Master of Science in Engineering in Systems Engineering

“Smart” buildings and highways. Environmental monitoring. Sensor networks. Hybrid systems. The MSE Program in Systems Engineering (SE), grounded in the intersection of electrical and systems engineering, is best positioned to give students the in-depth theoretical foundation and interdisciplinary skills required by the growing complexity of technological systems. Our flexible curriculum allows you to tailor your studies to your personal interests and goals, from signal processing, optimization, simulation, control and cybernetics to complex adaptive systems, stochastic processes and decision sciences.

Course Requirements

Students must complete 10 course units as outlined in the M.S.E. in Systems Engineering Course Planning Guide (CPG):

MSE Systems Engineering Degree Requirements

To view ESE, EAS, or other engineering courses, please visit the  ESE Course Information page. For the most up-to-date course offerings, please visit the University Registrar site.

Master’s Thesis Option

A Master’s Thesis is optional but recommended for students wishing to pursue doctoral studies. Students are encouraged to take two course units of thesis research in order to maximize the opportunity to engage in research.

Program Duration

Full-time master’s students can complete their degree within one-and-a-half to two years. Students may opt to take three courses for two terms and four courses for one term to graduate in 1.5 years or to take three terms of three courses each plus a final term of one course in order to graduate in two years.

Please note: in compliance with federal immigration regulations, international students are not eligible to be registered for fewer than three courses per term unless eligible for a reduced course load status (see the International Student and Scholar Services website for details).

Applying to the Systems Engineering Program

Please visit the Penn Engineering Graduate Admissions site for more information on How to Apply as well as Admissions FAQs.