Department adds a systems engineering and design program
The University of Michigan Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE) Department has expanded to include a systems engineering focused degree program that can be taken online or in-person.
The University of Michigan’s Industrial and Operations Engineering (U-M IOE) department has recently expanded its academic offerings by incorporating a Systems Engineering + Design (SED) program, effective July 1, 2024. This addition aims to broaden the scope of IOE’s educational impact by addressing the complex systems that underpin modern society.
“We are excited to expand our program offerings to include the Systems Engineering + Design program,” said Julie Simmons Ivy, U-M IOE Vivian L. Carpenter collegiate professor and department chair. “Systems engineering fits naturally within our industrial and operations engineering curriculum as there is a symbiotic relationship through our shared systems worldview. Further, this addition enables U-M IOE to expand our distance learning offerings to meet the needs of a wider pool of students.”
What is systems engineering?
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to recognize, understand and improve the systems upon which our society is built. From civil engineering to transportation to space exploration, the SED program comprehensively covers a range of domains and disciplines, while acknowledging that the challenges facing contemporary populations rarely fit neatly into a single branch of learning. By integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines, master’s students enrolled in the SED program will learn to deliver efficient, effective solutions to real-world issues.
“The systems engineering process begins with real-world concerns, identifies what is needed, translates needs into technical problems for different disciplinary specialists and integrates their findings into practical solutions to real-world concerns,” said Robert Bordley, U-M IOE professor of practice and the director of the SED program. “Systems engineers create the interfaces translating patents and inventions into world-changing innovations. SED graduates qualify for professional systems engineering certification.”
SED at the Univerity of Michigan
This SED program offers flexibility for students by allowing them to complete the degree entirely online or by attending courses on campus. This versatile approach ensures that a diverse range of students, irrespective of their geographical location, can participate in this degree program.
With the addition of the SED degree program, the U-M IOE department continues to solidify its position as a leader in engineering education. The program underscores the department’s dedication to innovation, interdisciplinary learning and societal impact.