Systems Engineering
Faculty
Professors: Friesz, Levis, Michalski, Sage, Van Trees
Associate Professors: Brouse, Buede, Chang, Laskey (Interim Chair), Pachowicz,
White
Affiliated Faculty: Wenzelberger
Introduction
Systems engineering is the process of defining, developing, and integrating quality
systems. Some examples of systems include computer networks, an automobile, an intelligent
robot, 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 systems engineering
for computer, information, and software intensive systems. Also offered is a five-year
combined B.S./M.S. program leading to a B.S. in an engineering discipline and an
M.S. degree.
Course Work
The Systems Engineering Department offers courses designated SYST
in the Course Descriptions section of this catalog.
Undergraduate Degree (B.S.) with a Major in Systems Engineering
The program leading to the B.S. in Systems Engineering 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 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 (computer-based systems, network-based systems engineering, systems
engineering management, and systems engineering methods). Students construct their
own concentrations with the help of their advisors. A year-long senior design project
provides hands-on experience in applying various systems engineering methods and
to
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, students must meet
specific requirements for this degree as described below.
In the first two years, students obtain a basic foundation in mathematics, the
natural sciences, computing, writing, the humanities, and the social sciences. The
systems engineering program builds on this foundation, teaching students theoretical
knowledge, practical skills, and the ability to apply systems thinking to problems.
Teamwork, collaborative learning, analytical skills, practical problem solving, and
oral and written communication are strongly stressed in the systems engineering degree
program.
Course requirements for the systems engineering major are as follows:
Mathematics and statistics: MATH 113, 114, 213, 203, 214; STAT 344
Natural sciences: PHYS 250, 350, 351; CHEM 251
Computer science: CS 112, 211, 421
Humanities and social sciences: ENGL 101, 302; two
- literature electives; ECON 103; PSYC 100; one
- humanities or social science elective
Engineering: ENGR 107
Systems engineering: SYST 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 417, 419, 430, 451, 470, 471,
490, 495; five technical electives at level 300 or above (exceptions are accepted
for lower-level courses that are prerequisites to other technical electives)
All systems engineering students are assigned faculty advisors. With the help
and approval of the advisor, each student is required to completed a plan of study.
This plan of study, contained in the detailed B.S. 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 advisor. All students in systems
engineering are required to see their advisors at least once each semester to plan
for the following semester's registration.
Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and follow the sample schedule published
by the Systems Engineering Department to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied.
The systems engineering program requires 15 credits of technical electives. Sequences
of electives that constitute a concentration 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 the School of IT&E; 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 of 3.0 and obtain permission from his or
her advisor. Students taking a 500-level course must satisfy the same requirements
and are graded in the same way as other graduate students.
Electives
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 advisor.
Systems Engineering of Computer-Based Systems
(15 credits 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 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 credits 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 Decision and Risk Analysis; SYST 510 System 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 credits chosen from the following): SYST 420 Network Analysis; SYST 442 Decision
Support System Design; SYST 455 Intelligent Systems Engineering; SYST 473 Decision
and Risk Analysis; OR 435 Computer Simulation Modeling; OR 451 Optimization Models;
OR 481 Numerical Methods in Engineering; STAT 455 Experimental Design; STAT 457 Applied
Nonparametric Statistics.
Certificates
In addition to receiving their B.S. degree, students may wish to select a concentration
that contributes toward either of the following certificate programs.
B.S. 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. 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.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university's writing-intensive requirement for systems engineering majors
is satisfied by the successful completion of SYST 490 and 495.
Combined B.S./M.S. Program
Qualified undergraduate students may apply for a five-year combined B.S./M.S.
program leading to a bachelor of science in an engineering discipline and an M.S.
degree. The combined B.S./M.S. program can be completed in 144 credits.
Applicants to the combined B.S./M.S. program must be George Mason undergraduate
students with majors in the School of IT&E. Students may apply for the combined
B.S./M.S. program during a semester after which they completed 90 or more credits.
Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.000 to apply for the program. Students
who have not yet finished 90 credits may be accepted provisionally subject to satisfactory
completion of 90 credits. Criteria for admission into the combined B.S./M.S. program
are identical to criteria for admission into the M.S. program, with the exception
that students do not need to have completed an undergraduate degree before admission
into the program.
Students must complete all requirements for the B.S. in their chosen majors. Students
in the combined B.S./M.S. program may apply to have the B.S. degree from the appropriate
School of IT&E program conferred during the semester during which they expect
to complete their B.S. requirements. The M.S. degree is granted upon completion of
the remaining courses.
Up to two courses (six credits) of master's-level courses may be applied to both
the undergraduate and graduate degrees. These two courses may be chosen from the
list of graduate courses in the following table. For B.S. candidates, these graduate
courses replace the corresponding undergraduate courses listed in the table. The
undergraduate version of these courses may not be applied toward the M.S. degree.
Systems engineering majors in the combined B.S./M.S. program are required to take
SYST 530 in place of SYST 471.
| Graduate course |
Undergraduate Course |
Comment |
| SYST 520 |
SYST 301 |
SYST 301 or SYST 520 is required for B.S. program. Systems engineering
majors receiving B or better in SYST 301 may replace SYST 520 in the graduate program
with an advisor-approved elective. |
| SYST 521 |
SYST 420 |
Credit may not be received for both SYST 521 and SYST 420. |
| SYST 530 |
SYST 471 |
Credit may not be received for both SYST 530 and SYST 471. |
| SYST 542 |
SYST 442 |
Credit may not be received for both SYST 542 and SYST 442. |
| SYST 555 |
SYST 455 |
Credit may not be received for both SYST 555 and SYST 455. |
| SYST 573 |
SYST 473 |
Credit may not be received for both SYST 573 and SYST 473. |
| Any other 500-level SYST course |
-- |
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Graduate Degree (M.S.) in Systems Engineering
The graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Systems Engineering prepares
students for a professional creer 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 advisor. Students must work with their advisors
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 concentration, and a thesis
or systems engineering project. The plan of study must include 30 graduate credits.
Either a thesis (six credits) or research project (three credits) 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. 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, 114, 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
before taking SYST 500. The course STAT 530 offers an intensive review of these subjects.
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
is also expected. Students should acquaint themselves with these software packages
before beginning classes.
Core Courses
Students must complete the following three core courses (nine credits):
SYST 510 Systems Definition and Cost Modeling
SYST 520 System Design and Integration
SYST 530 System Management and Evaluation
Concentration Area Courses
Students must complete two basic methods courses and a set of elective courses
that together constitute a clearly defined concentration 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 concentrations, or may create
their own concentrations with the approval of their advisors: systems engineering
methods; systems management; command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I);
and systems engineering of computer-based systems. Approved basic methods courses
and electives for the major concentrations are listed on the following pages.
Project or Thesis
Students must complete a project (three credits) or thesis (six credits) under
the direction of a systems engineering faculty member.
Under the project option, the student completes three credits of SYST 798. A project
objective is selected with the approval of the faculty project advisor. A project
report is submitted at the end of the semester and must be approved by the faculty
project advisor. Although a student may register for more than three credits of project
work, only three credits will be applied toward the degree.
Under the thesis option, the student completes six credits 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 advisor, and the final written thesis and
oral defense are approved by a three-member faculty committee and submitted to the
School of IT&E. The thesis work is expected to be completed while taking six
credits of SYST 799. Although a student may register for more than six credits, only
six credits will be applied toward the degree.
Systems Engineering Methods
Systems engineers must address a broad range of issues relevant to the design,
implementation, analysis, and management of systems. The systems engineering methods
concentration provides the student with methodological tools that can be applied
to the systems engineering process. Areas of emphasis 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--Students must complete SYST 611 System Methodology
and Modeling and one of the following:
SYST 511/INFS 611 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--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 emphasis and must be approved by the student's
advisor.
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
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 concentration 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--Students must complete SYST 573 Decision and Risk
Analysis and one of the following:
SYST 511/INFS 611 Systems Architecture for Large-Scale Systems
SYST 563 Research Methods in Systems Engineering and Information Technology
OR 542 Operations Research: Stochastic Models
Elective Courses--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 emphasis.
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 concentration 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--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--A sample set of approved elective courses is given below.
The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined emphasis. Examples of
emphasis include C3 architectures, C2 software, communications, decision support,
modeling and simulation, or sensing and fusion.
Students in the C3I concentration must take the following two courses:
SYST 680/ECE 670/OR 683: Principles of C3I:I
SYST 681/ECE 671/OR 684: 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
The computer-based systems concentration 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--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--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 emphasis.
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 in C3I
A certificate in C3I 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, students must take (1) SYST 680 and SYST 681; (2)
ECE 528 or OR 542; and (3) two approved electives from the C3I concentration. The
following is a suggested program of study for obtaining the certificate while studying
for the M.S. in Systems Engineering (required courses for the certificate are indicated
in italics):
Core courses: SYST 510, 520, 530
Methods courses: SYST 611, ECE 528 or OR 542
Elective courses: SYST 680, 681; two C3I-approved elective courses
Project: SYST 798
Certificate in Systems Engineering for Computer,
Information, and Software Intensive Systems
A certificate is systems engineering for computer, information and software intensive
systems is available to students who hold bachelor's degrees in engineering and scientific
disciplines, or who are in graduate status in such programs. To be eligible for a
ceritficate, students must complete SYST 510, 511, 512, 513, and one of the following
elective courses:ECE542, 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. in Systems Engineering (required courses for the certificate
are indicated in italics):
Core courses: SYST 510, 520, 530
Methods courses: SYST 511; concentration-approved methods course
Elective courses: SYST 512, 513; certificate elective course; concentration-approved
elective course
Project: SYST 798
Ph.D. Study in Systems Engineering
Doctoral study in systems engineering is available through the Ph.D. in Information
Technology program, which offers advanced courses in this discipline. The doctoral
program allows the student to take a broad range of courses and research options.
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