Streamlined Admissions Process
A bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent) and a minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. The GRE/GMAT is not required.
We are the engine in engineering
M.S. in Systems Engineering
The M.S. in Systems Engineering program is a 10 course (30 credit) program. This applications-oriented Master's program is designed to help students transition from the role of a Domain-Expert Engineer to a Systems Engineer, and is intended for people who need to design, develop and manage large and complex systems in industry. Major emphasis is placed on System Design, Verification & Validation, Simulation, and Project Management.
Systems Engineering expands the capabilities of engineers by applying proven structured methodologies to broaden perspective and hone problem solving skills. The increased complexity of technologies ranging from medical devices to manufacturing designs to larger systems of networked devices require a systems perspective.
Contact
Dr. Robert Monson
Program Director, M.S. in Systems Engineering
What is a Systems Engineer?
Systems Engineering is a creative human activity in which engineers design and develop complex interconnections of devices, sub-systems, and components to meet human needs.
Systems Engineering activities include:
- Determination of the need
- Developing possible basic conceptual designs
- Determination of what existing devices and systems might meet the need
- Development of the requirements that such a system must meet
- Development of testing and validation procedures
- Development of maintenance, upgrading, and improvement of the system
- Planning effective means for disposal and recycling of components at an appropriate time.
Program Advantages
Industry-focused curriculum
At the request of local industry, the faculty of the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas researched, developed, and reviewed the Systems Engineering program to ensure that it would meet the needs of local and regional industries.
Instructors with extensive industry experience
The curriculum is multi-disciplinary and oriented toward industry needs. Faculty with industry experience teach classes based in theory and emphasize applications that are relevant to the regional industries.
Systems Engineering affects people's lives
- “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” finds Apollo 13 astronauts communicating across 200,000 miles to Earth asking for and receiving assistance from NASA's systems engineers.
- A fully loaded airliner is struck by a bolt of lightning, sending billions of watts of electrical energy through the plane, it yet remains in control due to quality systems engineering.
Industry-focused curriculum
At the request of local industry, the faculty of the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas researched, developed, and reviewed the Systems Engineering program to ensure that it would meet the needs of local and regional industries.
Instructors with extensive industry experience
The curriculum is multi-disciplinary and oriented toward industry needs. Faculty with industry experience teach classes based in theory and emphasize applications that are relevant to the regional industries.
Systems Engineering affects people's lives
- “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” finds Apollo 13 astronauts communicating across 200,000 miles to Earth asking for and receiving assistance from NASA's systems engineers.
- A fully loaded airliner is struck by a bolt of lightning, sending billions of watts of electrical energy through the plane, it yet remains in control due to quality systems engineering.
Graduate Programs That Work For You
Our evening class schedules allow both industry professionals and career changers to achieve their educational goals. And each class meets just once per week.
Admission Requirements
Convenient Schedule
Our programs serve working professionals with busy lives. You choose how quickly you move through the curriculum. And you may start in any of our three starts: fall, spring or summer.
Coursework and Degree Requirements
To complete the requirements for the M.S. in Systems Engineering, students must successfully complete 10 courses (30 credits) with a minimum GPA of 2.7.
See course descriptions in our course catalog
STEM Approved Program
Core Courses (6 Courses = 18 credits)
- ETLS 507 Introduction to Systems Engineering
- ETLS 508 Systems Design
- ETLS 509 Verification and Validation
- ETLS 601 Program/Project/Team Management
- ETLS 789 Simulation & Visualization of Dynamic Systems
- ETLS 881 Engineering Project
Elective Courses (4 courses = 12 credits)
Choose any four courses from the electives listed below:
Financial and Accounting:
- ETLS 505 Managerial Accounting and Performance Management
Management and Leadership:
- ETLS 671 Human Aspects of Technical Management ETLS 660 Engineering Leadership
Medical Device:
- ETLS 520 Design & Manufacturing in the Medical Device Industry
- ETLS 722 FDA Medical Device Quality Systems
- ETLS 724 Medical Device Clinical Studies
- ETLS 731 Combination Products, Drugs and Biologics
- ETLS 737 Int’l Regulatory Affairs for Medical Devices
Modeling and Simulation:
- ETLS 777 Finite Element Analysis
- ETLS 785 Simulation Logistics
- ETLS 810 Advanced Controls
Software:
- SEIS 601 Foundations of Software Development
- SEIS 610 Software Engineering
- SEIS 635 Software Analysis and Design
- SEIS 640 Operating Systems Design
- SEIS 663 IT Security and Networking
Technical:
- ETLS 501 Production Operating Systems
- ETLS 506 Statistical Methods for Manufacturing Quality Systems
- ETLS 672 Excellence in Design
- ETLS 701 Design of Experiments
- ETLS 744 Power Systems
Graduate Programs in Software (SEIS) course catalog
Graduate Programs in Engineering (ETLS) course catalog
Attend an Information Session
Attend an online information session to learn program details. Our programs serve working professionals with busy lives. Set your own pace and start fall, spring or summer. Classes are offered in the evenings. We look forward to meeting you.
Dr. Robert Monson
Dr. Monson is the director of the M.S. in Systems Engineering program at St. Thomas. Bob is currently employed at Medtronic in the Systems Engineering group. He has focused his work in mechanical design, software development, controls development, modeling and simulation, thermal systems, shock and vibration systems, systems design and engineering management.
Anton Beck
Mr. Beck is an adjunct faculty at St. Thomas with many years of experience in systems engineering with applications experience in: Air Defense, Air Traffic Control, Communications, and Command and Control, Mission Avionics Systems Architecture, and the Apollo program (logic design). Tony's varied interests and expertise include multicultural experience in enterprise architecture, image processing, signal processing, field engineering and more.
Anton Beck
Andrew Fried
Mr. Fried is an adjunct faculty at St. Thomas and a Lead Systems Engineer at Medtronic. Andrew’s interests and expertise include the development and application of intellectual property and in the rapid advancement of technical understanding through the course of product development.