Systems Engineering for the Digital Age

Chapter 40Evolving University Programs on Systems Engineering

Paul T. Grogan

Stevens Institute of Technology, School of Systems and Enterprises, Hoboken, NJ, USA

Introduction

Systems engineering (SE) is an interdisciplinary field that manages technical processes within organizations undertaking complex engineering projects. The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) defines the practice of SE as “a transdisciplinary and integrative approach to enable the successful realization, use, and retirement of engineered systems, using systems principles and concepts, and scientific, technological, and management methods” (Sillitto et al. 2019). In addition to spanning multiple engineering disciplines, SE also incorporates concepts from adjacent fields like organizational science and management to provide a broad‐based perspective on how to structure large‐scale human activity to achieve technical objectives.

Historically, SE practice has relied upon significant practical experience accumulated over a career including disciplinary engineering roles undertaken during formative years. SE education programs thus seek to reduce the time required to effectively serve in a SE role by structuring and communicating key principles. University programs also build upon academic foundations that strive to understand and influence complex systems that exist at the boundaries of human perception. Most universities offering SE programs today target graduate education; however, broader ...