Systems Architecture and Engineering Program
Center for Systems
and Software
Engineering
Convocation
October 23, 2006
University of Southern California
• Founded in 1880 (Early for the Western U.S.)
• Private university – not part of UC system• Large (~31,000 students)• An AAU university• Includes a full spectrum of professional
schools and the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
• Last 40 years has made great strides in becoming one of the great academic institutions in the country.
• By the way – does have a football team
University of Southern California
MISSION: The central mission of the
University of Southern California is the
development of human beings and society
as a whole through the cultivation and
enrichment of the human mind and spirit.
USC Vision
USC intends to become one of the
most influential and productive
research universities in the
world. Three core approaches
will underlie our efforts:
USC Vision (continued)
A. We will conduct a range of research
and scholarship that advances
knowledge and at the same time
addresses issues critical to our
community, the nation, and the
world.
USC Vision (continued)
B. We will create a significant global
presence that will increase
international visibility, reach, and
impact of our research, scholarship,
art, education, and service.
USC Vision (continued)
C. We will focus our educational programs on meeting the needs of qualified students worldwide, from undergraduates through continuing professional development. This commitment will guide our choices regarding pedagogy, instructional technology, curriculum, admissions, and support services.
USC Viterbi School of Engineering (VSoE)
Consistently in top 10 graduate ranking (USN&WR)
• Improved significantly in the last 15 years
Highest ranking of research expenditures per
faculty member
Viterbi naming gift in 2004 - $52M
Strong commitment to distance education
• Over 130 courses in spring and fall semesters
on Distance Education Network (DEN)
• Over 1300 students taking graduate
engineering courses on DEN
Systems Architecture and Engineering
• First academic program of this nature • Founded in 1988 by the late Eb Rechtin,
President Emeritus of Aerospace Corporation• First MSSAE degrees earned in 1992• Led by Elliot Axelband, retired VP of Hughes,
from 1994 – 2003• Current Director – Stan Settles,
Associate Director – George Friedman• Strategically important to the VSoE• New level of program status within
Epstein ISE/Viterbi School
New SAE Organization
• SAE is an interdisciplinary program within the Epstein Department of ISE
• The SAE Director reports to the Dean on SAE matters• SAE has its own budget – like a department• 7 courses are controlled by SAE with ISE coordination • 3 courses are controlled by ISE with SAE coordination• SAE course prefix is in place – e.g. SAE 574• Ph.D. program in SAE is being created• The SAE Director is Associate Chair of Epstein ISE
Department
USC Systems Engineering Influence
• Co-sponsor of annual Conference on Systems
Engineering Research (Six have been held)
• Heavily represented in INCOSE
• SE is influencing the industrial engineering discipline
• Created a SE Track in the annual IE research
conference
• In leadership roles in the Council of Engineering Systems
Universities and the INCOSE Academic Leadership
Roundtable
SAE Enrollment (without “Limited Status”)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
CtSAESAE
CtSAE 4 2 4 6 6 9 6 8 7
SAE 38 50 65 72 85 100 92 95 111 125 155 158
Fall 00 Spr 01 Fall 01 Spr 02 Fall 02 Spr 03 Fall 03 Spr 04 Fall 04 Spr 05 Fall 05 Spr 06
Note: Fall 2006 enrollment is 309 students, including “Limited Status”
SAE Mission
The mission of the SAE Program is:
to conduct leading edge research and
deliver excellent education in systems
architecting and engineering.
SAE Vision
The SAE vision is:
to be perceived as the leading source of
systems architecting and engineering
research and education worldwide.
SAE Goals
Establish the program more like a department within the
VSoE *
Create an organized research unit (ORU)
Establish the Ph.D. in SAE
Continue to increase course enrollments
Create new courses to meet the demand and to lead the field
Establish an Industry Advisory Board *
* = Done
SAE Objectives
Hire at least one tenure-track faculty member starting by
Fall 2007
Hire at least one more tenure-track faculty member
starting by Spring 2008
Add at least one part-time person with industry experience
to help in marketing and teaching SAE courses by Fall
2007
Current SAE Degrees and Certificates
MSSAE
• 30 units (10 courses)
Graduate Certificate in SAE
• 15 units (5 courses)
Graduate Certificate in Network-Centric Systems
• Approval expected in fall 2006
SAE Program Philosophy
• Systems architecture and engineering education builds on expertise in one or more engineering discipline(s).
• Courses in systems architecting, engineering and management are required.
• The student is expected to continue to grow in a technical specialty track also.
• SAE is an art based on science and engineering
• Industrial experience is key to teaching some core courses.
SAE Core Courses
• SAE 549 Systems Architecting *• SAE 541 Systems Engineering Theory and
Practice *• SAE 542 Advanced Topics in Systems
Engineering• ISE 460 or ISE 561 Engineering Economy, or
ISE 583 Financial Engineering *• ISE 515 Engineering Project Management• ISE 544 Management of Engineering Teams
* Indicates course is required in all programs
Other Key Courses
• SAE 550 Engineering Management of Government-Funded Programs
• SAE 574 Net-Centric Systems Architecting and Engineering (new – Fall 2003)
• CSCI 510 Software Management and Economics
• CSCI 577a Software Engineering• SAE 5xx Research in Systems Architecting
(not offered recently)• SAE 551 Lean Operations• SAE 552 Six Sigma
Graduate Certificate in SAE
Required Courses: (Pick four from list)
• SAE 549 Systems Architecting• SAE 541 Systems Engineering Theory
and Practice • SAE 542 Advanced Topics in Systems
Engineering • ISE 460 or ISE 561 Engineering Economy,
or ISE 563 Financial Engineering • ISE 515 Engineering Project Management• ISE 544 Management of Engineering
TeamsPlus one approved elective course
Graduate Certificate in Network-Centric Systems
Required Courses
• SAE 574 Net-Centric Systems Architecting and
Engineering
• Either
• CSCI 551 Computer Communications, or
• EE 535 Mobile Communications
Elective Courses
• Select at least two from long list of CSCI and EE courses
Note: Certificate is in approval process
Issues to Consider? (From Industry Advisory Board)
More courses on Net-Centric Systems?Net-Centric Graduate Certificate?Case studies-based SE course?General systems theory course?Modeling and Simulation course?Undergraduate SE course/minor?Certificate course for BS holders to help them move to
SE roles?Collaborative research with industry?Value of Ph.D. to industry?Include lean manufacturing & six sigma courses?Others????
SAE Research Foundations
• USC and Viterbi School mission and vision consistent with
interdisciplinary program
• Large network of research affiliates identified
• Rapidly growing interest in Ph.D. program for SAE
• Based on ISE Ph.D. program
• Companies and organizations are identifying significant
areas for research
• Affiliates help to establish research agenda
• Funding sources are emphasizing systems research areas