equipment, and money. Civilian government examples include the air traffic control systems, the drug enforcement C³I systems, law enforcement agency systems, and various emergency preparedness systems. Military systems include national-level crisis management systems, the global command and control system, the NATO command and control systems, and various tactical C3 systems of the military services. Private industry examples include the corporate management systems of large national and multinational firms.

These systems include the equipment, people, and procedures necessary to accomplish the mission. The equipment may include a variety of sensors, communications systems, and information processing and decision-support systems. This area stresses the multidisciplinary approach necessary to understand the field.

The specialization in C³I focuses on the theory and practice of C³I and prepares students for careers in research, design, and development of C³I systems, or in the use and management of C³I systems. The courses offered emphasize the analytical and behavioral aspects of engineering complex C³I systems.

Basic Methods Courses for C³I--Students must complete SYST 611 System Methodology and Modeling and one of the following:

ECE 528 Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering
OR 542 Stochastic Models in Operations Research

Elective Courses for C³I--A sample set of approved elective courses is given below. The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined concentration area. Examples of concentration areas include C3 architectures, C2 software, communications, decision support, modeling and simulation, or sensing and fusion.

Students in the C³I specialization area must take the following two courses:

SYST 680/ECE 670: Principles of C³I: I
SYST 681/ECE 671: Principles of C³I: II

and may select their remaining elective(s) from the following list of courses:

SYST 511 Systems Architecture for Large-Scale Systems
SYST 542 Decision Support Systems Engineering
SYST 573 Decision and Risk Analysis
SYST 595/ECE 595 Discrete Event Systems
SYST 683 Modeling, Simulation, and Gaming
SYST 684 Sensor Data Fusion
SYST 685 Estimation and Tracking: Principles and Techniques
SYST 760 Special Topics in C³I Systems Engineering
SYST 761 Advanced Topics in C³I Systems Engineering
ECE 542 Computer Network Architectures and Protocols
ECE 630 Statistical Communication Theory
ECE 631 Digital Communications
ECE 637 Spread Spectrum Communications
ECE 639 Satellite Communications
ECE 642 Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks
ECE 734 Detection and Estimation Theory

Systems Engineering of Computer-Based Systems (CBS)
The Computer-Based Systems specialization provides specialized knowledge and experience in developing and modifying large, complex software systems. It emphasizes technical and management aspects of the software engineering process. Computer-based systems engineers are concerned with the theoretical and practical aspects of technology, cost, and social impact of computer systems that are both effective and efficient.

Basic Methods Courses for CBS--Students must complete SYST 511 Systems Architecture for Large-Scale Systems and one of the following:

SYST 563 Research Methods in Systems Engineering and Information Technology
SYST 573 Decision and Risk Analysis
SYST 595 Discrete Event Systems
OR 542 Stochastic Models in Operations Research

Elective Courses for CBS--A sample set of approved elective courses is given below. Basic methods courses beyond the two required methods courses may also be counted as elective courses. The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined concentration area.

SYST 512 Systems Engineering for Design and Development
SYST 513 Total Systems Engineering and Enterprise Integration
SYST 542 Decision Support Systems Engineering
SYST 555 Introduction to Intelligent Systems Engineering
SYST 572 Introduction to Systems Integration Engineering
CS 656 Computer Communications and Networking
ECE 542 Computer Network Architectures and Protocols
INFS 612 Data Communications and Distributed Processing
INFS 622 Information Systems Analysis and Design
SWSE 619 Software Construction
SWSE 620 Software Requirements and Prototyping
SWSE 621 Software Design
SWSE 623 Formal Methods and Models in Software Engineering
SWSE 625 Software Project Management

Certificate Program in C³I Systems Engineering

A certificate program in C³I Systems Engineering is available to students who hold master's degrees in engineering and scientific disciplines, or who are currently in graduate status in such programs. To obtain the certificate in C³I Systems Engineering, students must take: (1) SYST 680 and SYST 681; (2) ECE 528 or OR 542; and (3) two of the three courses: SYST 511, SYST 683, and SYST 684. The following is a suggested program of study for obtaining the certificate while studying for the M.S.S.E. degree (certificate required courses indicated in italics):

Core courses: SYST 510, SYST 520, SYST 530
Methods courses: SYST 611, ECE 528 or OR 542
Elective courses: SYST 680, SYST 681, two C³I-approved elective courses
Project: SYST 798

Certificate Program in Systems Engineering for Computer, Information, and Software Intensive Systems

A certificate program in Systems Engineering is available to students who hold bachelor's degrees in engineering and scientific disciplines, or who are currently in graduate status in such programs. To be eligible for a certificate, students must complete SYST 510, 511, 512, 513, and one of the following elective courses: ECE 542, CS 656, INFS 612, SYST 542, SYST 595, SWSE 620, or INFS 622. The following is a suggested program of study for obtaining the certificate while studying for the M.S.S.E. degree (certificate required courses indicated in italics):

Core courses: SYST 510, SYST 520, SYST 530
Methods courses: SYST 511, CBS-approved methods course
Elective courses: SYST 512, SYST 513, certificate elective course, CBS-approved elective course
Project: SYST 798

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First Semester MATH 113 CHEM 251 CS 112 ENGR 107 ENGL 101 Total Hours	4 4 4 3 2 17	Second Semester MATH 114 CS 211 PHYS 250 ECON 103 PSYC 100 Total Hours	4 3 4 3 3 17
Third Semester PHYS 350 PHYS 351 MATH 213 SYST 201 Humanities/social science elective Literature elective Total Hours	3 1 3 3 3 3 16	Fourth Semester MATH 203 MATH 214 SYST 202 SYST 203 Literature elective Total Hours	3 3 3 2 3 14
Fifth Semester STAT 344 SYST 301 SYST 417 ENGL 302 Technical elective Total Hours	3 3 3 3 3 15	Sixth Semester SYST 302 SYST 419 SYST 470 CS 421 Technical elective Total Hours	4 3 3 3 3 16
Seventh Semester SYST 451 SYST 471 SYST 490 Technical elective Technical elective Total Hours	3 3 3 3 3 15	Eighth Semester SYST 430 SYST 495 Technical elective Total Hours	4 3 3 10