Systems Engineering Analysis Program – Curriculum 308

Program Officer

Caleb MacDonald, CDR, USN

Watkins Hall, Room 107

(831) 656-2033, DSN 756-2033

caleb.macdonald@nps.edu

Academic Associate

Mark Stevens

Code SE/ST, Spanagel Hall, Room 139

(831) 656-7545, DSN 756-7545

FAX (831) 656-3129

mstevens@nps.edu

Brief Overview

This interdisciplinary curriculum provides a foundation in systems thinking, technology, and operations analysis for warfighters. Graduates will be able to understand how to develop and fight new systems of combat systems, and have a more thorough understanding of current combat systems.

Students normally complete group projects in lieu of theses. These “capstone” projects are chosen to allow students to gain a thorough understanding of a critical warfare area and to provide the Navy and other services insights about future systems options to meet emerging needs.

The program is designed as a highly integrated graduate education. Lectures, team projects, and individual research are provided, as well as seminars from visiting experts. The length of this program is eight quarters.

Convenes

Summer

Program Length

24 Months

Subspecialty

Completion of this curriculum qualifies a naval officer as a Systems Engineering Subspecialist, with subspecialty code 6500P or 6501P (Navy Requirements Officer Program Track).

Requirements for Entry

For entry, the officer must have at least a C+ undergraduate grade point average, with at least one calculus course with a C or better and at least one calculus-based physics course with a C or better (APC 324). If an officer is an outstanding performer, but lacks the necessary academic preparation, waivers may be considered. In addition, distance learning courses in Calculus are available for candidates wishing to obtain higher math skills.

Degrees

Master of Science in Systems Engineering Analysis

This degree is proposed for all students completing the 308 curriculum. The Systems Engineering and Operations Research departments are the approving authority for the degree.

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

To be considered for this degree, a student must meet the degree requirements (including an ABET EAC accredited engineering BS degree or documented equivalent) and complete all the requirements of curriculum 308. The chair of the Department of Systems Engineering is the approving authority for the degree.

Master of Science in Systems Analysis

Selected students may elect to earn a degree in Systems Analysis from the Department of Operations Research. This involves a thesis in lieu of project and an extended analysis sequence. The chair of the Department of Operations Research is the approving authority for the degree.

Typical Course of Study

Quarter 1 (Accelerated)

Course Number	Title	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
SE1001	Mathematics For SE I	4	2
SE1002	Mathematics For SE II	3	1
SE2003	Introduction to Mechanical Systems	4	2
SE2101	Introduction to Electromagnetic Systems	4	2

Quarter 2

Course Number	Title	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
SE3000	Systems Engineering Colloquium	1	0
SE3100	Fundamentals of Systems Engineering	3	2
SE3112	Combat Systems Engineering I- Intro to Sensors	4	2
OS3180	Probability and Statistics for Systems Engineering	4	1
MN3301	Acquisition of Defense Systems	4	0

Quarter 3

Course Number	Title	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
SI3400	Fundamentals of Engineering Project Management	3	2
SE4112	Combat Systems Engineering III	4	2
OS3211	Systems Optimization	4	0
SE3000	Systems Engineering Colloquium	1	0
OS3680	Naval Tactical Analysis	4	0

Quarter 4

Course Number	Title	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
SE3113	Combat Systems Engineering II- Conventional Weapons	4	2
SE3302	System Suitability	3	2
SE3000	Systems Engineering Colloquium	1	0
OS4680	Naval Systems Analysis	4	0
OS3380	Combat Systems Simulation	3	1

Quarter 5

Course Number	Title	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
SE4115	Combat Systems Integration	4	2
OA4602	Joint Campaign Analysis	4	0
OA4702	Cost Estimation	4	0
NW3230	Strategy & War	4	2
SE3000	Systems Engineering Colloquium	1	0

Quarter 6

Course Number	Title	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
SE3121	C4ISR Systems	3	2
SE3201	Engineering Systems Conceptualization	2	4
SE4150	Systems Architecting and Design	3	2
NW3275	Joint Maritime Operations - part 1	4	0
SE3000	Systems Engineering Colloquium	1	0

NW3275: U.S. Navy URL only

Quarter 7

Course Number	Title	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
ELECT	Elective
OA4603	Test and Evaluation	4	0
SE3202	Engineering Systems Design	2	4
NW3276	Joint Maritime Operations - part 2	2	2
SE3000	Systems Engineering Colloquium	1	0

NW3276: U.S. Navy URL only

Quarter 8

Course Number	Title	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
ELECT	Elective
SE3203	Engineering Systems Implementation & Operation	2	4

SI0810	Integrating Project	0	8
	-or-
ELECT	Elective

NW3285	Theater Security Decision Making	4	0

Educational Skill Requirements

Systems Engineering Analysis Curriculum

Broad Objective

This curriculum teaches U.S. Navy Unrestricted Line Officers how the Navy builds and operates large combat systems of systems. The primary objective is to prepare officers to serve afloat and in key operational staff billets by giving them the technological and analytical understanding to fight the fleet today and in the future. The emphasis is on integration of complex warfare systems with compatible tactics. In addition, graduates with experience afloat will be prepared to serve ashore as program managers and in technical/analytical billets on headquarters staffs.

Basics. Introduction to the mathematics, physics, and computer skills needed to understand the technical aspects of combat, information, and decision systems.
Systems Engineering. Understand the systems engineering process and how to perform systems engineering studies, to include a knowledge of system design, development, and deployment; technical and cost trade-offs; human-in-the-loop issues and project management. Be able to integrate relevant technological disciplines that bear on weapons, sensor and information systems. Understand responsiveness to realistic military requirements, specifications and cost limitations. Study the linkage between strategic planning, requirements, project organization, and technology.
Operations Analysis. Learn how to apply advanced management and operations research ideas to defense problems, to include cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis. Understand uncertainty and risk and their impact on military planning, decision making and operations. Become familiar with complexity and the modeling of competitive systems. Gain a basic knowledge of modeling, simulation and gaming. Learn how Operations Research techniques, including experimental design, are applied to operational test and evaluation; planning and analyzing fleet battle experiments; and to military decision making.
Sensor and Weapon Systems. Gain a solid understanding of the scientific, mathematical and engineering principles behind existing and future military systems. Understand the elements that impact sensor system performance. Understand the principles behind existing and emerging sensor technologies, including radar, sonar, electro-optical sensors, and other sensors. Understand the technologies underlying weapons systems, and the principles that guide successful integration of weapons and sensors with platforms.
Information Systems Technology. Develop knowledge of information systems technology including computer systems; computer networks and communications systems; software engineering; and data base management. Demonstrate awareness of the capabilities, limitations, design and operation, and vulnerabilities of information systems. Understand the concepts of defensive and offensive Information Warfare.
Independent Study. Each student must demonstrate the ability to conduct independent and team oriented research and analysis on problems that link technical solutions to tactical problems, and to present the results in writing and oral briefings. A substantive project report or thesis will be required of all students.
Department of Defense Resource Allocation. Develop a working knowledge of resource allocation within the Department of Defense including the PPBE, JCIDS, and Acquisition processes. It is imperative that students understand key issues regarding the scheduling of budget delivery to, and the related interface with Congress, as well as the critical milestones involved in development of the President's Budget. In addition, a working knowledge of the interfaces between PPBE, JCIDS, and Acquisition is necessary to gain an appreciation for the synergies and disconnects between these two processes - and in particular to understanding the manner in which they impact warfighting acquisition programs.

Joint Professional Military Education

Completion of Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) is required for all USN officers enrolled in the 308 curriculum. Graduates will develop an understanding of warfighting within the context of operational art, to include: national military capabilities and command structure, joint and service doctrine, joint planning and execution, and joint and multinational forces and systems integration at the operational level of war.

Typical Course of Study Navy Requirements Officer Program Track

The first quarter of the SEA curriculum reflects a review of mathematics and physics, from a systems perspective. Subsequent quarters present a balance of courses in systems engineering, operations analysis, technology, and program management topics culminating in the capstone project encompassed by the SE3201/2/3 sequence of courses. The students gain additional knowledge and insight through seminars and project related travel. This track satisfies the mandatory Defense Acquisition University (DAU) program management education required by the Defense Acquisition Work force Improvement Act (DAWIA) for Program Management through Level III.