645.761.81 - Systems Architecting

Expanded Course Description

PLEASE REFER TO SYLLABUS AND COURSE OUTLINE UNDER "Home" FOR MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of 1 to 3 weeks as noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. The Calendar will be the final authority on due dates.

Course Topics

• Purpose Analysis
• Problem Structuring
• Solution Structuring
• Architecture Description
• Supporting Analysis
• Harmonization
• Selection-Abstraction

Course Goals

The Systems Architecting course will impart to students an understanding of how to use the tools and techniques necessary to develop, evaluate, and communicate architectures for systems of varying complexity. Emphasis will be given to stakeholder assessment and requirements analysis, mission definition and decomposition, modeling and evaluation, component and interface specification, and optimization techniques used for developing efficient architectures within the context of a multi-objective system engineering process. Standard frameworks will be presented as mechanisms for communicating architecture properties to stakeholders including system owners, designers, and operators.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Effectively define, decompose, and solve system architecting problems, given a set of stakeholders, a system mission, and constraints.
• Cast system architecting problems in terms of appropriate decision and optimization problems that can be solved using proven analytic techniques.
• Establish and evaluate system architecture performance criteria using proven modeling and assessment techniques.
• Effectively communicate the properties of a system architecture using at least one standard government or industry framework.

Textbooks

Required

Crawley, E., Cameron B., and Selva, D. (2016). System Architecture. Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Higher Education, Inc.

• ISBN-10: 0-13-397534-7
• ISBN-13: 978-0-130397534-5

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website at http://ep.jhu.edu/bookstore.

Optional

Maier, M. W. and Rechtin, E. (2009). The art of systems architecting (3rd ed.). London, NY: CRC Press.

• ISBN-10: 1420079131
• ISBN-13: 978-1420079135

Buede, D. M. (2016). The engineering design of systems: Models and methods (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

• ISBN-10: 111902790X ISBN-13: 978-1119027904

OR

Buede, D. M. (2009). The engineering design of systems: Models and methods (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

• ISBN-10: 0470164026
• ISBN-13: 978-0470164020

SysML Tutorial

• https://www.jhuapl.edu/Content/software/ModelingwithSysMLTutorial.pdf

• ISBN-10: 0123852064
• ISBN-13: 978-0123852069

• ISBN-13: 978-0321927866

Student Coursework Requirements

The instructors recognize that the volume of reading provided is quite large. This reflects the expansive nature of this topic. It is recommended that you adopt a strategy of skimming to understand the major themes, content, and relationship of ideas. Then you should deep dive into topics as necessary to gain better understanding. At this level of education, the volume of potential reading can be enormous. You will need to judge where to place your primary effort based on your background.

It is expected that each module will take approximately 5–12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2–4 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the presentations (approximately 1–2 hours per week), and homework assignments (approximately 2-6 hours per week).

This course will consist of three basic student requirements:

Preparation and Participation (14% of Final Grade Calculation)

You are responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings.

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the evening of Sunday evening prior to the due date on Wednesday. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions (i.e., Timeliness).

Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least two classmates (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive.

1 Point is available for each of the discussion topics. An additional points 2 are evaluated points at the end of semester: Overall clarity, efficiency, and relevance of pasts throughout the semester. The Calendar indicates the final due date of your initial post and responses. Grading feedback is provided weekly as you progress through the semester.

We will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. In some instances, we will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the module.

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions. An original thought does not need to be expressed as a lengthy monologue. Any given post typically should not exceed 250 words. You are encouraged to include references such as books, journal articles, web links that you feel the discussion might benefit from.

Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Timeliness (50%)
2. Critical Thinking (50%)

Preparation and participation is graded as follows:

Timeliness

• 100 = Original post and responses by Calendar deadline.
• 75 = Within 1 week late, Calendar deadline +7 days.
• 50 = Within 2 weeks late, Calendar deadline +14 days.
• 25 = Within 3 weeks late, Calendar deadline +21 days.
• 0 = Greater than 3 weeks late, Calendar deadline +21 days.

Critical Thinking

100–90 = A – Rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis.

89–80 = B – Substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place.

79–70 = C – Generally competent; information is thin and commonplace.

Assignments  (56% of Final Grade Calculation, 8 points per assignment)

Assignments will include a mix of qualitative assignments (e.g. literature reviews, model summaries), quantitative problem sets, and case study updates. Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately.

All assignments due dates are in the Calendar. The Calendar will be the final authority on due dates.

For all assignments, you are expected to conduct your own research as needed. Often, the text and other assigned materials will be insufficient for answering the questions asked of you. Under no circumstances will credit be given for regurgitation of material in the text or other documents. Proper citations are expected for ideas or facts drawn from literature or web content. Your insight, drawn from a synthesis of what you have read, should provide the desired answer.

Grading rubric: (8 points available for each assignment):

Up to 4 pts: substantial answers to all questions.

Up to 2 pts: clarity and efficiency of communication.

Up to 2 pts: credibility of answers; i.e., it well defended with logic and, where appropriate, citations of published literature.

-1 pt: for each week late (up to a maximum of -3 points), starting at 12:01AM the day after the assignment is due.

Assignment will receive 0 pts if there is substantive evidence of plagiarism.

-1 pt: submission exceeds maximum length.

Note: one standard page is defined to be 8 ½" x 11", with 1 inch margins and single-spaced 12-pt Times New Roman Font.

Course Project (30% of Final Grade Calculation)

A class project will be assigned early in the course. This is not a team project. The project consists of three elements: a proposal, an outline, and a final report. All project due dates are in the Calendar. The Calendar will be the final authority on due dates. Please read the project description carefully to understand the content requested for the 3 graded elements.

The class project is evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Project Proposal (4 pts)
   • Maximum length: 4 pages
     
2. Project Annotated Outline (6 pts)
   • Maximum length: 6 pages (especially if you have started populating content into your project) This is expected to be a bit more than topic bullets. Some description of your intended content (such as thoughts about MOEs/MOPs to be applied, alternatives to be analyzed, analysis techniques to be used, etc.) is expected.
     
3. Final Project (20 pts)
   • Maximum length: 30 pages (excluding title pages, table of content, appendices)
     
   • Up to 50%: substantial content for each section (sections specified below) Up to 25%: clarity and efficiency of communication
   • Up to 25%: credibility of answers; i.e., it well defended with logic and, where appropriate, citations of published literature
   • Up to -15%: if submission exceeds maximum length (not including front matter, references, appendices).

Note: one standard page is defined to be 8 ½" x 11", with 1 inch margins and single-spaced 12-pt Times New Roman Font Project will receive 0 pts if there is substantial evidence of plagiarism.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. We will post grades one week after assignment due dates.

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

A grade of C indicates work that does not meet all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work.

A grade of F indicates work that does not meet minimum course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work.

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.