Systems Engineering

The University of Virginia offers a comprehensive Systems Engineering program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, analyze, and manage complex systems across various industries. This interdisciplinary field combines principles from engineering, mathematics, and management to prepare graduates for the challenges of modern technological society. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, ensuring students gain hands-on experience through laboratory work, projects, and collaborations with industry partners. Coursework covers key topics such as systems modeling and simulation, control systems, systems lifecycle management, risk analysis, and optimization techniques. Students are encouraged to develop strong problem-solving skills and a systems thinking mindset, enabling them to address multifaceted engineering problems effectively. The curriculum is structured to foster innovation and critical thinking, with opportunities for specialization in areas like aerospace, defense, information systems, or sustainable development. Additionally, students benefit from the university’s state-of-the-art facilities and research centers dedicated to emerging technologies in systems engineering. The program prepares graduates for careers in industry, government, and research institutions, where they can contribute to the development of complex systems such as aerospace vehicles, healthcare systems, transportation networks, and communication infrastructures. With a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment, the University of Virginia’s Systems Engineering program provides students with the theoretical background, practical skills, and professional readiness to excel in a dynamic and evolving field. Graduates emerge as competent systems engineers capable of leading multidisciplinary projects, implementing innovative solutions, and advancing technological progress in various sectors.

A candidate for the Master of Engineering degree must fulfill the general requirements of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and must complete an approved plan of study consisting of at least 32 credit hours.

Required Credits

The plan of study must include at least 32 credit hours of graduate-level work and must satisfy the following requirements.

• 9 credit hours of core courses SYS 6001, SYS 6043 or SYS 6003, SYS 6005 or SYS 6045
• 18 or more credit hours of elective courses distributed thusly:
  • At least 9 credit hours of systems engineering courses at the 6000 or 7000 level. These credit hours cannot be earned through Independent Study SYS 6993 and SYS 7993, Supervised Project Research SYS 6995 and SYS 8995. Students enrolled in the Accelerated Master’s Program complete SYS 6002, Systems Integration, in lieu of SYS 8995.
  • No more than 3 credit hours of Independent Study SYS 6993 or SYS 7993
  • No more than 3 credit hours at the 5000-level from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. (The 5000-level courses in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are nominally equivalent to 6000-level courses in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.)
• 2 or more credit hours of Systems Engineering Colloquium, SYS 7096. The student should register for one credit hour in each semester, the Fall semester and the Spring semester. Students enrolled in the CGEP Master’s of Engineering Program take a 2 or 3 credit elective in lieu of SYS 7096, typically SYS 8995.
• 3 or more credit hours of Supervised Project Research, SYS 8995. The student must complete a project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. It should be a state-of-the-art application of systems engineering methodology or technique to a real-world problem, documented in a written report.  Students enrolled in the Accelerated Master’s Program complete SYS6002, Systems Integration, in lieu of SYS 8995.

Fall Semester

Nominal plan of study for on-grounds students.
Credits: 13

• SYS 6001 - Introduction to Systems Analysis & Design Credits: 3
• SYS 6003 - Optimization Models and Methods I Credits: 3
• SYS 6005 - Stochastic Modeling I Credits: 3
• Elective = 3 Credits
• SYS 7096 - Systems Engineering Colloquium Credits: 1

Spring Semester

Credits: 13

• SYS xxxx Systems Engineering Elective Credits: 3
• SYS xxxx Systems Engineering Elective Credits: 3
• SYS xxxx Systems Engineering Elective Credits: 3
• XXX XXXX Elective Credits: 3
• SYS 7096 - Systems Engineering Colloquium Credits: 1

Summer Session

Credits: 6

• SYS 8995 - Supervised Project Research Credits: 1 to 12
• Elective Credits: 3

Minimum total number of credit hours 32

• The on-line application.
• Transcripts of all academic work.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Applicant’s Statement of Purpose essay.
• $85 fee paid with VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express
• Graduate Records Exam (GRE) general test scores (Institution code 5820)
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for applicants whose native language is not English. If you are a Permanent Resident of the U.S. or if you have a bachelor degree entirely at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, you do NOT need to provide these scores.

Scholarships

The U.Va. School of Engineering and Applied Science offers financial support to graduate students through assistantships and fellowships ordinarily consisting of a stipend and payment of all tuition and fees including health insurance. Most superior students in research degree programs (Master of Science and Ph.D.) can expect to receive aid of some kind for up to five years, though support will vary by department and funding source. Students must be nominated by their department to be considered for a fellowship or assistantship. Students receiving financial aid from the School of Engineering and Applied Science must be registered as full-time graduate students during the period of the award, defined as at least 12 credits of lecture-laboratory courses and/or research during the academic year, must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and must also maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree. Graduate research assistants must register for a minimum of 6 credits of research during the summer term. Students receiving financial aid are not permitted to have other employment without approval of the Office of Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. Students are awarded financial assistance to enable them to devote maximum effort to graduate studies. Financial aid for graduate students is available in several forms:

Graduate Research Assistantships

Graduate Research Assistants are assigned to work with a faculty member on a specific research project which should culminate in a project report, thesis, or dissertation. Full-time graduate research assistants may not carry a load of more than 9 credits of lecture-laboratory courses but must register each semester for enough additional credits of teaching/research to maintain full-time student status.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Graduate Teaching Assistants are assigned to assist a faculty member teaching a specific lecture/laboratory course. The assigned duties will depend on the course and instructor. Graduate teaching assistants may not carry a load of more than 9 credits of lecture-laboratory courses but must register each semester for enough teaching/research credit to maintain full-time student status.

Fellowships

Fellowships are intended to allow graduate students to devote full time to learning opportunities in the classroom and laboratory. No work duties, in a pay for service sense, are required, but good academic progress, including research for the thesis or dissertation, is essential. Some programs, during fellowship support, will include research and teaching duties as part of the usual academic requirements for the degree. Stipends are competitive with those offered by other universities.

The Systems Engineering program at the University of Virginia is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the interdisciplinary approach required for the design, analysis, and management of complex systems. This program emphasizes the integration of engineering principles with management and human factors to prepare graduates for leadership roles in various industries, including aerospace, defense, healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology. Students gain expertise in systems thinking, modeling, simulation, and optimization techniques, enabling them to effectively analyze and improve complex operational processes. The curriculum combines theoretical coursework with practical applications, often involving project-based learning, collaborations with industry partners, and opportunities for internships or research projects.

At the University of Virginia, the program benefits from the institution's strong emphasis on research and innovation. Faculty members involved in cutting-edge research on systems engineering methodologies contribute to course content and provide mentorship to students. The program aims to develop students' skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork, which are essential for managing large-scale projects and multidisciplinary teams. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue careers in government agencies, private corporations, consulting firms, and academia.

The program typically spans four years for undergraduate students or two years for those pursuing a master's degree, with options for specialization in areas such as systems architecture, risk management, or cybersecurity, depending on the specific track chosen. The university also offers interdisciplinary opportunities, allowing students to take courses across related fields like computer science, business, and public policy to enhance their capabilities in systems integration and strategic planning. Alumni often find employment in roles such as systems analyst, project manager, systems engineer, or operations researcher, reflecting the versatile skill set imparted by the program. The University of Virginia is committed to fostering an inclusive and innovative learning environment, encouraging students to engage in research initiatives and participate in professional development activities to prepare for successful careers in systems engineering.