645.769.8VL - System Test & Evaluation

Expanded Course Description

This is a course in Systems Engineering viewed from a “test and evaluation” perspective. 
“You” are the system engineer who will repeatedly be asked “Is the system ready?” Course will look at using T&E to supplement the systems development process to achieve greater overall product quality.
Develop an understanding and acceptance of test and evaluation as a critical aspect of the continuum of systems engineering activities needed to develop, produce, and field complex systems.
Provide hands-on experience by participating in a representative sample of T&E activities.
Develop appreciation for the systems engineering activity required to support tests – the identification of testing resources such as test facilities, test/system simulators, etc.

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course 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 seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

Topics include validation and verification, similarities and differences in the nature of hardware and software testing, test tools and test procedures, testing during hardware-software integration, quality assurance test, environmental test, and operational test and evaluation.

Course Goals

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

Textbooks

Required: Systems Engineering Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition: Alexander Kossiakoff, William N. Sweet, Samuel J. Seymour, Steven M. Biemer

Optional: Systems Engineering and Analysis (5th Edition) Benjamin S. Blanchard, Wolter J. Fabrycky

Other Materials & Online Resources

Other Reading:
Defense Acquisition Guidebook:  Chapter 8 – Test and Evaluation(T&E) dtd 07 Nov 2017 https://www.dau.mil/guidebooks/Shared%20Documents%20HTML/Chapter%208%20Test%20and%20Evaluation.aspx#toc53 

Test & Evaluation Management Guide – Dec 2012 6th Edition

Student Coursework Requirements

This course has several elements on which you will be assessed:
o Homework (4 assignments and Case Study) -25%
o Mid-term - 25%
o Team project - 25%
o Final Exam - 25%

All assignments must be turned in. Late assignments will be subject to a grade degradation of 5 points per week, except when prior approval is obtained from the instructor. It is assumed that graduate students are adept at writing English and no points will normally be subtracted for English errors; however, in cases of exceptionally poor English, points will be deducted

Grading Policy

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 is committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. If disability accommodations are needed for this course, students should request accommodations through Student Disability Services (SDS) as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.  For further information about this process, please refer to the SDS Website.

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.