The multidisciplinary field of Systems Engineering applies engineering techniques and mathematical methods to improve the planning and decision making in organizational systems composed of people, machines, and procedures. By observing, understanding, modeling, and predicting the behavior of such systems, practitioners of Systems Engineering assist the decision-making process that seeks to design and operate the systems optimally. Systems Engineering finds application in many areas, including communications, energy, environment, finance, health care, information technology, marketing, national defense, project management, software development, and transportation.
Educational Objectives ¡V The Systems Engineering program is designed to provide a broad and solid education in the basics of mathematical modeling, software and information systems, and the treatment of uncertainty. Analytical thinking is stressed, in order to prepare the student for graduate education or productive professional employment. Simultaneously, the program is intended to develop the student's communication skills and awareness of the current professional world. A Medical Preparation Option in Systems Engineering is available that prepares the student for entrance to medical school. There are also five-year, two-degree plans that combine a B.S. degree in Systems Engineering with a master's degree in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, or Economics. |
NOTES
A) The three science electives must be chosen from the following six courses, and must include one of the three two-course sequences:
BiSc 13, 14
Chem 11, 12
Phys 21, 22
B) Each student must take two humanities electives and two social science electives selected from the SEAS menu of electives in the humanities & social sciences (look at http://www.seas.gwu.edu/academics/curunder).
C) This elective can be chosen from among Stat 118, 187 or 188; or from a number of SEAS courses such as, e.g., ApSc 57 (this is only 2 credits), 114; CE 190 (this is only 2 credits); EMSE 269; MAE 4, 117 or 192; ECE 11 or 117; an appropriate Computer Science course (which could then complete the requirements for a minor in Computer Science).
D) The four Professional Elective courses must be chosen to form a cohesive and meaningful group in an appropriate subject area. Each student, together with her/his academic adviser, will construct a group individualized to the student. It is easy to construct specific groups in such areas as, e.g., civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, economics, electrical engineering, engineering management, finance, management, mathematics, mechanical engineering, NROTC, physics, risk management, statistics. These courses can be used to satisfy the requirements for a secondary field in an area such as Economics, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics.
E) Each student must participate in a significant internship/co-op experience during the last two years of the program. This requirement may be satisfied by an appropriate and approved full-time summer position after the second or third year. It may also be satisfied by one or two appropriate and approved part-time position(s) requiring 15-20 hours per week during two of the final four semesters. The position(s) used to satisfy this requirement may be either paid or unpaid. A position obtained through the GW Co-op Office will usually be acceptable. |
