<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am interested in majoring in systems engineering or information science. </p>
<p>I do not want to have a focus on the industrial side of systems engineering (factories/manufacturing), but more the mathematical modeling/simulation and information technology side.</p>
<p>So far, besides the military academies, I have formulated the following list of possible colleges that offer a major that interests me:</p>
<p>Cornell University
University of Virginia
University of North Carolina: Charlotte
University of Pennsylvania</p>
<p>I am also considering an applied mathematics route at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.</p>
<p>Besides the aforementioned schools, are there any more highly reputable schools with a systems engineering/information science type of major? I am looking for schools on the East Coast. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>What the heck is a systems engineer? Or rather, what do you think a systems engineer is?</p>
<p>There is something called “industrial systems engineering” at my school, it seems to be all about the logistics of manufacturing. Very mathematical.</p>
<p>I know “systems analyst” is some kind of software engineering job, but I’m unclear on what they do.</p>
<p>Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. It focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle, documenting requirements, then proceeding with design synthesis and system validation while considering the complete problem.</p>
<p>[INCOSE</a> - A Consensus of the INCOSE Fellows](<a href=“http://www.incose.org/practice/fellowsconsensus.aspx]INCOSE”>Error 404)</p>
<p>Having said all of that, a specialized “systems engineering” degree is better suited as a graduate degree…done after some years working as an engineer in a certain discipline. Systems engineering also involves applying the “systems engineering methodology” to produce a product…but one cannot really “apply” the methodology without having some expertise in a specialized engineering area like mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, computer hardware or software FIRST!</p>
<p>I realize that most people do graduate work in systems engineering, but from my research there are many colleges that offer systems engineering majors whose students do very well upon graduation. Within the systems engineering major, most colleges offer specific routes to take, including specialization in an expertise like computer programming, software engineering, economics or mathematics. May of these programs are not labeled as “systems engineering”. For instance, Cornell University’s program is “Information Science, Systems and Technology” and the University of Pennsylvania’s program is called “Systems Science and Engineering Major”. These programs, at least in my opinion, would enable a person to have a successful career (with a wide range of job responsibilities). I think a student could focus on certain aspects of each colleges’ respective systems/information program while still learning about the broad view of methodology. This could allow them to get an MBA (most likely after getting a job) while having a technical base, increasing the chances of that person’s success. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I can definitely see how it could be better to major in a specialized engineering program. From what I’ve gathered, it really just depends on each college’s individual program and how it’s set up. Some are more flexible than others and allow for specialization. </p>
<p>Thanks for the comment though! </p>
<p>[Cornell</a> Engineering: Information Science, Systems and Technology](<a href=“http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/Majors/isst.cfm]Cornell”>http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/Majors/isst.cfm)
[Penn</a> Engineering - Systems Science and Engineering Major](<a href=“Majors”>http://www.seas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/degrees/maj-systemscience.php)</p>
<p>
They do. The SSE kids at my school typically start at $65-70k out of undergrad if they go into something engineering-ish, and start well into 6 figures if they go the finance/business route.
I know it’s not east coast, but you may want to look at my school (wustl) - my friends have gotten post graduation jobs all over the country (with a good chunk in the northeast)… and they all really love the program/school.</p>
<p>USC has a great program as well. Widen your geographic net in order to compare more schools.</p>
<p>Alright, thank you! I’ll look into your school. Right now I’m just trying to find the best possible options for what I would like to do. This type of major sounds very interesting to me.</p>
<p>I don’t think it would be very feasible for me to attend USC, although I would absolutely love the weather. I’ll still probably look into it though, because it could be a good fit and worth the trek across America for me to get there.</p>
<p>Even though you want a school on the East Coast, you should know about Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA. It’s engineering program offers a single degree in general engineering, with primary emphasis on design and systems. Mudd students have also done well, and had no problem finding jobs and going into specialties.</p>
<p>Look into Olin College, in Boston. They have an engineering program that offers a concentration in systems, also.</p>