Advanced Systems Engineering MSc
Description
Our MSc in Systems Engineering can be taken in 1 year full-time or as a 2-3 year part-time course. It is designed specifically to meet the changing needs of industry and develop the postgraduate engineering workforce.
While it may still be appropriate for engineers to specialise in one discipline, they need to appreciate how their specialism contributes to the bigger system. They need to be able to operate in and develop the bigger system. This is what the Systems Engineering Programme provides.
Engineers and managers from all sectors will benefit, but particularly those working or preparing to work in the aerospace, electronics, transport, energy, defence, automotive, communications and health industries.
According to the Royal Academy of Engineering*, systems skills put you at the top of the engineering food chain. "The benefits of the systems approach are pervasive. Integrated system design is a management philosophy that:
• brings clear thinking that looks at the whole problem and identifies the gaps and challenges before they become critical, informing both the management plan and the business case for a project
• identifies who owns every part of the problem and their interdependencies, leading to a disciplined and auditable process
• reduces risks and hence leads to lower cost and better performance.
* "Creating Systems That Work" (2007)
Our course is aimed primarily at Engineers in industry to develop and broaden their existing capability and at managers in engineering companies who wish to develop their systems engineering skills. It is designed to act as a post-experience conversion programme - from any engineering or related discipline.
It provides:
- knowledge and technical expertise in a selected range of technologies
- the extension and deepening of knowledge in related areas through the availability of elective modules
- an integrated systems engineering viewpoint of related technologies, processes, techniques and their effective use
- insights into essential skills such as multi-criteria decision-making with an awareness of business risk and other facets of a systems engineering approach to managing complex projects
- the ability to transfer newly acquired skills and knowledge into the workplace through the experience of the industry-focused individual Master's project
- awareness of the importance to ultimate success, of effective, integrated, multi-skilled project teams working in extended enterprises beyond the confines of any particular organisation.
The programme provides an excellent in-road into gaining capabilities that will enhance future career opportunities. The broad appeal of the technology-inspired innovative culture fostered by the programme ensures the acquisition of skills transferable to all engineering domains. The collaborative nature of the work undertaken brings together people, processes, and technology into an integrative workflow that provides added value well recognised by potential employers.
As expected in this exciting study environment, modules include systems thinking and design that underpin the concepts of the approach taken; simulation modelling and through-life capability management that provide tools to tackle complexity; and innovation, entrepreneurship and holistic systems that provide an engagement with industry. An opportunity to work more formally with industry through group and individual projects is the norm, as are the links with the School’s Systems-based Research Groups. If you relish a career-enhancing challenge, this programme is for you!
Most of the modules making up the MSc award can be taken as Professional Development Short Courses - a convenient way of addressing specific skills gaps.
For more information and how to apply, view the University on-line Prospectus entry for our Systems Engineering MSc.
Alternatively please contact Professor Ron Summers who is the Programme Director.