OVERVIEW
OBJECTIVES
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REQUIREMENTS
Study Plan
OVERVIEW
The degree of Master of Science in Engineering Systems and Management (MSc in ESM) is awarded for successfully completing the requirements of a program of study, which includes taught courses as well as a written thesis. The thesis is an independent investigation of specialized areas within the general field of Engineering Systems and associated disciplines.
The MSc in ESM is an interdisciplinary program that brings together experts in engineering, design, economics, management and policy to teach and undertake research into large-scale complex systems, and contribute to the process of discovery and knowledge creation through the conduct of original research. The mission of the Master of Science in Engineering Systems and Management Program at KU is to create corporate and government leaders that can effectively deal with global energy and sustainability challenges that involve large scale systems.
The MSc in ESM graduates are trained in strategy, industrial operations, operations research, and systems thinking. As such, they will be ideally positioned to take leadership positions in the private or public sector and guide research and implementation of advanced technologies, and optimize the operations and design of complex systems. Research may be undertaken in several topics corresponding to the areas of focus identified by the University.
For more information contactÌýesm@ku.ac.ae
OBJECTIVES
The Master of Science in Engineering Systems and Management program will meet its overarching goals. These goals (objectives) are the same ones that were accredited by CAA in 2010, as the ones to educate its graduates professionally and ethically to be valuable professionals in the UAE and internationally with disciplinary preparation that imparts the following:
1) Ability to identify and respond to complex engineering systems problems (involving technical and socioeconomic components).
2) Ability to apply advanced systems analysis tools in a multi-disciplinary setting in order to bound, plan, analyze, design and implement solutions to engineering systems problems, while advancing professionally and be recognized as leaders in their chosen fields.
3) Understanding of the complex interactions between the engineering system solutions and their implications on larger scale (regional, national, global) technological, economic, societal and environmental systems with a view on long-term sustainability.
4) An understanding of the value of technical and scientific scholarship, service to society, leadership and life-long learning required to further their career aspirations in support of the needs of the community.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Stemming from the overarching goals, the MSc in ESM program aims to fulfill the following set of outcomes:
1) Successfully apply appropriate combinations of advanced concepts of engineering, economics, system theory, management and policy to identify, formulate and address engineering systems problems, and acquire knowledge of contemporary issues in the field of Engineering systems and management.
2) Successfully use advanced system analysis, operations research methodology, data management, and design tools (e.g. optimization, simulation, architecture, statistical analysis, surveys, applied principles and heuristics etc.) to design, develop, implement, integrate and improve systems and processes, and make educated objective decisions.
3) Understand and apply the relationships between the management tasks of planning, organization, leadership, control, and the human element in production, research, and service organizations along with an understanding of and dealing with the stochastic nature of organizational systems.
4) Assess the direct and indirect impact of engineering solutions on sustainable development (e.g., economic, environmental, and social factors) with a focus on engineering systems contemporary issues such as energy and health care delivery systems, while developing an aptitude for continuous improvement.
5) Use appropriate advanced methods to design, conduct and analyze experimental studies and manage data for engineering systems with a strong sociotechnical component.
6) Communicate effectively in written and oral form, both, individually and as a member of a multidisciplinary team, while conducting research, documenting and defending the research results.
REQUIREMENTS
Overall Program Structure
The MSc ESM consists of a minimum 30 credit hours, distributed as follows: 12 credit hours of Program Core courses, 9 credit hours of Program Elective courses, 9 credit hours of Master’s Thesis and a zero credit Research Methods course. Students may organize the selection of elective courses and the thesis topic to follow a concentration. The concentration will be noted on the transcript and the diploma. The components of the program are summarized in the table below.
|
Program Component
|
Credits Hours
|
|
Seminar in Research Methods
|
0
|
|
Program Core
|
12
|
|
Program Electives
|
9
|
|
Master’s Thesis
|
9
|
|
Total
|
30
|
Program Requirements
Students seeking the degree of MSc in Engineering and Systems Management must successfully complete a minimum 30 credit hours as specified in the program requirements detailed below, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Course selection should be made in consultation with the student’s Main Advisor. All courses have a credit rating of three credits each, except the Seminar in Research Methods and the Master’s Thesis.
Program Core (12 Credit Hours)
Students must complete the core courses listed below.
CORE COURSES
|
Seminar in Research Methods |
0 |
|
Systems Optimization |
3 |
|
System Dynamics for Business Policy |
3 |
|
Or |
|
|
Cost Engineering |
3 |
|
System Project Management |
3 |
|
Business Analytics, Statistics for Engineering Systems |
3 |
Program Electives and Concentrations (9 credit hours)
Students must select any three elective courses from the list below, or from any core courses listed above that are not used to meet the Program Core requirement. Subject to approval of the Main Advisor, students can select up to two elective courses (6 credit hours) from other MSc programs in the College of Engineering at KU.
Program Elective Courses
|
System Architecture |
3 |
|
Product Design and Development |
3 |
|
Management and Entrepreneurship for Engineers |
3 |
|
Environmental Policy and Economics |
3 |
|
Innovation and Creativity in Technology Organizations |
3 |
|
Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation |
3 |
|
Advanced Quality Management System |
3 |
|
Production, Operations and Inventory Management |
3 |
|
Advanced Lean Manufacturing |
3 |
|
System Simulation: Modelling and Analysis |
3 |
|
Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation Networks |
3 |
|
Global Supply Chain Management |
3 |
|
Warehousing and Distribution |
3 |
|
Healthcare Operations Management |
3 |
|
Lean Service Systems |
3 |
|
Healthcare Information Systems |
3 |
|
Selected Topics in Systems and Engineering Management |
3 |
Concentration in Technology Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The MSc ESM offers an optional concentration in Technology Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This concentration allows students to conduct an in-depth study on managing the steps needed to translate new technologies into useful products and services. In addition to program specific core courses, students pursuing this concentration must successfully complete the courses listed below and a thesis in a field of research relevant to the general area of Technology Strategy, Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The concentration will be specified on the student’s diploma and official transcript.
Concentration Courses
|
Management and Entrepreneurship for Engineers |
3 |
|
Innovation and Creativity in Technology Organizations |
3 |
|
Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation |
3 |
Concentration in Complex Systems Acquisition and Management (CSAM)
The concentration provides a theoretical examination of the acquisition (including maintenance contracts) and logistics of complex systems; combined with practical applications and best practices in a variety of national and international settings. Complex systems comprise many components that typically interact with each other or the environment, whether through dependencies or other kinds of relationships. Typical complex system examples can be found in defense, transportation, power production and distribution, manufacturing and natural resources. This concentration focuses on complex systems that need to be physically maintained (e.g., defense and transportation) rather than computer, communication, or social systems.
The concentration equips both government and contractor personnel in project engineering roles in the language of complex systems to better manage the acquisition process and the sustainment of such systems. This concentration focusses on defense acquisition and transportation-related systems including supply chains; the performance based logistics, and maintenance. Other systems such as new product or process development will be highlighted.
Concentration Courses
Students opting for this concentration must complete the three additional elective courses from the list below.
| ESMA 651 |
Systems Acquisition Lifecycle |
| ESMA 652 |
Logistics Systems Engineering |
| ESMA 653 |
Systems Integration |
Master’s Thesis (minimum 9 credit hours)
Students must complete a Master’s Thesis that involves creative, research-oriented work within the broad field of ESM, under the direct supervision of a full-time faculty advisor from the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, and at least one other full-time faculty who acts as a co-advisor. The outcome of research should demonstrate the synthesis of information into knowledge in a form that may be used by others. The research findings must be documented in a formal thesis and defended successfully in a viva voce examination. Furthermore, the research should lead to publishable quality scholarly articles.
Thesis
Study Plan
Students must consult with their respective advisors on the courses that they will enroll in, the required pre-requisites, and the thesis topic selection. Full-time graduate students must register for 9 to 12 credits, including thesis credits, during a regular semester (Fall and Spring) and a maximum of 6 credits during a Summer term. In the case of part-time students, the credit load is normally 6 credits during a regular semester as well as the summer term.
Students can only register for thesis credits after successfully completing a minimum of 9 credits of the core courses of the master’s program they are enrolled in. It is to be noted that the minimum pass grade for graduate courses is a “C” letter grade. Students should consult the Graduate Catalog to learn about the graduate programs, the grading system, graduation requirements, and other pertinent matters.
