645.662.82 - Introduction to Systems Engineering
Description
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of systems engineering and their application to the development of complex systems. It describes how the systems engineering viewpoint can be brought to bear to address engineering challenges as well as the essential role of systems engineering in project management. Topics include defining systems, the system development life cycle, and the systems engineering method. These primary topics are decomposed into requirements analysis, functional design, physical design, design validation, concept development, engineering development, and post development. In addition, the tools and methods at the systems engineer's disposal are also covered. These include risk analysis, configuration management, design trade-offs, modeling and simulation, and interface management, as well as how these subjects are linked to systems program management activities. More advanced Systems Engineering topics such as Software Systems, System of Systems, Enterprise Systems, and Agile Systems Engineering are introduced. The course defines the breadth and depth of the knowledge that the systems engineer must acquire concerning the characteristics of the diverse components that constitute the total system. Students will work as a group to develop and present a conceptual system architecture chosen from a list of existing systems in order to gain familiarity with architecting, system modeling, and the relationship between requirements, activities, hardware/software, interfaces, and other system elements.
Instructors
Frank Wells
Christopher Olson
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
- Define what a system is, as well as the various levels that comprise a System's hierarchy.
- Describe the Systems Engineering (SE) activities, which include Requirements Analysis, Functional Definition, Physical Definition, and Design Validation.
- Identify and describe the technical management tools used to assist the systems engineer, which include the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), Risk & Configuration Management, Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Trade Studies, Modeling & Simulation and the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
- Define the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and how the SE process is applied across the SDLC.
- Describe the alternative life cycle models and how to choose among them.
- Identify and describe the relationship between specialist engineering, project management and specialist engineering areas.
- Differentiate between the types of requirements and apply techniques for writing good requirements.
- Identify and create the functional and physical domains of a system concept.
- Identify, analyze, assess, and write risks and their mitigations.
- Identify and differentiate among the types of trade studies and demonstrate performing a formal trade study using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method.
- Describe the application of the SE process for a complex system development effort.
- Define a system concept and capture that concept in the form of a partial, preliminary conceptual architecture.
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.