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The University of Texas at Dallas
Graduate Admissions

Master of Science Degree and Certificate Programs in
Systems Engineering and Management (SEM)
Joint Degree Program Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science,
and, Naveen Jindal School of Management

Program Directors

Dr. Rajiv R. Shah (Naveen Jindal School of Management), and Dr. Duncan Macfarlane (Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science)

Objective

The Graduate Program in Systems Engineering and Management provides intensive preparation for professional practice in the design, engineering and management of complex systems involving a large number of interconnected components.

Overview

The Master’s in Systems Engineering and Management (MS-SEM) program is delivered through an equal partnership between the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Management (SOM). The program focuses on educating students in the disciplines of Systems Engineering, Systems Management, Entrepreneurship & Intrapreneurship, Product Line Development and Management, and Strategic Business Management. Industry concentrations for the program include: aerospace, defense and space systems; transportation systems; information and communications technology (ICT) systems; information assurance and cyber-security systems; healthcare systems; energy, environment and infrastructure systems; complex biological systems; and macro-economic and financial systems. We draw our faculty for the core courses from both the engineering and management schools; faculty from other schools on campus, and industry leaders with expertise in specific fields will be invited to teach courses as appropriate.

Faculty

Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science

Kendra Cooper, Duncan L. MacFarlane, Mark W. Spong, Lakshman Tamil, Mathukumalli Vidyasagar

School of Management

Abhi Biswas, Greg Dess, Robert Kieschnick, Rajiv Shah, David Springate, Chelliah Sriskandarajah, Jim Szot

Facilities

UT Dallas has developed a state-of-the-art computational facility. All systems are connected via an extensive fiber-optic, Ethernet and, through Internet2 and the Texas Higher Education Network, have direct access to most major national and international networks. In addition, many personal computers are available for student use. In addition to the facilities on campus, cooperative arrangements have been established with many local industries to make their facilities available to UT Dallas graduate students.

Admission Requirements

The University’s general admission requirements are discussed here. A student lacking undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses must complete prerequisites or receive approval from the graduate adviser and the course instructor. A diagnostic examination may be required. Specific admission requirements follow.

A student entering the MS-SEM program should meet the following guidelines:

  A minimum of a BS in engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, economics or finance (in order to ensure adequate fundamental skills in mathematics) from an accredited program.

  Must submit GRE and/or GMAT scores, as appropriate

  Must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to judge the candidate’s probability of success in pursuing a program of study leading to the master’s degree.

  Must also submit an essay outlining the candidate’s background, education and professional goals.

Degree Requirements

The University’s general degree requirements are discussed here. The MS in SEM program is designed to be flexible to accommodate different student backgrounds, allowing students to pick up areas in which they are deficient, while still guaranteeing core competency in systems engineering and systems management. This program has both a thesis and a non-thesis option. All part-time MS in SEM students will be assigned initially to the non-thesis option. Those wishing to elect the thesis option may do so by obtaining the approval of a faculty thesis supervisor. To receive a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering and Management, a student must meet the following minimum set of requirements:

Course Requirements

The MS in SEM degree will require a total of 36 credit hours consisting of 12 courses in the non-thesis option or 10 courses plus 6 hours of thesis credit for the thesis option. All students must have an academic advisor and an approved degree plan. Courses taken without advisor approval will not count toward the 36 semester-hour requirement. Successful completion of the approved course of studies leads to the MS in SEM degree.

Non-thesis Option:

Completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate level lecture courses including the required core courses. With advisor approval, these may include some 5000 level courses.

Thesis Option:

An alternative to 36 credit hours required for the MS SEM degree, would be the completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate level lecture courses, including the required core courses, and 6 semester hours of a combination of Master’s research (SYSM 6V70) and thesis (SYSM 6V98), submitted to the graduate school, and a formal public defense of the thesis.

Students enrolled in the thesis option should meet with individual faculty members to discuss research opportunities and to choose a research advisor during the first or second semester that the student is enrolled. After the second semester of study, course selection should be made in consultation with the research advisor. Part-time students are encouraged to enroll in only one course during their first semester and in no more than two courses during any semester they are also working full-time.

Research and thesis hours cannot be counted in an MS in SEM degree plan unless a thesis is written and successfully defended. A supervising committee, which must be chosen in consultation with the student’s thesis advisor prior to enrolling for thesis credit, administers the defense. With advisor approval, the lecture courses may include some 5000 level courses. Full-time students at UTD who receive financial assistance are required to enroll in 9 semester credit hours during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Either Option:

In either option, students must earn a grade of B- or better in each of four core courses, two of which must be selected from the following engineering courses and two of which must be selected from the following management courses:

Required Courses: Students are required to take 4 courses (a total of 12 credit hours) from a set of 8 courses in the table below. Two of the courses must be from the Engineering 1 section and two from the Management 1 section. The 4 required courses contribute a total of 12 credit hours towards the MS degree.

Engineering Core Courses:

SYSM 6301 Systems Engineering, Architecture and Design
SYSM 6302 Dynamics of Complex Networks and Systems
SYSM 6303 Quantitative Risk, Probability, Stochastic Processes
SYSM 6304 Risk Assessment and Management

Management Core Courses:

SYSM 6311 Systems Project Management
SYSM 6312 Systems Financial Management
SYSM 6313 Negotiating Deals & Resolving Conflict Within the Organization
SYSM 6314 Manufacturing & Service Systems Planning & Analysis

Students will take additional courses from those described in the following pages.

Recommended Elective Courses: Choose any 18 hours of 6000 level courses or higher with approval of the advisor.

Prescribed Elective Courses: these consist of an additional 4 courses (a total of 12 credit hours) from the set of 20 courses listed in the table, excluding the four courses already taken for the requirement above. At least two of these courses must be chosen from the two Engineering sections in the table, and two from the two Management sections.

SEM Core Curriculum

Section & Course

Course Title

Credit

Engineering 1

 

 

SYSM6301

Systems Engineering Architecture & Design

3

SYSM6302

Dynamics of Complex Networks & Systems

3

SYSM6303

Quantitative Risk, Probability, Stochastic Processes

3

SYSM6304

Risk Assessment and Management

3

Management 1

 

 

SYSM6311

Systems Project Management

3

SYSM6312

Systems Financial Management

3

SYSM6313

Negotiating Deals & Resolving Conflict within the Organization

3

SYSM6314

Manufacturing and Service Systems Planning and Analysis

3

Engineering 2

 

 

SYSM6305

Dynamic Systems Modeling & Analysis

3

SYSM6306

Modeling and Simulation of Engineering Systems

3

SYSM6331

Systems and Control Theory

3

SYSM6356

Software Maintenance, Evolution and Re-engineering

3

SYSM6361

Advanced Requirements Engineering

3

SYSM6367

Software Testing, Validation, Verification

3

Management 2

 

 

SYSM6315

The Entrepreneurial Experience

3

SYSM6316

Innovation within the Corporation

3

SYSM6317

The Management of High Tech Products

3

SYSM6318

Marketing Management, Marketing Systems Analysis

3

SYSM6319

Business Economics

3

SYSM6320

Strategic Leadership

3

Free Elective Courses: For the free electives students will be able to take any 4 additional and distinct courses of the remaining 12 core courses that have not already been taken as required courses or prescribed elective courses. Students will also be able to take additional free elective courses that are already being offered in management or in engineering that will allow “concentration” or “specialization” in specific industry sectors, including the following:

Areas for Free Electives

1.     Healthcare Services

2.     Energy, Resources and Infrastructure

3.     Complex Brain, Biological and Behavioral

4.     Aerospace, Defense and Space

5.     Telecom and IT Networks

6.     Information Assurance and Cyber-security

7.     Arts and Technology and Web-based

8.     Transportation

9.     Macro-economic and Financial Services

10.  Global Supply Chain Management

Note: SEM includes two non-degree certificate options (listed below), one in Systems Engineering and one in Systems Management. Students who complete both certificates can go on to earn the M.S. degree by taking additional program courses, and meeting the requirements set out above.

Interdisciplinary Opportunities

In keeping with the established tradition of research at UT-Dallas, the Systems Engineering and Management Program encourages students to interact with researchers in other strong programs, in the engineering, management or science disciplines.

SEM Certificate Programs

Curriculum Requirements

Students have a choice of two different SEM certificates: a Certificate in Systems Engineering, or, a Certificate in Systems Management. Each certificate requires 12 credit hours. The courses are offered in an Executive Education, 4-hour module format.

(1) The Certificate in Systems Engineering requires students to complete over the period of one academic year two courses from the set of engineering courses listed below, and any two additional courses from the remainder of the 20 SYSM-prefix courses listed below in either group, engineering or management. 

Systems Engineering Courses

Prefix & Number

Engineering Course Titles

Credit

SYSM 6301

Systems Engineering Architecture & Design

3

SYSM 6302

Dynamics of Complex Networks & Systems

3

SYSM 6303

Quantitative Risk, Probability, Stochastic Processes

3

SYSM 6304

Risk Assessment and Management

3

SYSM 6305

Dynamic Systems Modeling & Analysis

3

SYSM 6306

Modeling and Simulation of Engineering Systems

3

SYSM 6331

Systems and Control Theory

3

SYSM 6356

Software Maintenance, Evolution and Re-engineering

3

SYSM 6361

Advanced Requirements Engineering

3

SYSM 6367

Software Testing, Validation, Verification

3

(2) The Certificate in Systems Management requires students to complete over the period of one academic year two courses from the set of management courses listed below, and any two additional courses from the remainder of the 20 SYSM-prefix courses listed in either group, engineering or management.

 

Systems Management Courses

Prefix & Number

Management Course Titles

Credit

SYSM 6311

Systems Project Management

3

SYSM 6312

Systems Financial Management

3

SYSM 6313

Negotiating Deals & Resolving Conflict within the Organization

3

SYSM 6314

Manufacturing and Service Systems Planning and Analysis

3

SYSM 6315

The Entrepreneurial Experience

3

SYSM 6316

Innovation within the Corporation

3

SYSM 6317

The Management of High Tech Products

3

SYSM 6318

Marketing Management, Marketing Systems Analysis

3

SYSM 6319

Business Economics

3

SYSM 6320

Strategic Leadership

3

 

 

Engineering Course Descriptions

 

SYSM 6301 Systems Engineering, Architecture and Design (3 credit hours) The course will consider concepts related to the architecture and design of large-scale and decentralized Systems from technical and management perspectives. An overview of Systems architectures, requirements analysis, design tradeoffs, and reliability will be discussed through case studies and mathematical techniques. Students will explore the history and current state-of-the-art in systems architecture and design concepts, international standardization bodies, engineering processes, notations, and tool support from both theoretical and practical perspectives. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6302 Dynamics of Complex Networks and Systems (3 credit hours) Design, development, and analysis of the dynamics of large, complex interconnected networks and systems.
(3-0) Y
SYSM 6303 Quantitative Risk, Probability, Stochastic Processes (3 credit hours).
In this course, basic approaches of risk analysis in project planning and management are presented.  The methodology used will be based on probability theory and statistics.  Students will be expected to present a project report as a part of the course. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6304 Risk Assessment and Management (3 credit hours) This course will familiarize participants with various kinds of risk that an organization may face; methodologies for identifying these risks and classifying them into various categories, their extent and their potential for causing harm; methods for quantifying the potential impact of various kinds of risk, as well as the cost of implementing risk management techniques; and risk management and implementation strategies at an organizational level. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6305 Dynamic Systems Modeling & Analysis (3 credit hours) This course will address foundational aspects of linear systems, nonlinear systems and signal processing.  Techniques such as time-domain and frequency domain will be introduced.  Applications to real-world engineering systems will be presented, such as target tracking, large scale communication networks, and large scale energy systems. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6306 Modeling & Simulation of Engineering Systems (3 credit hours) This course will present principles of computational modeling, simulation and optimization of complex systems. Techniques covered include hierarchical decomposition, cellular decomposition, nonlinear programming and Monte Carlo simulation. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6331 Systems & Control Theory (3 credit hours) This course will present widely used concepts and techniques from systems and control theory:, such as convolution integrals, transfer functions, state space, stability, controllability, observability, and feedback. Prerequisites: MECH 2300 and MECH 4310 or equivalents or consent of instructor. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6356 (CS 6356, SE 6356) Software Maintenance, Evolution & Re-engineering (3 credit hours) Principles and techniques of software maintenance.
Impact of software development process on software justifiability, maintainability, evolvability, and planning of release cycles.
Use of very high-level languages and dependencies for forward engineering and reverse engineering. Achievements, pitfalls, and trends in software reuse, reverse engineering, and re-engineering. Prerequisite: CE/CS/SE 5354 or consent of instructor. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6361 (CS 6361, SE 6361) Advanced Requirements Engineering (3 credit hours) System and software requirements engineering.
Identification, elicitation, modeling, analysis, specification, management, and evolution of functional and non-functional requirements.
Strengths and weaknesses of different techniques, tools, and object-oriented methodologies. Interactions and trade-offs among hardware, software, and organization. System and sub-system integration with software and organization as components of complex, composite systems. Transition from requirements to design. Critical issues in requirements engineering. Prerequisite: CE/CS/SE 5354 or consent of instructor. (3-0)S
SYSM 6367 (CE 6367, CS 6367, SE 6367) Software Testing, Validation, Verification (3 credit hours) Fundamental concepts of software testing.
Functional testing. GUI based testing tools. Control flow based test adequacy criteria. Data flow based test adequacy criteria. White box based testing tools. Mutation testing and testing tools. Relationship between test adequacy criteria. Finite state machine based testing. Static and dynamic program slicing for testing and debugging. Software reliability. Formal verification of program correctness.  Prerequisites: CE/CS/SE 5354 or consent of instructor. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6V70 Research In Systems Engineering and Management (3-9 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit.) For pass/fail credit only. ([3-9]-0) R
SYSM 6V80 Special Topics in Systems Engineering and Management (1–6 semester hours) For letter grade credit only. (May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours.) ([1-6]-0) S
SYSM 6V98 Thesis (3-9 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit.) For pass/fail credit only. ([3-9]-0)S

Management Course Descriptions

 

SYSM 6311 Systems Project Management (3 credit hours) Systems project management is the discipline of planning, organizing and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. The course will cover critical path methods for planning and controlling projects including time and cost tradeoffs, resource utilization, organizational design, conflict resolution and stochastic considerations. Prerequisites: none (3-0) Y
SYSM 6312 Systems Financial Management (3 credit hours) Theoretical and procedural considerations in the administration of the finance function in the individual business firm; planning, fundraising, controlling of firm finances; working capital management, capital budgeting and cost of capital. Co-prerequisites: OPRE 6301 and ACCT 6201, or consent of instructor. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6313 Negotiating Deals & Resolving Conflict Within the Organization (3 credit hours) This course explores the theories, processes, and practical techniques of negotiation so that students can successfully negotiate and resolve disputes in a variety of situations including interpersonal, group, and international settings. Emphasis is placed on understanding influence and conflict resolution strategies; identifying interests, issues, and positions of the parties involved; analyzing co-negotiators, their negotiation styles, and the negotiation situations; and managing the dynamics associated with most negotiations. Practical skills are developed through the use of simulations and exercises. Prerequisite: OB6301 or consent of instructor. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6314 Manufacturing & Service Systems Planning & Analysis (3 credit hours)
Manufacturing & Service Systems Planning & Analysis is the study of management related to transforming inputs to outputs for both manufacturing and service organizations. Its fundamental purpose is the adding of value to inputs - materials, labor, capital and management - to create outputs - products or services which customers want-throughout the supply chain. Prerequisites: none (3-0) Y
SYSM 6315 The Entrepreneurial Experience (3 credit hours) This course is designed to provide student teams with practical experience in the investigation, evaluation and recommendation of technology and/or market entry strategies for a significant new business opportunity. Projects will be defined by the faculty and will generally focus on emerging market opportunities defined by new technologies of interest to a sponsoring corporate partner. Teams will be comprised of management and engineering graduate students, mentored by faculty and representatives of the partnering company. Evaluation will be based on papers, presentations and other deliverables defined on a case-by-case basis. Prerequisites: ENTP 6370 or consent of instructor (3-0) Y
SYSM 6316 Innovation within the Corporation (3 credit hours)
Intrapreneurs are the entrepreneurs within established corporations who combine innovation, creativity and leadership to develop and launch new products, new product lines and new business units that grow revenues and profits from within. Course topics include the elements of strategic analysis and positioning for competitive advantage in dynamic markets, and the structuring, utilization and mobilization of the internal resources of existing firms in the pursuit of growth and new market opportunities. Prerequisites: OB 6301 and ENTP 6370 or consent of the instructor. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6317 Management of High Tech Products (3 credit hours)
This course addresses the strategic and organizational issues confronted by firms in technology-intensive environments. The course reflects five broad themes: (1) managing firms in technology-intensive industries; (2) linking technology and business strategies; (3) using technology as a source of competitive advantage; (4) organizing firms to achieve these goals; and (5) implementing new technologies in organizations. Prerequisites: AIM 6201 and OB 6301 or consent of instructor. (3-0)
SYSM 6318 Marketing Management, Marketing Systems Analysis (3 credit hours) Overview of marketing management methods, principles and concepts including product, pricing, promotion and distribution decisions. Prerequisites: none (3-0) Y
SYSM 6319 Business Economics (3 credit hours) This course provides foundations of the economic analysis of business problems, with special emphasis on the function and determination of market prices in production and consumption. Supply and demand, price theory, production theory, trade theory with reference to the global economy, the effects of tax and other policies in the economy, and essential elements of the banking system and monetary policy are addressed. Prerequisite: MATH 5304 or equivalent or consent of instructor. (3-0) Y
SYSM 6320 Strategic Leadership (3 semester hours) This course a
ddresses the challenge of leading organizations in dynamic and challenging environments. Overall goal is to not only question one’s assumptions about leadership, but also enhance skills and acquire new content knowledge. Topics include visionary and transformational leadership; post-heroic leadership; empowerment; leveraging & combining resources, designing organizations, and ethics. Prerequisites: none (3-0) Y

 

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Last Updated: October 13, 2011