New Systems Engineering Degree Encompasses Multiple Study Areas

The University of Texas at Dallas has introduced a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering to help meet the demand for engineers with the skills needed to manage complex systems and projects that involve multiple disciplines.

The new degree program, offered through the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, provides students with the flexibility to combine their interest in engineering with other fields such as business or health care, said Dr. Mark W. Spong, professor of systems engineering and of electrical and computer engineering and holder of an Excellence in Education Chair.

"We think the bachelor's degree in systems engineering is going to be popular because it is a broad and flexible program," Spong said. "We are giving students a chance to design their own curriculum based on their interests."

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the degree in July 2024. The program launched this fall.

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on designing, integrating and managing complex systems over their life cycle. Examples of these systems include electricity grids, aircraft systems, autonomous vehicles and transportation systems.

The program will provide students with experience across multiple engineering disciplines, said Dr. Stephen Yurkovich, professor of systems engineering.

"Systems concepts and systems thinking run throughout almost all of the engineering fields," said Yurkovich, the Louis Beecherl Jr. Distinguished Chair in Engineering. "With the secondary field option and general structure of the program, we feel that it offers the greatest degree of flexibility for undergraduate engineering students. It is a good time to be entering engineering at UT Dallas."

The degree will prepare students for careers in a range of fields that require expertise in integrating components that work together within complex systems.

"The launch of our new undergraduate systems engineering program marks a significant milestone for UT Dallas," said Dr. Reza Moheimani, professor and department head of systems engineering and the James Von Ehr Distinguished Chair in Science and Technology. "Building on the success of our well-established master's program, which has thrived for over a decade, this new offering is a truly welcome addition to our educational portfolio.

"Systems engineering graduates are highly sought after by industries across North Texas and consistently rank among the best-compensated engineers. Our uniquely designed undergraduate curriculum will equip students with a distinctive blend of knowledge and skill sets rarely found in graduates of other engineering programs by preparing them for immediate impact and long-term success."

The bachelor's degree includes fundamental courses in mathematics and systems and a secondary field tailored to students' interests in a range of fields such as business, health care, public policy or one of the other engineering disciplines offered at UTD, including bioengineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering.

The program also has a fast-track master's degree option for well-qualified students who take graduate-level courses as they are completing their undergraduate degree. UT Dallas offers a Master of Science in systems engineering and management jointly offered through the Jonsson School and the Naveen Jindal School of Management.

Media Contact: Kim Horner, UT Dallas, 972-883-4463, [email protected], or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected].