Systems Science and Engineering, BSE

Systems Engineers provide technical management for societal-scale problems that often encompass the connections between the physical and the information world. Examples of the many cutting-edge applications include autonomous robotics, smart buildings, national power grid management, global networks, service optimization, and biological systems. Systems engineering is the set of reusable mathematics, intellectual tools, and methodologies for attacking large-scale engineering problems. These common tools are adaptable for problems in different engineering domains (e.g., electrical, mechanical, biological, chemical, and computing) and help us understand, design, and manage systems that contain elements from multiple domains. Systems engineering deals with how we extract useful, abstract models from lower level systems, use these models to analyze and predict behavior, and use the analysis to control behavior and optimize/synthesize solutions.   System engineering helps us understand what happens when we compose many elements, each with their own behavior, and how to design and constrain the individual elements to engineer desired behavior for the composed system.

For more information: https://www.seas.upenn.edu/prospective-students/undergrad/majors/systems-science-and-engineering/

Systems Science and Engineering (SSE) Major Requirements

37 course units are required.

Course List

Code	Title	Course Units
Engineering
Systems Foundations
CIS 110	Introduction to Computer Programming (or equivalent)	1
or ENGR 105	Introduction to Scientific Computing
ESE 111	Atoms, Bits, Circuits and Systems 1	1
CIS 120	Programming Languages and Techniques I	1
ESE 204	Decision Models	1
ESE 210	Introduction to Dynamic Systems	1
ESE 224	Signal and Information Processing	1.5
ESE 303	Stochastic Systems Analysis and Simulation	1
Information Systems Electives
Select 3 from the following:		3
CIS 240	Introduction to Computer Systems
CIS 450	Database and Information Systems
ESE 305	Foundations of Data Science
ESE 407	Introduction to Networks and Protocols
ESE 420/520	Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation
ESE 504	Intro to Linear, Nonlinear and Integer Optimization
ESE 505	Feedback Control Design and Analysis
ESE 512	Dynamical Systems for Engineering and Biological Applications
ESE 528	Estimation and Detection Theory
ESE 545	Data Mining: Learning from Massive Datasets
NETS 212	Scalable and Cloud Computing
NETS 312	Theory of Networks
NETS 412	Algorithmic Game Theory
Systems Design
Select one of the following:		1
CIS 350	Software Design/Engineering
CIS 441	Embedded Software for Life-Critical Applications
ESE 527	Design of Smart Systems
ESE 590	Systems Methodology
Systems Project
Select one of the following:		1
ESE 290/291	Introduction to Electrical and Systems Engineering Research Methodology
ESE 350	Embedded Systems/Microcontroller Laboratory
ESE 421	Control For Autonomous Robots
ESE 505	Feedback Control Design and Analysis 2
BE 570	Biomechatronics 2
ESE 450	Senior Design Project I - EE and SSE	1
ESE 451	Senior Design Project II - EE and SSE	1
Engineering Elective		1
Math and Natural Science
MATH 104	Calculus, Part I	1
MATH 114	Calculus, Part II	1
MATH 240	Calculus, Part III	1
ESE 301	Engineering Probability	1
ESE 402	Statistics for Data Science	1
PHYS 140	Principles of Physics I (without laboratory)	1-1.5
or PHYS 150	Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion
or PHYS 170	Honors Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion
or MEAM 110	Introduction to Mechanics
ESE 112	Engineering Electromagnetics	1.5
or PHYS 141	Principles of Physics II (without laboratory)
or PHYS 151	Principles of Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation
or PHYS 171	Honors Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation
CHEM 101	General Chemistry I	1
or EAS 091	Chemistry Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Credit (Engineering Students Only)
or BIOL 101	Introduction to Biology A
or BIOL 121	Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life
MATH 312	Linear Algebra	1
or MATH 314	Advanced Linear Algebra
or MATH 370	Algebra
Natural Science Lab (if applicable) 3		.5
Professional Electives
Technology Management Electives
ESE 400	Engineering Economics	1
or EAS 545	Engineering Entrepreneurship I
or EAS 595	Foundations of Leadership
or MGMT 235
or MGMT 237	Management of Technology
or OIDD 236	Scaling Operations in Technology Ventures: Linking Strategy and Execution
Societal Problem Application
Select 3 Societal Problem Electives 4		3
General Electives 5
EAS 203	Engineering Ethics	1
Select 4 Social Science or Humanities courses		4
Select 2 Social Science or Humanities or Technology in Business & Society courses		2
Total Course Units		37

1	If not taken by the end of freshman year, must be replaced by another department approved Engineering course.
2	If ESE 505 or BE 570 is taken, an additional .5 CU engineering credit is required
3	This category requires 10 CU, including two .5 CU Natural Science Labs. Several of the courses above are 1.5 CU and already include .5 CU Natural Science Lab. If the courses selected do not total 10 CUs, you will be required to complete the additional CUs required with up to two .5 CU Natural Science Labs from the following list: BIOL 124 Introductory Organismal Biology Lab, CHEM 053 General Chemistry Laboratory I, MEAM 147 Introduction to Mechanics Lab, PHYS 050 Physics Laboratory I, PHYS 051 Physics Laboratory II, or another department approved Natural Science Lab.
4	A complete list of approved SPA electives can be found on the ESE undergraduate programs webpage
5	Must include a Writing Seminar (a list of approved Writing Seminars can be found in the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook)

Concentrations

 Students may select one of three concentrations:

• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Decision Science
• Robotics

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The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2020 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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