Master of Science in Systems Engineering
Overview of the MSSE degree
Students in the broadly-based, cross-disciplinary Master of Science in Systems Engineering (MSSE) program at ISR benefit both academically and professionally by:
- Being exposed to a wide range of systems engineering principles, including software tools for modeling and optimization, decision and risk analysis, stochastic analysis, and human factors engineering;
- Becoming familiar with the financial and management issues associated with complex engineering systems; and
- Acquiring a deep understanding of one particular application area.
Designed with substantial industry input, the MSSE curriculum represents the University of Maryland's first multi-college graduate degree program involving the A. James Clark School of Engineering.
The MSSE program covers a range of topics, from systems definition, requirements, and specifications, to systems design, implementation, and operation, in addition to the technical management of systems projects. Students specialize in software, computer, information, distributed, control, manufacturing, and process systems, or in operations research. Drawing on the engineering, computer science, and management experience of University of Maryland faculty, the program makes optimum use of the university's advanced facilities, including symbolic capabilities, engineering workstations, and computer communication networks.
Frequently asked questions about the MSSE program
What are the entry requirements?
The general entry requirement is a background in engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Admission to the MSSE program is highly competitive, however, and the program looks for strong evidence of motivation and achievement, including an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher and/or significant professional experience.
Applicants must also submit GRE general test scores, and most weight is given to the analytic and quantitative scores. International students who are not citizens of English-speaking countries must also submit a TOEFL score, and international students who are selected for teaching assistantships in their second year must enroll in a training course for TAs.
Would I receive my degree from the Institute for Systems Research?
Degrees are awarded by the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering through the Institute for Systems Research.
Is distance learning available?
Distance learning is not currently available.
What is the difference between the MSSE and the Professional Master of Engineering program with systems engineering option?
The MSSE program provides broad and general training in systems engineering principles as they have developed in industrial and government practices. It gives intensive and specialized training in systems engineering within the various branches of the engineering profession. Students have the option of choosing the thesis or non-thesis degree options. Those who select the thesis option must earn a total of 30 credit hours of coursework to complete the program, and undertake a master's thesis project demonstrating the practical implications of systems engineering principles. The non-thesis degree option requires 36 credit hours of coursework plus a written comprehensive examination and a scholarly paper.
The Professional Master of Engineering (acronym: ENPM) program is an applications-oriented, methods-focused, part-time program designed to assist engineers in the development of their professional careers and to provide the technical expertise needed in the business, government, and industrial environments. Late afternoon and evening classes are taught by College Park faculty and experienced adjunct faculty at the College Park campus and designated learning centers in Maryland. M.Eng. students complete 30 credit hours of coursework to earn their degrees; no thesis, scholarly paper, or comprehensive examination is required.
May I defer my enrollment after I have been admitted to the University of Maryland?
You may defer your enrollment for up to two semesters (one calendar year) without reapplying. For example, if you have been admitted for the Fall 2001 semester but wish to defer your enrollment until Spring 2002 or Fall 2002. You may change semesters one time only, however, and you must notify the department and the graduate school in writing of your intention to defer enrollment.
Would I be able to enroll part-time in the MSSE program?
Yes. The master's degree clock starts running at the beginning of your first semester and runs for five (5) years; if you still have not finished your degree after five years, you must request an extension.
If I have been out of school for ten years or longer, would you accept letters of recommendation from professional supervisors rather than instructors?
Yes.
Must I submit original transcripts from my undergraduate institution?
Yes, unless you did your undergraduate work at the University of Maryland (the graduate school will retrieve your records). The graduate school does not accept copies, although you may be granted admission with the provision that you submit sealed, official transcripts within your first semester.
How do I choose an advisor?
When a student first enrolls in the program, the Graduate Director and Education Coordinator work with her/him to arrange the first semester's schedule. As s/he progresses, they will help identify ISR faculty members to serve as advisors, assisting the student in planning coursework and supervising the thesis or scholarly paper. Students customarily seek faculty members with joint appointments to ISR and an engineering department in which s/he has an undergraduate background or substantial interest. You can identify appropriate prospective advisors on-line by going to the "Faculty" link at the bottom of this page.
How do I get approval for my academic plan?
The coursework plan for each student, drawn up with the assistance of an academic advisor, must be approved by the Graduate Director or Education Coordinator.
How do I decide which is most appropriate for me, the thesis or the non-thesis option?
The thesis option requires each student to earn 30 credit hours of course work and complete a thesis project (6 credits) demonstrating the practical implications of systems engineering principles. The non-thesis option requires 36 hours of coursework, a written comprehensive examination, and a scholarly paper with systems content, written under the supervision of an academic advisor.
Can I transfer ENSE core courses I took for a previous degree from another department for credit toward my master's degree in systems engineering?
Yes, but only if they were not included in your previous Approved Program. In most circumstances, however, you will not be required to re-take ENSE core courses, but may take additional electives, as approved by your advisor and the Graduate Director.
How do I transfer courses from another institution or UM department for credit toward my master's degree?
Fill in a Request for Transfer or Inclusion of Credit form; in a nutshell, courses taken in engineering departments can be transferred, but only courses with a technical/systems flavor can be transferred from the business school. ONLY SIX (6) CREDITS CAN BE TRANSFERRED OR INCLUDED. This is not negotiable, so please do not ask us to endorse a petition to the graduate school to extend this limit.
When do I take the comprehensive exam for the non-thesis option?
The comprehensive examination will be given as the final examination for ENSE 623, which is offered during each Fall semester. In the event you do not pass the exam, you will be allowed one additional attempt at a time and place to be arranged with the Graduate Director.
When do I submit required forms to the graduate school, and what are the forms I should be familiar with?
The Application for Diploma, Approved Program form, and Nomination of Thesis Committee form must all be completed and submitted early in your final semester. Deadlines vary from year to year, but the calendar of deadlines for graduate students for each academic year is available online.
Other important forms you will use as appropriate are:
Request for Transfer or Inclusion of Credit;
Request for Extension;
Petition for Waiver of Regulation;
Certificate of Completion (for thesis-option students); and
Certificate of Completion for Master's Degree without Thesis.
Workaday forms you will use if you don't take advantage of the option to register on-line are:
Graduate Student Schedule Request;
Schedule Adjustment Form; and
Permission to Oversubscribe a Closed Course
What should I do if I need additional time to complete my master's degree work?
Offers of admission are for a five-year period. If program requirements are not met within this time frame, students may request an extension from the Graduate School (forms are available in the Education Office, 2177 AVW); in some cases they may be required to reapply to the program. Most full-time students complete the degree in two years.
If I have completed my coursework, but need additional time to finish up my thesis or scholarly paper, do I need to register on campus?
Yes. The graduate school's rule is that you must be registered during the semester you expect to graduate. You need only register (and pay!) for one "study" credit of ENSE 798 or ENSE 799 (thesis research). Contact the Education Office to find out the appropriate section and index numbers and request an electronic rubber stamp for permission to register on-line.
The only exception to this is that if you have completed all work for your degree, including submission of all required forms, before the first day of the next semester, you no longer need to be registered. For example, if you defend your thesis in May, after the deadline for Spring graduation, and submit all required materials, including Certificate of Completion, before the first day of the Summer I session, then you will be eligible to graduate in August without registering in either Summer session.
Do I risk not graduating if I miss a deadline?
Deadlines for submission of forms such as the Application for Diploma, Approved Program, and Nomination of Thesis or Dissertation Committee, as well as for submission of your thesis or scholarly paper and Certificate of Completion, are firm, and the graduate school does not grant extensions or exceptions. However, if (for example) you are unable to meet the deadline for May graduation, but expect to have everything in order for August grduation, you may participate in the May commencement ceremony. You must contact the Diploma Office in advance to arrange this. You will receive your diploma in the mail about six weeks after your "real" graduation date.
