Each project matches a small team of students with a client from the private or public sectors. Students work with the client, under the direction of an individual faculty member, toward the resolution of an actual, open-ended design problem. The undergraduate program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. The program is accredited as a nontraditional engineering program by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and received the board's first Award for Curricular Innovation. Because of the overwhelming student demand for the major in recent years, enrollments in the program are limited.
Admission is based on space availability, academic performance, and extra-curricular activities.
Further information about the undergraduate and graduate programs, and selection into the programs, is available in the department office in Olsson 114. Students who wish to pursue a minor in systems must obtain the application form in Olsson 114 and follow the instructions therein. Suitable science electives are MSE 102 and all courses for science majors in ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, EVSC, and PHYS numbered 200 or higher. This sequence must contain advanced as well as introductory materials. Suitable sequences include economics, psychology, political science, philosophy, religion, history, literature, fine arts, sociology, anthropology and foreign language.