The course focuses on research and presentation of formal oral and written reports. Students learn how to identify a problem, structure and analyze the problem, and generate conclusions and recommendations in much the same way that they would as policy analysts or managers.
Students work with a client or decision maker.
In addition to building research and problem-solving skills, students gain practice in working as part of a professional team operating in a research environment that addresses technical, social, and political issues. For this reason, most Physical Technical Systems courses are undertaken jointly with the Heinz School and the Department of Engineering and Public Policy.