• Ten Professional Elective courses

 • Seven Social Science, Humanities or Technology in Business and Society courses

 • Three Free Elective courses

Systems Science and Engineering

http: //www.seas.upenn.edu/ese/ugrad/

sys-sse.html

The Systems Science and Engineering (SSE) program specializes in those aspects of engineering that pertain to effectiveness of whole systems. Systems engineers address complex problems in areas such as electrical systems, information systems, economic and finance systems, environmental control, telecommunications, transportation, project management, and manufacturing.

Systems engineering is not about specific technologies, but how to put heterogeneous technologies together to formulate solutions to complex problems. In contrast to other engineering specialties that are grounded in certain technologies, systems engineering is grounded primarily in mathematics and methodology. The core of systems engineering focuses on mathematical modeling and simulation, rather than on particular physical sciences.  Systems engineers learn to model, simulate, optimize, integrate, and evaluate systems. The systems approach requires that one first identify the essential features of a complex problem or situation and then articulate how one will evaluate proposed solutions or improvements. These steps assure that a design is responsive to real needs.

Students find employment in a wide variety of positions in industry and government. A Systems Engineering undergraduate degree is also a sound base for further graduate and professional study in business, engineering, and other fields. Students are also prepared to succeed in graduate school at the master’s and Ph.D. levels in systems engineering, systems, and business (MBA).

Program Educational Objectives: Systems Science and Engineering graduates will:

 • Successfully integrate the fundamentals

 • Possess effective communication skills, excel in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, and have an appreciation for non-technical disciplines;

 • Be prepared to launch their careers or pursue graduate studies in systems engineering or their chosen field; and engage in life-long learning; and

 • Be recognized in their chosen fields for their leadership, integrity and sensitivity to global societal issues.

The curriculum in Systems Science and Engineering is customized to each student’s interests. Each student must develop a course plan in consultation with his or her faculty advisor during the freshman year, including the selection of an Application Focus – an area of interest to which he or she intends to apply the tools of Systems Engineering.

The minimum requirements for the BSE degree in Systems Science and Engineering are:

 • Six Mathematics courses

 • Four and one half Natural Science courses

 • Sixteen Engineering courses

 • Four Application Focus courses

 • Seven Social Science, Humanities or Technology in Business and Society courses

 • Three Free Elective courses

Curriculum Deferred

Incoming freshmen who are undecided about their engineering major may begin their studies as a Curriculum Deferred major. All students must declare a major though by the start of their sophomore year. A recommended roster for the first semester in the freshman year is as follows:

 • EAS 101 Introduction to Engineering, or a freshman-level introductory course offered by an engineering department

 • Introductory calculus

 • Introduction to Physics