Program Overview

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Overview of the Master of Science in Systems Engineering Program

The Master of Science in Systems Engineering Program at the Whiting School of Engineering prepares students with a solid basis for understanding and designing interventions for complex systems. The program focuses on varied fields such as network modeling, data analysis, and artificial intelligence, optimization, disaster risk modeling, transportation systems, public health, urban resilience, and public policy design.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science in Systems Engineering program requires students to take a total of eight courses that have been approved by their advisor. Three of these must be selected from the list of required courses, which includes:

• EN.560.601 Applied Math for Engineers
• EN.560.617 Deep Learning for Physical Systems
• EN.560.618 Probabilistic Methods in Civil Engineering and Mechanics
• EN.560.647 Probabilistic Graphical Models and Causal Inference for Networked Systems
• EN.560.650 Operations Research
• EN.560.653 An Introduction to Network Modeling
• EN.560.657 System Dynamics
• EN.560.659 Production Systems Analysis
• EN.520.698 Networks Meet Machine Learning: Methods and Applications
• EN.553.613 Applied Statistics & Data Analysis I
• EN.553.636 Introduction to Data Science
• EN.601.633 Intro Algorithms

The remaining five courses can be chosen from the list of electives and must be advisor-approved. One of the eight courses can be a professional development class, such as those offered by the Center for Leadership Education.

Course-Only M.S. Requirements

The most common path for M.S. graduate students is to complete the degree through coursework alone. The M.S. degree requirements are as follows:

1. Minimum course requirements: 8 courses at the 600-level or above.
2. Required courses, but not counted towards minimum course requirements:

• Two semesters of CaSE graduate seminar courses
• EN.500.603 Graduate Academic Ethics
• AS.360.624 Responsible Conduct of Research (Online)

3. Acceptable grades: B- and above.
4. It is expected that the degree will be completed in one year with the student enrolling in 4 courses per semester.
5. CPT internship credits for international students do not count toward the completion of a M.S. degree.
6. Transfer credits typically are not permitted.

M.S. with Thesis Requirements

The M.S. with thesis option is intended for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. The M.S. degree requirements are as follows:

1. Minimum course requirements: 7 courses at the 600-level or above.
2. Required courses, but do not count towards minimum course requirements:

• Research course with the research advisor Fall semester
• Research course with the research advisor Spring semester
• Two semesters of CaSE graduate seminar courses
• EN.500.603 Graduate Academic Ethics
• AS.360.625 Responsible Conduct of Research

3. Acceptable grades: B- and above.
4. Final essay that is approved by the research advisor and one additional reader.
5. Research presentation in a public forum attended by two members of the WSE faculty or other faculty approved by the Department Head.
6. The M.S. with thesis program is expected to be completed in 3-4 semesters.
7. CPT internship credits for international students do not count toward the completion of the M.S. degree.
8. Transfer credits typically are not permitted.

Combined Bachelors/Masters Program

All Combined Bachelors/Masters students must meet the requirements stipulated above for the respective M.S. program with the following exception:

• The Department of Civil and Systems Engineering will accept one course from JHU undergraduate studies used for the B.S. degree at the 400-level or above toward the course requirements.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Master of Science in Systems Engineering program include:

1. Online Application in the Slate application system.
2. Three Letters of Recommendation.
3. Statement of Purpose.
4. CV/Resume.
5. Transcripts.
6. TOEFL/IELTS scores or English Language Proficiency Test Waiver (for international students only).
7. Application Fee $0. Optional:

• GRE Scores.
• Personal Statement.
• Sample of Work.

Notes

• Students are expected to maintain a GPA of 2.3 each semester or will be placed on probation.
• The GPA is an unofficial internal GPA calculated by the department using a consistent rubric.
• There is no official GPA on the university transcript for WSE graduate students.