Systems Engineering broadly covers how to integrate different components in engineering systems. Applications range from operations research and mathematical solutions to business problems to control engineering, the basic theory and practice used to control diverse systems such as jet airplanes, electric power grids, or the nation's economy. The Systems Science and Engineering program is ideal for students interested in math, physics and computing; business, finance or financial engineering; or applied mathematics.

The Bachelor of Science in Systems Science & Engineering (BSSSE) program lays the engineering and mathematical foundations for modeling, analyzing and designing complex systems and highlights their applications in contemporary engineering and scientific application domains. Graduates will be competent in employing a versatile, interdisciplinary systems perspective to translate practical problem formulations into mathematical models, recognizing structural commonalities across diverse systems, and solving analysis and design objectives using suitable methods at the core of systems science and engineering. The basic methodological knowledge at the core of systems science includes mathematical competence and knowledge of systems analysis, control, design methods, numerical methods, differential equations, dynamic systems theory, automatic control theory, system stability, estimation, optimization, modeling, identification, simulation and basic computer programming. Graduates will have an engineering outlook and be able to interact fully with other engineers. They will also possess sufficient proficiency in computer use to design algorithms for simulation, estimation, control and optimization. 

The Bachelor of Science in Systems Science and Engineering (BSSSE) degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria.

Program Educational Objectives 

Within a few years of graduation, BSSSE degree program recipients are expected to do the following: 

• Our graduates will be engaged as practicing professionals in a broad range of careers in industry or government or be pursuing advanced degrees in academic graduate education in engineering or a related field.
• Our graduates will function effectively as members of teams demonstrating sensitivity to professional and societal contexts, integrity and versatility.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the BSSSE program are expected to know or have the following by the time of graduation:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

BSSSE Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Systems Science and Engineering Core Courses ¹		35
ESE 105	Introduction to Electrical and Systems Engineering	4
ESE 205	Introduction to Engineering Design	3
ESE 217	Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems Modeling in Engineering	3
ESE 2180	Linear Algebra and Component Analysis	3
ESE 2190	Vector Calculus and Dynamics of Physical Systems	3
ESE 230	Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Circuits	4
ESE 326	Probability and Statistics for Engineering	3
ESE 351	Signals and Systems	3
ESE 4031	Optimization for Engineered Planning, Decisions and Operations	3
or ESE 415	Optimization
ESE 441	Control Systems	3
ESE 499	Systems Science and Engineering Capstone Design Project	3
Other Systems Science Courses
Systems Science & Engineering Electives ²		12
Systems Science & Engineering Laboratories ³		6
Outside Concentration Requirement ⁴		12
Other Engineering Courses
CSE 131	Introduction to Computer Science 5	3
Engr 4501	Engineering Ethics and Sustainability	1
Mathematics & Physical Sciences
Math 131	Calculus I	3
Math 132	Calculus II	3
Math 233	Calculus III	3
Physics 191	Physics I	3
Physics 191L	Physics I Laboratory	1
Physics 192	Physics II	3
Physics 192L	Physics II Laboratory	1
Chem 111A	General Chemistry I 6	3
Chem 151	General Chemistry Laboratory I 6	2
Humanities & Social Sciences ⁷

¹

The entire course sequence for the BSSSE, containing engineering topics of at least 45 units, must be completed. The number of engineering topics units assigned to undergraduate courses in the McKelvey School of Engineering vary from none (0) to the number of credits given to the course. For the precise number for each course, please refer to the table of Topics Units — Engineering Courses provided by Engineering Undergraduate Student Services. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may be used for engineering topics units.

²

Requirements for the BSSSE electives:

1. 12 units in elective courses in systems science and engineering are required: ESE 2971, ESE 359, E35 ESE 400–428, ESE 437, ESE 400–459, ESE 470–4971, ESE 502–529; ESE 540–559, and SWCD 5660 System Dynamics Modeling for Strategic Design.
2. Up to 3 units of the following business courses may be part of the 12 units of systems science and engineering electives: SCOT 356 Operations and Manufacturing Management, SCOT 458 Operations Analytics, SCOT 576 Foundations of Supply Chain Management, and SCOT 577 Information Technology and Supply Chain Management.

³

Two upper-level laboratory courses (6 units) from the following list: ESE 4480, ESE 4481, ESE 465, ESE 488, and ESE 449. The selection must contain at least one course from ESE 4480 and ESE 4481.

⁴

1. 12 units in outside concentration outside of systems science and engineering are required. These units must all be taken in one of the following engineering areas: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering (ESE 102, ESE 230–239, ESE 260–290, ESE 330–339, ESE 360–390, ESE 429–439, ESE 460–469, 490–496, ESE 498, ESE 530–539, ESE 560–589), or Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science.
2. Sequences for concentrations in economics, mathematics, physics, pre-medicine and other fields can be arranged with special departmental approval to meet a student's specific needs. When a non-engineering discipline is chosen as the outside concentration, the student needs to pay special attention to the engineering topics unit requirement and make sure that enough engineering content is obtained from the other courses.
3. Of the 12 units, 9 units must be at the 200 level or higher.
4. Courses used for the outside concentration requirements cannot also be used for other BSSSE requirements.

⁵

Students are also encouraged to take CSE 247 Data Structures and Algorithms (3 units).

⁶

The recommended chemistry sequence is Chem 111A–Chem 151, but Chem 105–Chem 151 will be allowed.

⁷

Humanities and social sciences courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis.

 For more information about the BS in Systems Science & Engineering curriculum, please visit the ESE website.

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