2024 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering Graduate major in Global Engineering for Development, Environment and Society
Introduction to Systems Engineering
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Global Engineering for Development, Environment and Society
- Instructor(s)
- Daisuke Akita
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- GEG.T503
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In modern society, due to increasing large and complex social environments and problems, the importance of viewing things from a broader perspective as "systems" is increasing. In other words, simply combining optimal factors does not necessarily produce an optimal outcome. This course introduces the basic concepts of interdisciplinary design and management framework needed to satisfy demands and the needs of stakeholders, and successfully implement systems. This course is comprised of understanding basic concepts of Systems Engineering as well as practical exercises for simple, real problems. In team projects, students gain experience with practical system design, creating proposals, and managing them.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to understand the basic concepts of Systems Engineering and how to apply some of its basic methods to a simple but actual project addressing complicated real-world problems.
Keywords
System, Design, Project, Evaluation, Management, Safety
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The students should read designated pages of references before coming to the class.
The students must give short presentations about the assignment of the previous class at the beginning of each class.
This course is mainly conducted through group work.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction (What is a system? What is Systems Engineering?) | Investigate a failed system. |
| Class 2 | Systems Engineering Process and Project Lifecycle | Assume a system development project and apply a Systems Engineering Process to it. |
| Class 3 | Requirements Definition Process in System Design Process | Apply the mission requirements definition and system requirement analysis to your project. |
| Class 4 | Architecture Design in System Design Process | Apply the architecture design to your project. |
| Class 5 | System Realization Process and Management Process | Assume a project and apply Earned Value Management to it. |
| Class 6 | Team Project | Prepare for the team presentation and review. |
| Class 7 | Team Presentation and Review |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
NASA Systems Engineering Handbook (NASA/SP-2007-6105)
INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook (INCOSE-TP-2003-002-03.2.2)
Handouts will be provided during class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Achievement of student learning outcomes will be evaluated by assignments at each session (50%) and final team presentations and review (50%).
Related courses
- GEG.P501 ： Concept Designing
- TSE.C303 ： Project Management
- ESD.D506 ： Application of Systems Engineering
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.