Mar 29, 2024  
2023-24 Catalog 
    
2023-24 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.

Masters of Science in Systems Engineering (MSSE)


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  • Grade Requirements: An MSSE student must complete all program courses, including electives, with a grade of “B-” or higher. In addition, the overall program GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
  • Credit Hour Requirements: The program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework.
  • Program Code: 8103MS
  • CIPC: 142701

Once enrolled, a student must register for at least one MSSE course each semester, except summers, until graduation. Students who fail to do so must petition for readmission into the program.

Admissions Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

 

Applicants for admission into the Master of Science in Systems Engineering program should possess a B.Sc. in engineering (EAC), engineering-technology (ETAC) or computing (CAC) from an ABET accredited program with Calculus I and Statistics as a minimum.  B.Sc. in any other related subject is on a case-by-case basis only. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required from the undergraduate program in which the bachelor’s degree is earned; a 3.3 is preferred.  The program reviews the student portfolio, including bachelors program, calculus and statistics grades, rigor of courses taken (upper division), work experience, professional certifications, and participation in the systems community).

This is conditional upon completion of all required leveling courses. These leveling courses would be primarily meeting minimum math, physics, and computer science requirements as established by the Systems Engineering program.

  • Preference given to graduates of hard sciences (Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry).
  • Specific industry or military experience is also considered and evaluated toward potential acceptance into the program. 
  • Any non-engineering candidate accepted into the program is subject to leveling coursework as prescribed by the department.  This includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, and any other engineering coursework deemed critical to the SE credential. (Non-engineering candidates such as, graduates of business, supply chain, health administration, medicine, or the liberal arts.)

Applicants will submit:

  • Completed application
  • Current resume
  • Official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended
    • Equivalent course of MATH 1210 - Calculus I  or higher
    • Basic statistics (math or engineering)
    • B.Sc. degree from a regionally accredited institution in engineering, engineering technology, computer or a science discipline with a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
  • Contact information for three references, at least one from a professional context and one from an academic context.
  • GRE test scores are required if all previous degrees were conferred by an institution outside of the U.S.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students

  • All international students and any applicant educated outside the U.S. must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those whose native language is not English, or whose language of instruction for their undergraduate degree was not English, will be required to submit a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International Language Testing. System (IELTS) which is not more than two years old. Applicants are required to have an internet-based TOEFL score of 79 (with a minimum of 17 in each category) or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
  • All international students must complete the GRE.

Application

The application for admission to the Master of Science in Systems Engineering program must be submitted online. Official transcripts from each institution of higher education attended and all test scores must be sent directly to the WSU Department of Manufacturing & Systems Engineering. Visit MSSE website for application deadlines.

Advisement

For questions concerning academic advisement, the primary source of contact is the program director. Students should meet with the director at least once a year while enrolled. For issues regarding registration and scheduling, students should contact the Administrative Specialist for the Department of Manufacturing & Systems Engineering

Leveling Courses

After being accepted, students who have not graduated from an ABET accredited program or have not completed a college calculus and a basic probability and statistics college course, must demonstrate the ability to pass the following courses:

General Requirements

The Department of Manufacturing and Systems Engineering offers an online Master of Systems
Engineering that consist of a course-based degree with a completion of a project
(coop/independent study) course:

  • Minimum of 30 credits of graduate work in approved program of study
  • Up to six credits may be transferred from any combination as listed in the “Transfer of Credit” section below
  • Electives or course substitutions must be approved by an academic advisor
  • Requirements for course-based degree:
    • 15 credits must be the foundation of Systems Engineering courses,
    • 12 credits of technical electives,
    • 3-6 credits of design project (SE 6110 ), or 3 credits of additional Coursework (SE 6120 ).

Transfer of Credit Information

The program differentiates between three types of course credit that may be transferred:

  1.  Graduate credits completed at another accredited institution (that is, not at Weber State University)
  2.  Graduate credits completed at Weber State University in another school, college, or department (ie, School of Business or the College of Science)
  3.  Professional certification (Visit MSSE website for more information)

Outside Institution/Transfer of Credit Policy: No more than two certifications or two 6000-level or higher graduate courses, may be transferred from another accredited university, professional society, or certification program.

Weber State University Transfer of Credit Policy:  No more than six credits at the 6000-level taken at Weber State University are permitted. Exception includes the Systems Engineering and Sustainable Engineering Post Baccalaureate Certificate at Weber State University, which is approved by petition after the completion. Student may submit a petition for exceptions.

Conditions That Must Be Met to Transfer Credit:

  1. Student must be in master’s degree program
  2. Student must submit formal documentation of courses, credits, professional certification. If requesting professional certification transfer of credit, student must provide documentation of good standing.

Courses Cannot Be Transferred for Credit If:

  1. Taken more than five years before enrollment in the master’s program. Exception includes professional certifications. Student may submit a petition for exceptions.
  2. A grade below 3.0 was earned.
  3. Extension or continuing education courses.

Time Limit

A student is expected to complete all work within five years from the date of first enrollment in the master’s program. A student who fails to complete requirements within five years may be withdrawn and required to apply for readmission. Students exceeding this limit must submit a petition to the program requesting additional time to complete the program. Petitions must describe why they were unable to complete their degree during the requisite time frame, the amount of work remaining, timeline for completion, and the term in which they expect to complete the degree.
 
Students may request a leave of absence for up to two consecutive fall or winter terms, when certain life events prevent continued active participation in their degree program.  Examples of leave include illness, injury, or to provide care for family or dependents. 

Good Academic Standing

A student in good academic standing:
  • is demonstrating systems thinking and professionalism during the semester
  • is taking personal responsibility and setting themselves up for success
  • is making satisfactory progress toward the completion of degree requirements and is within the time limits of the program, including approved extensions
  •  is demonstrating an ability to succeed in the program; and
  •  has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better
Unsatisfactory Academic Standing: The program will place a notation of “below minimum academic requirements” on the academic record at the end of the term in which a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0. The program may decide whether unsatisfactory academic standing may be a basis for placing a student on academic probation. A student with unsatisfactory academic standing will not be advanced and will not be awarded a degree. Upon the recommendation of the program director, a student will be given an opportunity to correct the academic deficiency and return to satisfactory academic standing. A student with unsatisfactory academic standing must provide documentation including: reasons for the poor academic record; explain how conditions that produced this performance have changed; and present specific plans for improvement. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, is not making satisfactory progress toward the degree, and is failing to succeed in the plan of studies, may be denied permission to register, required to withdraw, or dismissed from the program.

Curriculum

  • The MSSE program starts with a core system engineering foundation and concludes with an independent study. The student will be encouraged to start with SE 6010 - Foundation of Systems Engineering  (INCOSE based course), but can take the remaining courses in any order. At least two courses applicable to the degree will be offered each fall and spring semester. Students typically enroll in no more than two classes per semester.
  • Course delivery options allow you to study when and where it works best for you, whether that be streaming the lecture from your computer while it’s happening live on campus or watching a recorded version at a time more convenient for you.

Course Requirements for MSSE


Elective Courses (4 courses required, minimum 12 credit hours):


Design Project, or Additional Coursework (3-6 credit hours)


MSSE Students are required to complete a system engineering design project that demonstrates proficiency in research, design, analysis, implementation, testing and documentation. The MSSE students are required to either (a) complete a substantial engineering design project, or (b) take an additional 3 credits of approved project coursework.

For students taking the project option, a total of 3 or more credits of SE 6110  is required for a project. Students must be enrolled SE 6110  at the time of their final design review.

For students taking the coursework option, a total of 3 credits of SE 6120 - System Design and Operational Analysis  will need to be completed.

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