Systems Engineering
The Department of Systems Engineering
What is Systems Engineering?
Systems engineering is an approach to engineering that focuses on the whole system, not just its individual parts. It brings together different engineering disciplines to make sure complex projects work as intended from start to finish.
A helpful way to understand systems engineering is to think about a car.
Mechanical engineers may design the engine, brakes, and other moving parts. Electrical engineers may develop the wiring, sensors, and power systems. Computer engineers may create the software that controls key vehicle functions.
But none of those components alone makes a complete car.
That is where systems engineers come in. They help integrate each individual component into a larger, working system. In this example, the systems engineer helps ensure that the engine, electronics, software, safety features, and user controls all work together as one reliable vehicle.
In other words, systems engineers serve as the bridge between engineering disciplines. They help teams manage complexity, improve communication, reduce risk, and deliver successful projects.
Watch: Our department head, Dr. Tom Bradley, discusses what systems engineering is (2:36).
The systems engineering discipline is inherently broad in its scope. Because of this, some of the courses offered in our program introduce core principles of related disciplines.
See our course offerings here.
Systems engineers work in most engineering disciplines and are responsible for the system concept, architecture, and design.
They manage complexity and risk and develop processes for successful systems.
Industrial engineers are trained to design and analyze components of human-machine systems.
They make individual human tasks more productive and efficient by optimizing flow, utilizing alternate materials, and optimizing the configuration of workspaces.
Engineering managers typically require training and experience in both management and the specific engineering discipline used by the team they are managing.
They are specialized in a type of management that is required to lead engineers/technicians and projects.
Operations researchers utilize an analytical method of problem-solving and decision-making that is useful in the management of organizations.
Problems are broken down into basic components and then solved in defined steps by mathematical analysis.
Systems Engineering at Colorado State University is about developing integrative solutions to the world's most complex problems.