Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Systems engineers are in demand for their technical expertise and leadership abilities, often entering management early in their careers. A Master of Science in Systems Engineering prepares graduates for this next step.

With world-renowned faculty and a curriculum that focuses on a solid understanding of fundamental systems engineering, Embry-Riddle develops engineers and managers to formulate solutions to complex, real-world engineering problems.

Offering both technical and engineering management tracks, Embry-Riddle allows you to focus your education on the elements most important to you. The technical track focuses on system design, analysis, and implementation, while the engineering management track incorporates organizational systems management. Students interested in pursuing a doctorate can choose to pursue the M.S. in Systems Engineering with the thesis option.

Regardless of the career path you choose, an M.S. in Systems Engineering from Embry-Riddle provides an unparalleled education to help you achieve your goals.

About Systems Engineering at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus

Systems engineering looks at the big picture to understand the entire process. Then it works to achieve systems integration, connecting the needs of the customer to the designs of the components. Housed in the Department of Electrical, Computer, Software, and Systems Engineering of the College of Engineering, the M.S. in Systems Engineering program provides the foundations of the systems engineering processes to develop and implement solutions to today’s complex engineering design and operational problems.

Graduates often seek opportunities in project management, systems engineering, systems analysis, reliability engineering, consultancy work, and other areas in industries such as aerospace, defense, transportation, aviation, airport services, energy, information technology, and more. With the thesis option, students are prepared for advancement into doctoral programs.

• The Technical Track builds on an engineering, technical, or physical sciences undergraduate degree to enhance systems thinking and systems engineering methods for solving real-world engineering problems. The Engineering Management Track combines the technical aspects of the field with business-oriented coursework for management roles
• The program’s two tracks — technical and engineering management — give students the freedom to tailor their electives. The Daytona Beach Campus offers students the ability to implement systems thinking in state-of-the-art facilities, learning and conducting research alongside engineers from multiple disciplines.
• The program begins with a core of three foundation courses in systems engineering: fundamentals of systems engineering, introduction to systems engineering management, and system requirements modeling and analysis, followed by one or more electives in the student’s area of interest.

Benefit from classroom interactions with students from a variety of engineering backgrounds and faculty who have research interests in large-scale and complex systems, as it applies to the aviation, aerospace, and transportation industries.

Requirements and Courses

As complex engineering projects are at the heart of the modern business, systems engineers are in high demand across multiple industries. In order to innovate, adapt, survive, and thrive, organizations must practice systems engineering to coordinate different teams, understand complex technology and tools, and integrate interdepartmental work processes. The Master of Science in Systems Engineering prepares graduates to be leaders who can manage such efforts by establishing a solid foundation in systems engineering fundamentals and practices.

For applicants inclined toward research and later doctoral studies, the program offers a thesis track. Students enrolled in the thesis track can select thesis advisors from the participating faculty in the College of Engineering and the College of Business, as appropriate to individual faculty’s research interests. For applicants more interested in entering or returning to the workplace, the program offers a non-thesis track. Based on their background and interests, students applying for the non-thesis option can select between the two different tracks available, allowing students to tailor their education to their career goals. The Technical track concentrates on system design, analysis, and implementation, while the Engineering Management track concentrates on organization, process, and management. The M.S. in Systems Engineering delivers exceptional learning and an esteemed credential for systems engineers entering the field, engineers wishing to broaden their perspective or advance to management positions, and managers seeking the knowledge and skills necessary for engineering products and services from a systems perspective.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the ERAU admission requirements, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in an engineering discipline, computer science, or the physical sciences. Any engineering degree earned in the United States must be from an ABET-accredited program. Students should possess a strong academic record, demonstrated by a 3.0 CGPA or better. Applicants may be admitted conditionally with the provision that they complete specific undergraduate courses prior to enrolling in graduate courses.

Degree Requirements

Both thesis and non-thesis options require the completion of 30 credits with a common core of 12 credits program core.

Thesis Option

Core Requirements

• SYS 500 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS 530 System Requirements Analysis and Modeling
• SYS 560 Introduction to Systems Engineering Management
• SYS 625 System Quality Assurance
• SYS 700 Graduate Thesis

Program Electives

Electives will be chosen from existing Daytona Beach campus courses offered in the College of Engineering and/or the College of Business and must be approved by the student’s advisor or program coordinator.

Non-Thesis Option - Technical Track

• SYS 500 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS 530 System Requirements Analysis and Modeling
• SYS 560 Introduction to Systems Engineering Management
• SYS 610 System Architecture Design and Modeling
• SYS 625 System Quality Assurance
• SYS 690 Systems Engineering Project

Technical Track Electives

Electives will be chosen from existing Daytona Beach campus courses offered in the College of Engineering and/or the College of Business and must be approved by the student’s advisor or program coordinator.

Non-Thesis Option - Engineering Management Track

• SYS 500 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS 530 System Requirements Analysis and Modeling
• SYS 560 Introduction to Systems Engineering Management
• SYS 625 System Quality Assurance
• SYS 660 Organizational Systems Management
• SYS 690 Systems Engineering Project

Engineering Management Track Electives

Electives will be chosen from existing Daytona Beach campus courses offered in the College of Engineering and/or the College of Business and must be approved by the student’s advisor or program coordinator.