Overview
The online Systems Engineering Foundations Microcertificate introduces the principles of designing, analyzing, and managing complex systems across their lifecycle. You’ll explore systems thinking, risk management, and decision analysis as core approaches to modern systems engineering practice.
Through this two-course graduate credential, you’ll build a foundation for analyzing trade-offs and balancing technical and organizational constraints in real-world contexts.
This microcertificate is part of the optional Systems Engineering Certificate and Degree Pathway.
Skills & Outcomes
After completing the Systems Engineering Foundations Microcertificate, you’ll be equipped to:
- Apply the systems engineering process, including requirements development, system design, integration, and verification.
- Use systems thinking to model and analyze complex engineering and organizational challenges.
- Evaluate trade-offs and optimize system performance using economic and risk-based approaches.
- Apply design analysis techniques to improve engineering and business outcomes.
- Communicate technical findings and trade-off analyses on interdisciplinary teams.
Courses
- CSCI 178 Introduction to Systems Engineering
- CSCI 188 Economics, Risk, and Decision Analysis in Systems Engineering
Next Start Term
Enroll in your first microcertificate course this fall — no application required.
Course registration opens July 20. Preview fall courses and learn how to register.
Systems Engineering Certificate and Degree Pathway
The Systems Engineering Foundations Microcertificate can be completed as a standalone credential or as a starting point for further graduate study.
Continue to a Graduate Certificate
The two courses in this microcertificate count toward the four-course Systems Engineering and Data-Driven Decision-Making Graduate Certificate.
If you choose to continue, you can complete two additional courses to earn the graduate certificate. Learn more about the certificate requirements and timeline.
Continue to a Master’s Degree
The microcertificate courses fulfill the “earn your way in” admissions requirement for the Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Program.
After admission, you’ll continue your coursework toward the degree. You may choose to complete the graduate certificate along the way.
Learn more about degree admissions, requirements, and timeline.
Tuition
Starting and Completing a Microcertificate
To begin your microcertificate, you simply register for your first course for the microcertificate — no application required. Learn how to register.
To earn your microcertificate:
- Complete the two courses for graduate credit.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete the courses within two years.
