645.771.81 - System of Systems Engineering

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into eight modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, learning activities, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. The modules will run for a period of one or two weeks; Module lengths are noted on the Course Outline page. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Definition, Attributes, and Behaviors
• Managing System of Systems Development
• System of Systems Architecting, Part 1: Logical
• System of Systems Architecting, Part 2: Physical
• Risk Management and T&E
• System of Systems Architecting, Part 3: Information
• System of Systems Modeling and Simulation
• Decision Making under Uncertainty in SoS

Course Goals

The goals of System of Systems Engineering are: (1) to identify and describe principles of system of systems engineering that are different than traditional systems engineering; (2) plan the application of those principles to specific SoS case studies; and (3) through the use of tools and techniques apply those principles to real-world problems.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Identify the major attributes, behaviors, and internal interactions of a system of systems.
• Plan the process of developing, acquiring and fielding a system of systems.
• Develop and illustrate a model-based logical architecture of a proposed system of systems.
• Develop and illustrate a model-based physical architecture of a proposed system of systems.
• Develop and illustrate a model-based information architecture of a proposed system of systems.
• Apply risk management tools to represent and manage technical and operational risk inherent within a system of systems.
• Apply mathematical tools to represent uncertainty and flow of information within a system of systems.
• Apply decision theory principles to represent and propose alternative decision-making paths within a system of systems.

Textbooks

Jamshidi, M. (2009). System of systems engineering: Innovations for the 21st century. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

ISBN-10: 0470195908
ISBN-13: 978-0470195901

Also, please download the following document...

Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, Systems and Software Engineering. (2008). Systems Engineering Guide for Systems of Systems, Version 1.0. Washington, DC: ODUSD(A&T)SSE.

https://acqnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DoD-Systems-Engineering-Guide-for-Systems-of-Systems-Aug-2008.pdf 

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.

Required Software

Microsoft Office, 2016 or later.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 3–4 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and complete the required assignments (approximately 2–5 hours per week).

At the start of each module, you should review the objectives and materials of the module and note its duration, along with the due dates of all required activities. Once familiar with the objectives and materials, you should perform three steps in preparation for the assignments:

Step 1: Read the text chapters and any assigned supplemental readings.

Step 2: Listen to the lecture audio recordings.

Step 3: Participate in, or listen to the recording of, the office hours session(s).

This course will consist of five basic student requirements:

Participation (Six Module Discussions) (18% of Final Grade Calculation)

Student participation in class discussions is imperative (required) for a successful online class experience and therefore participation is mandatory. Lessons learned and past experiences provide the entire class with a broader perspective of the topics being discussed. Class participation will be a significant portion of your final grade. Weekly discussion activities will be graded with a maximum value of 100 points.

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the evening of the mid-point for that module. For one-week modules, the mid-point is Friday evening at midnight. For two-week modules, the mid-point is the first Sunday at midnight. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions.

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. 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.

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions. Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Initial post (50%)
2. Responses to Other Students (50%)

Preparation and participation is graded as follows:

85-100 points = Initial post is rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis. Responses add value to the discussion, presenting additional insight and information.

70-84 points = Initial post provides substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place. Responses support or refute the original post with information.

50-69 points = Initial posts are generally competent; however, information is thin and commonplace. Responses are terse and simply agree or disagree.

For the discussion grading, late initial posts are subject to a 10% penalty. Late responses are also subject to a 10% penalty. Any discussion submission beyond one week from the due date is subject to a 50% penalty. There are no exceptions to this rule. 

Homework Assignments (Six Assignments) (30% of Final Grade Calculation)

There are a total of six individual assignments. These assignments will be available in the Assignments section and are expected to be completed within the module period. They are individual work—although any non-human source is available to you. Many problems will require some research outside of the class lectures and the references. All research for this class, however, can be accomplished via the Internet.

All assignments are due by the due date (provided in the Assignments section, and the calendar). If you are going to be late with an assignment, please let the instructors know (via email). You will generally be given a one-week extension. After two weeks, the assignment is no longer available.

The assignments are graded on a 100-point scale.  Students will have the ability to load, delete, or edit their homework submissions up to the due date.

Graded assignments will be provided to students and include detailed feedback embedded within the Microsoft Office files that are submitted. Students will receive a grade no more than one week after the due date. If the assignment is late, no penalty is incurred. However, the instructor may not leave detailed comments.

Qualitative assignments are graded as follows:

90-100 points = All parts of question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [rich in content; full of thought, insight, and analysis].

80-89 points = All parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].

70-79 points = Majority of parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].

Mid-Term Exam (20% of Final Grade Calculation)

A Canvas mid-term exam is employed in Module 5 to assess your comprehension of system design principles and techniques taught in the lectures and described in the reading assignments. The exam is graded with a maximum value of 100 points. The exam is to be completed through the "Exam" link within the corresponding module or the Canvas “Quizzes” link in the menu. Pay special attention to the preface to the exam as it will provide specifics. 

Grading is indicated in the exam. Partial credit is awarded where applicable. The exam is open-book/open note.

Quizzes (12% of Final Grade Calculation)

During four of the eight modules, there will be a quiz, which is required. The quiz will consist of four types of questions: true/false, multiple choice/answer, matching, or short answer. Partial credit will be given for correct answers of multiple answer questions (with negative credit for wrong answers). In general, the topics for the quiz questions will be from required reading materials, with a heavy focus on the textbook.

Each student can take the quiz once or twice. In the latter case, the last score will be recorded. The quiz is taken within Canvas and is automatically graded. Quizzes will no longer be available one week after the due date.

SoS Project (20% of Final Grade Calculation)

At the end of the semester, students will submit a SoS project which will focus on information flow and decisions within a SoS. The project will include diagrams that represent information flow, a decision network diagram and decision trees, and a decision model that represents SoS behavior.

Grading Policy

Course Policies

All late assignments are subject to penalty. If the student contacts the instructor via email before the due date and time, a one-week grace period is applied to homeworks (only). If no contact is attempted, a 10% penalty per week may be applied.

Discussions are required to be completed on time. Late discussion posts are subject to a 10%-50% penalty.

Exams are required to be completed by the due date and time. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in significant penalties, up to and including receiving a 0 for the exam.

The Team Project is required to be completed by the due date and time. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in significant penalties, up to and including receiving a 0 for the team project.

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.