Systems Enginering at Purdue or Penn State

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>As a working professional looking to further my education (entirely online) I would like some of your input. (Note: employer will pay)</p>

<p>While my undergraduate background is in Computer Engineering, I currently work in information security for a financial institution. </p>

<p>A role in systems engineering has always intrigued me. You know, someone who is involved with the analysis, design, development, test, and implementation of a given solution. For now, field does not matter, perhaps working in the defense (ideal and most common for my background), health-care, financial, etc...</p>

<p>After weighing my options I have narrowed my choices down to two universities.</p>

<p>1) Purdue University - MSE (concentration in Electrical and Computer Engineering) : Unfortunately, Purdue does not have a systems engineering concentration. (to my knowledge) While a majority of courses would come from the ECE department, I was thinking of taking some "systems engineering" related courses from the IE department as well to give me some exposure to systems engineering</p>

<p>2) Penn State - MS in Systems Engineering: While this curriculum seems to be idea, (course offerings) I feel that I will miss out on building upon my technical engineering background.</p>

<p>From what I heard many ECE grades are hired for system engineering roles and therefore I feel that the Purdue route will keep more doors open. But, I will miss out on more systems engineering coursework going this route. </p>

<p>If I go the Penn State route, I feel that I am closing more doors outside of system engineering and not building upon my ECE background.</p>

<p>Your thoughts and input would be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Actually,</p>

<p>You don’t need a graduate systems engineering degree to qualify to do systems engineering work. Systems engineering is a methodology, so getting a sound foundation in systems engineering through a few courses is what is needed.</p>

<p>If I were to throw in my opinion, a graduate systems engineering degree that allows a balance between your technical area and systems engineering principles is one that is structured like the following:</p>

<p>6 or 7 courses covering systems engineering, project management, economics and O.R.
3 or 4 courses in your technical expertise (circuits, signals, software, etc).</p>

<p>As I recall, the Penn State SysE program does not allow for the 3 or 4 electives in your technical expertise. Purdue does have some system engineering courses and probably would allow you to take courses in your expertise area.</p>

<p>I would choose Purdue.</p>

<p>As I think back, I would have chosen Purdue (over U-Wisconsin). I avoided Purdue for a minor nitpick issue. Since I was not an engineering major as an undergrad (I was a math major), Purdue will only allow you to earn a M.S. degree (no designation) instead of a M.S. Engineering and I got caught up in that. I did like Purdue’s selection of courses.</p>