Knowledge:

Distinguish between systems and complex systems;

Recognize complex systems and their associated problems;

Design cost-effective, timely and effective complex systems;

Defend adopting a systems approach over other methods of solving complex systems problems;

Analyze the principal influences and constraints on the modern defence environment;

Use systems engineering methods to explore defence lifecycle issues;

Recognise a complex Systems Engineering problem which can be solved using knowledge acquired during the taught phase of the course;

Assess evidence gathered through self-directed research;

Defend the validity of their conclusions in relation to their chosen complex systems engineering problem.

Skills:

Apply systems knowledge and systems thinking to the decision making process in relation to systems’ problems in a constantly changing defence environment comprising people, doctrine, technology, time and budget;

Formulate a Systems Engineering approach to Through Life Management Planning, Requirements Engineering, System Design, Trade-offs, Verification, Validation and Integrated Test and Evaluation;

Assemble stakeholder needs and constraints, making appropriate use of requirements management techniques;

Analyse realistic problems which occur in a constantly changing defence environment (comprising people, doctrine, technology, time and budget) and may be solved using complex decision-making processes;

Organise a tailored, whole system, through-life approach to explore a complex problem, using appropriate methods and tools;

Judge the quality of systems engineering practices applied by industry and government in the defence environment;

Propose a practical systems approach to accommodate both industrial and governmental ideology;

Assess risk and uncertainty in complex systems;

Propose suitable resources to mitigate risk and uncertainty in complex systems;

Construct simple models, using modern techniques, tools and processes such as Synthetic Environments, to facilitate defence acquisition;

Appraise Systems Engineering published work to justify and support their line of reasoning;

Express effectively, through oral and written communication, their justified line of reasoning;

Critically analyse practical situations requiring complex decision-making to solve dynamic systems problems involving people, doctrine, technology, time and cost;

Organise a balanced, whole system, through life approach and exploit appropriate methods and tools;

Critically compare and contrast industrial best practices in SE with defence acquisition and propose how to achieve a practical systems approach;

Assemble evidence to support their line of reasoning and conclusions for their chosen complex Systems Engineering problem in conjunction with dependent and independent learning abilities;

Write a thesis to convey the problem, assessment, defence and conclusions associated with their identified complex systems engineering problem.

Modules:

Foundations of Systems Engineering; Introduction to Systems Engineering; Systems Analysis Techniques; Systems Engineering Lifecycle Processes; Capability Engineering; Systems Engineering Workshop; Architecture Frameworks; Availability, Reliability and Maintainability; Decision Analysis, Modelling and Support; Human Factors; Introduction to Defence Capability; Lifecycle Management; Maintenance and Support Strategy; Simulation & Synthetic Environments; Software Intensive Systems; Systems Engineering for NEC; Advanced Systems Engineering Workshop.

Duration:

MSc 48 weeks full-time, up to 5 years part-time.

PgDip 28 weeks full-time, up to 4 years part-time.

PgCert 20 weeks full-time, up to 3 years part-time.

Application Process: Please complete an online application form.