Navigating the UCLA Systems Engineering Master's Curriculum: A Comprehensive Guide
The UCLA Systems Engineering program offers a comprehensive Master's degree designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the development of complex engineered systems. This article provides a detailed overview of the curriculum requirements, program structure, and key considerations for prospective and current students.
Understanding the Degree Options
UCLA offers two primary graduate degrees relevant to Systems Engineering: the Master of Engineering (M.Engr.) and the Master of Science (M.S.). While this article primarily focuses on the M.Engr requirements, it's important to understand the distinction and potential pathways between the two.
The Engineer (Engr.) degree signifies advanced training and competence in the engineering field, emphasizing practical application and synthesis of knowledge. It does not necessitate the extensive research component, like a Ph.D. dissertation. The M.Engr. degree can be pursued at a level equivalent to completing preliminary requirements for a Ph.D.
The Ph.D. and Engineer degree programs share many similarities, particularly in the initial stages. Students in the Ph.D. program can opt to exit with an Engineer degree or earn it as a stepping stone toward their doctorate. Conversely, students initially enrolled in the Engineer degree program can transition to the Ph.D. program after completing their Engineer degree. Requirements for the Engineer degree are identical to those of the Ph.D. degree up to and including the oral preliminary examination, except that the Engineer degree is based on course work.
M.Engr. Curriculum Requirements: A Deep Dive
To earn the M.Engr. degree, students must successfully complete a total of 36.0 units in courses directly related to their major field of study. The curriculum is structured around a core requirement and a capstone project, allowing for specialization within a chosen technology concentration.
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Core Requirement (20.0 units)
The cornerstone of the M.Engr. curriculum lies in its core requirement of 20.0 units. This requirement is fulfilled by completing five courses, with a minimum of four being graduate-level courses, selected from a list specific to each technology concentration. It is imperative that students adhere to the course list within their chosen concentration. While students can petition to take a maximum of one course outside of this list, such requests necessitate approval from both the designated area director (faculty adviser) and the program director.
ENGR 299 Capstone Project
The culmination of the M.Engr. program is the ENGR 299 Capstone Project. This project serves as a crucial element in synthesizing and integrating the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. All students are required to enroll in and successfully complete this capstone project.
Program Duration
The program is designed to be completed within one academic year and one summer session, fostering an intensive and focused learning experience.
M.S. in Engineering with Certificate of Specialization in Engineering Management (MSOL: ENGR MGMT)
The Master of Science in Engineering with Certificate of Specialization in Engineering Management (MSOL: ENGR MGMT) caters to technical specialists seeking leadership education. The curriculum hones in on the knowledge areas crucial for managers to effectively oversee project teams and product development.
MSOL: ENGR MGMT Curriculum
Nine courses (36 units) are required to complete this program. This program includes a Comprehensive Exam Requirement that every student must complete to earn their degree.
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The online MSOL: ENGR MGMT is a part-time program. Students generally take one course each quarter, and they complete the program in two years and one quarter, including two summer sessions. Some choose to take more than one course per quarter to earn their degree sooner.
Comprehensive Exam Requirement
The Comprehensive Exam Requirement entails passing designated written exam questions for three different graduate-level courses. Each written exam is completed during the same time as the final exam of each course. Students select which exams they will take. MSOL students can take their exams anywhere in the world, either on campus at UCLA or off campus at a local test center.
M.S. Curriculum Requirements: A Detailed Overview
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Engineering requires a minimum of nine upper-division and graduate courses, totaling 36 units. At least five of these courses (20 units) must be graduate-level (200-series) courses.
Individual Research Project Plan
For students opting for the individual research project plan, one of the nine required courses is an Engineering 299 course, dedicated to independent research.
Comprehensive Exam Requirement
As an alternative to the research project, students can choose to fulfill a Comprehensive Exam Requirement. This involves taking and passing three written exams for three different graduate-level courses within the student’s area of specialization. These written exams are administered concurrently with the final exams of the respective graduate-level courses.
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Program Duration
Students are generally expected to complete the M.S. degree within nine academic quarters, or seven academic quarters and two summer terms.
Systems Engineering Specialization
The Systems Engineering program at UCLA distinguishes itself by integrating core systems engineering principles with advanced graduate-level engineering coursework. This approach enables graduates to function effectively as systems engineers while possessing in-depth knowledge at the disciplinary level.
Degree Requirements for Systems Engineering Specialization
To specialize in Systems Engineering within the M.S. program, students must complete nine courses (36 units). This includes five core courses in Systems Engineering, in addition to three to four courses within a chosen technical domain.
Technical Domain (TD)
Students can select a technical domain based on suggested specializations or create a custom technical domain by selecting courses with a specific concentration. These TD courses can be chosen from various departments, including Civil & Environmental Engineering (C&EE), Computer Science (COM SCI), Electrical & Computer Engineering (EC ENGR), Materials Science (MAT SCI), and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MECH&AE). It's important to note that a custom technical domain requires review and approval from the Area Director.
Example Technical Domain: Cyber Security
- COM SCI 236 - Computer Security (Spring)
- ENGR 206 - Engineering for Systems Assurance (Summer)
- ECE 209AS (Secure and Trustworthy Edge Computing Systems)
- Custom Domain - Choose 3-4 courses with a specific focus. Must include (1) 200 level course.
Comprehensive Exam Requirement for Systems Engineering Specialization
As an alternative to a thesis or research project, students specializing in Systems Engineering can fulfill the Comprehensive Exam Requirement. This involves taking and passing three written exams for three different graduate-level courses within the student’s area of specialization. These written exams are held concurrently with the final exams of the respective graduate-level courses.
Program Duration for Systems Engineering Specialization
Students specializing in Systems Engineering are expected to complete the degree within two academic years and one quarter, including two summer sessions.
Online MS in Engineering Program
Application Process
When applying to the MS Online Program, it is crucial to select "ENGINEERING - ONLINE" as the major and then specify Systems Engineering as the specialization in the statement of purpose.
Academic Standing and Disqualification
Maintaining good academic standing is crucial for continued enrollment in the program. Failure to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 can lead to academic probation and potential disqualification from graduate study. Other factors that can lead to disqualification include failing examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree, and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students are at risk of immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department.
A recommendation for academic disqualification is carefully reviewed by the school’s Associate Dean for International Initiatives & On-Line Programs.
Admission Criteria for Online Program
Admission to the online program is based on the undergraduate GPA in an ABET-accredited science or engineering program, along with other evidence of the applicant's ability to succeed in highly technical graduate courses. Prospective students can also take online courses through University Extension (UNEX) as non-matriculating students. Up to two UNEX courses can be transferred into the degree program upon admission.
Certificates of Specialization
Students in specific programs, including Data Science Engineering, Engineering Management, Mechanics of Structures, Reliability Engineering, and Systems Engineering, will receive additional Certificates of Specialization upon completion of their degree requirements.
Program Description: Systems Engineering
Systems Engineering employs an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the development of complex engineered systems. The UCLA Systems Engineering program distinguishes itself by combining the core elements of systems engineering (project management, fundamentals of systems, safety and reliability, systems architecture, and model-based systems) with disciplinary graduate-level engineering courses. This unique combination enables graduates to excel as systems engineers, drawing upon a deep understanding of their chosen disciplinary level.
Student Support and Advising
UCLA provides comprehensive support and advising resources to guide students through their academic journey. Each department within the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has a dedicated graduate adviser. Upon admission, students are assigned a faculty adviser to assist in planning their program of study. Students also can request changes to advisors by writing.
Students are strongly encouraged to consult with departmental student office staff and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs regarding procedures, requirements, and policies. Regular communication with faculty advisers and student affairs officers is expected to ensure progress and address any concerns.
Course Examples and Content
The curriculum incorporates a range of courses covering essential aspects of systems engineering and related fields. Some examples include:
- Practical review of major elements of the system engineering process.
- Practical review of necessary processes and procedures to successfully manage technology programs.
- Introduction to strategic and operating issues and decisions involved in managing enterprises.
- Operational processes use an organization’s resources to transform inputs into goods, utilize them to provide services or do both. Conceptual framework and a set of analytical tools are provided to enable students to better understand why processes behave as they do.
- Introduction to concepts reflecting material generally covered in certain M.B.A. core and elective courses.
- Coverage of a wide variety of spreadsheet models that can be used to solve business and engineering problems, with emphasis on mastery of Excel spreadsheet modeling as an integral part of analytic decision making. Managerial models include data modeling, regression and forecasting, linear programming, network and distribution models, integer programming, nonlinear programming and Monte Carlo simulation. Problems from operations, finance and marketing taught by spreadsheet examples and describe general managerial situations from various industries and disciplines.
- Exploration of knowledge, attributes, skills and strategies necessary to succeed communicatively in a workplace, with focus on business presentation skills, visual and verbal persuasion skills and interpersonal communication skills.
- Examination of intellectual property law, not only by learning fundamental rules associated with patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection, but by studying business strategies that these rules support. Management as well as engineering decisions nearly always take place in environments characterized by uncertainty.
- Application of probability to problem of reasoning from sample data, encompassing estimation, hypothesis testing and regression analysis. Discussion of specific analytical techniques needed in later courses in the program.
- Study is built around the notion that product management is about managing the life cycle of the product. Focus on defining, developing, launching, scaling, and end of life for products. Consideration of why a product is needed in the market, why a particular solution is the right product, and why a particular solution creates value for the customers and the company. Focus on products that have technological characteristics in the consumer products domain, the fundamentals of which are also applicable to products within enterprise, industrial, medical, and automotive sectors.
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