Ph.D. Programs in Systems
Engineering
Prepared by James Rodenkirch and Michael Harper
Introduction
This presentation provides a cornerstone for
a Ph.D in Systems Engineering at Southern
Methodist University by benchmarking
various top programs in the United States.
Introduction
Schools benchmarked:
University of Virginia - Web Site
University of Pennsylvania – Web Site
University of Southern California – Web Site
Rutgers University – Web Site
University of Alabama at Huntsville – Web Site
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Web Site
Georgia Tech University – Web Site
PhD Systems Engineering
University
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VI
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
A research degree providing the student with advanced and individual
research in the area of Systems and Information Engineering.
The program includes four components: course work, research, seminar, and
involvement in the intellectual life of the university.
University of Virginia
School and Department
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Department of Systems and Information Engineering
Faculty
Full Time 17
Adjunct 0
Areas of Student Research
Modeling and Simulation of Systems
Risk Management of Engineering Systems
Construction of Decision Aids for Specific Decision Makers
Environmental and Ethical Aspects of Systems Design
Unique Features
Diverse areas of concentration with research focused professors
Commonwealth Graduate Engineering
Distance Learning Program for Masters Degree’s
University of Virginia
Admission Requirements
- One year of undergraduate calculus including differential equations
- Working knowledge of at least one high level programming language
- Two undergraduate courses in calculus based probability and statistics
- Mathematical programming or linear algebra
- Letters of recommendation
- Average GRE Score
- Admissions essay
Degree Requirements
- Complete of an approved plan of study
- Pass a qualifying exam
- 26 hours of coursework beyond the masters degree, including 6 hours of
graduate mathematics
- Oral and written comprehensive exam
- 24 credit hours of research
- Present a dissertation proposal
- Present at least one seminar
- Publish at least one conference proceedings paper
- Admission to candidacy for the degree
- Pass a final exam of the dissertation
University of Virginia
Graduate System Engineering Courses
- Introduction to Systems Engineering
- Systems Management and Integration
- Knowledge Based Systems
- Risk Analysis
- Environmental Systems Analysis
- Total Quality Engineering
- Case Studies in Systems Engineering
- Research methods in Systems Engineering
- Advanced System Simulation
- Response Surface Methods for Product and Process Design
- Sequencing and Scheduling
Delivery Options
- On campus only
PhD Systems Engineering
University
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
A research oriented degree conferred in recognition of original contributions,
high attainment, and proven research competence specializing in the design,
integration, control, and management of large-scale complex systems. This
program requires a minimum of 20 graduate course units
University of Pennsylvania
School and Department
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering
Faculty
Full Time 25
Part Time 28
Areas of Student Research
Informatics, Nanotechnology, Distributed Systems, Information Systems,
Infrastructure Systems, Environmental and Resource Systems Engineering,
Transportation Systems Engineering, Logistics Systems Engineering, Systems
Methodology and Operations Research
Unique Features
Full time professor who is also the deputy director of the National Science
Foundation (NSF). Ackoff Center for Advancement of Systems Approaches.
University of Pennsylvania
Admission Requirements
GPA and class rank of all institutions attended
Two letters of recommendation
GRE General Test score of 2160
Statement of Purpose: A discussion of academic and career objectives
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 20 graduate course units is required
A written qualifying examination
Submit and defend a dissertation proposal
Submit and successfully defend a dissertation
University of Pennsylvania
SE Courses
Service Systems Engineering
Computer Integration of Systems
Systems Methodology
Project Management Systems
Manufacturing Operations Management
Urban Transportation Systems and Technology
Information Systems for E-Commerce
Earthquake Engineering
Dissertation
The Ph.D. Dissertation Defense in Systems Engineering will be conducted
by the Ph.D. Dissertation Committee. The student is expected to work
closely with his or her Research Advisor on the dissertation research, and
with the other members of the Dissertation Committee as appropriate.
Delivery Options
On campus
PhD Systems Engineering
University
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
A research degree preparing students for leadership in Industrial and
Systems Engineering research and university-level education
The program focuses on the integration of technology and commercial
enterprise.
University of Southern California
School and Department
School of Engineering
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Faculty
Full Time 9
Adjunct 20
Areas of Student Research
Modeling and Simulation of Manufacturing Systems
Transportation and Control Systems
Engineering Management
Unique Features
Faculty membership in the National Academy of Engineering
Masters in Industrial/Systems Engineering and MBA Joint Degree
University of Southern California
Admission Requirements
- Masters Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering or equivalent
- GRE Verbal: 500
- GRE Quantitative: 700
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
Degree Requirements
- Pass a screening examination
- Complete of an approved plan of study
- Pass a qualifying examination
- 60 units of graduate coursework
- Maintain a minimum overall 3.5 GPA
- Dissertation Defense
University of Southern California
Graduate System Engineering Courses
- Continuous Systems Simulation
- Inventory Systems
- Engineering Project Management
- Advanced Production Planning
- Management of Engineering Teams
- Computer Aided Manufacturing
- Value and Decision Theory
- Performance Analysis
- The Modern Manufacturing Enterprise System
- Cognitive Engineering
- Sequencing and Scheduling
Delivery Options
- On campus only
PhD Systems Engineering
University
Rutgers University
Newark, NJ
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
A research degree preparing students for advanced study in production,
manufacturing; quality, reliability; systems engineering, and aviation safety.
Rutgers University
School and Department
College of Engineering
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Faculty
Full Time 10
Students
Masters
PhD
30
30
Areas of Student Research
Industrial and Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Systems, Quality and
Reliability Engineering, Information Technology
Unique Features
Strong relationship with National Science Foundation, D.O.D., FAA, and
private industry
Rutgers University
Admission Requirements
Bachelor of Science Degree
3.0 GPA for undergraduate engineering degree, 3.2 for others
Letters of recommendation
GRE
• verbal
• quantitative
• analytical
560
750
690
Degree Requirements
Complete an approved plan of study
72 hours beyond a bachelor’s degree
Doctoral exam (two parts) after completing one year of course work
Complete a defense of the dissertation
Rutgers University
Dissertation
Twenty four hours in approved program/field of study. Each candidate is
advised by a four member supervisor committee. The committee consists
of at least three members of the school’s ISE department and one from
outside the department (e.g., recognized leader in industry or academia
outside the ISE department)
Delivery Options
On campus
SE Courses
Systems Reliability Engineering
Manufacturing Information Systems
Distribution Systems
Enterprise Integration
Application of Human Factors to Decision Systems Engineering
Simulation of Production Systems
PhD Systems Engineering
University
University of Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
A research-oriented degree awarded upon the demonstration of scholarly
competence in Systems Engineering. This program includes at least 48 hours of
graduate course work including 18 hours of major courses, 15 hours of
supporting courses, 6 hours of a foreign language or ancillary skill and a
dissertation of 18 hours.
University of Alabama at Huntsville
School and Department
College of Engineering
Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
Faculty
Full Time 9
Areas of Student Research
Engineering Management, Quality and Reliability Engineering,
Operations Research, Systems Simulation, Technology Management
Unique Features
Strong relationship with NASA and industry
American Society for Engineering Management
Robust Distance Learning Program for Masters and PhD
University of Alabama at Huntsville
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor
of Science Degree
- 3.0 Undergraduate GPA
- Letters of recommendation
- 1500 GRE Score (verbal, quantitative, analytical)
- Admissions essay
Degree Requirements
- Complete
of an approved plan of study
- Pass a preliminary exam after three core courses in the proposed major
- 66 hours beyond a bachelor’s degree
- Oral and written comprehensive exam
- Present a dissertation proposal
- enroll in at least 9 semester hours of graduate work in two consecutive
semesters
- Admission to candidacy for the degree
- Pass a final exam of the dissertation
- Each candidate is advised by a five member supervisor committee. The
committee consists of at least three members representing the field of study
and one from each of the minor fields).
University of Alabama at Huntsville
SE Courses
Introduction to Systems Engineering
Human Factors in Systems Design
Advanced System Simulation
Integrated Product and Process Design
Engineering Economic Analysis
Systems Modeling
Degree Options
First Minor
Fifteen hours in Engineering Management, Operations Research, Quality
Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Systems Simulation, or Technology
Management.
Second Minor
Twelve hours in Statistical Methods for Engineers, Advanced Statistical
Applications and two additional math or statistics courses.
Delivery Options
- On campus
- Distance Learning
PhD Systems Engineering
University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston, Massachusetts
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
(Technology, Management and Policy)
A pilot program focused for which engineers receive an education in and
conduct integrative original, fundamental, generalizable research on
engineering systems with an emphasis on the societal implications on the
system and of the system.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
School and Department
School of Engineering
Engineering Systems Division
Faculty
Full Time: 30
Areas of Student Research
Technology and Policy, Transportation, System Design and Management, and
Logistics. Groups include the Lean Aerospace Initiative (LEI), Fast and Flexible
Manufacturing, and the Internet and Telecom Convergence groups.
Unique Features
Strong partnerships with industry (Compaq, Motorola, Eastman Kodak) as part of
a research effort for the “Leaders for Manufacturing Program” at the school.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Admission Requirements
Strong Technical Background
3.0 GPA for undergraduate engineering degree, 3.2 for others
Three letters of recommendation, including one from an ESD faculty member
GRE Test (600 in quantitative & analytical aptitude each and 500+ in verbal
skills)
Degree Requirements
Complete an approved plan of study
Doctoral exam (two parts) after completing one year of course work
Complete a defense of the dissertation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
SE Courses
Systems Theory
Design and Architectures
Socio-technical
Enterprise Systems
Research Methods
Remaining four classes are agreed to by the student’s doctoral committee.
Dissertation
Twenty four hours in approved program/field of study. Each candidate is
advised by a four member supervisor committee. The committee consists of at
least three members of the school’s ISE department and one from outside the
department (e.g., recognized leader in industry or academia outside the ISE
department).
Delivery Options
On campus
University of Virginia
University
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The School of Engineering and Applied Science offers instruction leading
to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Engineering.
University of Virginia
School and Department
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Department of Systems and Information Engineering
Faculty
Full Time: 18
Areas of Student Research
Crime Data Analysis; Environmental; ERICA; Ethics / Invention; Financial
Engineering; Human-Computer Interaction; Networks; Risk Analysis;
Semiconductors; System Monitoring and Quality Control; Transportation
Systems; Weather / Flood Forecasting
University of Virginia
Unique Features
Start career close to senior management and with immediate exposure to critical
strategic issues
Frequent client interaction and on-site exposure to the systems under
investigation
Admission Requirements
Completed coursework with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or better,
Completion of the GRE,
Passed the qualifying examination,
Received approval for the dissertation proposal, and
Presented at least one seminar.
University of Virginia
Degree Requirements
• Complete an approved plan of study consisting of at least 26 credit hours of
coursework beyond the master's degree and 24 credit hours of research beyond
the master's degree.
• Pass a PhD qualifying examination.
• Present a dissertation proposal.
• Present at least one seminar, either at the university, or at an approved
conference or symposium.
• Publish at least one conference proceedings paper.
• Have at least one article published or under review in an archival journal in the
student’s research area.
• Be admitted to candidacy for the degree.
• Pass a final examination on the dissertation.
University of Virginia
SE Courses
Introduction to Systems Engineering
Systems Management Integration Engineering
Stochastic Systems
The Art Science Of Modeling
Decision Analysis
Cognitive Systems Engineering
Risk Analysis
Environmental Systems Analysis
Heuristics -- Design Analysis and Evaluation
Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
Advanced System Simulation
Response Surface Methodology
Systems Engineering Seminar
University of Virginia
Minor
Not Available?
Dissertation
The student requests appointment of the dissertation examining committee using
Form G105. The student's recommendations concerning membership of the
examining committee should be based on knowledge of the nominated faculty
members' academic and professional backgrounds, research interests, and
availabilities, supplemented by discussions with the nominees, and by discussions
with the student's faculty advisor.
The examining committee should be composed of at least 5 faculty members.
At least 3 members of the examining committee must be from the Department of
Systems and Information Engineering (not including jointly appointed faculty).
At least one committee member must be from outside the SIE department.
Delivery Options
On campus