New systems engineering online course from MIT, NASA and Boeing

This summer, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), my alma mater, will host a Online course on systems engineering offer. MIT is working with Boeing and NASA on this course. I find this exciting, as the subject of training in systems engineering is currently a much-discussed topic. A good online course makes it possible to carry out this further training in parallel with work, which is also explicitly addressed. Reason enough to take a closer look at the program.

The certificate combines industry and academic experience to provide a scalable solution for employers. (Michael Rickey, Boing)

The official title of the four-part course is "Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems". The course will be offered for the first time in summer 2016. Therefore, costs and the exact length are not yet known. Successful graduates will receive a certificate. What value this will have is still unclear. In particular, there is no indication of any collaboration with INCOSE.

The lack of reference to INCOSE puzzled me, so I asked Dr. Bruce Cameron, the director of the program. He then told me that he works closely with Pat Hale who is actively involved in the management of INCOSE and also holds a teaching position at MIT. Bruce sees this certificate as complementary to the SEP. Specifically, the certificate assumes experience in systems engineering, which then builds on knowledge in four different areas (the four areas are described below).

The certificate will not be as comprehensive as the (INCOSE) SEP, but we hope it will be complementary. It should be noted that this is not an introductory SE: we expect SE experience, and build on that with knowledge in MBSE and architecture. (Dr. Bruce Cameron, Faculty Director)

The course is aimed not only at professionals, but also their employers, who could offer the course to their employees as a further training measure.

The study program is covered by the following four topics:

• Architecture of complex systems - This is about the challenges of developing complex systems, systems thinking and the commercial implications.
• Modeling - The topic of modeling in general is addressed here: How do models support the decision-making process, what kind of models are there, etc.?
• MBSE - Specific aspects such as the structuring of systems, functional modeling, complexity management and life cycle are now considered using the OPM and SysML modeling languages.
• Quantitative methods - Finally, it is about the development of the systems. This includes requirements analysis, architecture, design and tool support.

An interesting aspect of this offer is certainly the active involvement of NASA and Boeing. They will contribute case studies from the industry and guest lectures.

Image source: sysengonline.mit.edu