School Advisory Board

• Ms. Virginia Ruesterholz, President, Verizon Telecom (Chair of the Board)
• Mr. Mark Schaeffer, Director of Systems and Software Engineering, Office of Secretary of Defense and Director of Systems Engineering, OSD (Retd.) (Emeritus Chair of the Board)
  
• Dr. Dev A. Banerjee, Director, Systems Engineering, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
• Mr. Håkan Bard, Dean, School of Technology and Design, Växjö Universitet, Sweden
• Mr. Orlando Carvalho, General Manager and Vice President, Lockheed Martin MS2
• Mr. John Casko, Vice President of Engineering, Logistics, and Technology (Eastern Region), Northrop Grumman
• Dr. Ruth David, President and CEO Analytical Services, Inc. (ANSER)
• Mr. George Dasher, President, ASSETT, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Engineering, IBM Corporation and Lockheed Martin (Retd.)
• Dr. Wolter J. Fabrycky, Lawrence Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
  Mr. Chris Ferreri, Managing Director, ICAP Electronic Broking
• Dr. Val Gavito, Senior Vice President, L3 Communications Integrated Systems
• Mr. Jack Irving, General Manager and Vice President, Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors (Retd.)
• Dr. James Kays, Dean, Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Naval Postgraduate School   
  Dr. George Korfiatis, Provost and Vice President, Stevens Institute of Technology
• Mr. Ralph Nelson, Vice President, IBM Global Services   
• Dr. Spiros Pallas, Distinguished Service Professor, Stevens Institute; Deputy Director, Defense Systems, Office of Secretary of Defense (Retd.)   
• Mr. Tom Parry, Vice President, Systems Engineering, Decisive Analytics Corporation   
• Dr. Richard Roca, Director, Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University

Undergraduate Programs Advisory Board

• Mr. Kevin Dice, Iron Mountain
• Dr. Sujoy Dey, Johnson and Johnson
• Ms. Allison Donnelly, Accenture Consulting
• Dr. Timothy Koeller, Associate Dean, Howe School of Technology Management, Stevens Institute of Technology
• LTC Donna Korycinski, Director of the Engineering Management Program, U.S.   Military Academy
• Dr. Willie McFadden, Senior Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.
• Mr. Bob Thoelen, Hamilton SunstrandMs. Melissa Traylor, JP Morgan
• Mr. Mark Troller, Time Warner Corp.
• Dr. Henry Wiebe, Vice Provost for University of Missouri-Rolla Global

Today’s engineered systems are more complex than their predecessors, not only in the sophistication of elements from which they are constructed, but in the number and nature of the interconnections between the elements. System failures today, whether an automobile malfunction on a busy highway or loss of a spacecraft on a distant planet, are likely to result from an unanticipated interaction between elements than from the failure of a single part. Softwar- intensive systems represent a special challenge because of the myriad of possible logic paths that can be woven through their code. As Moore’s law continues to drive down the size of computers and drive up their speed and power, software that was once deeply embedded within physical components has begun to emerge, enabling collaboration between components that would have been unimaginable only a few years ago.

While the complexity of technical systems continues to grow, equally as exciting is the emergence of a new class of systems, one for which there is no central control. Perhaps most readily exemplified by the Internet, such systems are characterized by the autonomy enjoyed by their elements, each one acting locally to achieve its individual purpose without benefit of centralized control. Yet, because the elements are richly interconnected, such systems are capable of self-organizing to produce emergent behavior for which they have not been specifically designed. We are only beginning to scratch the surface in exploring the possibilities represented by these decentralized systems, or perhaps more properly, systems of systems. Understanding their behavior, and perhaps even more ambitious, how to create conditions that result in their producing favorable outcomes, will keep researchers and designers occupied for many years to come.

Enterprises represent a special case of systems, one with enormous economic importance. While not traditionally considered within the same domain as technical systems, enterprises are increasingly being seen as representatives of a broader class of human-designed systems, of which technical systems are only one part. The simplest definition of an enterprise, three or more people engaged in purposeful activity, would certainly be recognized as a system by a traditional systems engineer. Even this simple enterprise comprises elements (people) working together to achieve a common purpose, but today’s global enterprises are far more complex than this simple definition implies. Enabled by a revolution in communications and information technologies, they may be among the most complex systems ever conceived of by humans. In a sense, treating them in the same class as technical systems represents a natural evolution, from enterprise systems as enabling technology, to enterprises as systems of cross-functional processes, to enterprises as systems in their own right. Certainly, as we look at extended enterprises, the elements of which may be independent firms widely dispersed across the globe, each with their own motivations, expertise, cultures, and organizations, yet collectively working together to produce a product or service valued by customers, the challenge of designing, managing, evaluating, and optimizing these systems is the equal of any we can find.

It is in this context that Stevens created the School of Systems and Enterprises (SSE) with the mission to create knowledge and understanding at the confluence between Systems and Enterprises. We as a school are also committed to an educational and research philosophy that we refer to as the "Open Academic Model," where:

• We will develop meaningful alliances with academic partners to develop and leverage thought leadership and competencies in our instructional and research initiatives, leading to the greatest benefit to our students and our sponsors, and
• We will blur the boundary between the academic setting and the industrial/ government reality in our instructional and research approach. This will be achieved through:
• Bringing a fresh perspective to industry and government in an executable form – a specific method, tool, heuristic, or template; and
• Bringing the industry and government reality into academia in a researchable or usable form – a problem statement, a specific challenge, heuristics, and case studies. 

We believe that this concept of alliances is essential to developing relevant and connected programs for the Systems Engineering (SE), Software Engineering (SSW), Engineering Management (EM), Enterprise Systems (ES), and Financial Engineering (FE) disciplines within academia.

The SSE faculty is engaged in a variety of research efforts in the new school to support our academic endeavors, that include:

• Enterprise Architecting,
• Enterprise Optimization,
• Systems and Enterprise Management, 
  
• Systems Engineering, Architecting, and Testing, and
• Software Engineering

To support our research mission, the SSE houses the Systems and Enterprise Architecting Laboratory (SEAL), Center for Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure Systems (CRSIS), and the NJ Center for Software Engineering. The SEAL provides a research environment and tooling for collaboration to let a team work on the design, analysis, and system architectures. The SEAL also serves as a central repository for the generated information, and can offer opportunities for gathering of metrics and experiments with data mining to extract system level patterns. The NJ Center for Software Engineering provides a seminar series designed to join people from academia, industry and government together to explore current topics and set research agendas, (see www.njcse.org).

Engineering Management

Engineering Management is a rapidly-expanding field that integrates engineering, technology, management, systems, and business. High-technology companies in the telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, consulting, information technology, and other industries utilize the concepts and tools of EM, such as project management, quality management, engineering economics, modeling and simulation, systems engineering and integration, and statistical tools. These technology-based companies recruit EM graduates for their expertise in these tools and techniques and to fill a critical need of integrating engineering and business operations.

The EM program combines a strong engineering core with training in accounting, cost analysis, managerial economics, quality management, project management, production and technology management, systems engineering, and engineering design. The course selection offered by this major exemplifies the Stevens interdisciplinary approach to developing strong problem-solving skills. The program prepares students for careers that involve the complex interplay of technology, people, economics, information, and organizations. The program also provides the skills and knowledge needed to enable students to work effectively at the interface between engineering and management and to assume professional positions of increasing responsibility in management or as key systems integrators.

The mission of the Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering Management (BEEM) Program is to provide an education based on a strong engineering core, complemented by studies in business, technology, systems, and management; to prepare the graduate to work at the interface between technology/engineering and management; and to be able to assume positions of increasing technical and managerial responsibility. The objectives of the EM program can be summarized as follows:

• EM graduates have a strong general engineering foundation and are able to use modern technological tools while working on complex multidisciplinary problems.
• EM graduates will have assumed leadership positions in their chosen areas of work using knowledge gained from their engineering management education.
• EM graduates effectively work in teams on projects to solve real-world problems. This effort can involve information research, the use of project management tools and techniques, and the economic justification of the solution that is effectively communicated in a written or oral project report/business proposal that is presented to the client.
• EM graduates possess the ethics, knowledge, skills, and attributes to define, design, develop, and manage resources, processes, and complex systems needed to work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• EM graduates apply the management tasks of organizing, staffing, planning, financing, and the human element and have the tools to continue sustained intellectual growth in the corporate or academic world.

The EM Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). A typical course sequence for EM follows:

Engineering Management students can select their concentration electivecourses among two technical electrives and three general electives in various ways.  Some of the students may wish to cluster those electives in ways that would help them gain expertise in an area of specialization within Engineering Management.  The following groupings are possible specialty (concentration) areas that students can select from within the EM program:

Systems Engineering Concentration

EM 457 Elements of Operations Research (Fall)
EM 435 Business Process Reengineering (Fall)
SYS 5xx Introduction to Systems Engineering

Financial Engineering Concentration

EM 457 Elements of Operations Research (Fall)
FE 510 Introduction to Financial Engineering
FE 5xx Pricing and Hedging

Students who chose the Financial Engineering concentration should take E243 and EM 364 in place of EM 365.

Requirements for a Minor in Engineering Management

EM 275 Project Management
EM 270 Management of Engineering and Technology
EM 301 Accounting and Business Analysis
EM 360 Total Quality Management

EM Minors typically take the following courses as part of the Engineering Curriculum:

Required Engineering Core

E355 Enginering Economics
E243 or EM 365 Statistics
TG/E 421 Entrepreneurial Analysis of Engineering Design

Required Humanities Core

Mgt 243 Macroeconomics
Mgt 244 Microeconomics

Students wishing to purse an EM minor should use any three of the EM 275, 270, 301,or 360 coursees to satisfy the requirements for the three general electives.  Thus, an EM minor requies a one-course overload.

The SSE offers a unique four plus one style program designed for Stevens undergraduate engineering and science students who wish to jointly pursue a Masters of Engineering in Engineering Management (MEEM) or in Systems Engineering (MESE) degree concurrently with their undergraduate degree. Admission criteria to the program are junior standing, a formal interview, and a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.2 in engineering or science. All undergraduates in these programs are encouraged to take Mgt 243 and 244, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, respectively.

Certificates in Systems Engineering and Architecting, Engineering Management, Financial Engineering, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practices, Systems Supportability and Engineering, Systems Engineering Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Analysis, and Project Management are approved for this program. Other certificate options must be approved by the Associate Dean for Academics within the SSE.

The SSE offers the Master of Engineering degrees in SE, EM, and Space Systems Engineering (SpSE) and a Master of Science degree in Financial Engineering (FE), Software Engineering (SSW), and Enterprise Systems (ES) through a wide variety of delivery modes to include traditional 15-week face-to-face semester formal, web-based distance format, and the Systems Design and Operational Effectiveness (SDOE) program’s modular format. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is offered in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, and Enterprise Systems.

The SDOE program is an international leader in engineering education and offers a flexible delivery format tailored to the working professional.  All courses in the SDOE program are offered in a unique weeklong modular format.  The week-long modular format minimizes time away from “home base” while the live and intensive weeklong courses, and associated group exercises, ensure development of team building skills, leadership development, and the real-time negotiation and tradeoffs that characterize reality. Students are given reading assignments prior to the instructional week.  Further, participants pursing a degree or graduate certificate have ten weeks subsequent to the instructional week to complete their homework assignments and projects.  Homework assignments and projects are not required for those students taking SDOE classes for continuing education units (CEUs) credit.

The school’s programs in SE, EM, SpSE, SSW, and ES take a multidisciplinary approach to engineering education by providing a blend of engineering, systems, and management subjects. The traditional engineer and scientist often lacks preparation in the human, financial, software, and systems integration skills necessary to make project teams more productive, improve system and service quality, and promote the advancement of high technology for complex systems. Our Masters' programs are unique in that we strive to produce a graduate who is well prepared for a future in the management of engineering and technology and can address systems integration, life cycle issues, software-intensive systems, and systems thinking at the system, systems of systems, and enterprise levels.

The MS in FE services the financial services industries.  This industry has an increasing need for graduates who are trained in the mathematical methods that are now used to solve problems in finance. In our financial engineering program, you learn how to use relevant tec hniques from applied mathematics, statistics, and economics develop, analyze, and implement financial products involving securities valuation, risk management, portfolio structuring, and regulatory concerns. Training in quantitative analysis, modeling, optimization, simulation techniques, and technology interface is emphasized.  Financial Engineering serves the financial services industries that are home to some of the most complex systems and enterprises in our society.

• Engineering Management, M.Eng., Ph.D.
• Systems Engineering, M.Eng., Ph.D.

These programs require a minimum of 30 credit-hours of course work. A thesis and/or project is required for the SE and ES degrees. For the EM and FE degrees, a thesis is optional and may be substituted for up to six credit-hours of course work. The thesis option is strongly recommended for full-time students receiving financial support in the form of research assistantships or those students planning to pursue doctoral studies.

An undergraduate degree in engineering or related disciplines with a "B" average or better from an accredited college or university is generally required for graduate study in our M.E. and M.S. programs. Outstanding applicants in other areas may be conditionally admitted subject to the satisfactory completion of several ramp courses or introductory courses within the specific program. Student applying to the M.S. in ES program should have an undergraduate education or significant industry experience that has a significant quantitative component. The MS in FE requires a strong mathematics background to include some elements of calculus. The specific requirements will be determined on an individual basis depending upon the student’s background. It is required that any applicants requesting research assistantship appointments and applicants to the Ph.D. program provide evidence of the ability to carry out independent research. Examples of such evidence include the master's degree thesis work and/or completed work-related projects. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are not required, but may be submitted in support of the application. International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language prior to admission by scoring at least 550 (210 for computer-based) on the TOEFL examination. Applications for admission from qualified students are accepted at any time. Each student should meet with his/her advisor to develop a study plan that matches the student’s background, experience, and interests, while satisfying the requirements for any of the school’s programs.

Infrastructure systems are key enablers of the economic growth and sustainability of nations and regions. Increasingly, traditional approaches to isolated infrastructure planning and management are facing challenges in the form of the interdependencies of infrastructure systems, the changing nature of infrastructure investment and the increasing realization of the challenges faces in building resilient and sustainable infrastructure systems.  The Master of Science Program in Infrastructure Systems is designed to provide professionals with an interest in the design, management and decision-making for Infrastructure Systems with the ability to tackle complex issues facing infrastructure systems in the 21st century. Designed as a global program, this program will draws on students from diverse countries and backgrounds to provide a truly global educational experience. In addition to taking courses on infrastructure systems design and management, graduate students will be exposed to courses on systems thinking, leadership, complex project management and engineering economics. Additionally, students who do not wish to finish in 1 year will have the option of doing an internship with a New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area organization during the summer semester.

The program consists of 9 courses and a three-hour special projects class or 8 courses and a 6 credit hour thesis for a total of 30 credits. All students applying to these programs are required to submit wither GRE or GMAT scores and meet the schools TOEFL requirements.  Students who wish to pursue a career in academics can pursue a six credit hour thesis option.  Students wishing to enroll in this program must have an undergraduate degree in an engineering or management related discipline with some quantitative background. This program is currently designed as a full-time, on-campus program

Core Courses

• ES 690 Introduction to Infrastructure Systems (New)
• ES 691 Advanced Topics in Infrastructure Systems (New)
• ES  684A Systems Thinking
• SYS 681 Dynamic Modeling of Systems and Enterprises
• EM 612 Project Management of Complex Systems or MGT 612 Human Side of Project Leadership
• EM 600 Engineering Economics and Cost Analysis or EM 620 Engineering Cost Management

Students will also take two elective courses (with 6 credit ES 900 thesis option) or three elective courses (with 3 credit ES 800 Master’s Project option) from one of the following concentration areas, based on their interest and with approval of their advisor. Courses beyond the current list can be substituted with the approval of the advisor.

Concentration: Maritime Systems

• OE 505 Introduction to Maritime Systems
• OE 614 Economic Issues in Maritime Systems
• SYS 611 Modeling and Simulation
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Transportation Systems

• CM 508 Transportation Engineering
• OE 505 Introduction to Maritime Systems
• SYS 611 Modeling and Simulation
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Energy Systems

• ME 510 Power Plant Engineering
• EM 605 Elements of Operations Research
• EN 587 Environmental Law and Management
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Networked Information Systems

• NIS 560 Intro Networked Info Systems
• NIS 654 Design and Analysis of Network Systems
• NIS 678 Information Networks I
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Telecommunication Systems

• TM 601 Principles of Applied Telecommunication Technologies
• TM 612 Regulation and Policy in the Telecomm Industry
• TM 624 Network Management
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Governance and Management

• MGT 690 Organizational Theory and Design
• MGT 690 Designing Complex Organizations
• EN 587 Environmental Law and Management
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Systems Analysis and Modeling

• EM 605 Elements of Operations Research
• SYS 611 Modeling and Simulation
• SYS 625 Fundamentals of Systems Eng
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

The SE degree is a multidisciplinary program that includes a blend of engineering, systems thinking, and management subjects. Graduates from this program will be prepared to work effectively at the interface between engineering and management and to assume professional positions of increasing responsibility. The program consists of ten courses (six core and four advisor directed electives):

• SYS/SDOE  625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS/SDOE 650 System Architecture and Design
• EM/SDOEE 612 Project Management for Complex Systems
• SYS/SDOE 605 Systems Integration
• SYS/SDOE 800 Special Problems in Systems Engineering
• One SYS Elective in a quantitative course to include SYS/SDOE 611, SYS/SDOE 660, SYS 670, or other as approved by your advisor

Students wishing to pursue the thesis option will take six credit-hours of SYS 900 and not take SYS 800 and the SYS elective. Only full-time, resident students have the option to NOT take either a three- or six-hour projects class or a thesis. These students may take two SYS/EM/ES electives with the approval of their advisor.

Students are encouraged to take an integrated four-course sequence leading to a graduate certificate for the four advisor-approved electives or four additional courses in SE, EM, or ES. Most of these certificates are offered on-line via web-based instruction. Approved four-course sequences include:

• Agile Systems and Enterprises,
• Engineering Management,
• Enterprise Architecture and Governance,
• Financial Engineering,
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practices,
• Project Management,
• Space Systems Engineering,
• Software Engineering,
• Systems-Centric Software Engineering,
• Systems Engineering Management,
• Systems and Supportability Engineering, or
• Logistics and Supply Chain Analysis

A M.E. degree in EM builds upon undergraduate engineering and science education with studies in business, management, and SE. The traditional engineer and scientist often lacks a formal education in the human, financial, and management skills necessary to advocate the use of technology for high-quality, cost-efficient, complex systems. Our Master’s degree is unique in that we strive to create an engineer who is well prepared for a future in the management of engineering and technology integration.

Graduates from this program will be prepared to work effectively at the interface between engineering and management and to assume professional positions of increasing responsibility. The six core courses for this program are:

• EM 600 Engineering Economics and Cost Analysis or EM 620 Engineering Cost Management
• EM 605 Elements of Operations Research
• EM/SDOE 612 Project Management of Complex Systems
• EM/SDOE 680 Designing and Managing the Development System
• SYS/SDOE 611 Modeling and Simulation or
• SYS/SDOE 681 Dynamic Modeling of Systems and Enterprise
• SYS/SDOE 625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering

Students lacking a strong quantitative background that includes an introduction to calculus and statistics may be required to take several ramp courses as defined by the admission conditions listed in the acceptance letter.

Students are encouraged to take an integrated four-course sequence leading to a graduate certificate for the four advisor-approved electives or four additional courses in SE, EM, or ES. Most of these certificates are offered on-line via web-based instruction. Approved four-course sequences include:

• Agile Systems and Enterprises,
• Construction Management,
• Enterprise Architecture and Governance,
• Financial Engineering,
• Logistics and Supply Chain Analysis
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practices,
• Project Management,
• Software Engineering,
• Systems-Centric Software Engineering,
• Systems Engineering and Architecting,
• Systems Engineering Management, or
• Systems and Supportability Engineering.

A faculty advisor must approve other options. Note that all of these certificates are available to undergraduate students as part of the four plus one program.

Enterprises represent a special case of systems of systems, one with enormous economic importance. Enterprises comprise elements (people, polices, governance, technology, etc.) working together to achieve a common purpose. We look at extended enterprises elements, the elements of which may be independent firms widely dispersed across the globe, each with their own motivations, expertise, cultures, and organizations, yet collectively working together to produce a product or service valued by customers. The challenge of designing, managing, evaluating, and optimizing these systems is the equal of any we can find. Today’s global enterprises are far more complex than this simple definition implies. Enabled by a revolution in communications and information technologies, they may be among the most complex systems ever conceived of by humans.

The M.S. in ES was conceived with a two-fold goal. First, we felt that an educational program was needed for people employed in the governance of enterprises from non-engineering and science backgrounds. Secondly, that a certain class of problems should not be characterized as SE in nature but should be viewed from an enterprise perspective. Thus, understanding the complex systems characteristics of these elements to include systems thinking, analysis, and governance requires different tools and processes than those taught in EM and SE.

This M.S. in ES program consists of ten courses (six core and four advisor-directed electives) and includes:

• EM/SDOE 612 Project Management of Complex Systems
• EM/SDOE 680 Designing and Managing the Development Enterprise
• ES/SDOE 621 Fundamentals of Enterprise Systems
• ES/SDOE 684 Systems Thinking
• ES 800 Special Problems in Enterprises Systems
• SYS/SDOE 605 Systems Integration

Note: students wishing to pursue the thesis option will take six credit-hours of ES 900 and not take ES 800 and EM 680.

Students are encouraged to take an integrated four-course sequence leading to a graduate certificate for the remaining four electives or four additional courses in SE, EM, or ES. Most of these certificates are offered on-line via web-based instruction. Approved four-course sequences include:

• Agile Systems and Enterprises
• Engineering Management
• Enterprise Architecture and Governance
• Logistics and Supply Chain Analysis
  Project Management or
• Systems Engineering Management

The vast complexity of financial markets compels industry to look for experts who not only understand how they work, but also posses the mathematical knowledge to uncover their patterns and the computer skills to exploit them. To achieve success, banking and securities industries must come to grips with securities valuation, risk management, portfolio structuring, and regulation-knowledge embracing applied mathematics, computational techniques, statistical analysis, and economic theory. The goal of the degree is to produce graduate who can make pricing, hedging, trading, and portfolio-management decisions in the financial services enterprise. With sharply honed practical skills complimented by strong technical elements, graduates are in demand in the industries-investment banking, risk management, securities trading and portfolio management.
   
The master’s program consists of 10 courses for a total of 30 credits. Students wishing to enroll in any of the FE programs must have an undergraduate degree in an engineering or science discipline, and must have completed coursework in

• Calculus and Differential Equations,
• Probability and Statistics,
• Linear Algebra, and
• Programming Languages C++ or Java and Spreadsheets.

This MS in FE program consists of ten courses (six core and four advisor-directed electives) and includes:

FE 610 Stochastic Calculus for Financial Engineers,
FE 620 Pricing and Hedging,
FE 621 Computational Finance,
FE 630 Portfolio Theory and Applications,
FE 680 Advanced Derivatives, and
FE 800 Special Problems in Financial Engineering.

Students are encouraged to take an integrated four-course sequence leading to a graduate certificate for the four advisor-approved electives or four additional advisor approved courses. Most of these certificates are offered on-line via web-based instruction. Approved four-course sequences leading to an existing graduate certificate include:

Management Focused

• Database Systems,
• Engineering Management,
• Systems Engineering and Architecting, and
• Information Management

Quantitative Focused

• Applied Statistics and
• Stochastic Systems

Software Focused

• Software Engineering,
• Software Engineering in Finance, and
• Financial Software Engineering Research/Thesis Option
• FE 900 Thesis in Financial Engineering (6 credits) and two advisor approved electives or
• FE 800 Special Problems in Financial Engineering (3 credits) and three advisor approved electives

Infrastructure Systems

Infrastructure systems are key enablers of the economic growth and sustainability of nations and regions. Increasingly, traditional approaches to isolated infrastructure planning and management are facing challenges in the form of the interdependencies of infrastructure systems, the changing nature of infrastructure investment and the increasing realization of the challenges faces in building resilient and sustainable infrastructure systems.  The Master of Science Program in Infrastructure Systems is designed to provide professionals with an interest in the design, management and decision-making for Infrastructure Systems with the ability to tackle complex issues facing infrastructure systems in the 21st century. Designed as a global program, this program will draws on students from diverse countries and backgrounds to provide a truly global educational experience. In addition to taking courses on infrastructure systems design and management, graduate students will be exposed to courses on systems thinking, leadership, complex project management and engineering economics. Additionally, students who do not wish to finish in 1 year will have the option of doing an internship with a New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area organization during the summer semester.

The program consists of 9 courses and a three-hour special projects class or 8 courses and a 6 credit hour thesis for a total of 30 credits. All students applying to these programs are required to submit wither GRE or GMAT scores and meet the schools TOEFL requirements.  Students who wish to pursue a career in academics can pursue a six credit hour thesis option.  Students wishing to enroll in this program must have an undergraduate degree in an engineering or management related discipline with some quantitative background. This program is currently designed as a full-time, on-campus program

Core Courses

• ES 690 Introduction to Infrastructure Systems (New)
• ES 691 Advanced Topics in Infrastructure Systems (New)
• ES  684A Systems Thinking
• SYS 681 Dynamic Modeling of Systems and Enterprises
• EM 612 Project Management of Complex Systems or MGT 612 Human Side of Project Leadership
• EM 600 Engineering Economics and Cost Analysis or EM 620 Engineering Cost Management

Students will also take two elective courses (with 6 credit ES 900 thesis option) or three elective courses (with 3 credit ES 800 Master’s Project option) from one of the following concentration areas, based on their interest and with approval of their advisor. Courses beyond the current list can be substituted with the approval of the advisor.

Concentration: Maritime Systems

• OE 505 Introduction to Maritime Systems
• OE 614 Economic Issues in Maritime Systems
• SYS 611 Modeling and Simulation
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Transportation Systems

• CM 508 Transportation Engineering
• OE 505 Introduction to Maritime Systems
• SYS 611 Modeling and Simulation
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Energy Systems

• ME 510 Power Plant Engineering
• EM 605 Elements of Operations Research
• EN 587 Environmental Law and Management
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Networked Information Systems

• NIS 560 Intro Networked Info Systems
• NIS 654 Design and Analysis of Network Systems
• NIS 678 Information Networks I
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Telecommunication Systems

• TM 601 Principles of Applied Telecommunication Technologies
• TM 612 Regulation and Policy in the Telecomm Industry
• TM 624 Network Management
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Governance and Management

• MGT 690 Organizational Theory and Design
• MGT 690 Designing Complex Organizations
• EN 587 Environmental Law and Management
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

Concentration: Systems Analysis and Modeling

• EM 605 Elements of Operations Research
• SYS 611 Modeling and Simulation
• SYS 625 Fundamentals of Systems Eng
• SYS 810 Research Methods in Systems Engineering

The MS program in Software Engineering (SSW) emphasizes the skills needed to apply software technologies to the realization of software products on time, within budget and with known quality.  It is a systems-oriented approach to building software products and embedded software in other products.

The MS in Software Engineering is geared towards these students:

• The formally educated computer professional who aspires to a managerial career and wants comprehensive hands-on training in the skills needed to identify customer requirements, develop software designs, manage a software development team and evaluate the resulting software product relative to customer specifications.
• The formally educated computer professional who wants to remain an individual contributor yet needs to employ systems thinking, manage outsourced projects, and attain a solid foundation in the practical application of engineering technologies to the realization of software products
• The computer professional whose educational background is not in computer science or computer engineering, but who has learned software skills on the job and who now needs software and systems engineering education.
• The student who plans a careen in business management or investment in software intensive industries.
• The systems engineer whom needs a firm base in software concepts.

This MS in SSW program consists of ten courses (six core and four advisor-directed electives) and includes:

SSW 540 Introduction to Software Engineering
SSW 533 Software Cost Estimation and Metrics
SSW 564 Software Requirements Analysis and Engineering
SSW 565 Software Architecture and Component-based Design
SSW 567 Software Testing, Quality Assurance and Maintenance
SSW 689 Software Systems Reliability Theory and Practice

Students are encouraged to take an integrated four-course sequence leading to a graduate certificate for the four advisor-approved electives or four additional courses in SE, EM, CS, FE, SSW, and ES. Most of these certificates are offered on-line via web-based instruction. Approved four-course sequences include:

• Agile Systems and Enterprises,
• Database Management Systems,
• Engineering Management,
• Enterprise Architecture and Governance,
• Financial Engineering,
• Project Management,
• Secure Network Systems Design,
• Software Design,
• Systems Engineering and Architecting,
• Systems Engineering Management, or
• Systems and Supportability Engineering.

A faculty advisor must approve other options. Note that all of these certificates are available to undergraduate students as part of the four plus one program.

In today’s space related enterprises, change is the only constant.  From market and technological changes to policy and budgetary uncertainty, the space industry has been faced with increasing challenges that transcend technical boundaries.  To fully utilize emerging opportunities, and explore new ones within a modern space centric enterprise, it is crucial to have both the technical knowledge necessary to design cutting edge space missions and associated products, as well as, the systems knowledge that is required to operate in an increasingly complex technical, business, and policy environment.   The master’s degree and certificate in Space Systems allow professionals working in government and the private space-related enterprises to combine robust technical education in space systems design and development, key space systems processes and tools with a holistic understanding of systems engineering principles.  

The master’s program consists of 10 courses for a total of 30 credits. Students wishing to enroll in SpSE program must have an undergraduate degree in an engineering or science discipline.  The program consists of six core courses:
 

SYS/SDOE 625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
SYS/SDOE 650 System Architecture and Design
SYS/SDOE 632 Designing Space Missions and Systems
SYS/SDOE 633 Mission and Systems Design Verification and Validation (V&V)
EM/SDOE 612 Project Management of Complex Systems
SYS/SDOE 605 Systems Integration

Students then must choose a minimum of one course each from the two concnetrations listed below:

Space Concentration Electives

SYS/SDOE 635 Human Spaceflight
SYS/SDOE 636 Space Launch and Transportation Systems
SYS/SDOE 637 Cost-Effective Space Mission Operations
SYS/SDOE 638 Crew Exploration Vehicle Design Exercise

Systems Concentration Electives

SYS/SDOE 611 Modeling and Simulation
SYS/SDOE 645 Design for System Reliability, Maintainability, and Supportability
SYS/SDOE 660 Decision and Risk Analysis

Students have the option of working on either a project or a thesis.  The project and thesis credit classes are:

SYS 800 Special Problems in Systems Engineering (3 to 6 credit hours)
SYS 900 Thesis in Systems Engineering (6 credit hours)

Student pursuing a 3 credit hour project must take one additional advisor approved elective to meet the 30 credit hours required for the degree.

The SSE in partnership with the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technical University (NTU), Singapore, offers a dual degree program leading to Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering (through Stevens) and a Master of Science in Systems and Project Management (through NTU). The program mission is to prepare graduates in the twin competencies of systems engineering and project management, both sharing a common complex systems thinking and perspective.  

The dual degree program aims to broadening the participants’ educational experience and prepare them for a successful career in leadership positions in delivering systems-based products, services and solutions to the industries, businesses and government especially with countries in or have interest in developing businesses in Southeast Asia, India, and China.

Students should apply to their perspective host universities.  Cohorts are accepted for both the fall and spring terms.  The program is designed to be a resident program with students spending a minimum of one semester at the non-host university.  To meet the degree requirements, candidates must earn 30 course credits by taking five courses from Stevens and four courses from NTU plus an independent study project.  Students should take the following courses from the SSE:

• SYS625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS650 System Architecture and Design
• SYS605 Systems Integration
• EM612 Project Management of Complex Systems
• SYS660 Decision and Risk Analysis or
• EM680 Designing and Managing the Development Enterprise

While studying at NTU candidates must select four of the following System and Project Management (SPM) courses:

• SPM21/M6141 Quality Engineering
• SPM22/M6205 Systems Simulation & Modeling
• SPM23/M6601 Human Factors Engineering
• SPM25/M6925 Enterprise IT/IS Project Management
• SPM26/L6103 Supply Chain: Strategy and Design
• SPM29/M6929 Management of Complex Engineering Projects
• SPM30/M6426 Management of Technology and Innovation
• SPM31/M6930 Project Estimation and Cost Management

All students in the program are required to M6588 Independent Study from NTU producing a three credit hour capstone project.  Note that students wishing to pursue a graduate certificate in Systems Engineering Management through Stevens are required to take EM 680 and SPM22.

The Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management (WJHSTM) in conjunction with the School of Systems and Enterprises offer a unique program which combines the quantitative elements of an engineering degree with the business topics typically taught in a MBA program.  The program is designed so that students from various backgrounds can tailor their educational experience to meet their career objectives.  The recommended study plan is shown for EM and FE below, respectively.

Engineering Management Concentration

To gain admission to the M.B.A. program, students must take a GMAT or GRE (see the WJHSTM section of the catalog for specific admission criteria and score standards). A minimum of two years work experience will be required of all students prior to admission to this program.

Financial Engineering Concentration

To gain admission to the MBA program, students must take a GMAT or GRE (see the WJHSTM section of the catalog for specific admission criteria and score standards).  A minimum of two years work experience will be required of all students prior to admission to this program.

All graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit-hours of course work. An undergraduate degree in engineering or related disciplines with a "B" average or better from an accredited college or university is generally required for graduate study in any one of our programs. Outstanding applicants in other areas may be conditionally admitted subject to the satisfactory completion of several ramp courses or introductory courses within the specific program. The specific requirements will be determined on an individual basis depending upon the student’s background. International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language prior to admission by scoring at least 550 (210 for computer-based) on the TOEFL examination. Applications for admission from qualified students are accepted at any time.

Each student should communicate with his/her advisor to develop a study plan that matches the student’s background, experience, and interests, while satisfying the requirements for any of the programs. Each of the graduate certificate programs is a stepping-stone towards the Master’s degree in the School of Systems and Enterprises.

Agile Systems and Enterprise

• ES/SDOE 684 Systems Thinking
• ES/SDOE 678 Engineering of Agile Systems and Enterprises
• ES/SDOE 679 Architecting the Extended Enterprise
• ES/SDOE 683 Design of Agile Systems and Enterprise

Engineering Management

• EM 600 Engineering Economics and Cost Analysis
• EM 605 Elements of Operations Research
• EM/SDOE 612 Project Management of Complex Systems
• EM/SDOE 680 Designing and Managing the Development Enterprise

Enterprise Architecture and Governance

• ES/SDOE 679 Architecting the Extended Enterprise
• ES/SDOE 684 Systems Thinking
• ES/SDOE 677 Governing Development
• SYS/SDOE 681 Dynamic Modeling of Systems and Enterprises

Financial Software Engneering

• SSW 540 Fundamentals of Software Engineering
• SSW565 Software Architecture and Component-based Design
• FE 610 Stochastic Calculus for Financial Engineers
• FE 620 Pricing and Hedging

Infrastructure Management

•  ES 690 Introduction to Infrastructure Systems (New)
• ES 691 Advanced Topics in Infrastructure Systems (New)
• SYS 681 Dynamic Modeling of Systems and Enterprises 
• EM 612 Project Management of Complex Systems or MGT 612 Human Side of Project Leadership

Logistics and Supply Chain Analysis

• SYS/SDOE 640 Supportability and Logistics
• EM/SDOE 665 Integrated Supply Chains
• SYS 670 Forecasting and Demand Modeling Systems
• SYS/SDOE 611 Modeling and Simulation or
• SYS/SDOE 681 Dynamic Modeling of Systems and Enterprises

Software Engineering

• SSW 540 Introduction to Software Engineering
• SSW 533 Software Cost Estimation and Metrics

In addition, the student must select two of the following courses:

• SSW 564 Software Requirements Analysis and Engineering
• SSW 565 Software Architecture and Component-based Design
• SSW 567 Software Testing, Quality Assurance and Maintenance
• SSW 687 Engineering of Large Software Systems
• SSW 689 Software Systems Reliability Theory and Practice

Software Engineering in Finance

• SSW 540 Fundamentals of Software Engineering
• SSW565 Software Architecture and Component-based Design
• FE 595 Financial Systems Technology
• MGT 623 Financial Management or
• MGT 638 Corporate Finance

Space Systems Engineering

• SYS/SDOE 625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS/SDOE 650 System Architecture and Design
• SYS/SDOE 632 Designing Space Missions and Systems
• SYS/SDOE 633 Mission and Systems Design Verification and Validation (V&V)

Systems-Centric Software Engineering

• SSW 540 Fundamentals of Software Engineering
• SYS 625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• EM 612 Project Management of Complex Systems
• SSW 565 Software Architecture and Component-Based Design

Systems Engineering and Architecting

• EM/SDOE 612 Project Management of Complex Systems
• SYS/SDOE 605 Systems Integration 
• SYS/SDOE 625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS/SDOE 650 System Architecture and Design

Systems Engineering Management

• EM/SDOE 612 Project Management of Complex Systems
• EM/SDOE 680 Designing and Managing the Development Enterprise
• SYS/SDOE 625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS/SDOE 660 Decision and Risk Analysis

Systems and Supportability Engineering

• SYS/SDOE 625 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SYS/SDOE 640 System Supportability and Logistics
• SYS/SDOE 645 Design for System Reliability, Maintainability, and
  Supportability
• SYS/SDOE 650 System Architecture and Design

The certificate in Agile Systems and Enterprises integrates four complimentary courses. One common theme throughout defines enterprise as a human activity system. Another defines agile systems as those responding effectively to unpredicted situations, at all times, within mission. These common themes facilitate a study of agility across a seemingly wide variety of interesting system types, with the lines of difference blurred as each informs the other. The frontier of systems engineering today seeks new levels of system capability and behavior, and expects to find those benefits in higher forms of systems that elude traditional control and creation concepts. This graduate certificate is relevant to engineers, managers, and decision-makers in commercial, healthcare, financial and insurance, and defense domains working with systems that must thrive in a dynamic unpredictable environment, especially if they are system of systems, or enterprise systems. The graduate certificate and the constituent courses first build a theoretical and philosophical basis for understanding and formulating the interactive and interdependent problem and solution spaces, and then suggest pragmatic and executable approaches to realize the enterprise potential.

Engineering Management is a rapidly expanding field that combines engineering, technology, management, systems, and business. High-technology companies in the telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, consulting, information technology, and other industries utilize the concepts and tools of EM, such as project management, quality management, engineering economics, modeling and simulation, systems engineering and integration, and statistical tools. Given that most students will spend most of their professional careers in a management or supervisory capacity, this certificate will provide many of the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century global economy.

The certificate in Enterprise Architecture and Governance integrates four complimentary courses focused on defining and managing large enterprises. Enterprises represent a special case of systems of systems, one with enormous economic importance. While not traditionally considered within the same domain as technical systems, enterprises are increasingly being seen as representatives of a broader class of human designed systems, of which technical systems are only one part. Certainly, as we look at extended enterprises, the elements of which may be independent firms widely dispersed across the globe, each with their own motivations, expertise, cultures and organizations, policy and procedures, doctrine and history, charters and resources, motivations, and strategic intent, yet collectively working together to produce a product or service valued by customers, the challenge of designing, managing, evaluating, and optimizing these systems is the equal of any we can find. Whether governments, large commercial organizations, government agencies, etc., governance continues to be the most critical challenge contributing to the success or failure of the enterprise. The graduate certificate and the constituent courses first build both a theoretical and philosophical basis for understanding and formulating the interactive and interdependent problem and solution spaces, and then suggest pragmatic and executable approaches to realize the enterprise potential.

The vast complexity of financial markets compels industry to look for experts who not only understand how they work, but also possess the mathematical knowledge to uncover their patterns and the computer skills to exploit them. To achieve success, banking and securities industries must come to grips with securities valuation, risk management, portfolio structuring, and regulation-knowledge embracing applied mathematics, computational techniques, statistical analysis, and economic theory. This four-course graduate certificate in Financial Engineering is an online, instructor-led, program that provides you with what you need to know in stochastic modeling, optimization, and simulation techniques.

The components of financial problem solving are embedded in the methods of applied mathematics, computational techniques, statistical analysis and economic theory. In a Financial Engineering program, those components are directed towards solving problems in securities valuation, risk management, portfolio structuring and regulatory concerns with emphasis on tools and training in stochastic modeling, optimization, and simulation techniques. Financial markets can be viewed as complex systems whose design, implementation, verifiability, reliability and accuracy rely heavily on the spanning communication networks and each node in the system. This in effect lays the burden on the trustworthiness of software and its ability to mirror and propel the growing demand for dealing with ever emerging financial systems complexities. Financial Systems resilience, reliability and agility are a function of the software engineering characteristics underlying their operations.  In financial systems, two broad areas of software applications can be distinguished: the first we will call inter-system infrastructural software (ISIS) and the second is intra-system super structural software (ISSS) with middleware at the interfaces along with well-defined protocols.  To support work force development and research in the ISIS and ISSS arenas, the SSE offers certificates in Software Engineering in Finance and Financial Software Engineering, respectively.

The certificate in Infrastructure Management integrates crucial activities spanning the entire life cycle of infrastructure systems.  These four courses provide the backbone for approaching infrastructure systems from a top-level management and decision-making perspective.  This certificate is relevant for professionals who wish to complement existing knowledge, skills and experience in one of the infrastructure areas that constitute the focus of the program. After completion of the certificate, participants will have the knowledge and skills necessary to

• effectively manage complex infrastructure projects,
• analyze the economic and financial aspects of infrastructure development and operation,
• analyze and design different types of networked infrastructure systems from a systems and network perspective,
• build in flexibility and resilience into infrastructure systems in the face of natural and man-made disasters, and
• develop insights into infrastructure governance issues and public-private partnerships.

The Logistics and Supply Chain Analysis certificate focuses on the theory and practice of designing and analyzing supply chains. It will provide quantitative tools to identify key drivers of supply chain performance, such as inventory, transportation, information, and facilities from a holistic perspective. This graduate certificate program has a "how-to" orientation and the understanding gained in the courses can be immediately applied to the solution of on-the-job problems.

Today’s complex and competitive business environment demands that companies vigilantly insure the reliability and integrity of computer systems to avoid costly and potentially catastrophic disruption. To guard against failure, alert industries engage technically qualified experts with sound managerial judgment. The four-course graduate certificate in Software Engineering offers what you need to know to understand fail-safe computer systems, both rapidly and prudently. Managers and software professionals who enroll in these innovative courses will become authorities on quantitative, rather than qualitative problem-solving methods. Learn to deal with a broad spectrum of enterprises—from small-scale to large complex projects. Work in teams to solve problems generated by actual case histories. Following IEEE-sponsored Software Engineering Body of Knowledge guidelines, you emerge as a key player with superior knowledge of the principal elements of advanced software engineering—analysis and design, component-based architecture, configuration management, group dynamics, and testing, verification, and validation.

The certificate in Space Systems Engineering integrates crucial activities spanning the entire life cycle.  Information and capabilities are learned by participants in hands-on space system and mission design assignments focusing on: operations, concept development, space system architecture, verification and validation, as well as key system engineering processes and tools.  These four courses provide the backbone for the development of space systems engineers.  This certificate is relevant for professionals who wish to compliment there existing knowledge and skills base to include state of the art spacecraft and mission analysis design combined with a holistic systems engineering and architecture perspective.

Modern society depends on large-scale software-intensive systems of astonishing complexity. For almost all interesting systems, the majority of the value is delivered through software and the majority of the engineering challenges are addressed through software. Because the consequences of failure in such systems are so high, it is vital that the software be assured or trustworthy; i.e., it has the characteristics that users depend on, including correctness, security, safety, and availability.  Applying best practices based on sound underlying principles is essential in building complex software-intensive systems. Such practices address ways to specify, design, implement, test, and evaluate these systems in ways that enhance their trustworthiness. The four courses leading to a graduate certificate in Systems-Centric Software Engineering address software engineering in a way that integrates critical aspects of systems engineering and incorporates best practices to make those systems trustworthy.

If you're an engineer who wants to help solve today's business problems and meet your future career goals, this four-course, online graduate certificate is perfect for you. The material presented in the Systems Engineering and Architecting (SEA) certificate provides an interdisciplinary approach based on an "entire view" of missions and operational environments and combines the capabilities of platforms, systems, operators, and support to fashion solutions that meet customer needs. Our competencies in the SEA are nationally-recognized for our achievements in engineering education and the research philosophy rooted in effective partnerships with industry, and instructors whose broad backgrounds provide a balanced blend of academic rigor with practical experience teach the program.

The Systems Engineering Management (SEM) certificate is designed for program managers, project managers, and lead systems engineers involved with conceiving, defining, architecting, integrating, and testing complex and multi-functional systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the modern engineering enterprise characterized by geographically dispersed and multi-cultural organizations. Accordingly, the role of e-collaboration is also examined, and the traditional project and program management concepts are re-examined in this context. The participating students are also introduced to the concept of the “extended” enterprise and the delivery of a value chain solution. Relevant subjects such as leadership, subcontracting, and partnering are also reviewed. Additionally, the human, financial, organizational, and systems integration skills necessary to make project teams more productive are addressed in this graduate certificate offering. With a common systems engineering process serving as the framework, courses in project management, costing and acquisition, decision and risk analysis, and the organization as a system are integrated to form a certificate that will bridge engineering, management, and systems integration.

With an increasing percentage (often 65% or more) of the system life-cycle cost (LCC) being allocated to operations and support, there is urgency about exploring "cause and effect" relationships between design decisions and their operational, and support-related impacts. System and product robustness and sustainability become key when systems are costed using a LCC approach. The notion of “open” system architectures becomes imperative with increasing use of commercial system elements and common platforms. This four-course cluster in Systems and Supportability Engineering presents innovative methods and practices aimed to integrate system reliability, maintainability, and supportability considerations into the systems engineering process. On the other hand, methods to optimize necessary logistics resources and processes are critical and are also studied in this sequence of courses. Current business trends are discussed and assessed.

The programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree are designed to develop your ability to perform research or high-level design in systems engineering, engineering management, and/or enterprise systems. Admission to the doctoral program is made through the school’s PhD Admissions Committee and is based on a review of your scholastic record and professional accomplishments. This committee is chaired by the Associate Dean for Academics with representation from the major programs and meets quarterly.  For domestic students, admission to PhD programs in SSE requires that the candidate has graduated from an ABET accredited undergraduate program, preferably in engineering or science.  A master’s degree is generally required before a student is admitted to the doctoral program. A student’s master’s level academic performance and/or career must reflect their ability to pursue advanced studies and perform independent research.  Typically a GPA of 3.5 or better at master’s level and 3.0 or better at the undergraduate level is required for admission to the Ph.D. program. International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language prior to admission by scoring at least 550 (210 for computer based) on the TOEFL examination. All PhD applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) results and a Letter of Intent as part of the application process. Candidates may submit GMAT scores in lieu of GREs for the PhD in Engineering Management and Enterprise Systems. The Letter of Intent should be limited to two pages and consist of two elements: 1) long term career goals and how a PhD supports these goals and 2) broad statement of research interests.

Ninety credits of graduate work in an approved program of study beyond the bachelor’s degree are required for completion of the doctoral program. Up to 30 credits obtained in a master’s program can be included toward the doctoral degree. Of the remaining 60 credits, up to 30 credit hours of course work as well as a minimum of 30 credit hours of dissertation work are required. Note that HUM 501, Foundations of Technical Communication, can be substituted for 3 credit hours of dissertation research. The writing style, grammar, and spelling of the dissertation and all exams should reflect a high level of skill in written communication. Students are encouraged to meet every semester with members of their Dissertation Advisory (DAC) to collect feedback, kept abreast of their progress, etc.
A maximum of six years is allowed for the completion of the degree. Requests for an extension of the six-year limit must be made in writing thru the Program Director, the Associate Dean for Academics, and ultimately to the Dean of Academic Administration.

The PhD admissions committee will annually at the end of the academic year to review the progres s of all PhD students.  In the event that a student does not make any significant progress during an academic year, the PhD Admissions Committee in concert with the Research Advisor reserves the option to 1) have the student develop a remediation plan to accelerate progress, 2) change that program of study from PhD to a master’s degree, or 3) disenroll them from the program.

Upon acceptance into the PhD program, each student will be assigned a Temporary Academic Advisor (TAA).This TAA serves the purpose of getting the student started with their program of study and to help guide them in finding a permanent advisor.  The role of the TAA is to broadly guide the student in the pursuit of research in their chosen area.  By the time a student completes three or four courses, they should select a permanent Research Advisor and agree upon a broad research topic.  The Research Advisor normally serves as the Chair or co-Chair of the DAC and must be a tenured/tenure track faculty member or professor emeritus within SSE.  

The Research Advisor and the doctoral student will nominate additional members of the DAC. A DAC is composed of at least four members, one of who must be a Stevens’s faculty member from another school. It is permissible and desirable to have as a committee member a highly qualified person from outside Stevens. A DAC appointment form is completed and submitted to the Dean of Academic Administration  for approval.  

The purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to assess the candidate’s ability to conduct independent research of high quality, communicate effectively, and develop original ideas in their chosen area of research interest. The candidate should develop a “Research Statement” that articulates their research interests. Students are encouraged to take a SYS/EM/ES 800 course to collaborate with their advisory and to develop the details of their research statement that will provide a context for their dissertation research.  It is suggested that the students should typically take this course as their 5 or 6th course.
 
The qualifying examination has two components – written and oral.  For the written component, each member of the DAC develops 2 or 3 questions that are meant to examine the candidate’s ability to conduct research and synthesize objective and cogent responses to these questions.  These questions may be based on the student’s research statement and may include critical review of relevant papers, comprehensive assessment of the significance of anticipated research within the related literature, both academic and practitioner, etc.  The Research Advisor will collect these questions from the DAC and transmit them to the candidate.  The student is expected to respond to all questions within two weeks, and to provide each member of the DAC paper and electronic copies of responses to all questions at least two weeks prior to the scheduling of the oral component of the qualifying examination.Students must be registered during the semester that the qualifying examination is taken.  Students may not schedule the Qualifying Examination until they have an approved Study Plan.  The student’s DAC administers the Qualifying Examination. If performance on the examination is unsatisfactory, one full semester must lapse (15 weeks) before the examination is administered a second time.  Students failing the examination twice will be dismissed from Stevens Institute.  At the discretion of the DAC, a candidate may be allowed to change his or her degree option from a Ph.D. to a Masters.  

The purpose of the Proposal Defense is to ensure that the dissertation is appropriately scoped and all members of DAC are in agreement with methodology, products, results, etc., for the dissertation.  Every doctoral candidate is required to prepare a Research Proposal that addresses the following seven areas: 1) describes the research content and why it is important, 2) present a literature review to include what others have done in the area, 3) discuss the research outcome anticipated including its relationship to related research within the literature, 4) proposed research validation approach, 5) articulation of specific contribution to the field of endeavor, 6) articulation of the creative content and uniqueness of the research effort, and 7) anticipated obstacles.& nbsp; You must clearly articulate to your DAC why and how do you propose to accomplish this research.  This proposal must be in a written form and must be briefed to his/her DAC at a meeting of the committee.  As a minimum, the candidate should have Chapter 1 (Problem Statement) or equivalent, Chapter 2 (Literature Review) or equivalent, emerging results, validation and verification plan, schedule for completing the dissertation, content and target journals to publish the results of the research along with a schedule for their publication.

A student pursuing a doctoral degree should demonstrate, through the qualifying exam, this proposal, and ultimately the dissertation, the ability to conduct high quality, original and creative research.  This proposal should show that the research results should be sufficiently significant as to be publishable in a referred journal. The writing style, grammar, and spelling of the proposal and the dissertation should reflect a high level of written communication skills.  The proposal defense document must be made available to the doctoral committee at least two weeks before the scheduled event.

At the completion of the research, you must defend your dissertation in a public presentation. The final dissertation document must be made available to the committee at least two weeks prior to the actual scheduled defense and cannot be scheduled during the last four weeks of an academic term. All students are encouraged to meet individually with the DAC before the Public Defense to ensure that the dissertation has met their expectations.  The final public defense must be scheduled through the Graduate School, at least two weeks prior to its administration.  To pass the final examination, a degree candidate must have a favorable vote from a majority of the examining/advisory committee, with at most a single negative vote. The final draft of the dissertation document must be made available to the doctoral committee at least two weeks prior to the scheduled final examination.If a student fails either the Public Defense, there must be a lapse of one full semester (15 weeks) before rescheduling the defense.  A student is allowed no more than two opportunities to successfully defend the dissertation.

The results of the research should be significant to be publishable in a major scholarly journal.  In lieu of the traditional dissertation, the SSE offers students the option to build a portfolio where refereed journal and conference papers are included as appendices in the final dissertation.  The main body of the dissertation integrates these papers and refers to those papers (which are contain in an appendix) for the details.  We believe that having your research peer reviewed produces a superior dissertation and disseminates the results to a wider community.