Systems Engineering Majors Guide

What Does it Mean to Study Systems Engineering?

Systems engineering grew out of a need for specialized engineering disciplines to be able to work together. They focus on making different components, produced by specialty engineers, work as a cohesive and efficient system. Systems engineers also repair and improve upon existing systems as new technologies emerge.

A college degree in systems engineering focuses on interacting with professionals engaged in a broad field of disciplines. Systems engineers must think holistically, taking into account every aspect of a project, including the costs, environmental concerns, timeframes and life expectancy of equipment. Bringing together engineers, businessmen, and employees from all parts of the globe and all walks of life is central to a career in systems engineering. Communication and mediation skills are a necessity in the field, as is the need to think of the big picture, instead of getting bogged down in the details.

Professionals in the systems engineering field must be able to trust that the engineers involved in a project are doing their jobs correctly. They should be able to manage the creation of a system without getting deeply involved at every level, as the schedules of most projects do not allow for systems engineers to know every last detail of what is happening all of the time.

Systems engineers must also always be looking toward the future. Even as they are developing a system, they should be building in the ability to improve that system even more in the future. Since technology is constantly growing and changing, systems that are easily adaptable to new technologies can decide the fate of a company. Thus, the responsibility of the systems engineer is very great indeed.

The most important aspects of systems engineering include:

• Design compatibility
• Definition of requirements
• Management of projects
• Cost analysis
• Scheduling
• Possible maintenance needs
• Ease of operations
• Future systems upgrades
• Communication among engineers, managers, suppliers, and customers in regards to the system’s operations

The systems engineering major covers a broad range of disciplines, including:

• Physics
• Advanced math, including calculus and differential equations
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer science
• Materials
• Design engineering
• Civil engineering
• Business ethics and management
• Writing and communications

Career Education in Systems Engineering

If you have a strong interest in math, physics, and computers, a degree in engineering may interest you. But is systems engineering the way to go? The good news is that beginning with a systems engineering background can still allow the student to specialize later on if they so desire.

To be a successful systems engineer, you should be a natural problem solver and excellent communicator. You need to be able to consider multiple factors and figure out ways for all of these factors to come together and form a whole process. This is called having a “systems view” and comes in handy no matter what field you decide to go into.

Systems engineers must wear many hats, serving in turn as the leader, the listener, the negotiator, and the diplomat. Careers in this field require a great deal of patience and resourcefulness, as well as good old-fashioned common sense. A desire for success without compromising ethics and ideals, as well as a keen understanding of teamwork, are necessary for a career in systems engineering.

Not to overlook the technical side of things, systems engineers must be mechanically and technically competent. Math and science skills are both important. They must also manage their time in the most effective way possible, making sure that every aspect of a project is given careful consideration.

Lastly, systems engineers must possess the desire and ability to continue learning throughout their careers. As technology changes, you must keep up. Survival and advancement in the engineering world requires adapting to change, learning from mistakes, and embracing new and different ideas.

When entering the field of systems engineering, it is important to take as many advanced math and science courses as possible. Most engineers start out with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering, offered by many traditional and accredited online colleges and universities. Knowledge of programming languages may also come in handy, though it is by no means a prerequisite. Experience in the field, whether it is working on a production line or being a quality control inspector, is always useful, though not an option for everyone.

Most engineering students don’t stop their schooling after obtaining a BS. Continuing on to a master’s degree in systems engineering is very common, and some students opt to earn a PhD in order to teach at the college level. Online graduate degrees have become increasingly popular among professional engineers, many of whom choose to stay employed while they study, and apply their newfound knowledge to real-life work problems.

Systems Engineering Degree Programs

College degree programs in systems engineering are diverse, giving you the chance to interact with a variety of disciplines. You can choose to specialize after the first couple years of study, but this is usually not required. Also, if you find an engineering discipline that suits you better than systems engineering, it is relatively easy to transfer credits over to a different program or to switch majors.

Systems engineering degree programs include the Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering, the Master of Science in Systems Engineering, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, as well as specific certificate programs covering a broad range of topics. Earning these degrees can help students go on to earn positions as entry-level engineers, project managers, or teachers. The flexibility of the systems engineering degree means that careers are available to graduates in almost every industry.

What Can You Do With a Degree in Systems Engineering?

As production systems become more complicated and more businesses change their methods to accommodate the global marketplace, the need for systems engineers has grown tremendously. Since systems engineering is a multidisciplinary field, jobs exist in nearly every industry. This gives you the chance to explore many types of businesses in order to discover which company is the best suited to your interests and special talents.

As production moves overseas and the parts involved in assembling products come from all over the globe, the opportunity for travel is great in the field of systems engineering. While travel can often be exhausting, it also helps the engineer broaden their horizons and achieve a better understanding of how to integrate things into a cohesive system.

Some examples of the roles systems engineers might play in a variety of industries include:

Petroleum Systems Engineer

Petroleum systems engineers seek out oil and gas deposits, then figure out how to extract, store, and transport the materials in as safe a manner as possible. Petroleum systems engineers are engaged in every activity an oil company is engaged in, overseeing the drilling, processing, and equipment maintenance. These specialists are constantly on the lookout for ways of making the process more efficient, cleaner, or safer.

Industrial Systems Engineer

With a focus on solving problems in industrial systems, industrial systems engineers find ways of streamlining a process, making it more cost-effective. They also focus on making the production floor a safer place to work. They must understand the mechanics, physics, and chemistry behind all kinds of machines, while designing solutions for problems. In addition, these specialists must communicate their recommendations to everyone from the Board of Directors to the other engineers on the project.

Environmental Systems Engineer

As developed nations finally begin to address their impacts on the environment, the demand grows for environmental systems engineers, who have a strong feeling of social responsibility and an understanding and concern for nature. Industries such as waste disposal, wastewater treatment, water purification, and emissions utilize environmental systems engineers. These jobs are often in the public utilities sector. These specialists are very well respected because of the social agendas they promote.

Software Systems Engineer

Getting computers on different platforms to work together and communicate can be a frustrating task. This is where software systems engineers come in. They create software that will not only work on as many operating systems as necessary, but will also communicate effectively with other operating systems in the industry. Often, these specialists must bridge the communication gaps between suppliers and customers. These engineers also create software for specific industries in order to regulate or control certain processes, such as an assembly line or quality control facility.

Electronic Systems Engineer

Electronic systems engineers work in all sorts of electronics industries, including telecommunications, microelectronics, and robotics. They are involved in everything, including the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of new systems. These systems range from the automated production of an item to the regulation of company’s information network.

Systems Engineering Certification and Licensure

The law does not specifically require systems engineers to be licensed, but it does make looking for a job much easier. If you are working for the federal government, then you need to be a licensed engineer, and most states have regulations concerning what sorts of jobs only licensed engineers can take. Therefore, it is best to get licensed in your state, if possible. Licensure regulations also vary from state to state, and students can learn their state’s exact requirements through their school’s career counseling program.

In general, licensure usually consists of passing a state exam, but most states require applicants to have a few years of work experience before sitting for the exam. If you’re fresh out of college, you can register for pre-licensure certification. Once you have gained the required work experience, you can apply for actual licensure.

There are also a number of trade and professional associations for engineers that can help those in the field to network and to share ideas. These organizations offer seminars, luncheons, and job fairs, so engineers can explore their options and keep current on what is happening in their profession.