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 methodology 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
40 course units are required. Read more about the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
| 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 | |
| Introduction to Computer Systems | ||
CIS 330 | ||
| Database and Information Systems | ||
| Introduction to Networks and Protocols | ||
| Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation | ||
| Introduction to Optimization Theory | ||
| Control of Systems | ||
| Dynamical Systems for Engineering and Biological Applications | ||
| Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation | ||
| Estimation and Detection Theory | ||
| Scalable and Cloud Computing | ||
| Theory of Networks | ||
| Algorithmic Game Theory | ||
| System Design | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Software Design/Engineering | ||
| Embedded Software for Life-Critical Applications | ||
| Design of Smart Systems | ||
| Systems Methodology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Electrical and Systems Engineering Research Methodology | ||
| Embedded Systems/Microcontroller Laboratory | ||
| Control of Systems | ||
or BE 470 | Medical Devices | |
| ESE 450 | Senior Design Project I - EE and SSE | 1 |
| ESE 451 | Senior Design Project II - EE and SSE | 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 302 | Engineering Applications of Statistics | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Principles of Physics I (without laboratory) | ||
| Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion | ||
| Honors Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion | ||
| Introduction to Mechanics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1.5 | |
| ESE 112 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 1.5 |
| Principles of Physics II (without laboratory) | ||
| Principles of Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation | ||
| Honors Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Introduction to Biology A | ||
| Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life | ||
| MATH 312 | Linear Algebra | 1 |
| or EAS 205 | Applications of Scientific Computing. | |
| Natural Science Lab 2 | 0.5 | |
| Professional Electives | ||
| Technology Management Electives | ||
| Choose 1 from the following: | 1 | |
| Engineering Economics | ||
| Engineering Entrepreneurship I | ||
| Foundations of Leadership | ||
MGMT 235 | ||
| Management of Technology | ||
| Societal Problem Application | ||
| Select 3 Societal Problem Electives 3 | 3 | |
| Social Sciences and Humanities 4 | ||
| EAS 203 | Engineering Ethics | 1 |
| Select 1 Social Science course | 1 | |
| Select 2 Humanities courses | 2 | |
| Select 1 Social Science or Humanities course | 1 | |
| Select 2 Social Science or Humanities or Technology in Business & Society courses | 2 | |
| Free Elective | ||
| Select 3 course units of free electives | 3 | |
| Total Course Units | 40 | |
| 1 | If not taken by the end of freshman year, must be replaced by another department approved Engineering course. |
| 2 | Natural Science Lab - 1.0 cu total; PHYS 150 Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion, or PHYS 050 Physics Laboratory I or MEAM 147 Introduction to Mechanics Lab; PHYS 151 Principles of Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation or PHYS 051 Physics Laboratory II; BIOL 101 Introduction to Biology A; CHEM 053 General Chemistry Laboratory I can each count 0.5 cu toward this requirement. |
| 3 | Approval required; A complete list of approved SPA electives can be found on the ESE undergraduate webpage. |
| 4 | The Social Science & Humanities Depth and Writing Requirement can be satisfied with the 7 total course units. |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2018 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.