Mar 29, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2019-2020 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Systems Engineering, M.S., with an Option for a Technical Focus


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Program Overview


Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field of engineering and engineering management. Systems engineering starts with defining customer needs and the required system functionality. It includes elements of system design and optimization, decision making, system integration, and risk management. Systems engineers focus on how to design and manage complex systems over their lifecycle, and ensure that all aspects of the project or system are considered and integrated into a whole. Systems engineers get involved in a myriad of technical challenges and problems to ensure a project works.

The graduate program in Systems Engineering is designed to provide practical knowledge in the areas of systems engineering and project management and deepen technical skills. The curriculum includes coursework in systems engineering, engineering project management, and the student’s choice of a technical focus area. The options for technical focus include: Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Cybersecurity, Software Architecture, and Aeronautics & Space Systems.

Program Educational Learning Outcomes and Objectives


The Systems Engineering graduate program has established the following program educational learning outcomes and objectives. Graduates of the program will:

  1. Apply the fundamental principles of systems engineering to complex problems
  2. Become leaders of innovative technology projects and businesses
  3. Develop multidisciplinary skills to architect, design, and manage complex systems through their life cycle
  4. Apply principles of project management and lean engineering to improve operational efficiency
  5. Develop technical skills to model, analyze, and design integrated engineering systems

Master of Science in Systems Engineering Program offers the two following modalities:


  1. M.S. in Systems Engineering program for working professionals and full-time graduate students
  2. 4+1 M.S. in Systems Engineering program for LMU undergraduate engineering, math, computer science, and physics students who earn their B.S. degree at LMU and wish to earn the M.S. in Systems Engineering degree one year later

M.S. in Systems Engineering for working professionals and full-time students


Admission Requirements


All applicants must submit:

  • Application to Graduate Admissions and a $50 application fee. To apply online, visit http://graduate.lmu.edu.
  • A transcript documenting the Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science from an ABET accredited program with a GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Three or more years of related work experience (recommended)
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Essay demonstrating how an M.S. in Systems Engineering supports their career goals

Promising applicants who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered for conditional admission and, when so admitted, must demonstrate satisfactory performance during their first year in the program.

Graduation Requirements for M.S. in Systems Engineering, with an Option for a Technical Focus


  • The overall minimum GPA required for graduation is 3.0. Students who receive a grade of less than “B” in any 500-level course or a grade of less than “C” in any 600-level course will not have the course count toward their degree.
  • The requirement for the M.S. in Systems Engineering degree is 10 courses (33 credits), as follows:
Note:

Other engineering/systems engineering courses may be substituted for the above courses with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Completion of three of the following core Engineering Project Management courses (9 semester hours):

Note:

Other project management courses may be substituted for the above courses with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Completion of three technical electives to be selected from the following:

Note:

Electives are scheduled only if a sufficient number of students sign up. With the approval of the Director, the above curriculum can be adjusted to meet the student’s individual educational needs. Taking three technical electives allows the student to graduate with an M.S. in Systems Engineering with a technical focus in that area. The student must apply for the M.S. in Systems Engineering with their desired technical focus area when they apply to the M.S. in Systems Engineering program, or apply for a program transfer after they have started the program.

Capstone Project/Integrative Project Thesis:

Note:

The Systems Engineering Integrative Project is typically the last course taken in the program. It is designed to demonstrate the student’s knowledge of all the systems engineering and systems management principles and lean engineering addressed in the prerequisite courses. The course is typically completed in one semester. It is unlikely that the project can be completed in one or two summer sessions due to the shortened schedule.

Schedule


The student who successfully completes two courses each Fall and Spring semester, and takes two summer courses, can earn the M.S. degree in two years.

Registering for courses is the student’s responsibility. A student is expected to make reasonable progress towards the degrees to remain in good standing at the University. Two courses are considered the full-time course load (at least 6 semester hours) in each of the Fall and Spring semesters.

4+1 M.S. in Systems Engineering Program for LMU undergraduate students in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and physics


The 4+1 program is designed for LMU students to receive a combined B.S. and M.S. degree by continuing their studies in LMU’s masters programs, immediately following their bachelor’s degree. The program allows students to complete the master’s degree in one year.

LMU students in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics with senior standing and a GPA of at least 3.0 can apply. Students enter the program in the semester following graduation. Students can enter this program any term immediately following completion of their undergraduate degree requirements. The deadline for application in one month prior to completing all undergraduate requirements.

  1. One Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering 500-level course taken as an undergraduate may count toward the master’s degree. This course can be double counted for the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. The student is required to complete 27 additional semester hours after earning the bachelor’s degree.
  2. In addition, for an admitted student, an extra Seaver College 500-level course may be taken in their senior year that counts towards the master’s degree and not the bachelor’s degree. This potentially reduces the total number of additional semester hours after earning the bachelor’s degree to 24.
  3. The remaining coursework required must be consistent with the graduation requirements for the M.S. in Systems Engineering program.

4+1 Admission Requirements


  • Application to Graduate Admissions and a $50 application fee. To apply online, visit http://graduate.lmu.edu.
  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
  • Essay demonstrating how an M.S. in Systems Engineering supports their career goals
  • Two letters of recommendation

Certificates


The six graduate certificate programs offer a convenient advanced program for the engineering, systems engineers, and managers who would benefit from understanding the concepts, principles, and practices both in theory and in real world implementation for key areas in today’s advancing technological world.

Upon completion of the certificate program, the student may re-apply for the M.S. degree in Systems Engineering and have the courses completed for the certificate to be crediting towards the M.S. degree.

Admission Requirements


  • Application to Graduate Admissions and a $50 application fee. To apply online, visit http://graduate.lmu.edu.
  • Transcript documenting B.S. in engineering or B.A. in Program Management or equivalent degree (GPA of 3.0 or higher) from an accredited university program
  • If the applicant’s GPA is below 3.0, also submit two letters of recommendation from past professors or current employer.
  • Resume demonstrating two years’ work experience
  • Brief personal statement discussing how the graduate program fits the applicant’s career goals

GPA


Students who receive a grade of less than “B” in any 500-level course or a grade of less than “C” in any 600-level course will not have the course count toward their degree. The overall minimum GPA required for graduation is 3.0 in the M.S. programs and 2.7 in the Certificate programs.

Graduation Requirements


Completion of the three courses from one of the technical areas of study below (9 semester hours):

Note:


Other systems engineering courses may be substituted for the above courses with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Schedule for Certificate Programs


The students can complete the certificate program in one year by taking one course per semester, including summer.

Courses for MS in Systems Engineering, Dual Degree, and Certificate Programs


The program designator “SELP” is used for all courses and all study options offered by the Systems Engineering graduate program. The M.S. in Systems Engineering courses selected for the SELP program must be approved by the Systems Engineering Program Director. The MBA course descriptions can be found in the MBA section. All courses are three (3) semester hours unless otherwise noted.

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