Welcome to EN.645.662 Introduction to Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. This page is designed to help you get a head start before the semester officially begins.
Your Course Designer / Instructor: Chris Olson (colson8@jhu.edu)
Complete these items before the semester starts:
Watch the Module 0 Intro Video (requires JHU login)
Review the Syllabus
Choose and install an MBSE or diagramming tool (see below)
Obtain your textbooks (see below)
Review the course outline (see below)
Select, install, and explore a modeling or diagramming tool. This will give you a significant advantage when assignments begin.
If you are pursuing a Master's in Systems Engineering, we recommend a professional MBSE tool like Catia Magic or Sensmetry Syside (SysML V2)
If you are taking this course as an elective or don't plan to model concepts professionally, we recommend a either a professional MBSE tool or a simple diagramming tool like Draw.io or Lucidchart.
Please see the MBSE tools page for options and instructions.
Both textbooks are available electronically through the JHU Sheridan Library using your JHED credentials:
Kossiakoff, A., Biemer, S. M., Seymour, S. J., & Flanigan, D. A. (2020). Wiley.
Print ISBN: 9781119516668
International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). (2023). Wiley.
Print ISBN: 9781119814290
This course introduces fundamental principles and practices of systems engineering and their application to complex system development. Topics include:
Systems engineering processes and the system life cycle
Requirements analysis and functional decomposition
System architecture and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
Trade studies and risk management
Verification, validation, and integration
The course covers three primary areas:
System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Systems Engineering Activities
General SE Topics
Module 1: Systems Engineering & System Structure
Module 2: System Development & Management
Module 3: System Needs & Requirements
Module 4: Functional Analysis & Concept Selection
Module 5: Architecting & Model-Based SE (MBSE)
Module 6: Trade Studies & Risk Management
Module 7: Advanced Systems & System Software Development
Module 8: Implementation & Integration
Module 9: Verification, Validation & Production
Module 10: Operations & Support
Module 11: Course Wrap-up & Presentations
You will work with other students to develop a system concept for a pre-existing system and present your concept at the end of the semester.
12–15 hours per week. This is a comprehensive introductory course. It is not recommended to take another course simultaneously if you are a part-time student with a full-time job.
This course has INCOSE Academic Equivalency, meaning successful completion satisfies the knowledge requirements for:
ASEP (Associate Systems Engineering Professional)
CSEP (Certified Systems Engineering Professional)
No separate knowledge exam required! More details will be provided in the course on Canvas.