Professional Master’s Course Descriptions

Engineering Courses

SYSM 6301 (MECH 6337) Systems Engineering, Architecture, and Design (3 credit hours)
Architecture and design of large-scale and decentralized systems from technical and management perspectives. Systems architectures, requirements analysis, design tradeoffs, and reliability through various case studies and multiple types of mathematical techniques. International standardization bodies, including INCOSE, engineering frameworks, processes, and tool support from both theoretical and practical perspectives

SYSM 6302 (BMEN 6302, EECS 6302, MECH 6317) Dynamics of Complex Networks and Systems (3 credit hours)
Design and analysis of complex interconnected networks and systems. Basic concepts in graph theory, Eulerian and Hamiltonian graphs, traveling-salesman problems, random graphs, power laws, small-world networks, clustering, introduction to dynamical systems, stability, chaos, and fractals. Prerequisites: none

SYSM 6303 (OPRE 6301) Statistics and Data Analysis (3 credit hours).
Introduction to statistical and probabilistic methods and theory applicable to situations faced by managers. Topics include: data presentation and summarization, regression analysis, fundamental probability theory and random variables, introductory decision analysis, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and One Way ANOVA (Some sections of this class may require a laptop computer). Prerequisites: none

SYSM 6304 (OPRE 6335) Risk and Decision Analysis (3 credit hours)
This course provides an overview of the main concepts and methods of risk assessment, risk management, and decision analysis. Methods used in industry such as probabilistic risk assessment, Six Sigma, and reliability are discussed. Advanced methods from economics and finance (decision optimization and portfolio analysis) are presented. Prerequisites: SYSM 6303 or OPRE 6301

SYSM 6305 Optimization Theory and Practice (3 credit hours)
Basics of optimization theory, numerical algorithms, and applications. The course is divided into three main parts: linear programming (simplex method, duality theory); unconstrained methods (optimality conditions, descent algorithms and convergence theorems); and constrained minimization (Lagrange multipliers, Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions, active set, penalty, and interior point methods). Applications in engineering, operations, finance, statistics, and more will be emphasized. Students will use Matlab’s optimization toolbox to obtain practical experience with the material. Prerequisites: none

SYSM 6306 (BMEN 6372/MECH 6314) Engineering Systems: Modeling and Simulation (3 credit hours)
This course will present principles of computational modeling and simulation of systems. General topics covered include: parametric and non-parametric modeling, system simulation, parameter estimation, linear regression and least squares, model structure and model validation through simulation, and numerical issues in systems theory. Techniques covered include methods from numerical linear algebra, nonlinear programming, and Monte Carlo simulation with applications to general engineering systems. Modeling and simulation software is utilized (MATLAB/SIMULINK). Prerequisites: none

SYSM 6307 (EECS 6331/MECH 6300) Linear Systems (3 semester hours)
State space methods of analysis and design of linear dynamical systems. Coordinate transformations and tools from advanced linear algebra. Controllability and observability. Lyapunov stability analysis. Pole assignment, stabilizability, detectability. State estimation for deterministic models, observers. Introduction to the optimal linear quadratic regulator problem. Prerequisites: ENGR 2300 and EE 4310 or MECH 4310 or equivalents

SYSM 6308 (SE 6356/CS 6356) Software Maintenance, Evolution and 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 re-use, reverse engineering, and re-engineering. Prerequisites: CE/CS/SE 5354

SYSM 6310 (SE 6367/CE 6367/CS 6367) Software Testing, Validation and 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: CS/SE 5354

SYSM 6323 Functional Safety Systems (3 semester credit hours) – Exploration of functional safety  systems in various industries from a technical and management perspective. Students will perform individual case studies on functional safety best practices in selected industries such as machinery, transportation, medical, process sector, and energy storage. Students will collaborate on cross-functional teams for practical experience conducting weekly activities in Functional Safety Management, Hazard and Risk Assessment, Safety Concepts, Safety Requirements Specifications, Safety Design Documentation, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, Validation and Verification, Functional Safety Assessment and Certification. Industry partners will guide students throughout the course and participate in final project mock assessment and certification. Cross listed: SYSM 6V80

SYSM 6325 Requirements Design, Development, and Integration for Complex Systems (3 semester hours)
Building on the premise that systems engineering is the glue that holds complex programs together, this course will teach the foundations of effective requirements design and development for complex systems. Students will learn principles and techniques used for effective creation of requirements early within a system’s lifecycle, including effective system integration planning. Practical skills are developed through the use of various case studies and a significant group project (for real, “external” customers, when possible). Prerequisite or Corequisite: SYSM 6301

SYSM 6326 Systems Lifecycle Cost Analysis (3 semester hours)
This course will provide an understanding of system lifecycle cost analysis concepts (also known as systems affordability) and the lifecycle costing process. It will examine the importance of using these concepts when attempting to make the best possible engineering and business decisions throughout a system’s lifecycle. The concepts will include special emphasis on the analysis and evaluation of alternatives by collectively weighing costs, risks and opportunities, performance, weight, and other benefit/risk parameters. Topics will include total ownership cost, various estimating methods and techniques (including sensitivity and some risk analysis), cost analysis processes, system trade studies, and system cost effectiveness, to name a few. Practical skills are developed through the use of various case studies and a significant group project, maturing from “concept” into “operations & support” throughout the semester. Prerequisite: SYSM 6301

SYSM 6327 Systems Reliability (3 semester hours)
This course will provide an advanced understanding of reliability analysis of complex systems, including many of its extended analysis focus areas such as availability, maintainability, and supportability (RAMS). Course analysis variables include stress under various conditions, the use of degradation data, relationships between accelerated stresses and normal operating conditions, dependability failures, repairable and non-repairable components, preventive maintenance, replacement and inspection, and accelerated life reliability models, to name a few. The course will also address important reliability metrics and the impact of reliability in the design, development, and management of organizations. Prerequisite: SYSM 6303 or OPRE 6301

SYSM 6328 Computer and Networks Systems Security (3 semester credit hours) This course is a comprehensive study of security principles and practices for computer and network systems. Topics to be covered include fundamental concepts in computer and network security and common attacks and attacking techniques on computer systems and networks. Practical security policies, defense strategies, and mechanisms, as well as fundamentals of cryptographic tools will be discussed. Defense techniques such as secured protocols, authentication, access control, and network intrusion detection will also be covered. Hands-on computer and network security labs using virtual machines will be used to enhance students’ learning. Prerequisite: An undergraduate course on operating systems (e.g. CS 4348 or SE 4348) and instructor consent required.

SYSM 6329 Quality Engineering (3 semester credit hours) This course will provide an introduction to Quality Engineering, focusing on several important topics: improvement and process documentation, lean enterprise and Six Sigma, statistics in process variation, process sampling and improvement with control charts, variables and attributes control charts, process diagnosis, capability and improvement, specifications and inspection policy. The course will also provide an overview of Deming and variability reduction, as well as the fundamentals of systems reliability, quality management, and design of experiments. (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.

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.)

SYSM 6V80 / BMEN 6V87 Special Topics – Systems Analysis in Digital Health – This project-based course will teach systems analysis and data science techniques using digital health data. The project will: have students collect data on themselves throughout the semester using a provided Ōura Ring wearable device (at no cost to the student); build a secure system to store, access, and analyze the data; and use signal processing and machine learning approaches to identify and analyze trends in collected signals. Lectures will cover a variety of topics, including systems analysis, data science, and digital health. No prior knowledge of biology or human health is required. Prerequisites: Signals and Systems (BMEN 3302 or EE 3302 or equivalent).

SYSM 6V90 Thesis (3-9 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit.) For pass/fail credit only.

Management Courses

SYSM 6311 (OPRE 6362) 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 trade-offs, resource utilization, organizational design, conflict resolution and stochastic considerations. Prerequisites: none

SYSM 6312 (FIN 6301) 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. Pre-/Co-requisite: OPRE 6301 and Pre-/Co-requisite ACCT 6301/6305 and OPRE 6301 or Program Director consent required

SYSM 6313 (OB 6332 / HMGT 6324 / MECO 6352) Systems Negotiating and Dispute Resolution (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.

SYSM 6315 (ENTP 6398) 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.

SYSM 6316 (ENTP 6388) 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. The course seeks to equip student with the skills and perspectives required to initiate new ventures and create viable businesses in dynamic and uncertain environments in the face of organizational inertia and other sources of resistance to innovation. 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.

SYSM 6318 (MKT 6301) Marketing Management and Marketing Systems Analysis (3 credit hours)
Overview of marketing management methods, principles and concepts including product, pricing, promotion and distribution decisions as well as segmentation, targeting, and positioning.

SYSM 6319 (MECO 6303) Business Economics (3 credit hours)
Foundations of the economic analysis of business problems, with special emphasis on the operation of markets and the macroeconomy. Prerequisite: OPRE 6303 or equivalent

SYSM 6320 (BPS 6332) Strategic Leadership (3 credit hours)
Addresses the challenge of leading organizations in dynamic and challenging environments. Overall goal is to not only question one’s assumptions about leadership, but also to enhance skills and acquire new content knowledge. Topics include visionary and transformational leadership, post-heroic leadership, empowerment, leveraging and combining resources, designing organizations, and ethics. Prerequisites: none

SYSM 6331 (MKT 6334) Digital Marketing (3 semester credit hours) The course explores three distinct areas within marketing and sales namely, digital marketing, traditional sales prospecting, and executive sales organization and strategy. The continuing convergence of the digital marketing and sales funnels has created a strategic continuum from digital lead generation to digital sales. The course identifies the current composition of this digital continuum while providing opportunities to evaluate sales and marketing digital strategies. The course will cover concepts including the difference between inbound and outbound digital marketing strategies, tracking CRM inquiries in the funnel, and lead scoring. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MKT 6301. (3-0) Y

SYSM 6332 (ENTP 6375, MIS 6375, OPRE 6394) Technology and New Product Development (3 semester hours)
This course addresses the strategic and organizational issues confronted by firms in technology-intensive environments. The course reflects six broad themes: (1) managing firms in technology-intensive industries; (2) forecasting key industry and technology trends; (3) linking technology and business strategies; (4) using technology as a source of competitive advantage; (5) organizing firms to achieve these goals; and (6) implementing new technologies in organizations. Students will analyze actual situations in organizations and summarize their findings and recommendations in an in-depth term paper. Case studies and class participation are stressed. Prerequisites: none

SYSM 6333 (OB 6301) Systems Organization Behavior (3 semester hours)
The study of human behavior in organizations. Emphasizes theoretical concepts and practical methods for understanding, analyzing and predicting individual, group and organizational behavior. Topics include work motivation, group dynamics, decision making, conflict and negotiation, leadership, power, and organizational culture. Ethical and international considerations are also addressed. Prerequisites: none

SYSM 6334 (OPRE 6302) Systems Operations Management – Manufacturing & Service Systems (3 semester hours)
Operations Management integrates all of the activities and processes that are necessary to provide products and services. This course overviews methods and models that will help managers make better operating decisions over time. How these methods will allow firms to operate both manufacturing and service facilities in order to compete in a global environment will also be discussed. Prerequisite: OPRE 6301

SYSM 6335 (BUAN 6335) Organizing for Business Analytics: A Systems Approach
The course is aimed at developing conceptual understanding of Business Analytics and key business drivers that lead to business initiatives in this area. The course will take a systems and organizational approach to look at how decision makers in key functional areas of an enterprise rely on business analytics, develop your understanding about analytical techniques that are useful in key functional areas, and key roles that are played by business analytics professionals. This course places on emphasis on helping students learn about making the business case for analytics through defining and executing strategy, and how to successfully integrate analytical processes, technology, and people in all aspects of business operations.

SYSM 6337 (ACCT 6305) Accounting for Managers (3 semester credit hours)
Fundamental concepts in accounting and financial reporting are presented from the perspective of business managers. May not be used to fulfill degree requirements in MS Accounting. Credit cannot be used for both courses, (ACCT 6301 or ACCT 6302) and ACCT 6305.

SYSM 6338 (BUAN 6320) Database Foundations for Business Analytics (3 semester credit hours) This course covers Structured Query Language (SQL) and NoSQL databases and focuses on understanding the differences, and to learn how to effectively query SQL and NoSQL databases. Topics include ER models, SQL, PL/SQL, query optimization, NoSQL database types, and NoSQL querying. Credit cannot be received for more than one of the following: BUAN 6320 or MIS 6326 or ACCT 6320 or ACCT 6321 or MIS 6320 or OPRE 6393. (3-0) Y

SYSM 6339 (BUAN 6385/MIS 6385) Robotic Process Automation (3 semester credit hours) This course is intended to provide students with practical literacy on robotic process automation through real-world, relevant data preparation use cases. It will help identify potential uses and the benefits and considerations for robotic process automation. The students will learn the elements of a business process and the basics of developing a BPM application, implementing triggers to automate processes, defining and measuring KPIs. Students will use elements of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities to handle high-volume, repeatable tasks that previously required humans to perform. These tasks can include queries, calculations, and maintenance of records and transactions. Students will be able to use apply analytics to the generated data for a systematic computational analysis of data for the discovery, interpretation, and communication of meaningful patterns in data that will be used towards effective decision making. (3-0) S

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