What You Can Get

Academic Programs

Purdue Fort Wayne offers a master of science in engineering (M.S.E.) with a specialization in systems engineering. The program provides a core of systems engineering knowledge along with a flexible degree path to enhance any technical background. The program offers a master’s thesis option as well. For more information, please see the systems engineering program information.

We also offer a systems engineering certificate for master’s students in other degree programs, including computer science, M.S.E., math, physics, and MBA. In addition, students may earn a systems engineering certificate after completing four systems engineering courses.

• Master’s Degree in Engineering

  Master’s Degree in Engineering

  PLAN OF STUDY

  Successful completion of the M.S.E. degree specializing in systems engineering requires completion of the following courses:

  • Four core courses in systems engineering selected from the following:
    
    • SE 52000 Engineering Economics
    • SE 53000 Systems Engineering Management
    • SE 54000 System Architecture
    • SE 55000 Manufacturing System Design for Sustainability
    • SE 58301 Engineering Statistics for Industry
  • Two electives in engineering
  • Two electives in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or technology
  • Two general electives

  THESIS OPTION

  A thesis option is available for students who would like to do research in the area of systems engineering. Six hours of thesis research replaces the two general electives in the generic plan of study. Thesis research can be focused on a project sponsored by the student's employer or in conjunction with work being done by the Center of Excellence in Systems Engineering.

  Discover more about the graduate program by contacting [email protected].

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• Systems Engineering Certificate

  Systems Engineering Certificate

  Purdue Fort Wayne also offers a systems engineering certificate for students who are not interested in undertaking the full master’s degree program. Students must complete four of the five core courses in systems engineering to receive the certificate.

  The certificate program has the same application requirements and process as the M.S.E. program.

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• SE Courses

  SE Courses

  The following credit courses are offered in Systems Engineering:

  SE 52000 Engineering Economics (semester, in person)
  3 credit hours
  Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing

  Financial parameters of a project are often a driving force in its management and, eventually, its success.  This course presents an overview of accounting principles and economic concepts that drive project selection, design, and development, including such topics as the time-value of money, cash flow, return on investment, and risk.

  SE 53000 Systems Engineering Management (semester, in person)
  3 credit hours
  Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing
  

  The goal of systems engineering management is to align the enterprise focus to successfully develop products and processes that satisfy customer requirements. This course studies the relationships between human organizations and the project management tools that are designed to create a seamless work flow and keep projects on time and on budget.

  SE 54000 System Architecture (semester, in person)
  3 credit hours
  Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing

  An architecture is a conceptual model that defines the structure and behavior of a system. It defines viewpoints that address concerns and views which attempt to answer those concerns.  This course examines existing frameworks for creating and using system architectures and augments understanding with a class project to architect a system.

  SE 55000 Manufacturing System Design for Sustainability (seven-week online format and semester, in person)
  3 credit hours
  Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing

  Production is a system design that is often overlooked but vastly important to the success of the enterprise.  This course analyzes the design of manufacturing processes to meet the overall system requirements and discusses lean and six-sigma techniques and when to apply them.

  SE 58301 Engineering Technology Statistics for Industry (seven-week online format)
  3 credit hours
  Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing

  The purpose of this course is to teach how to use and make better decisions as a manager for making process, business, or personnel decisions. Emphasis will be placed on Verification, Validation in R&D, Manufacturing, QA/QC, basic probability, Summarizing Data, Basic Tools (flowcharts, fishbone diagrams, Pareto charts), SPC, Cp/CPK. Upper and lower control limits/charts, Use of Control Charts for Continual Improvement, Six Sigma, Design of Experiments, and Taguchi Methodology.

• Non-Credit Courses

  Non-Credit Courses

  The Center of Excellence in Systems Engineering occasionally offers noncredit courses outside of the graduate program. These may be offered periodically through the Division of Continuing Studies or can be scheduled for direct delivery to industry groups.

  If your group or company is interested in learning more about systems engineering course capabilities at your facility, contact Joseph Smith, associate director of the Center of Excellence in Systems Engineering, at [email protected]. 

Assistantships

• Application

  Application

  You will need to submit the following documents to the Center of Excellence in Systems Engineering:

   

  Complete Graduate Research Assistantship Application - Digitally.

  For those candidates who are being considered, there will be an interview process.

    

  Duties may consist of but are not limited to assisting faculty with the research of various types, analyzing and reviewing data and statistical information, assisting with surveys and evaluation processes, etc.

   

  This position carries a research obligation with the Center of Excellence in Systems Engineering. Students hired as graduate assistants are not allowed to work outside of Purdue Fort Wayne, since it would conflict with the hours they have agreed to work as graduate assistants. Students must portray themselves in a professional manner as a graduate research assistant.