Electrical and Computer Engineering
Master of Science in Engineering with a concentration in systems engineering
Lead interdisciplinary teams in the design and development of complex systems with an engineering master’s degree concentration in systems engineering from the VCU College of Engineering. You will become familiar with the application of principles that improve a variety of systems. Our program offers special emphasis on developing a foundation with an emphasis on technology providing you graduate coursework within electrical, computer, biomedical, mechanical, nuclear, chemical and life science engineering. computer science and business.
The VCU College of Engineering is among the best graduate programs in the nation as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. Combined with our industry connections and access to Richmond-area businesses, VCU Engineering is a solid choice for your continuing education.
What you’ll learn
Our 30-credit program can be completed in about two years by full time students. You will develop a foundation of engineering skills that includes general systems engineering concepts, paradigms and discipline-specific courses. The skills you develop will provide a mechanism for lifelong learning and professional development to help future career advancement.
Learn by doing and develop technical skills highly valued by industry with VCU Engineeering’s experiential learning approach. You will also receive training in professional skills like communication, team building, project management and applying advanced systems-thinking principles, solving engineering challenges to meet the needs of our changing society and advancing the quality of human life.
Fundamental technical areas include:
- Modern systems engineering
- Intelligent autonomous systems
- Internet of things
- Systems modeling
Further specialize your degree program by taking a curated selection of engineering, computer science, and business courses.
The VCU College of Engineering is etched into the landscape of Richmond, giving you access to a culturally vibrant and diverse city full of potential. We focus on developing close partnerships with public institutions and private businesses in order to give you unique learning and job opportunities.
Master’s program students also have access to benefits like:
- Learn from a variety of engineering and computer science disciplines, providing a foundation for flexibility in applying systems-process thinking across several fields
- Access to a nationally recognized medical campus, with opportunities to further diversify your education.
- Choose your specialization path by curating your own program of study once the required coursework is complete
- Practice teamwork, leadership, mentoring and project planning through our graduate-level Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP)
- Dedicated Career Services department that provides internship and employment opportunities
- Industry connections through college partnerships with public and private industry
- Interdisciplinary education to teach collaboration with engineering practitioners outside your field of study
Reference the VCU Bulletin for a full list of classes. Master’s program courses are 500 level and above (for example, EGMN 605). Below are a few signature courses from the program:
- Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering (EGRE 513): The objective of this course is to teach the technical fundamentals of system engineering, such as system thinking, system design thinking, life cycle design and management in a way that leverages the newest practices in systems engineering, including topics like: emerging systems standards for complex systems, architectures of complex systems, Model Based Design and Engineering, and agile project management methods.
- Introduction to the Internet of Things (EGRE 510): This course introduces and covers a broad range of fundamental concepts in Internet of Things including a systems approach to realizing IoT, sensing methods and materials, sensor design, communications, wireless networking technologies, edge and cloud computing, and hardware constraints. Students will have the opportunity to work on small projects individually or in teams to design and implement small-scale IoT systems and components.
- Systems Modeling (EGRE 615): This course provides an introduction to Modeling and Simulation as enabling tools for optimizing engineered system and process performance. It will discuss general concepts of abstracting system complexity to critical component interactions that allow for a holistic and realistic system representation. When coupled with specific domain knowledge, this representation can be used to optimize or maximize global system outcomes.
Because systems thinking has become a skill employers want, a graduate concentration in systems engineering help advance your career in industries like:
- Automotive
- Communication
- Health
- Pharmaceutical technology
- Power
Consider possibilities like:
- Systems Engineer, Subject Matter Expert: Assist in the acquisition of new capabilities and upgrades while communicating regularly with users and developers to establish requirements, coordinate testing and ensure the final delivery of a finished product. They focus on understanding detailed network architectures making up systems and work with developers and operations personnel to troubleshoot network issues.
- Senior Systems Engineer II: Identify the capabilities of software solutions to engineer robust, secure, reliable, scalable and flexible enterprise systems that meet customer expectations for recovery time and recovery point objectives. Identify application hardware and software requirements; create architecture and implementation plans; install software; and develop support documentation for systems and their hardware/software life cycles. You will also design, install, baseline, support, maintain and upgrade enterprise software solutions with an emphasis on keeping systems current with properly monitored, documented and securely controlled updates.
With the help of our Career Services team, VCU College of Engineering graduates have many opportunities to network with alumni and industry professionals. Our students work at companies like:
- Cisco
- Intel
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
- National Institute of Standards & Technology
- Naval Sea Systems Command
- Occam Systems
- Serco
- Woodward, Inc.
How to apply
VCU offers an online, self-managed application process. See what’s needed to apply for an engineering graduate program and reference our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).